Inconsistent.

I've flown several times with my guitar (hard-shell case). The first time, I naïvely sent it through with the other baggage and it survived without incident, but when I arrived at my destination, the guitar was frosty cold. I didn't think that was so good, so the next time I flew, I asked if the guitar could be taken on board. They agreed, and the stew set the guitar (in its case, of course) in a small coat closet. No problem.

These were either medium sized or jumbo jets, like 707s, 727s, 747s, and DC-10s. Once (in Denver's Stapleton airport) they gave me a bit of grief at the baggage counter, and I said, "I make my living with this instrument. If it doesn't go into the cabin with me, then I don't go!" After a hasty conference, they agreed, and all was fine. On another occasion (flying from Grand Rapid's, Michigan to Chicago), they told me that if I didn't want the guitar to go with the regular baggage, I'd have to buy a half-price ticket for it. The plane was a small twin-engine job and the guy said it didn't have a closet or other storage space big enough for it. I hissed and snarled and showered sparks all over him, but wound up having to buy a thirty-buck ticket for the guitar. It sat in the seat beside me, with its seat belt fastened. Since it was such a short flight (about half and hour), they didn't pass out snacks, so I didn't even get to eat my guitar's little package of macadamia nuts! But then, I understand that Yo Yo Ma usually has to buy a half-price seat for his cello, so I guess I'm in good company.

How things are now, I don't really know. I haven't flown since 9/11, not that I'm afraid to fly, I just haven't had the occasion. These days, though, I would take my GO-GW travel guitar (it's a little puny in the bass, perhaps, but other than that, it sounds and plays like a regular guitar). In its gig bag, it looks like I'm packing a rifle. That should be a lotta fun in an airport!!

Don Firth