Bass Friendly Airlines

[waltzfordebby]

hello. i'm traveling from l.a. to New York in august and i'll be transporting my bass there using a flight case. i was wondering which airlines have you guys flown that are pretty tolerant of you lugging in quite possibly the most awkwardly shaped and cumbersome piece of luggage known to man kind.

just want to figure things out before my dad books tickets
thanks

[PocketGroove82]

A flight case is not going to be allowed as a carry on, but if it's a serious flight case it should be fine checked.

There is a very slim chance that you could get lucky and carry on the bass in a gig bag or light case, stowed in the coat closet up front or in the overhead bin. But the thing I've experienced with many airlines is that the policies are different at each airport. Meaning, I can carry my bass on an Airtran flight in Boston, but when I try to return from Atlanta they tell me it's not allowed and I have to check it.

So my recommendation is to check it with a tough flight case, but lock it up and secure the case with straps or the plastic wrap they often have at the airport. That way if somehow the locks fail, the case will still remain shut.

Goodluck

[neal davis]

there is a bunch of good info on the international society of bassist home page. good luck

[73jbass]

Contact the airline ahead of time to make sure what their policy is on bringing instruments on board. Each airline has it's own rules,and they vary from city to city,as was stated above. And the rules seem to change on almost a daily basis,so call the day before just to be sure.

[CamMcIntyre]

With a DB, you have my best wishes in advance. I get nervous enough checking a slab.

I think the ISB has some good advice on the site, and then calling ahead to BOTH airports is something else i'd recommend highly.

The article that was on the boards awhile back i think pertained to BG side of things rather than DB.

Good luck.

[.matthew e wengerd.]

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

A flight case is not going to be allowed as a carry on, but if it's a serious flight case it should be fine checked.

There is a very slim chance that you could get lucky and carry on the bass in a gig bag or light case, stowed in the coat closet up front or in the overhead bin. But the thing I've experienced with many airlines is that the policies are different at each airport. Meaning, I can carry my bass on an Airtran flight in Boston, but when I try to return from Atlanta they tell me it's not allowed and I have to check it.

So my recommendation is to check it with a tough flight case, but lock it up and secure the case with straps or the plastic wrap they often have at the airport. That way if somehow the locks fail, the case will still remain shut.

Goodluck

PG - This is the DB side of the board. It's very unlikely (read:not gonna happen) that anyone will carry a DB onto a US flight.

I would consider shipping it freight in the flight case in conjunction with your flight.

[jrlynch]

i agree with the idea of shipping the bass seperately. i'm also a big believer in tipping the hell out of the curbside checkin folks, but these days with the nsa cowboys ripping through baggage willy-nilly (often quite literally) i think twice before checking anything of value today.

[coreybass]

Hi Everyone,

I fly with my bass several times a month and it is not for the faint of heart. It is virtually impossible to carry the thing on or buy a seat for it so your only option is a flight case. I've always gotten it on the flight, but usually have to pay an oversize fee.

The big thing is the weight. Most airlines won't take it at all if it's over 100 pounds and most flight trunks are pushing, if not exceeding that. I know that Continental has now dropped their weight limit down to 70 and that US Airways won't take basses at all. Southwest is my favorite, but they are not always an option. I've had good experiences with most other major airlines. I just flew back from Europe on British Airways and it was a peice of cake. Cost me 30 Euros and no hassle. I think the key is to be friendly, calm and determined when checking in. Know the airline's policy before hand so if they hassle you, you have some amunition to plead your case. Good Luck!

Corey

[quenoil]

I agree with this - especially about being calm and friendly. If you are insistent that the bass has to fly with you, but also not confrontational, things will go your way. I've flown domestically and back and forth to Europe many times with my bass and so far haven't had it refused although I've almost always had to pay some kind of oversize/overweight charge.

You should all also be aware of this new flight case which, although expensive, will remove the overweight concerns and protect your bass better than any of the others that I've seen:

http://www.olivierrabbath.com/Rabbathcase.html

[sybarite]

I fly several times a month and find Jet Blue to be the most easy to deal with. I have used a Gage flight case with them and also bought seats onthe plane for my bass. Remember to be nice & polite.

My worst experience wason Airtran.

