Flying with a Bass

[paperbag1213]

I am leaving for Boston soon for Berklee Music from
Los Angeles...My bass is going to be checked onto
the plane and will be in a hardcase, but I have heard
horror stories about flying with a bass. I remember
reading about a list that you would tape onto your bass
telling the TSA how to properly care for it. Does anyone
happen to have that? If not could you post some tips
so that I can create a sheet of directions so that my bass
does get harmed.

Thanks

-Kyle

[paperbag1213]

1. ) Please refrain from opening the case if possible
2.) Please do not attempt to open the instrument itself
3.) Please do not put the bass on any conveyor belt, it will fall off.
4.) If you must open the case please reattach all of the straps holding it in. And please remember to re-do all of the latches.
5.) Please be aware of the bass’s size when driving it out to the plane.
6.) If possible please do not load any baggage on top of the case.


I am attaching this list to the hard case, does anyone have anything else to add?

[trajectory fish]

That sounds like a good list; what does your teacher think? Have you contacted anyone with Berklee about this (though I'm sure that plenty of people there read this...)?

Keep in mind that I'm no expert with air travel and checked baggage. I always just carry everything with me when I travel.

Hope this is some help, and good luck at Berklee! This is a great city for music and the arts in general.

Bennett

[paperbag1213]

thank you, Please bass gods just let my bass fly safely.

[flyingfinbar]

You could try having it shipped there, instead of leaving it in the hands of the careless TSA employees.

[paperbag1213]

If i did that I'd have to ship it a week earlier and then I'd have a week less to practice my audition piece

[fuzzythecat]

not for the airport personel, more for you, but, i read somewhere you're supposed to loosen your strings before flying because the air pressure some how screws with the strings, don't know if it's true

[paperbag1213]

hmm i'll ask around but that seems like it could lead to the bass bar falling out...

[robinunit]

i think they deal with a quite a few double bass players with hard cases and in my experience flying in and out of boston with my bass it has been good. When they check out the bass at TSA if possible just try to stay within eye sight of what they're doing. Also don't loosen the strings too much. have fun

[Punk Rock Jason]

Yeah, I've heard that the air pressure (or something along those lines) can mess with the neck and/or truss rod and that loosening the strings helps to prevent this. However, I've only heard that in relation to bass guitars - I'm not sure that the same still applies to a DB.

[Buslady7803]

If the airplane has a closet, they will let u bring it on board and stow it there for flight. Usually the larger planes have them.

[paperbag1213]

American Airlines today me that under
no circumstances i was allowed to bring
the bass on the plane. Ughh...this is not
an ideal situation but I guess it has to
happen.

[themacinator]

Do you have a flight case or just a standard hard case? Or worse yet a gig bag. I have flown with my bass but always in a flight case. It generally gets separated from the other bags because they don't know if it has a bass or a gun in it.

GUN FLIGHT CASE



BASS FLIGHT CASE



Yes gun flight cases look the same. Get a flight case and you should have no concerns.

[robinunit]

wrong side of the tracks

[crowsmengegus]

Just a warning paperbag, you have mostly bass guitar people replying to you in this thread. There's a few threads already that discuss flying with a DB. Read them over:

Typical procedure for flying with a bass?

Flying with a bass

Flying with my bass? Is it possible?`

Flying a bass

Use the search function to find many more.

In my opinion, your list is too long and detailed to be read by any baggage handler. The best advice I've heard is to try to be present when they screen your bass to make sure it's opened and repacked correctly. Others with more flying experience will hopefully chime in. What kind of flight case do you have?

Also, check out this page: http://www.isbworldoffice.com/resour...your_bass.html

[PaulCannon]

The reason for de-tuning strings has to do with neck tension. In the rare cases where basses are damaged on flights, the most common thing is a broken neck. You need to keep some tension on the strings to keep the bridge and sound post in place, but de-tuning a little bit will improve your odds should the case get dropped.

Originally Posted by paperbag1213

1. ) Please refrain from opening the case if possible
2.) Please do not attempt to open the instrument itself
3.) Please do not put the bass on any conveyor belt, it will fall off.
4.) If you must open the case please reattach all of the straps holding it in. And please remember to re-do all of the latches.
5.) Please be aware of the bass’s size when driving it out to the plane.
6.) If possible please do not load any baggage on top of the case.


I am attaching this list to the hard case, does anyone have anything else to add?

You need to delete number 1, certainly. Telling the TSA not to open the case pretty much guarantees it will receive extra attention. Number 2 seems to suggest it could be possible to open the instrument; it's probably best not to bring it up. Number 3 doesn't make any sense -- how else are they supposed to get the thing onto the plane? Number 5 is stating the obvious. Number 6 will be ignored (you have a hard case, right? A little luggage isn't going to hurt anything).

While I realize both TSA agents and baggage handlers can be ignorant about instruments and they do make mistakes, I don't see your instructions as being particularly helpful, and in fact come across as condescending and perhaps suspicious. They are professionals and deserve at least some level of respect. Courteous and clear instructions regarding how to properly unpack and re-pack the instrument are a good idea. A note asking for extra care when handling along with clear FRAGILE stickers is about the best you can do. Be sure to have your name, phone number, and address clearly written on the front of the case.

For what it's worth, I have flown my bass many times without incident, and I've never attached instructions or requests to the instrument. When it's possible to be present for the TSA inspection, I try to watch the proceedings and talk them through the packing process should they request it. Very occasionally they will allow me to unpack the bass for them.

Approaching the flying process with a good attitude and a smile makes things much easier for everyone, including yourself. Everyone involved is a professional, and you should trust that they'll handle your instrument with care until they prove otherwise. Accidents do happen, but they are rare and you needn't worry about that if you have insurance (and you shouldn't be flying an uninsured instrument).

You can read more about flying with a bass in this thread: Typical procedure for flying with a bass?

[paperbag1213]

Originally Posted by crowsmengegus

Just a warning paperbag, you have mostly bass guitar people replying to you in this thread. There's a few threads already that discuss flying with a DB. Read them over:

Typical procedure for flying with a bass?

Flying with a bass

Flying with my bass? Is it possible?`

Flying a bass

Use the search function to find many more.

In my opinion, your list is too long and detailed to be read by any baggage handler. The best advice I've heard is to try to be present when they screen your bass to make sure it's opened and repacked correctly. Others with more flying experience will hopefully chime in. What kind of flight case do you have?

Also, check out this page: International Society of Bassists

Thanks guys

this is the flight case that I am renting
TUFF-LITE Upright Bass Cases

Also...can I bring my electric bass with me on the plane just in a soft case?

[crowsmengegus]

Tuff-lite is a very good case and should protect your bass during normal handling. It says on the ISB page that TSA actually encourages you to be present when they inspect your bass, so try to do that.

Also, Paul's advice about your list is spot-on in my opinion. Arrive early and have a nice trip!

[Beginner Bass]

The Evolving Bassist has a section at the start about flying with basses.

[VondaP]

I will be flying with a bass flight case (no bass) will it be treated the same as with the bass, as far as the $50 fee?

Vonda