Carrying Musical Instruments on Planes.

[jazzyvee]

Let me just tell you of my very recent experience of this.
I know there have been threads on this but I couldn't find them.
Anyway. Usually when I work abroad and travel by air, I have always carried my guitar in a proper good quality flight case. Occasionally I've taken it onto the plane with me and had no problems at all.
 
This weekend as I was taking my new Alembic I didnt want to risk it going in the hold, flight case or not. So I packed it into one of my lightweight moulded guitar cases so I could carry the guitar on the plane.
 
Checked in at London Gatwick on Delta Airllines from London to Orlando via Atlanta.
The checkin clerk said yes its fine to carry the guitar on board if it will fit in the overheard.
it did so all was well. When I got to Atlanta, I had to change plane and still they were fine with me carrying the guitar on board.
 
Now on the way back. Delta Airlines in orlando Florida refused to allow me to take my guitar on board the plane. Two other members of the band also were refused permission to carry their bass guitar and Trombone on board. We tried reasoning with Clerk, then her supervisor and eventually the manager who insisted that FAA Rules had recently changed and  now forbid the carrying on board of any musical instruments.  
 
So it was a case of either have the guitar put in the hold or not get the plane home.
Not much choice really. So We had to hand the guitars to the baggage staff who passed them through the xray machine, lay my guitar down, then the trombine in a padded leather case. The bass players instrument was in a non padded gig bag and the handler just deliberately dropped it onto the floor next to our cases.... no regard for the fact it was a musical instrument at all. Now if they can do that whilst you are stood right in front of them, you can imagine what goes on behind the scenes.  
 
Fortunately all the instruments got back to London ok and undamaged. But from now on i'm back to flight cases and worrying about the baggage getting delayed or misplaced, or stolen.
 
I just thought I'd let you know in case you are thinking or  hoping to carry your instruments on-board for safety.
Best get a robust case and stick it in the hold.
 
Would be interested in your own experiences.
Jazzyvee.

[lbpesq]

That's why I have travel instruments.  Either small size (Baby Taylor, Hofner traveler, Wechter Travel guitar) or something less expensive that I can live with if an accident happens (Takamine instead of Taylor, almost any solid body instead of Alembic).  Trying to bring a full-sized instrument on board puts you at the complete mercy of the gate agent.  They have a fight with their spouse that morning and you're the one who gets screwed.  Given the hassles involved in flying these days, I try to drive whenever I can.  My wife & I traveled almost 2000 miles from S.F. to Austin, Texas last summer.  We rented a Ford Escape (little SUV), loaded all kinds of stuff in the back, including acoustic and electric guitars, and had a great time!
 
Bill, tgo

[keith_h]

The FAA rules do not disallow musical instruments. Other than the number and size the FAA leaves the carry on determination to the airlines. Unfortunately this means it is frequently some low level person who decides what can and cannot go on a particular flight. If they are having a good day you get to take it. A bad day you have to check it. I ran into this even before 09/11 increased restrictions.  
 
When I used to travel I would always insist on taking the bass with me to the gate. If the gate person or flight crew said no I would gate check it. This avoids the instrument going through standard luggage as they hand carry it to the hold and return it to the gate at your destination. There is still room for problems but less than regular baggage.  
 
 
From what I've heard Delta is not known to be very friendly towards musicians and their instruments.  
 
 
Keith

[keavin]

I still travel but i prefer greyhound (U can carry a gig bag onboard) but i no longer trust the airlines since I cant carry my sh#t with me.(onboard) the last time i flew on a jet with my Alembic they (baggage boys) broke the mutherf#cker & refused to pay for it, I was pissy yellow!!!
 
(Message edited by keavin on February 20, 2006)

[David Houck]

I found this on a quick search of the net.  If you don't want to read the whole thing (relatively short), scroll down and read the last bit.

[jazzyvee]

Thanks for that Dave, I'll print it off and read on the way to the office in the morning.  I think I'm gonna go back to using flight cases now. Maybe if the rules are different in Europe I'll do a carry on there but for the states. I'll play real safe. In fact I'm going to get a new insert for my case that is exactly the shape of my orion so there is no chance of any movement.
 
Cheers again

[David Houck]

I thought it was interesting that there was actually an effort to get rules enacted specifically in favor of musicians.

[bigredbass]

I've always had a daydream of flying out to the coast, and going to Santa Rosa to pick up a new axe in person . . . a few minutes later I wake up shaking when I realize I'd have to check my bass and fly it back in the baggage hold !!
 
J o e y

[jazzyvee]

Well Joey, in actual fact the guy at the Delta desk did say we could pay for a seat for each of our instruments.
 
However In practice I doubt if the cabing crew would allow that. Could you imagine the safety risk of having a  guitar strapped up in a seatbelt mean for a human?
I certainly wouldn't want to be sat next to it. It could do some serious damage if it came flying towards a passenger in the event of a sudden stop or some heavy  turbulence. It would be much better and safer in the overhead locker.
Jazzyvee

[David Houck]

If your flight has a sudden stop, there will probably be some even bigger problems than flying guitar cases.

[keith_h]

The last I knew you had to buy seats on a bulkhead when buying them for a guitar or bass. They then strap it into the seat.  
 
I just wish they would bring back the coat closet. There always seemed to be room in those but I guess it takes up space for paying passengers.  
 
Keith

[bracheen]

Jazzy, for future reference British Airways has direct flights between Gatwick and Orlando.  I'm glad that everything made it home OK.
 
Sam

[keurosix]

Just trying to be introspective...
How does Alembic send out a new instrument to your local dealer when you first buy your new guitar? UPS or FedEx Air? A commercial airflight in the baggage compartment with non-personal baggage personnel who have no attachment to the value of the package. A cardboard box surrounds the case with an additional layer of protection? I know that local storage companies sell a stretch plastic that can be wrapped all around a guitar case with tension that adds a scuff-free outer layer. This discourages unwanted opening of the case.

[jazzyvee]

Bracheen, thanks for that point and I understand why you make it..
However I'm not involved in the business side of the band but I do know that sometimes the promoters we are working for book the tickets rather than our management.
 
So I would imagine that on those occasions economy comes into their choice of routes rather than the practicality and emotions of musicians and their instruments.
 
Bearing in mind the gig was only confirmed on the Tuesday before we flew out,  availability for a group of  10 people on the same flight may have been limited.
 
I do insure all of my instruments and although in the event of loss , it's unlikely to bring that instrument back to me, I should be able to claim enough to get it replaced with another.
 
And for now anyway I will continue to take my Alembic on the road with me.
 
Jazzyvee

[jacko]

Out of interest Jazzy, who do you insure your instruments with? I've been looking for a while and have come down to either Musicguard or E and L.
 
Graeme