Flight from Japan to US (Nashville) Checked Luggage

[tkotmk42]

Hello fellow Alembicans,


Just want to share my story of my flight from Tokyo Haneda to Nashville.


I recently moved back to Nashville for my company's temp assignment, and I was pretty stupid enough to think that I can bring my Gator PG double bass case into the cabin of Boeing 787.
My return flight from Brussels few years ago, I was able to do just that (but with the same guitar case, not bass case) so I didn't think much.... yeah, pretty dumb.


So ANA (All Nippon Airways) ground crew basically told me I need to check my basses.... which I resisted and told them I should be able to carry in, and put in their coat hanger area, etc... but they insisted that I needed to check. 
After few minutes of checking with other people and management, they basically told me I have no choice but to check.


So, since I had no choice, I went to the nearest shipping company's kiosk and asked for any bubble-warp and shipping tape, they did have them and I bought plenty of them.


After few minutes battling with bubble wrap and tapes, I have my bass case pretty well wrapped.
I was pretty comfortable with the baggage handler in Japanese airport, but I have ZERO confidence in US side of said crew....  it's an gamble, I know I was stupid....


Anyways, my connection was at Houston airport, there, I picked up my baggage and bass for transit, bass looked to be OK, and looked to be handled well.


Arrived at Nashville, and got my suitcases and looked for my bass in the oversized baggage shoot.... there it was, laying upside down.... oh well.
Took it to my hotel, immediately unwrapped, and checked for any damage.... I was lucky, there were no damage!


I just wanted to share my little mishap here.  I know this "Flying with bass" topic has been discussed in length in the past, but just wanted to share my experience with you.
Gator PG double bass, with added cushions inside, and bubble wrapped thoroughly outside, kept my basses without any damage. 


YMMV, I don't think I want to do this again, but I do have to move back to Japan in few years.........  maybe I will put them in the cardboard box next time?




Takeo

[edwardofhuncote]

I'll just leave this terrifying subject alone, and welcome you (and your Alembic) to the U.S. of A., especially to Nashvegas... a fine place to wind up. 

[David Houck]

Glad to hear it survived the trip.   

[keith_h]

Happy to hear the bass made it through ok. When I use  to fly with my bass on a somewhat regular basis I would gate check it if they would not allow me to take the bass into the cabin. At that time this meant the bass was last on and first off at the destination. It would also be hand delivered at the gate after we arrived and not go through the normal luggage system. If you run into this again it might be worth seeing if you can go that route.