Air Travel

Question:

>Considering all the requirements for ID and strip searches, is that still >possible ? Can the guitar have valid ID ?

Would they allow Pete Townsend to bring his guitar on the airplane in these Security-State days? -Erik

Response:

>I am going from SFO to PVR.

If you use a shipping service, don’t forget that customs brokering can add alot of cost.

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"Practice, practice, practice"??

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> Getting a guitar into the cabin, in any but the most unusual > circumstances, is a thing of the past. >                             …Reid

Except for Lucille.

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I have a guitar just like that, maybe I can fake it!  hehe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Getting a guitar into the cabin, in any but the most unusual > circumstances, is a thing of the past. >                             …Reid > Except for Lucille.

Response:

> I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle.

If you buy a first class ticket and choose your flight properly, they may let you put your guitar in a closet up front.  The problem is that unless the airline has a written policy for guitars, you may or may not be allowed to stow it there depending on mood of FAs. Best bet would be to call airline and ask about their policy with regards to musical instruments.

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One point: if you must check the guitar, check it through the oversized luggage facility and make sure there are plenty of big fragile stickers on it. The oversize handling at an airport is generally much more "manual" than the regular luggage (either on a trolley, or on a wide belt that doesn’t turn and doesn’t have automated hammers to shove your luggage on the right belt).

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> The usual story line is that when the plane is about to go down, the > crew have all succumbed to food poisoning, the sick little boy is > getting worse, the storm is getting more severe and all appears > hopeless, you produce your guitar from under your habit ( you have to > be a singing nun to make this work), and save the day through the > power of music. Or is that not what you meant?

Don’t forget to hold the guitar by the neck, and bonk passengers on the head as you walk down the aisle! Ken Ishiguro

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>> Getting a guitar into the cabin, in any but the most unusual > circumstances, is a thing of the past. >                             …Reid >Except for Lucille.

I actually flew with B.B. King on KLM (on an A310) from SVO to AMS.  I did not see Lucille in the cabin, although he was in First and I was in Coach.  I spoke with Mr. King before bording at SVO and saw him wandering through Schiphol after the flight.  It was late at night and AMS was fairly empty; no Lucille. -Erik

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I’ve seen it done (carry) on HP numerous times but maybe not "big" guit’s If there’s room in overhead, they don’t care, if tight, you will probably have to check it, and there lies the problem.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hum, I was planning on taking my Parker because it is very light and my > favorite guitar.  However, it’s value is over $2000.  What’s the deal with > getting insurance?  Do I have to insure it myself or is that something I can > purchase from the airline?  I keep asking fellow musicians but most of em > traveled via bus or chartered flights. > I don’t have a hard-shell case for that guitar but can easily get one before > then.  I may be able to get an anvil case for it, they are expensive but > worth it if my guitar will be safe.  Does it help to have it marked fragile? > What about sending it as cargo is that worse, better or the same, as the > checked baggage?  I know they send animals and other fragile items.  What is > the trick to getting something treated with special handling? > Buying it a separate seat is a bit expensive and I wonder if they would even > allow it.  Maybe I should call America West again.  Talked to them about it > before but the woman I spoke to had no idea how to deal with it and that was > before 9/11.  She suggested that I bring it to the gate in a hard-shell case > and if they won’t allow it on they will check it at the gate.  She said that > way it would be put on last and would be safer.  Only problem with that idea > is that I still have to change planes and so does the Parker!! > Oh dear, this is stressing me out.  :’| > Thanks for everyone’s help with this! > Carol-O > I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can > I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on > but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not > found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take > their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the > next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

Response:

Hey, I had no problem taking a sax on once as a carry on, but made it small enough to be a carry on by putting it in a gig bag. If I were you, I would call a good conservatory or School of Music that has a guitar Prof that gigs a lot and travels.  They are the most familiar with traveling with the instrument, OR you could always call the airline (brainless answer I know)

