As a callout to musicians or other dabblers in the field, who have at one time or another had to check instruments as luggage on to flights--what have been your experiences? I'm guessing most have tried to skirt having to fly in the first place, but..

Imagine: a brand new $1,000 Guild guitar, fresh from a recording session, smashed and split courtesy of Northwest airlines upon arrival. Yes, all the proper precautions were taken--up to begging friendly NW employees Rocky and Sonny not to play frisbee with it whilst loading it into the belly.

thanks
matt w

I thought you could take anything onboard if it fits in the overhead compartment. Maybe this policy has changed recently (in the last two years) and is different depending on the airline-company.
I also got my Telecaster broken (although it sat in a flightcase!).
The guitar has luckily recovered since and is still doing it's job.
I once took a flight, carrying a bass (in a case), a 2u rack and two bags on board. This was a few years ago on North West/ KLM flight.
cheers,

cstof

i think you are best off carrying guitars etc. to the gate, whether or not you think you can carry them on

at least 9 times out of ten, the flight crew will find a place for it. esp if you just have a 'gig bag' slung over your shoulder, hanging alongside your body, when you walk past the gate attendant. they probably won't even notice you are bringing on a gtr, and by the time you get to the cabin, the flight crew assumes you got an OK to bring it.

i THINK most airlines have exceptions for reasonably sized musical instruments, anyway--that you can bring 'em on in addition to carryons, etc. i always count them as a carryon, myself

if you do get to the gate w/it, and you cannot bring it on, then they will 'gate check' it for you. this means it goes straight down to the tarmac and onto the plane--on top of the pile, and bypassing the hidden evils of the baggage transport system.

if you do get to the gate w/it, and you cannot bring it on, then they will 'gate check' it for you. this means it goes straight down to the tarmac and onto the plane--on top of the pile, and bypassing the hidden evils of the baggage transport system.

Ok, so when it gets put on top of the pile, it then gets unloaded after the flight. Since it is on the top of the pile, it then gets put on the bottom of the pile of those little transporter carts they have. And then it goes through the hidden evils of the baggage transport system. And if you put your guitar in one of those little gig bags like you suggested, it definitely isn't coming back to you in one piece. So I don't like that plan, at all.

One time I looked on an airline's website to see if i could bring my guitar and they had a specific answer on the FAQ saying NO!. And at the airport they always have those tiny frames showing the maximum carry on size. Guitars do not fit into those. While people still bring larger luggage on board, guitars are oddly shaped, and i can't really picture the flight crew letting me bring it on board.

I really do not have an answer of my own to this question, mostly because i do not own any nice guitar cases and I have also never been forced to bring my guitar on the plane. Hopefully somebody will respond that knows a lot about this sort of thing.

darktowel wrote:I also got my Telecaster broken (although it sat in a flightcase!).

this is not what i need to hear 2 weeks before i fly out to chicago to record. i know people who fly with skis/snowboards/golf clubs etc. packed in canvas bags routinely with no problem, so how does a guitar in a molded hardshell case get smashed up? fuck!

djanes1 wrote:

if you do get to the gate w/it, and you cannot bring it on, then they will 'gate check' it for you. this means it goes straight down to the tarmac and onto the plane--on top of the pile, and bypassing the hidden evils of the baggage transport system.

Ok, so when it gets put on top of the pile, it then gets unloaded after the flight. Since it is on the top of the pile, it then gets put on the bottom of the pile of those little transporter carts they have. And then it goes through the hidden evils of the baggage transport system. And if you put your guitar in one of those little gig bags like you suggested, it definitely isn't coming back to you in one piece. So I don't like that plan, at all.

thats not what happens. if they gate check the thing for you its sits on top o the pile like a baby stroller, then when you get off the plane--while yr still in the tunnel before you walk out to the terminal--they will hand it to you. like a baby stroller.
this has only happened to me one time. every other time i've walked on with my guitbox(in hardcase) and occasionally a flight attendant will offer to keep it in the coat closet for me because they are so nice.
in fact, why not get the best of both worlds and wheel your guitar in on a baby stroller. this will look awesome.

note that if you ask Anyone who works for an airline if you can carry on yr instrument they will probably say no. if they say yes or maybe they are lying and really mean no. best advice is like tim m sd: carry on and dont ask, its just yo luggage mang.

my friend travels constantly so he bought an anvil ATA flight case for his lespaul. he checks it always and it arrives safely always. a regular hardcase is still practically made out of cardboard.

or how about an ATA Case case. a case for your case! in the year 2004 this kind of technology is a absolutely a reality.

please excuse me while i catch my breath and ponder our world of opportunity.
thankyou.



--
jc

The coat closet. It was said before. get a nice padded gig bag, carry it on, then ask if you can put it in the coat closet. I've never been told no. I always pack very light and check my other luggage. If all you have is a guitar and a book for carry on, the airline people can be very nice. Also, mention that it's a rare instrument or something. Or, make up some sappy story about how your mom just gave it to you.

ben adrian
guy in oakland