case for travel?

[Pacman]

I'm asking for the wisdom of my traveling brothers. I'm about to go to Japan, and most of my gear will be packed and moved for me, but I want to hand-carry a bass with me. I don't want to get a flight case, because I think I'll run over the weight limit on the airline.

Question: can anyone recommend a good quality, lightweight case they'd feel comfortable checking as luggage on an international flight?



Thanks in advance!

[Steve]

Given that there is so much confusion about how and even if you can get an instrument on a plane without buying a seat, I use an ATA case and pay the overage.

If I was bound and determined to take it onboard I think I would have to devise some way to take the neck off and break it down until it fit the standard carry on dimensions for the over head bin.

It's my understanding that regardless of FAA rulings to the contrary, you're pretty much at the mercy of the flight crews whim and construction of that particular air frame as to whether of not it even has appropriate vertical storage lockers that aren't already full of flight crew stuff.

What is the plan B if you show up with a good gig bag and you hit flight crew that just says no?

You're military and that should certainly buy you more consideration but, I never had the guts to take the gamble.

I've said this before but it's worth repeating:

Flying an instrument is where you can hope for the best but you had better be prepared for the worst.

Thanks for your service and sacrifice BTW. I for one appreciate it.

But to answer the original question, I don't think there is any instrument case suitable. You'll probably have to measure the neck removed as the largest dimensional piece and look at some good padded computer transporting bags. InCase springs to mind. There are some gun cases that would probably work for you but, they look like gun cases and that's a recipe for an airport cavity search.

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by Pacman

I'm asking for the wisdom of my traveling brothers. I'm about to go to Japan, and most of my gear will be packed and moved for me, but I want to hand-carry a bass with me. I don't want to get a flight case, because I think I'll run over the weight limit on the airline.

Question: can anyone recommend a good quality, lightweight case they'd feel comfortable checking as luggage on an international flight?



Thanks in advance!

I take my bass with me every time I fly. They don't bother thru security, the problem is when you're entering the airplane. If they come to you and say it can't go in you tell them it costs 5000 dollars and you're not putting it down there. They will call the supervisor. You tell him it fits the luggage compartments. He will keep saying it's too big. You insist and then you say: So, what are we gonna do now? He gets uncomfortable. You say you understand his situation and if doesn't fit up there you'll seek a place behind the last seat. Works every time. The attendants will let you put it there yourself without much questioning. Use a tight, not oversized gigbag and the whole thing shouldn't take more than 5 minutes of negotiating.

[Pacman]

I guess I wasn't clear. I'm looking for a case that I can check, but isn't the plywood and aluminum flight case monsters that we're used to. Are some of the polyfoam cases strong enough to protect in the baggage hold?