Flying

[jet_powers]

I bought my Rogue 5 while on my way to the airport in Phoenix. I had no time to do any special preparations for it and had to put it below on a plane bound for Philly then on to Hartford. (They wouldn't let me carry it on.) The thing I was most concerned about was changing planes in Philly. They have been known to lose an entire plane load or two of luggage there. It got through all right and the bass has never experienced any sort of intonation or neck problems. I'd say don't worry about it but I know that's not possible. Until I saw mine come out in the baggage claim in BDL I was scared s***less...
I was so happy to see it I pushed and shoved and elbowed my way through the crowd, plucked it off the belt and almost went home without waiting for my dirty socks and underwear to come out!
 
JP

[alemboid]

Here is a great idea-
 
Not many people know this, but request to gate check your bass. What does this mean?
 
It means you carry your bass to the boarding area, and let the ticket agent know you would like to gate check your bass. They will tag it and give you a receipt. Just prior to departure, they will load your bass in the bag bin. Upon arrival, you'll need to wait at the door of the plane, where a baggage agent will run up the stairs with your baby- never having to send it through ape-man central. Be sure to mark it extremely fragile and fragile instrument inside.  
 
This way, you can accompany your bass to the max, if not all out carry it on altogether.
 
Bryant

[hollis]

Also, another good thing about gate checking is that you get to see the people handling your instrument(s)....and way more gratifying...They get to see you.  There's a lot to be said for eye contact.

[ox_junior]

Hmmmmm that's the most efficient option I've heard yet.  Would you recommend this treatment without an ATA flight case?

[hollis]

One of the pieces of paper that the airlines have always had me sign (with a hard shell case) states that I am aware that the packaging of the instrument does not meet FAA requirements and they are therefore, not responsible for any damages incurred. Or something to that affect..... I have always reluctantly signed it... I mean, what choice do you have?  I guess what I'm getting at is, if it were my Spyder, I'd get the flight case.

[ox_junior]

Good point Hollis.
 
For this particular trip I may follow Mica's advice and put the bass and case in the original cardboard box it came in, and ship it that way.  If flying to gigs becomes a commonality (pray that it does), I will invest in a flight case.
 
Gracias!  Mike

[dnburgess]

Does gate checking work in large airports where you enter the plane via aerobridge and can't see any of the action on the ground?

[hollis]

I've done it at Ohare, LAX, Heathro..... Do those qualify as large airports?.... Hard to tell these days.
 
I'd imagine that if you call your carrier they can tell you their policy.

[oggydoggy]

Mike,
I recently flew to Japan, with my alembic and was able to carry it on. I had it in an alembic gig bag, (which is not small) and I just didn't take no for an answer. In evry plane their is space on- board somwhere, whether it is in the bulk head, a closest,  or a flight addendant can find some place for it. Do be hostile, be polite, and if they still say no, again be polite. This is my experience. Most airlines are very accomodating to your needs, when you are pleasant. Also say you called ahead and they said it was OK. I guess you really could call ahead but I didn't want them to be warned ahead of time.
Best Wishes,
-Ed

[oggydoggy]

Hey Gale,  
I wonder if your 20th that we both took to Japan, has more miles over the Pacific than any other Alembic? By the way I felt safe of the flight because the bass was a vetern Flier to Japan. I flew American Airlines.  
MIKE,  
I didn't realize their wasn't a gig bag for your body style. sorry.
-Ed

[ox_junior]

Yes there is no gig bag for the Spyder.  It would be cheaper to buy a flight case than to have Alembic custom-make a gig bag, according to my research.
 
I am a platinum member of American Airlines frequent flyer club and will be taking American to this gig in Vegas, so they'd probably be cool about certain things.  But there's no way they'd let me carry on a Spyder in a hard-shell case.
 
Thanks!  MB

[kata3901]

Mike,  
 
I would say bite the bullet and get yourself an ATA Category 1 flight case.  They don't get any better than a Category 1. I special ordered a case like this with a company here in Texas.  My suggestion:  Instead of having them design the inside of the case to form fit a particular bass, have them design it such that the inside would fit a common bass case (like Alembic type Bass Cases).  This not only provides for additional protection for the bass, it allows flexibility should you use the flight case for another bass.  Yes, it is heavy, but I had them build into the case heavy duty wheels on one end of the case with multiple handles for ease of transport.  If I remember correctly, I think I paid around $500.00.  A small investment for great peace of mind.
 
Another option.  Find yourself a bass that you can travel with without worry of damage or misuse.
 
Tim B.

[bsee]

Mike-
 
While you still own it, would you consider flying with the Exploiter to limit your potential pain in the event of a mishap?  Or, is the Spyder too fabulous to consider performing with a meager Exploiter again?  If you do this, then maybe you can solve the flite case question in time for the next trip.

[ox_junior]

Bob,
 
Yes, if I still have it at that time, I'm considering taking the Exploiter rather than the Spyder on this trip.  In fact, although my wallet is telling me otherwise, I may end up keeping the Exploiter as a replacement for the Spyder for this and other questionable gigs such as outdoor shows.
 
Of course I still love the feel and sound of the Exploiter!  Hardly a meager instrument.  Of course, now it's my Fenders that are in jeopardy of replacement....

[gbarchus]

Hey Ed,
 
If the bass could get frequent flyer miles, it might be due a free ticket!
 
Gale