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What I would do if it were me is to try to carry it on – but be prepared to check it. In other words – get a strong hard case with locks or good latches, make sure the guitar fits very snugly in it so it can’t move inside (don’t force it though) and get insurance on it. Then try to carry it on – you may be stopped at security – in which case you’ll have to check it. However, if they just say "they won’t let you on with that" – smile sweetly and say you’d like to try anyway – get it to the gate if you can – if the crew won’t let it on (which’ll depend on the crew, the aircraft and the load) you can check it right there at the door – that way you know it gets on the right plane! If you’re changing planes you can check it through to your final destination (at the counter or the gate) or you can check it as far as the next stop  (go outside to baggage claim, collect it and try again on the next leg). Make sure you have plenty of time if you try this though. Good luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hum, I was planning on taking my Parker because it is very light and my >favorite guitar.  However, it’s value is over $2000.  What’s the deal with >getting insurance?  Do I have to insure it myself or is that something I can >purchase from the airline?  I keep asking fellow musicians but most of em >traveled via bus or chartered flights. >I don’t have a hard-shell case for that guitar but can easily get one before >then.  I may be able to get an anvil case for it, they are expensive but >worth it if my guitar will be safe.  Does it help to have it marked fragile? >What about sending it as cargo is that worse, better or the same, as the >checked baggage?  I know they send animals and other fragile items.  What is >the trick to getting something treated with special handling? >Buying it a separate seat is a bit expensive and I wonder if they would even >allow it.  Maybe I should call America West again.  Talked to them about it >before but the woman I spoke to had no idea how to deal with it and that was >before 9/11.  She suggested that I bring it to the gate in a hard-shell case >and if they won’t allow it on they will check it at the gate.  She said that >way it would be put on last and would be safer.  Only problem with that idea >is that I still have to change planes and so does the Parker!! >Oh dear, this is stressing me out.  :’| >Thanks for everyone’s help with this! >Carol-O > I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can >I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on >but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not >found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take >their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the >next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

There is only one answer with two options – ship via Fedex/UPS (I have done both from CT to HI and back) or buy a Calton case for $550 (I have done that from CT to HI, too.). The Calton pays for itself after about 2 or 3 such trips, depending on where you go. And, is safer than shipping. Standards for shipping are that an object must survive a 20 foot drop. The gorillas ding the Calton, but the fiberglass is repairable with no problem. Pad the headstock area, no matter how you get it to where you are going. Whiplash is the major danger. Look at Fred Ford’s site: frets.com My Goodall KGC is going with me to Perpignan, France, from JFK in two weeks as checked baggage and to HNL in April from EWR. I won’t try to gate check, as I have in the past, because of shortish layovers and the "enhanced" security. Getting a guitar into the cabin, in any but the most unusual circumstances, is a thing of the past.                             …Reid

Response:

The usual story line is that when the plane is about to go down, the crew have all succumbed to food poisoning, the sick little boy is getting worse, the storm is getting more severe and all appears hopeless, you produce your guitar from under your habit ( you have to be a singing nun to make this work), and save the day through the power of music. Or is that not what you meant? –==++AJC++==–

Response:

> > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Buy a seat for it.  Permitted.

Considering all the requirements for ID and strip searches, is that still possible ? Can the guitar have valid ID ? And what happens when they insist on having to put the guitar through the luggage sizer stuff befroe the X-ray machine ?

Response:

> I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. [snip] > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle.

    I commented just the other day how I don’t see many musical instruments as carry on anymore.  I presume everyone is sticking them in hardcases and checking them as baggage.  That’s probably generally safer than carrying them on these days.  (Presuming you have a good case).  Temperature is probably your biggest concern.  I read once someone suggesting you remove most of the tension from the strings.  Probably a better news group for this question.  Golfers basically have to check their clubs and they are worth as much as most guitars.  Hard cases are the "surest" way, although the one most popular with tour players is a semisoft model.

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I could do that!  If they would just let me carry my guitar on!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The usual story line is that when the plane is about to go down, the > crew have all succumbed to food poisoning, the sick little boy is > getting worse, the storm is getting more severe and all appears > hopeless, you produce your guitar from under your habit ( you have to > be a singing nun to make this work), and save the day through the > power of music. Or is that not what you meant? > –==++AJC++==–

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > [snip] > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. >     I commented just the other day how I don’t see many musical instruments > as carry on anymore.  I presume everyone is sticking them in hardcases > and checking them as baggage.  That’s probably generally safer than > carrying them on these days.  (Presuming you have a good case).

You’d be surprised at the number of dilletantes who use cheap cardboard cases for their valuable guitars!   The pros treat their tools of the trade with more respect. Temperature > is probably your biggest concern.