Good Luck.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by PocketGroove82

There is a very slim chance that you could get lucky and carry on the bass in a gig bag or light case, stowed in the coat closet up front or in the overhead bin.

In the immortal words of Joe Henderson "Yeah man, NOT happenin'." An upright in an overhead bin, I shudder to think.

Anyway, apparently the AF of M has lifted the sanctions against DELTA, since the "new" management seems to be much more tolerant of musicians being allowed to have small instruments (violins, trumpets, saxes etc.) as "carry on" baggage. This may also extend to an understanding of being able to have a DB in a flight case as checked baggage. But I don't know anybody who's tried it yet. Beware any airline trying to get you to ship it "air freight", they won't even gurantee that it'll be on the same flight as you.

[Roger Mouton]

Todd Coolman's website has an excellent dissertation on traveling with the bass. Check it out.

[waltzfordebby]

Originally Posted by quenoil

I agree with this - especially about being calm and friendly. If you are insistent that the bass has to fly with you, but also not confrontational, things will go your way. I've flown domestically and back and forth to Europe many times with my bass and so far haven't had it refused although I've almost always had to pay some kind of oversize/overweight charge.

You should all also be aware of this new flight case which, although expensive, will remove the overweight concerns and protect your bass better than any of the others that I've seen:

http://www.olivierrabbath.com/Rabbathcase.html

ahahaha i don't think i have the money to afford kevlar for my bass...

[NotACello]

For LA to New York, Jet Blue is your best bet. United and southwest are also good with basses.
Avoid delta like the plague. Also, before you get to the airport, make sure you print out their rules and regulations where it states the size and weight they accept. And keep it under 100lbs! (don't pack your music and stuff in the bass)

[sybarite]

I fly with my bass alot ( at least 10 times/year) I have a 3/4 Gage case whick I've been using for 10 years withno complaints... except the weight.

It used to be the lightest case around at just under 60lbs. Now there are models from Accord, Rabbath, & Contrabass Shoppe. All about 35lbs. Has anyone used these? I want to get a lightler case but NOT if it will be less protective of wear our in 5 years.

It seems that Conrabasse Shoppe has the best website description.

Anybody used any of these cases?

Thanks,
Louis

[waltzfordebby]

i just want to add that if i do fly with my bass i'll be borrowing a flight case from a local luthier or borrowing my high school's flight case (which is not the most amazing piece of equipment)

[JimmyM]

After the crappy rental basses I've had to put up with from backline companies, I'm very tempted to start flying my bass. But then I see someone walk through the airport with one and I figure I'll put up with the crappy basses one gig longer

[NotACello]

Jimmy-
It's really not THAT bad when you think about it- when you fly with your own bass it's really about 5-10 minutes each way of a total pain in the ass, but then you get to play on your own bass as opposed to an easier time traveling but then all of those hours dealing with a sucky bass.
I've done both and I still prefer playing on my own bass at the end of the day.

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by sybarite

I fly with my bass alot ( at least 10 times/year) I have a 3/4 Gage case whick I've been using for 10 years withno complaints... except the weight.

It used to be the lightest case around at just under 60lbs. Now there are models from Accord, Rabbath, & Contrabass Shoppe. All about 35lbs. Has anyone used these? I want to get a lightler case but NOT if it will be less protective of wear our in 5 years.

It seems that Conrabasse Shoppe has the best website description.

Anybody used any of these cases?

Thanks,
Louis

Rice owns one of the Contrabasse Shoppe's cases, and it's a piece of junk. The light, plastic latches have fallen off or broken so the case needs to be held together with bungee cords. Consider it a waste of money.

[labravajazz]

Has anyon e seen or tried one of these? They certainly look like a good idea.....

Originally Posted by quenoil

I agree with this - especially about being calm and friendly. If you are insistent that the bass has to fly with you, but also not confrontational, things will go your way. I've flown domestically and back and forth to Europe many times with my bass and so far haven't had it refused although I've almost always had to pay some kind of oversize/overweight charge.

You should all also be aware of this new flight case which, although expensive, will remove the overweight concerns and protect your bass better than any of the others that I've seen:

http://www.olivierrabbath.com/Rabbathcase.html