BS: Flying with your guitar

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 09:35 AM

Yes Deb, I remember it well. I also remember that I was the one who had to carry it around ! *BG* . But my arm is much better now .....................:-)

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: DebC
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 09:29 AM

I also have to chime in here as well...(Murray, I had my Martin in a Calton case when I came to visit you last year, remember?)

The Calton case is the best investment I have ever made for my guitar. When I saw that United was doing the template thing, I plunked down the $500+ and got a Calton. I have no uneasy feelings about checking my Martin when it is in the Calton. There are some great survival stories and testamonials about how Calton cases have protected guitars.

I fly a lot and I cannot stand it when people take up the overhead bins with all kinds of stuff. As one flight attendant said to me when I asked about the carry-on situation, "It's really a safety issue. Things DO shift in the bins during flight and the possibility of something that heavy landing on someone's head is a risk that we don't want to take"

I haven't flown with my guitar since the disaster, but the airlines have been great...I ask that my guitar be brought to special handling where you have to show your claim number to retrieve it.

Spend the $$$ for a Calton. It's worth it.

Deb

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: Midchuck
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:22 AM

Best prices on new Caltons that I'm aware of. Still a lot.

I've had good luck tracking down used ones, but fit is always a consideration.

Peter.

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:21 AM

Yeah, I knew about the remplate, Seamus, last time I flew with a guitar was just before they introduced them, and I was able to carry it on board (in a gig bag).

In previous threads on this subject, there were always one or two peopole who swore they could cajole their way into getting their guitars on board despite the template. I agree with you, I just don't think it is worth the hassle, (especially after 9-11) and that your Calton case is the solution.

For Kendall's benefit, and anyone else who may be interested, here is a link to information about flight cases from the website of the very wonderful Christine Lavin.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: Grab
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 08:05 AM

I actually _was_ flying on 9/11, just coming back from Greece. BTW, a hard-case is _essential_ to overcome the Greek desire to trash your luggage.

Classic situation - at checkin in Greece:

"Please can you put this in fragile?" "Fragile? OK." Checkin girl slaps fragile sticker on case, then puts case on conveyor (on its edge) with rest of luggage. 5 yards down, the guitar joins the next conveyor by slamming into the wall neck-first, then falling over with a loud bang. A suitcase then falls on top of it. I narrowly restrain myself from going ballistic...

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: kendall
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 07:39 AM

Price?

Subject: RE: BS: Flying with your guitar
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 02:34 AM

Murray, there was a change in the airlines' policy prior to 9-11. Up until 2 years ago, I always used to bring my guitar in a padded backpack case on board, and stow it in the overhead. When United introduced the "template" at the security checkpoint (which affected all other airlines), I was no longer allowed to bring it on board. Rather than fight them and cause a scene, because I do an awful lot of flying to my gigs, I bought a Calton hard-shell travelling case, and checked my guitar every time. It's easier, less hassle, no arguments; I've never lost it, or had the guitar show up late; it hasn't been damaged, and I don't get dirty looks from other passengers who consider me a "bin-hog." I can unreservedly recommend Calton cases. They're made in Canada. All the best.

Seamus

Subject: Flying with your guitar
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 12:40 AM

I would be really interested to know whether anyone has flown with their guitar since 9-11 and if so whether they have perceived any change in their chosen airline's policy regrding guitars as carry-on luggage.

Murray