Flying with a pedalboard question

[shroomt]

Janek,

I check your twitter and you've posted some pics of some of your pedals getting wrecked by TSA when you go on tour.
Do you know how this happened? Or did you just get out of the plane and discovered the disaster? Did they make it right?

Was the pedalboard checked-in or was it a carry-on?

What would be your advice for musicians flying with pedalboards?

Thanks so much for your knowledge!

Best,

Rodrigo

[Snarf]

Sup Janek, I have a similar question that doesn't warrant its own thread given that this one is here.

I'm going to be flying around a bit in the next few months, and I've got a nice custom getting finished soon and I'm debating whether I should take it with me on a 5 month playing contract. The gig doesn't require that I have "my" sound, or even a five string, so I'm thinking about taking a beater jazz instead.

When you fly with your Fodera, has it ever gotten lost? How worried are you about that kind of thing? Also, do you have any idea how they treat checked items in southeast Asia?

[JimmyM]

I'm not Janek, but I'm a regular flier, so maybe I can add some insight...

Flying with pedals sucks Bring what you need but bring as few as you can get away with, and what I do is wrap them in my clothing then re-assemble them on my board once I get there. Some check them using a flight case, but I'm way too cheap for that. You could carry them on in a small bag but be prepared for TSA to ask you a few questions at the security check. They'll let them go through, but you'll get their curiosity going sometimes. But I'm convinced that there really is no good way to fly with pedals, and the fewer, the better.

As for basses, I used to carry my bass onto the plane and stick it in the overhead bin, but I started getting hassled and forced to gate check too often, so I bought one of those SKB rolling bass cases and I check it. The locks suck so I have to tie the handles together with velcro wraps or something similar, but it works really well otherwise and I've yet to even get a scratch on any of my basses in 6 years of using one, even my flimsy Danelectro. A well padded gig bag is a must with it, though. I know dudes who bring expensive basses, and I have done it my own self, but I prefer bringing cheaper stuff that isn't irreplaceable. I've had to wait for my bass to show up a couple times but I always get it eventually

But being a musician who flies with an instrument and pedals is quite a chore, no doubt. Either you have to carry on a ridiculous amount of stuff, or you have to check a ridiculous amount of stuff and pay extra baggage charges and stuff. Good times.

[shroomt]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

But I'm convinced that there really is no good way to fly with pedals, and the fewer, the better.

Yea I was afraid this was going to be the final conclusion.

I'm ok with it but it's always good to get some tips from musicians with more experience.

Thanks!

[JohnDavisNYC]

i fly with my pedals almost every flight i'm on, and it isn't too bad if you have a good flight case. i have a pedal train board and it has been all over the world and tossed around by baggage throwers of all nationalities. i had my pedal board nearly destroyed by air france about 7 years ago, but that was one of those 'pedal pad' ones or whatever, and the construction wasn't as good as the PT cases.

make sure that the pedals are securely fastened to the board with both velcro and large zip ties, and that all your cables are neatly dressed and organized and also zip tied in place with small ones, so that the entire system is totally integrated as one unit. consolidated power is also a plus with no wall warts flying about in the case. i'm super OCD about how my board is set up, but it's been totally rock solid for years now with constant TSA abuse.

i always carry my bass in the cabin, also. just be prepared for the occasional argument or be ready to be very friendly and convince them that it fits. i bring photos of my bass in the overhead of various equipment (A330, 737, small turboprop, etc.) so that the (obligatory) bitter ******* at the gate that wants to ruin my day gets shut up and put in his place quickly. if you get on a plane where the overhead compartments are short, go all the way to the back of the plane and find the friendliest looking flight attendant (the ones up front are all stressed out from dealing with other passengers) and apologetically ask if there is any chance he/she can put your instrument in a closet for you, as you didn't realize you would be flying on a XXX (insert aircraft model) with reduced overhead compartments, otherwise you would have brought your flight case. it's also a good idea to very subtly imply that the instrument is extremely valuable and irreplacable.

john

[Groovy Bastard]

+1 on the SKB bass safe. I've flown through a big part of Europe & India with the bass as carry on which went allright, but there's too many idiots flinging/punching their bags on top of the bass (or even letting it almost fall out!). That's if you managed to be the first on the plane, otherwise there might not be space, and there's not a closet in the smallest of planes.

Checking it in saves me from that stress, though there's the added insecurity of it arriving! Checking it in with the odd-sizes helps with that though. When you land on a unfamiliar airport just make sure to check out where the odd-sizes belt is. In Sao Paolo I even had a friendly airport man bring it to me personally!

Also, watch out for Air Transat! They're very strick on carry on, a bass will not be allowed on the plane. Especially when boarding in London Gatwick. Be warned!

If you got just a few pedals, carry on can be a good solution. In my experience your bag will always be inspected at security because they look suspicious on the scanner (so they security guys say). No big deal, just expect to be delayed a bit there.

[JimmyM]

BTW, re: the SKB Bass Safe, I'll just add that I have had way more damage to my basses by carrying them on than I have with the Bass Safe. Yeah, it always makes me just a little uneasy right before I open it after a trip, but after the 4th or 5th time you have some old lady plop her 900 lb carry-on suitcase directly on top of it without looking, then slide it around while she tries to figure out why it's not fitting, it'll make you think twice.

[janekbass]

okay, little late to this one I'm afraid.... been launching a new project which I'll shamelessly plug right now: The Live Archive Podcast | Playing and discussing rare live recordings from the most extensive archive in existence it's free so I don't feel that bad about it...!


