Flying - Bass as carry on?

[rappa29]

Hey guys,

I'm traveling for my job (nonmusical) this Monday. I'll be in PHX for a week. Was planning on bringing my bass as a carry on so I can practice in the hotel room after work. Even bought a Bass Ace so I could do so.

Then it dawned on me...do airlines allow musical instruments as carry on? I checked the airline website that I'm traveling and it stated as long as the total dimensions fit their criteria (46" or something like that). I was on a flight a few weeks ago and a guy had his guitar with him in a gig bag. Of course a guitar is short than a bass, so it probably fit easily in the overhead.

Anyone have any experience you can lend about traveling with your bass?

I'd hate to waste the prime shedding time I'll have sitting in a hotel room hanging out on the web or watching TV!

[Scourge441]

I'm not sure they would let you after that whole terrorst plot thing that happened recently.

Also, before anyone else says it...

"WE'VE GOT MOTHER****IN BASSES ON THIS MOTHER****ING PLANE!"

[spudmaster34]

yeah, with "upgraded" security, thats not a verry good idea

[paintandsk8]

Normally I would tell you to search on it, because it has been discussed many many times, but since the search function is currently down I guess I'll be nice.

Taking your bass on a plane is always a risk. Almost every airline says in their "policy" that instruments can't be carried on unless you pay fees or buy a seat for it. But on the other hand many people sucessfully carry their instruments on just fine. No airline is going to tell you ahead of time that it is ok though, it just depends on the personell on your flight. So it's possible that you could get on no problem like I did, but it's also possible that you could get refused and be in serious trouble.

[rigoleto4]

I have taken my bass as a carry on several times, what I do is I store it in the little closet where the crew keep their luggage, they're always very nice about it, and when I'm leaving the plane they always tell me: "Dont forget your guitar!" which kinda bothers me but I appreciate the gesture.


FIRST POST!!! Yay. Hope this helps.

[Ale]

It depends on what company you fly with , and the staff on the plane.
Though , nowdays since 9/11 a guitarstring/bassstring whatever is considerd a possible murderweapon for hijackers...

[RWP]

FWIW I once took a bass on a business trip by removing the neck. It was a long time ago but I think it then fit into a standard bag. It was a crummy bass so I didn't mind taking that chance. Just a thought.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

yeah, with "upgraded" security, thats not a verry good idea

A bass is not a liquid, and a bass is not a gel. Call the airlines.

[imkelvis]

There are no guarantees. Period. No matter what they tell you. I've flown out of Nashville a lot. Every third guy has an instrument to carry on. Most of the time it's cool, but the return flight could be another story. You do not want to be sitting at the gate with a screwdriver taking the neck off your bass so it "fits" in whatever space they have left. Modern Case Co. in Bessemer MI has (or had, it's been a while) great, light weight cases that you could check with confidence. Don't know the website but it can't be too hard to find. I've had friends check valuable, fragile acoustics in these and I don't know anyone who's had a problem. Good luck.
imkelvis

[spudmaster34]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

A bass is not a liquid, and a bass is not a gel.

True. However, the security people have the ultimate say, and they are on red alert right about now. Would you like to imagine what would happen if the x-rayed it and saw an active preamp? I wouldn't

[Mark Wilson]

Yea. I don't know about if they'll like the idea. I heard of someone trying to smuggle like 10 lbs of Cocaine INSIDE a double bass.

Ridiculous.

Mark

[rappa29]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll leave it at home. I'll have to get a good flight case for future travel. Looks like I'll be hanging out at the PHX Guitar Center after work and 'demoing' their Jazz basses for a few hours every night next week! Lol!

[00Funk]

This is why I have allways wanted a steignberger bass. They would never question that bass.

I flew over 150 times, during the '90s, working as a scab trucker. Took my bass most of the time.

havnt tried though since 9/11

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

Would you like to imagine what would happen if the x-rayed it and saw an active preamp? I wouldn't

In August I was at the DC airport and I was traveling with a Lakland 55-94 and when it went thru the X-ray machine one of the security personel asked me about the pre,at first he thought it was a CD player,he didn't know what it was so I told him and he paused and just said have a nice day(it happen to be the new Lakland pre).

[1993gt40]

I fly every third day and take a bass every time. Go get a good SKB bass case and check it. Know in your mind that eventually your case will be ruined but your instrument will survive. I have been all over the world with my MIA Deluxe V Jazz. I have been through one SKB in 3 years but the bass always arrives intact.

I used to try and carry it on frequently. Living in Austin I was never questioned here but the TSA at other airports will NOT let you through screening most of the time. If you can get it through many times you can put it in the closet in First otherwise they will gate check it and it would be as if you checked it initially.

FWIW, I am writing this from the AA Admiral's Club in Austin, Tx. My bass is somewhere being loaded onto a plane right now.

[spudmaster34]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

when it went thru the X-ray machine one of the security personel asked me about the pre

I would just be so freaked out, envisioning them whisking away my baby and blowing it up right in front of me.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

I would just be so freaked out, envisioning them whisking away my baby and blowing it up right in front of me.

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

A bass is not a liquid, and a bass is not a gel. Call the airlines.

It matters little. There was never any danger from these liquids in the first place. What's "simple" in a chemistry lab isn't simple in an airplane toilet.

I would never have attempted what these "terrorists" were planning... mostly because I have a morbid fear of my name being linked with embarrasing failure and plastered all over the tabloid front pages.

[Esquillama]

Originally Posted by imkelvis

There are no guarantees. Period. No matter what they tell you. I've flown out of Nashville a lot. Every third guy has an instrument to carry on. Most of the time it's cool, but the return flight could be another story. You do not want to be sitting at the gate with a screwdriver taking the neck off your bass so it "fits" in whatever space they have left. Modern Case Co. in Bessemer MI has (or had, it's been a while) great, light weight cases that you could check with confidence. Don't know the website but it can't be too hard to find. I've had friends check valuable, fragile acoustics in these and I don't know anyone who's had a problem. Good luck.
imkelvis

I didn't find an actual website, but I did find this:

Modern Case Company, Inc.

PO Box 14, 1401 Eli Avenue
Bessemer, MI 49911

Toll-Free: 800-344-7027
Phone: 906-667-0342
Fax: 906 663-4074

[Jay Gee]

I bought a Sinsonido (Aria) for traveling and practicing in a hotel room. If you take off the sides, it easily fits into a golf club bag, then I check it. It can actually fit into a large gun case as well, but then you look like you're carrying a gun around the airport. No one cares about golf clubs.

The Sinsonido is cool because you can just plug in headphones and hear it.

JG