Can you bring bass on airplane?

[cire113]

I'm worried about traveling with my bass

[stingray96191]

depends on the airline. but a general rule is don't do it... its not worth the headaches..

[bmason81]

Just ship it usps, I checked in my bass on a flight and it cost almost 200 dollars, usps with 1000 dollars insurance was 66 dollars

[Aborted]

If you want to have it with the rest of the baggage, it's not an issue. But if you want it physically with you in the cabin, most airlines won't let that. If they do, as Stingray said, it's a hell of a headache.

[crijan]

I fly with my bass in an SKB Bass Safe quite often. Just make sure you arrive early and don't change flights or you might end up at your gig, but find that your bass didn't.

I check the bass as checked luggage, not carry-on. They've never charged me an extra fee above their normal checked luggage fee. My guitarists are able to carry their guitars on often, since they are shorter.

[FretlessMainly]

The best way to fly with your bass is to buy another ticket for it. Since this is all but impractical for most of us, you either have to accept that it's going in the hold or ship it to your destination.

Now, you might call your airline and get someone to tell you that you can stow it in an on-board closet, but I can pretty much guarantee you that the Gate Agent or crew member will tell you the opposite, and then you're in a pickle. To check your bass, you need a TSA-approved flight case. This allows TSA to open the case for inspection while you are off to your gate (the lock is accessible to TSA keys). Count on the case not being properly latched or some other scenario that you'd prefer not to imagine.

Buy an extra ticket or ship it to your destination.

[mitchjonbass]

I have travelled alot using a flight case and have never had a problem..call the airline you are using and ask..i still see alot of guitar players travelling with gig bags, so i guess it cant be that bad..are you gigging or vacation?

[jmac]

Bassists travel by plane with their bass all of the time. Check out the Anthony Wellington forum. There is a thread there about it.

[cire113]

^^ i know but but i want to know how much of a problem it is...

I might just check it as luggage and forget any headaches like someone else said

[Tupac]

Pro Tip: It's called a hardcase, my friend

[velalv]

I travel a lot for work, about once a week. I bring it with me so I have something fun to do at the hotel after a long day or work in a remote location. No gigs to travel for...yet.

I typically take my bass with me on board in a gig bag. Best airline for bringing a guitar on board is American Airlines. They will generally let you bring it on board and put it in a closet, or behind a first class seat. United Airlines is not too bad either. Continental, US Air, and Delta are not quite so good.

Having said that, I only bring my Squier bass. I have a Fender American Jazz Deluxe that I do not take with me on the plane, and is always in its hard case.

Hope this helps.

[JonahTheAmazing]

I have nightmares about taking basses anywhere outside of my house. My dad's luggage was soaking from the checked luggage. I worry about a trusty hard shell case in those circumstances.

Possible, but scary.

[73jbass]

Call ahead and check with the specific airline you will be using,and get a printout of the rules. All airlines rules are different,and are always changing,so it's best to have the most current info in hand when you show up at the gate.

[Savage_Dreams]

i agree with checking with airline and find out the rules. i took my bass in the cabin with me, in a gig bag. no problems. i was able to put in a closet at the front of the cabin as well. cant remember what airline it was though.

[RMXSeven]

I've tried to take mine on board with Cathay pacific. In Japan, they told me due the length, it won't fit in the overhead, and checked it in for me at no extra cost. I had a hard case, and it arrived in hong kong fine, mint actually. On the trip from hong kong back to Sydney, same story, except they charged me $260, and when it got to Sydney, it had the snot beaten out of it, and the lock broken (non tsa). So it depends. But I'd say it's safe with a good quality hard case with tsa approved lock, and travel insurance...

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by cire113

I'm worried about traveling with my bass

I've only flown a couple of times but each time yes, the airlines were able to accomodate my needing to bring a bass

First time it was checked as luggage and flew on the plane in cargo. Came out fine the other end.

Second time, I was able to check it as handheld luggage.

Both times I used a lockable hardcase, and reinforced the lock by taping it closed with duct tape - strapped at each and and the middle, so you could tell if it had been opened.

Best way to find out in your case is to contact the airline on your ticket.