I've flown quite a bit with my fiddle recently (although not specifically with Ryanair) and won't put it in the hold. Even though it is bigger than the dimensions allowed for hand luggage, to date I've not been refused with it, I've just turned up to check in and said 'it's a musical instrument' when questioned... Once or twice they've said it might get refused aty the actual boarding gate but haven't said a word once I got there. A normal sized fiddle case does fit in overhead lockers in every plane I've been on so far. As a fall back position I've always been prepared to take it out of its case, put the empty case in the hold, and carry the fiddle in my hands all the way there - wouldn't be ideal but I reckon it'd be the safest option. So far I haven't had to do this. That said my band mate who has fiddle and pipes in a double case which would no way fit in the overhead locker has put them in the hold, and so far touch wood has had no problems. The case is a Calton case though which is virtually bomb proof. I have in the past travelled with a viola in a Hiscox case in the hold and again, no problems. You just never know though - I've witnessed very battered cases coming out of the hold before and have heard too many horror stories to be comfortable doing it unless I have to.
|