Guitars on flights

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 07:05 AM

I have a Tenor Mandola. With some companies they state how long your in-flight bag can be. The Mondola case is too long, although they have not challanged me on that.

I have thought of putting the mandola in my hard shell cloths case in a soft gig bag. How does this sound?

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 07:21 AM

The main problem with guitar cases it the shape. They don't stack well, and get left till last on the baggage trolley, then thrown on top. The trolley then zooms off at high speed, and as it goes round corners, the small odd shaped bits on top slide off. That's what happened to mine, and the next trolley in the train ran over the head of the case. Luckily it damaged the case, and somehow missed the guitar PHEW!!
The best thing case makers could do, is make a case with parallel sides, and coated with a non slip material.
I have seen aluminium cases like large attaché cases, but only for electric guitars, but while they stack OK, you still have the slippery aspect of polished metal.
I'd like an oblong carbon fibre case with hard rubber edges, but it would cost a fortune.

Giok

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Splott Man
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 07:47 AM

On the plane I was on, they had wardrobe-like storage in the posh bit that they used. My guitar case has rubber studs on the fat end so that it can be stood upright, this was an advantage.

It would appear that the hand-luggage size restrictions don't apply to guitar cases, though I suspect that anything bigger would need a seat to itself (I know a harp player who does this. I don't know whether he gets the harp's meals as well, though).

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Mark Ross
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 11:15 AM

The last time I flew, and it is the last time I will fly with instruments, was to Chicago to play for IWW Centenary a couple of years ago. When I checked in I asked if I could take my guitar on board and I was assured that I could. If they had told me that it would have to be checked, I had my Mark Leaf case out in the car, but having been told that there wouldn't be any problem I proceeded through security with my guitar in a good gig bag. Of course, I took out anything that be construed as a weapon and placed it my checked bag. Well, on each of the four planes that I flew on on that trip my guitar had to go underneath in the baggage compartment! Even on the one plane that had large enough overhead bins that my guitar would fit in. To add insult to injury, when I returned home as we taxied to the terminal gate it was announced over the PA that any anything that was gate-checked could be picked up at the baggage carousel... meaning that my one of a kind, custom made instrument(which I've had for over 30 years)would to have to ride the conveyor belt. Needless to say, I threw a fit. Fortunately, the pilot of the outbound flight waiting at the door of the plane took pity on me and rescued my most prized instrument, and after determining that there was no damage(it's a very good, well-padded gig bag of my own design)I swore that this was the last time I would get on one of those things. As my friend Kuddie says "If God had wanted man to fly, our bones would be as hollow as our heads."


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Tweed
Date: 18 Oct 07 - 12:49 PM

I flew to Memphis for the King Biscuit Festival and took an old Harmony electric with me in a gig bag. First leg to Atlanta was a big type Delta jet and there was no problem with carrying the guitar on and stowing it in the luggage bin above my seat. From Atlanta to Memphis we took a smaller commuter type jet and the bins were not so big, and they took it from me and placed it in the hold. The way that worked out was alright as you can watch 'em load it in and when you reach your next stop, you hang around the ramp and they'll bring it back to you without running it through what ever happens on the back side of the baggage claim carousel. My Harmony is no more screwed up now than it was when I left for the Holy Delta Lands.

I say, yes, take the old beater in a gig bag. Check all your other luggage and carry it with you. I figured

"What's the worst could happen? It ain't like it was a Martin, and if they break the neck off, it'll give me something to mess with later."

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 19 Oct 07 - 09:40 AM

I don't travel with anything larger than my kazoo and voice (both classed as lethal weapons) but I would guess you'd have problems on UK based charter and budget flights (like Lowzyjet- you know who I mean) no 1st class "wardrobes" to put things in and limited handbaggage allowances by size and number. Having seen items drop off trolleys here and in Greece between plane and carousel I think hardest possible case advice is soundest. Or take Michael Winner's advice-"Always travel by private jet, dear.

RtS

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: GUEST,Murphy
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 11:22 AM

So there I was, checking in my guitar and getting the ususal lecture about excess baggage and extra cost. I turned to the wife and said, "I should have brought the piano". "Why would you do that, isn't the guitar trouble enough".   .... "It's just that I left my passport on top of the piano".

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 07:14 PM

Who said " The Old Jokes are the best " ??

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: eddie1
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 09:42 AM

Next week I'm flying from Heathrow to Detroit then on to Memphis. If I buy this guitar to take with me, what are my chances of taking it as carry-on. It is quite narrow after all!

Find it here

Eddie

(If this works, I've done my first ever Blue Clicky!

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: tradpiper
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 05:14 PM

Well For years I flew with a guitar over my shoulder, either in a soft case or open.... just carried it on as hand luggage. but dont know if this would work for you, any more.

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 08:32 AM

This discussion is all about the main reason I took up the mandolin.

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: GUEST,Kim
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:54 PM

Ok, I'm totally new to this guitar worry world....
It's almost 2009 and I'm going to Italy...... American Airlines and British Airways.   I have a Martin Dreadnaught and the old heavy duty, cushioned 5 latch case.    Of course, I want to keep it as close to me as possible, espcially since I will be playing the day following my arrival and don't want to worry about misplaced luggage.

Is it possible that I may be able to carry it on?
Has anyone tried most recently?

Subject: RE: Guitars on flights
From: IvanB
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 11:43 PM

Dunno about AA, but BA almost certainly not. I have to say that BA really babied my Martin New Yorker on two different transatlantic flights, hand carrying it to the loading area and hand delivering it to me at the baggage claim areas.