Cargo pits are no colder than the cabin.   Remember, animals and produce are shipped in the cargo pit, and sit there for hours at a time. I read once someone suggesting you > remove most of the tension from the strings.

Bad idea.   The neck is built to handle tension, and the newly constructed instruments are shipped fully strung and tuned.   Removing the tension is like letting the air out a vehicle’s tires in order to ship it! Probably a better news > group for this question.  Golfers basically have to check their clubs > and they are worth as much as most guitars.  Hard cases are the "surest" > way, although the one most popular with tour players is a semisoft model.

Soft cases are fine for car trips, but for air travel, the pros and most conscientious golfers use hard cases.

Response:

Hum, I was planning on taking my Parker because it is very light and my favorite guitar.  However, it’s value is over $2000.  What’s the deal with getting insurance?  Do I have to insure it myself or is that something I can purchase from the airline?  I keep asking fellow musicians but most of em traveled via bus or chartered flights. I don’t have a hard-shell case for that guitar but can easily get one before then.  I may be able to get an anvil case for it, they are expensive but worth it if my guitar will be safe.  Does it help to have it marked fragile? What about sending it as cargo is that worse, better or the same, as the checked baggage?  I know they send animals and other fragile items.  What is the trick to getting something treated with special handling? Buying it a separate seat is a bit expensive and I wonder if they would even allow it.  Maybe I should call America West again.  Talked to them about it before but the woman I spoke to had no idea how to deal with it and that was before 9/11.  She suggested that I bring it to the gate in a hard-shell case and if they won’t allow it on they will check it at the gate.  She said that way it would be put on last and would be safer.  Only problem with that idea is that I still have to change planes and so does the Parker!! Oh dear, this is stressing me out.  :’| Thanks for everyone’s help with this! Carol-O

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

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>they usually let you carry it (dunno about post 9/11, though)

Hmm.  Nobody ever permitted me to carry mine on.  Might be an aircraft/airline variable. Deborah Stevenson

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

Buy a seat for it.  Permitted.

Response:

> I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it.

For that reason, it won’t be allowed in the cabin with you. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them.

Professional musicians who travel with their instruments use specially made, high quality, and very expensive flight cases.  These are checked as baggage and heavily insured.   Be advised that if your guitar is damaged by the airline in any way, they aren’t liable for a nickel of compensation to you. Musical instruments are specifically excluded from the liability clauses. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle.

My advice?  Get the absolutely best case you can afford, pack it well, then pack the case in a shipping box.   Insure it, then check it.   Therein lies your best chance of it arriving intact.   Baggage handlers are notoriously contemptuous of musical instruments, even if mishandling them costs them their job.   They must think of bags as basketballs.  Keep that in mind and you’ll be okay.

Response:

they usually let you carry it (dunno about post 9/11, though)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I > travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but > if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much > else could go in that over head with it. > I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found > any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be > possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. > Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their > guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making > things work for them. > I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next > morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. > Any ideas?

Response:

>I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I >travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but >if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  

Then it’s smaller than my guitar, that’s for sure (or you’re flying in a different part of the plane than I do, which is possible). Do you have a hard case?  I think you’re going to need either that or an extra seat.  I’ve traveled with my guitar checked many times, and I think that’s probably the likeliest solution for you.  While there’s some risk, there’s risk in shipping, too, and you can control the risk somewhat with your packing of the case. Unless there’s something in the new tightened security that forbids your checking a guitar, I don’t think the security has had any effect on this venerable difficulty.  Guitars weren’t suitable carryons before, either. Deborah Stevenson

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I am going from SFO to PVR.  With all this new tightened security how can I travel with my guitar?  It would be bigger then the limits for carry on but if it’s in a soft case it would fit in the over head.  Although not much else could go in that over head with it. I’ve asked a couple of the airlines via telephone and so far I’ve not found any solution!  I know musician’s travel all the time so it’s got to be possible.  I asked a few friends who have traveled via plane to gigs. Unfortunately, they either traveled years ago and were allowed to take their guitar on with them, or they were with a big group and had people making things work for them. I thought about trying to ship the guitar so it would meet me there the next morning but so far that is gonna cost a bundle. Any ideas?

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