Anybody flown a Bass on a Dash-8?

Greg Sheldon · #1 04-29-2009, 02:54 PM

Greetings.
I have some flying coming up, and it looks like part of it will be on a Dash-8 Prop plane. I've spoken to, and given measurements to a cargo person over the phone, and he tells me it is possible - I quite frankly just can't imagine it. Obviously, if I find out last minute it won't go - well, you know...

Anyone happen to have experience with such a small prop plane??

Thanks!!
Greg

RTL · #2 04-29-2009, 03:06 PM

I used to fly on those horrible little planes all the time.. I always went the "Gig bag inside anvil case" route and never had a problem.

God, those planes are freaking scary in bad weather.

We are talking about the Dehavilland Series 100/8, right?

Brent Nussey · #3 04-29-2009, 06:39 PM

Hi Greg.

I've done it. My 1892 Italian bass, in a Stevenson trunk, Boston to Montreal. The cargo area is roughly the size of a Ford Clubwagon or other old full-size cargo van. The counter staff sure didn't want to take my bass, and wanted to charge me a pile to take it, but they had the quote I'd been given in their computer, so they did it, for the price I was quoted. And they were nice enough in Montreal to unload the bass while I stood at the side of the plane and let me walk it in myself.

Anyway, the point is, it does fit. Good luck.
Brent

Mike Arnopol · #4 04-29-2009, 09:10 PM

It'll fit. DO NOT ASK ANYTHING BEFORE YOU CHECK IN!!!!! Technically a double bass in a trunk is not allowed at all, ( it's over current size restrictions) but airlines will let you check it as overweight and oversize. I was only turned down once and coincidentally it was between Boston and Montreal. The plane was a Canadian Regional Jet. The baggage compartment is tiny and my trunk literally wouldn't fit. If you call you will get flagged and they will make you send it air cargo. It's happened to me that a well-meaning travel agent checked things out with the airline. I had to send it air cargo and spend a day at customs trying to get it. I've had a Gage trunk in a dash 8 before.

thumper8 · #5 04-29-2009, 10:01 PM

I did it quite awhile ago with a dash 8 and it should fit. The only plane it won't fit is the crj's (air canada uses them).

Brent Nussey · #6 04-30-2009, 12:35 AM

I agree with Mike, the incident I was describing happened about 15 years ago, and these days I'm sure they wouldn't have taken my reservation for the bass like that. Nowadays when I fly outside of Japan, I just show up with the bass and take it from there. When you fly domestically in Japan, the airlines have their own cases you can use, and it's very pleasant and civilized, but that's another story....

Anyway, the main point remains, you can put a double bass in a hard case in a Dash 8, it'll fit.

Greg Sheldon · #7 05-02-2009, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the replies! As I mentioned, I did speak with a helpful cargo person who took the dimensions and assured me it could fit, I just needed confirmation for my own piece of mind. Glad to know people have actually fit a flight case on a Dash-8!
Now, whether or not they will let me (or force me to cargo it) is, as always, the $400 question.... totally arbitrary.

Mike Arnopol · #8 05-02-2009, 11:09 AM

Yeah, man---if you're going to ask questions don't give your name or flight. Or give them another name. If I'd call in the past I'd use the name Ray Brown or Charlie Haden.