instruments on planes - the rules?

Subject: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 07:00 AM

I've just had a communique from the MU, saying its hammered out some new rules - presumably post 9/11 about instruments on planes.

Last time I went through an airport, they confiscated the pliers that I use for changing guitar strings. The guitar case was going into the hold - so I would not have had access to it on the flight.

How did my pliers constitue a danger?

Despite the letter from the Musicians Union, I'm still not sure of what the rules are. Has anybody got a clear idea?

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 07:37 AM

I think you've answered your own question. There are no rules, or if there are, they ignore them.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 07:44 AM

You can only carry an instrument on board if you have either, paid for a seat for it [see Stradivarii, Amati etc.]or it will fit in the overhead locker.
That is how we stand as of now, as far as I understand it.
G.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:58 AM

I've read lots of discussions of this question in a variety of contexts.

IMHO the most important thing to remember is that the human beings at the gate are the final authority.
They can follow guidelines, or not.
They can choose to read your letter, or not.

If you cannot convince those humans beings to allow you to board with the instrument, the instrument does not go on board with you.
There is no court of appeal.

If you raise a fuss, they will call security and have to removed from the premises (at best).
You are your instrument will miss the flight.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 01:23 PM

"hammered out" - if that's the term they actually used it's rather appropriate for the way they treat instruments sometimes.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: GUEST,Ravenheart
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:01 PM

A musician friend just filled me in, "Never say you're carrying a bouzouki in an airport."

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:18 PM

Ravenheart: That kinda sounds like how Beth Patterson introduces herself and her axe. She says something like, "This is an Irish bouzouki. To airport security, it's a banjo."

-- Gary

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 09:44 PM

I'm orft to a gig in a suburb of Hamburg end of month.

Have been forewarned by other travelling musos not to take toys in case 'cos one'll get charged [RyanAir] for a seatm or 60lb surcharge.

Seems best not to take any insts which need be in own case - but borrow stuff other end.[gittars only - no squeezah!]

So instead of full kit & caboodle, it'll just be gob irons +
whistles - not in cases tho.

B rolled up in socks/undies etc.


Worra bugga!

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Bert
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 01:11 AM

You call the arline and ask them what the rules are.
You obey those rules.
And when you get to the gate YOU ARE IN THE WRONG.
And they won't let you on the plane.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: nickp
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 02:18 PM

Have just been to the US and back in the last couple of weeks with a mandolin in Calton case carried as hand baggage - no probs although I did put spare strings (garrottes!?) in suitcase to check. UK rules now say you can carry a musical instrument as well as a suitably sized bag - assuming it will fit. Cellos etc would obviously need their own seat!!

Nick

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 10:58 AM

Recently took a flight on USAir and had no problem with my concertina as carry on in its [well padded] case. They asked me to play a few bars and were curious about what it was but there were no other issues.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 11:45 AM

Took my Guitar to Northern Ireland and handed it to the checkin and requested that it didn't travel in the hold. They let me take it to the plane and hand it to a steward(ess) who gave it me back as I left the aircraft. (Pre Terror).

Dunno about now though.

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: number 6
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 11:58 AM

With Air Canada it depends on the type of plane .... flights in and out of Saint John are smaller CRJ's or Dash 8's ... so your axe goes "down in the hold" ..... last May we had a connecting flight Toronto to Montreal and it was a larger Airbus it was allowed up in the deck, stowed in a sort of closet by the flight attendant (though this is not always the rule I'm told) .... as per the pliers, the list seems to change on a weekly basis.

sIx

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 11:36 PM

Pliers? What you gonna do - pull out somebody's teeth?

ooo NAILS... :-)

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Rowan
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 02:36 AM

At Australian airports there is a tubular frame used as a guide for the maximum size of briefcase (usually) and handluggage you can take on board. I have used a briefcase (of the more rigid sort) as a case for a pair of concertinas when flying; the case also fits the usual garbage (tickets, passports, reading glasses, poetry books, notepads etc) you need with you.

The last time I took this collection internationally was before the hairgel scare but I've just returned from a conference in Sydney (on a domestic flight, three hours ago) with no problems. But I did ring up beforehand and ask.

CHeers, Rowan

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: rich-joy
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 03:27 AM

There have been some interesting posts (with some horror stories) on this subject, on the Australian Folk Lists over that last year or so - I'll try and find the links sometime ....


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 03:58 AM

My experience is that BA will usually let you carry a guitar on and they put it into the wardrobe in the Business class section. Qantas make you put it in the hold, after getting you to sign to say it was improperly packed (in a hard case) so they are out of it if it gets broken. As they are an "alliance", you may have to fly both of them on a two-leg journey. Daft really.

I flew Ryan to Italy the other day, bought toothpaste and sunscreen airside and had them confiscated at the security gate on the way back as I only had hand luggage. Even dafter.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: open mike
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 11:50 AM

I have seen a document from the Musicians' Union that encourages airlines to allow musical instruments. Also, this just in from another
musicians' list I am on:

This will apply to ALL airlines and end the variation of allowances from airline to airline. Please sign and pass on to all. You don't
have to be a musician to help a musician in this respect.

Subject: carrying instruments on planes

> > > The FAA bill making its way through the legislature contains
> > > language to strengthen musicians' rights to carry instruments
> > > on board planes.
> > > Please consider signing the petition:
sign petition here
> > >
> > > http://www.afm.org/departments/legislative-office/carrying-
instruments-on-airplanes
> > >
> > > calling on Congress to keep this language which is in the Senate
> > > version of the bill.

This petition is from the American Federation of Musicians. It has a place for zip code or postal code, so seems like Canadian and UK can also sign. You do not have to be a musician to sign...please pass on.
http://www.afm.org/departments/legislative-office/carrying-instruments-on-airplanes

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 03:20 PM

Perhaps Dave Carroll did more fore this issue than any petition:
Dave Carroll

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 25 Aug 10 - 03:21 PM

"for"

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: GUEST,tbonetedh
Date: 23 Mar 11 - 01:26 AM

i need to travel with my trombone (yamaha 691) ... am moving to the UK... should I just sell it here and buy a replacement there??

Subject: RE: instruments on planes - the rules?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Mar 11 - 03:26 AM

I think you will find that everything is more expensive in the UK than it is in the US. Have you done any shopping for your preferred instrument on UK music sites?