Pedal and basses and planes....

I agree wholeheartedly with everything John Davis said, in fact I agree with almost everything he says when it comes to being a bass player, professional musician, and all around cool guy....

I will add a couple of things to this thread though that might help.

I have been the victim of my own laziness and stupidity in terms of the case I use for my pedals (SKB PS-45) - absolute piece of crap and not made to do anything other transfer peals from the sitting room to the bedroom.... oh, and give you a really loud ground hum on just about everything you plug into it too....

I am literally in the process of switching everything to a PedalTrain board with the voodoo power brick, and cable tying and velcroing everything down like John said.

The only time i'll use a flight case these days is when I'm on a big pop tour and there's a production manager to take care of it and make sure it gets where it needs to go. One huge disadvantage of ever checking your bass on a flight no matter what kind of case you have, is that it's just another piece of luggage to the airlines and receives exactly the same priority as a bag full of dirty underwear. So as you know bags go missing, and if you fly from Miami to chicago and have to go straight to sound check when you land and they lose your bass..... you're screwed. Especially if you're in the middle of a run of one nighters that are all fly dates. I will NEVER CHECK MY BASS under any circumstances when I'm on the road with anything less than a big production.

I also highly recommend doing all your miles with one airline/milage network. Having elite status with a mileage program like star alliance gives you so many benefits.

As a 1k flyer for the past 5 years with United/Star Alliance (that means you have to do at least 100,000 miles a year on star alliance companies) I get upgraded on 95% of domestic flights which means not only a more comfortable flight, but a completely different customer experience in terms of what flight attendants are willing to help you with. it means being first on the plane no matter what class of service I'm flying, which therefor means first access to any lockers or closets that might be available to put my bass in. It means expedited check in at the airport - even if I'm not flying in first class I'll still check in with first class and will rarely be questioned about carrying an instrument. It also means using a different "preferred" security lane at most large airports where there is less hassle in getting a bass through security, and at the end of the day it basically adds some years to my life that I would normally have worn away with the stress of traveling.

One other rather nice benefit to elite status is a huge amount of checked luggage or free, meaning that I can take a pretty serious pedal board on the road with me that weighs up to 75 lbs and not have to pay any excess baggage for it.

Janek.

[behndy]

woof. i'm glad it helps you sir, but that always ****** me off to no end. being a preferred customer and getting on the plane quicker and getting access to more amenities because they want to keep a steady customer happy? cool. their perogitive.

going through security any faster than the next person? that's despicable and makes a mockery of everybody aquiesing to these asinine rules that just give the illusion of safety.

offends me.

[janekbass]

well you're entitled to your opinion of course. For me I don't think there's any offense at all, and if you take it personally that's rather a waste of time and energy.

It's about customer service, and when you fly there are certain things that make it a little easier. Try doing 140,000 miles a year, every year. Then I think you might have a slightly different view on how the airport works, how much time you save by being an elite member, and how much fresher you arrive at your destination ready to work.

There's a reason billionaire businessmen fly private jets, high profile executives fly international first class, and why, in a much smaller way, I try to maintain a certain level of status with an airline to reap some of the benefits and make flying a little easier when I have to work.

I don't want to be 70 by the time I'm 40.......

Janek

[behndy]

no, you are a man that busts his ass in his profession, and i think you're entitled to any break you can get that makes things easier on you. flying can be hellacious just for fun, i can only image how grinding it is as a huge part of your job.

everything up UNTIL the system that's purportedly to protect everybody. if everybody that flies is cooperating for security's sake, it DOES offend me that some people get exceptions to that. it makes the annoyance and sometimes indignaties that everybody goes through.... invalid.

but whatever. thanks for the insight on traveling with gear! i always worried about things getting damaged, i didn't even think of the high risk of your stuff just not showing up until you pointed it out.

thanks!

[JimmyM]

Behindy, don't begrudge someone who's paid their dues to earn a spot in the priority security line. We still have to go through the indignity of them seeing through our clothes in those soul-stealing body scanners (hint: chub up a little to avoid embarrassment ). And not all airports have priority security, like Orlando International, which I have to fly out of. But I wholeheartedly agree with sticking to one airline. Upgrades rock hard, and so do no baggage fees! Not always possible, but we do our best to do it as well.

As for carrying a bass, I suppose if I played music where not having my own special bass could be to my detriment, or if I were flying to several one-nighters in a row, as I'm sure is the case with Janek, I would carry it. But I'm not, and I can always find a Precision through the backline company or at a music store (one time it happened and I used the promoter's son's Precision), give it a quick setup, and I'm good to go. But I would agree with you, Janek, that it's not an ideal situation.

[behndy]

i decline the high radiation bombardment from the creepy "HELLOOOOooo Mr. Winky! SOMEbody's had a cold morning! i HOPE!" scanners and make them feel me up.

then make the security dood VERY uncomfortable by leaning into his hands and making lost of appreciative moaning and sex noises.

i fly out of SFO a lot, ended up getting the same little older Vietnamese guy 3 times in a row, saw him cringe when he was walking to the pat down area, and asked him what time he got off.

"ya wanna.... " *nervous foot shuffle* " get some dinner or sumphin?"

"you're fine! go! GO!!!"

[shroomt]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think the PT option and the cloths is a very good idea. I'm definitely not trying to have a big pedalboard but those Moogerfoogers don't make it easy!!

It's good to hear any type of experience tho.

Thanks everyone.

[Extrinsic]

just carried on bass and pedalboard at orlando. no problems at all!