Questio about flying with a bass

Dr_Atomic · #1 05-18-2009, 01:42 PM

hey i'll be flying with my bass this summer to banff in calgary, alberta and i've never flown with it before, so i was wondering what you do when you get to the airport? i'm flying out of newark, and apparently they don't have a cargo section to their airport.

dmusic148 · #2 05-18-2009, 01:44 PM

Put it in a really good hard case and check it as luggage. Newark in particular is notorious for not allowing a bass as a carry-on.

Nagrom · #3 05-18-2009, 01:57 PM

Banff is an hour drive from Calgary, not "in Calgary" at all.

Dr_Atomic · #4 05-18-2009, 04:01 PM

yeah i didn't want to buy a seat for it. just wanted to know how the whole thing works -- is it just as if you're flying normally, only you have to check the bass, or do you have to go through some sort of extra security? do they open up the case? what's the deal?

Eric Hochberg · #5 05-18-2009, 04:16 PM

Do a search for "airlines". Many threads there...

When I've flown (it's been a few years so things may have changed), I go right to the ticket counter, check the bass as baggage and hope for the best. You may be asked to open the case. The charges can vary and be unpredictable. I've been charged as little as $50 nationally and as much as $450 internationally one way. Act nonchalant, maybe say it's a cello when they ask what it is, be nice. Check the AFM and ISB sites for info, too. I think the AFM may have letters to specific airlines that you can copy and bring with you for support if they give you a hard time.

Between the hassle, expense and good possibility of damage, I think I would rather drive or train it. Make sure you have insurance and a good case!!

Good luck!

ISB http://www.isbworldoffice.com/resour...your_bass.html

Nagrom · #6 05-18-2009, 04:31 PM

You rent, beg, borrow, (or already have) a suitable trunk for your bass. Pack everything you can in your suitcase. Get a good bowcase to carry on with you. Arrange for a rental bass in Calgary, just in case. Go to the airport early enough so you have time to take your bass back home if they refuse it. Present your bass to the airport people, where they will decide if it can go & how much extra they will charge you. Have a safe flight and fine performances, and enjoy Banff National Park. If you can, take the Icefields Parkway to Jasper one day. By the way, once you get your bass to Calgary, there's no guarantee they'll let it back on for the return trip home. It may help to call it a cello.

Dr_Atomic · #7 05-18-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks for the help, all. I am going to try to find a number to call for Air Canada at Newark and see if they can give me any indication as to whether they'll be able to take the bass. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

Darren Molnar · #8 05-18-2009, 10:57 PM

Hey Dr Atomic
I've found Air Canada to be a bugger to get any guaranteed info ahead of the actual flight.They'll pass the buck along the departments until you're ready to scream. And then guarantee nothing, to cover their buts. I've tried this route before.
The "nice" thing about them is that the airline workers are so un-caring and un-interested in their actual jobs ( almost like beaten dogs ) that once you actually get to the airport, they will probably barely take a second look at the bass before sending it down the conveyer belt.
Once you get to the airport, just treat it as if you've always checked basses as luggage, no biggy, and they'll do the same because it's the easiest thing for them to do.
I've had "issues" with them in the past, that is why I give them the stink eye, I'm not this negative in real life

Banff is awesome, have a great time!

Dr_Atomic · #9 05-18-2009, 11:59 PM

Haha, thanks, Darren. That's what I have experienced already today in my trying to call and find something out... I called about 5 numbers and got no answers other than, "Newark doesn't have a cargo section." Which apparently, according to the Newark Airport website, isn't true... So I'll just plan on getting to there 4 hrs early and see how it goes!

I've got a great flight case lined up so I'm not worried about that -- it's a Stephenson that I'm borrowing from a friend in the Met.

longfinger · #10 05-19-2009, 11:49 AM

Showing up early is good, but arrange as much as you can in advance too. (lower fees)
Make sure you have a lot of credit on your credit card because you'll likely have to pay a few hundred dollars to ship the bass. Keep the receipts, as you may be able to claim something back at tax time.

