New info on travel

[txstatebass]

I just got off the phone with Southwest airlines and to my surprise they now allow us bass players to purchase an extra seat for our instruments. Figured ya'll would want to know fyi.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by txstatebass

I just got off the phone with Southwest airlines and to my surprise they now allow us bass players to purchase an extra seat for our instruments. Figured ya'll would want to know fyi.

Thanks! That's excellent news!

Does the bass have to check in separately? What if it's in a different boarding group? Could it end up sitting by itself?

[Marcus Johnson]

Most importantly, can I eat its meal?

Eh, on second thought.....

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Most importantly, can I eat its meal?

I see that there is no SWA in Hawaii. No meals, only peanuts, low fares and a little campy sass.

[E.P. Miller]

Unless you are flying first class, or sitting in the bulkhead area, I don't know how you'd fit a bass in a seat. The overall depth (including overstand) exceeds the legroom space. I can hardly fit my body in a seat and my "lower bout" is thinner than the one on the bass. Enlighten me...

[AlembicPlayer]

hasn't it always been that way?
I thought you could always buy a seat for an instrument.
I did years ago.
I have a fly date at the end of January. Does anyone know if Hawaiian Air allows carry on gig bags? I'd like to bring my bass in gig bag and put it in the overhead.


sorry, just realized this is the double bass forum
still, my question remains

[Marcus Johnson]

Yes, Hawaiian Air allows slabs in the cabin in gig bags. If it's too big, however, they'll do a gate check. I bring my NS Bass Cello or my Fender on all the time.

Gimme a shout if you're coming to Maui.

[AlembicPlayer]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Yes, Hawaiian Air allows slabs in the cabin in gig bags. If it's too big, however, they'll do a gate check. I bring my NS Bass Cello or my Fender on all the time.

Gimme a shout if you're coming to Maui.

yes Marcus, I'll be playing 3 shows with my rock band on Maui end of January. Two shows at Charley's, don't know where the 3rd is yet, the info travels slower to the bass player for some reason.

I want to carry on my Alembic Series bass in a soft leather gig bag, so the cargo hold is out of the question. We will have rented backline.

the flight is non-stop direct to Maui from Portland,OR PDX

thanks!

[txstatebass]

Originally Posted by Trix Miller

Unless you are flying first class, or sitting in the bulkhead area, I don't know how you'd fit a bass in a seat. The overall depth (including overstand) exceeds the legroom space. I can hardly fit my body in a seat and my "lower bout" is thinner than the one on the bass. Enlighten me...

Good point, but for the POM I'll find a way. There's the old "lay it upside-down" trick (with the scroll on the floor, body up in the air). Basically, it was an extra $100 to check it in flight case under the plane, or pony up an extra $200 for the ticket and have the bass with me at all times. a $100 dollar difference and I don't have baggage "handlers" throwing my beloved German around the tarmac seems worth it to me.

[svenbass]

Hurrah for Southwest! It's pretty hard taking a plank these days, much less moving the doghouse. I had heard that most airlines now won't even let you put one below in a coffin because of size.

Anywoo - my teacher traveled extensively with his bass in the seat next to him and said it was never a problem fitting it scroll to the floor and buckling it in.

[Marcus Johnson]

AlembicPlayer, I think you should be okay with Hawaiian, but you might want to phone them to check on their current policies, they change 'em sometimes. The way the economy is right now, I think they'll be glad to see you. I've never had any problems, the overheads are pretty big on Hawaiian air.

Charley's is nice now.... they had a fire, and ended up redoing the stage so it's better.

[PinkFloydDan]

Must be nice to buy another plane ticket for your instrument. Holy moly

[fdeck]

There's a picture showing the "upside down" technique in The Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid.

[txstatebass]

Originally Posted by PinkFloydDan

Must be nice to buy another plane ticket for your instrument. Holy moly

Worth it to have MY baby for the audition!

[E.P. Miller]

Originally Posted by fdeck

There's a picture showing the "upside down" technique in The Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid.

I need to check that out! The extra $100 seems like money well spent. Even the best of flight trunks can't always protect a bass. And if something breaks, anything, we all know $100 won't fix it.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by Trix Miller

I need to check that out! The extra $100 seems like money well spent. Even the best of flight trunks can't always protect a bass. And if something breaks, anything, we all know $100 won't fix it.

If it's not in the current edition, let me know.

[Uncletoad]

I'd just fly to Maui in a pair of shorts and borrow Marcus' bass. Not like he's using the damn thing.

[Marcus Johnson]

Hmmm.... It might be quite a culture shock.... going from an Alembic to an off-the-rack MIM Fender J with only one pickup working.

[AndreasH]

Originally Posted by fdeck

There's a picture showing the "upside down" technique in The Evolving Bassist by Rufus Reid.

I love that series of pictures! But I'm a bit afraid to put my bass "upside-down". Wouldn't that stress the neck a bit?

[joel kelsey]

Hey Adam,
Nice playing! What are you auditioning for?