Flying WIth Instruments

[lowenduser]

I've bene playing bass for years now, and have travelled the length of breath of the country playing. I've managed all the time by tranporting myself and instruments in my car (throughout Ireland and across the the U.K.). So, I have never had any reason to fly with my two gig basses, and it might appear naieve or silly, but, I assume you get charged for extra weight baggage? We're all used to our basses weights, but they are actually heavy enough (as you discover when a non bassist/guitarist occassionally picks one up with a "I didn't expect it to be that heavy" face).

I know it sounds if it sounds a bit silly, but the prctalaties of flying with my babies has just never arisen.

[BassIsBoss]

Check the individual airlines for their luggage allowances (size and weight). Then buy a flight case, loosen the string tension and after watching it go down the conveyor belt...pray!

[Christopher]

Check Janek Gwizdala's forum - there's a lengthy thread there now with lots of good advice on flying with a bass.

[Eric Moesle]

Lots of good info on this right here on Talkbass, the question is asked almost every week.

Do a search and you'll find several threads with lots of personal experiences and several good ideas.

[lowenduser]

Thanks!