(One a side note: I travelled to Europe with AC in Sept, with an electric bass, electric guitar, 1 suitcase, 1 carry-on case and 1 backpack for laptop. AC policy allows 2 checked bags of 50lbs a carry on of $23lbs and a business item like laptop. So I had to pay $200 for the guitar just because it was a third piece, even though it was small and light. With everything, I was under-weight but I had too many items. I avoided this coming back by shrink-wrapping the guitar and bass together to form one 'piece' of luggage that even together weighed just 50lbs. )

You're presented with weight restrictions, number of baggage restrictions and size restrictions.

So for you to avoid the extra baggage fee, pack all your regular stuff into 1 suitcase, your carry-on and your 'laptop bag' backpack. The second checked baggage will be the DB.

A DB is too big to be regular luggage, so you'll have an oversize fee, but it's also small enough not to be considered cargo, unless with the case it becomes heavier than 70lbs.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...ssbaggage.html

Showing up with two suitcases, 2 carry-ons and a DB will be expensive, as you'll pay the both extra-baggage fee, and the the oversize fee/over-weight fee. Pack light, and if necessary, a lot off heavy little stuff like toiletries can be bought in Banff.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...usic_inst.html

Have fun in Banff!

Dr_Atomic · #11 05-19-2009, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the help!

I think the bass will end up going over 70 lbs. The Stephenson cases are at least 68 lbs, but I'll check with my friend as to the exact weight.

wildhorse · #12 05-19-2009, 12:13 PM

Are you permanently moving or is it a gig you can rent a bass for when you get there?

Bofee · #13 05-19-2009, 12:18 PM

I played some gigs in Hawai'i last year and couldn't get a straight answer from the airline regarding carrying my double bass in it's case. I started calling and emailing 3 months prior to leaving and never got a solid yes or no. With the airport 300 miles from my house, just showing up and hoping for the best wasn't an option. (No rental or loaners to be found on the Big Island either.) I ended up taking a collapsable EUB in an aluminum case.

ubado · #14 05-19-2009, 12:20 PM

You could always ship it to yourself. Perhaps UPS or FedEx will hold it at their location and allow you to pick it up.

I've picked up plenty of basses at the UPS warehouse before.

Dr_Atomic · #15 05-19-2009, 03:09 PM

Thanks for the information, everybody.

Flying with a bass is such a pain; ISB should just charter flights for bassists!

Nagrom · #16 05-19-2009, 06:42 PM

Its not just the weight. AC allows 115" maximum of combined height, width, and depth. The trunk is bigger than that, so it becomes $$ Air Cargo $$, and not necessarily on the same flight. Shipping it there before hand might work, but check with Canada Customs & Revenue about clearing it through the border. How about a nice relaxing 5-day drive?

Dr_Atomic · #17 05-20-2009, 10:13 AM

Anyone know if United is a bass-friendly airline?

Jake deVilliers · #18 05-20-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Atomic

Anyone know if United is a bass-friendly airline?

If you use the Search function on the Basses Forum you'll find a thread entitled 'Bass Friendly Airlines' - might find what you're looking for there.

BostonPop01 · #19 05-24-2009, 09:24 AM

Kirsten, don't use United or AirCanada. United will charge you at least $315 for your bass (that's one way and doesn't include the price of your suitcase) and AirCanada will not under any circumstances take your bass, since it will inevitably weigh over 70. They charged me $400 once because I had to ship it cargo (and had to wait four days to get my bass shipped to me).

StandUpSallie · #20 05-25-2009, 01:23 PM

I have been reading your input on basses & flying with interest as I've been trying to find a solution for a few years now; first I bought a Clevenger upright stick bass then found out it was too tall to check or take on the plane; then I bought a 1/4 size bass but although it works really well in my small practice room (my upright acoustic piano takes up most of the room) so I have two strikes behind me and it looks like I was just tossed a solution to my flying problem that's going to be an 'away from home' winner. ... I received the info from Lee Ferrell, (who played with the Righeous Bros from the beginning to Bobby Hatfield's sad time, & is the father of Will Ferrell) about a real, 1/4 size stand up Bass thats folds into itself and has a hard case. It's pricey $2999 but since 3/4 size hard cases (which are too big for me and cost around the same as this bass w/case which weighs under 50 pounds and is supposed to be accepted by all airlines.) Do any of you know someone who has one of these? Thanks. StandUpSallie