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09-06-2010, 11:58 PM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Rosado Guitars, D'addario/Planet Waves Products | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York City (Uptown) | | | Flying with Jet Blue
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Hey guys,
In a few days I'll be flying via Jet Blue from NY to New Orleans. I hope to bring one of my basses (An SX) in a Reunion Blues gig bag. D'you guys think there'll be a problem with me bringing it on board? I've never flown before so any help is appreciated.
Also, any venues/bass shops to hit up while I'm down there? Staying in the French Quarter right off Bourbon St.
Thanks,
John |
09-07-2010, 12:03 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2002 Location: SoCal | | | Mmm... pretty sure you're not going to be able to do that. If it doesn't fit in the overhead or under the seat, it's not gonna fly (literally and figuratively). Sorry. Slim possibility that they would let you put it in with the general luggage... but don't do that without a hardcase. They're pretty rough, and lost luggage is more common than ever seemingly. These days I try and get everything stuffed into a carry-on tote.
__________________
"this bass was not designed to be set up. It was built to be set down" - xush on a Wishnevsky bass.
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09-07-2010, 12:07 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Millcreek Township, UT | | | Unbolt the neck, and it should be carry-on size.
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Originally Posted by Kwesi  Atoz, forever the inside spoon. | Rickenbacker #19, Mediocre Bassist #3, Mark Wilson Fail #Onion
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09-07-2010, 12:12 AM
|  | Don't give a damn about my bad reputation | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oklahoma City | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Atoz Unbolt the neck, and it should be carry-on size. | Bingo
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Poll, schmoll. You can use statistics to prove anything. 67% of people know that.
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09-07-2010, 12:45 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Singapore | | | I put a guitar in my suitcase to bring to korea before. Unbolted it and put it in two pieces, reassembled when I reached.
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09-07-2010, 01:05 AM
|  | Total Hyper-Elite Member | | Join Date: May 2000 Location: Groom Lake, NV | | | I took my MTD in a gig bag from San Diego to Las Vegas on Southwest. No problem. Coming back, they almost kicked me off the plane because I refused to let them check it once I got on. I managed to convince them that their liability would be high, and there was plenty of room in the overhead. The senior FA had to overrule the bitchy noob, I guess.
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What is this thing called butthurt? |
09-07-2010, 01:31 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2002 Location: SoCal | | | Turns out pretty much everybody has more common more sense more common sense than I do. Figures.
So just TAKE THE BLOODY NECK OFF AND STOP RUBBING IT IN ALREADY!!
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"this bass was not designed to be set up. It was built to be set down" - xush on a Wishnevsky bass.
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09-07-2010, 07:58 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Karl Hoyt Basses | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: upstate NY | | | Most airlines have an as-you-board valet check service for suit bags and stray carry-ons that won't fit because of over crowding (not size). Don't say anything about the bass, just try to carry it on the plane. When you get to the end of the jetway they may make a fuss, but just ask them to put it in the valet storage and express the value/irreplaceability of the instrument (regardless of whether this is true or not). They will usually calm down and give you the little pink ticket. Not as safe as stowing it yourself in an overhead, but at least there is little chance of it being lost/tossed since they put it under the plane with you standing right there, and then hand it back to you when you land. It can take a few extra minutes to go through the reclaiming, but this has worked for me more than once.
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09-07-2010, 07:19 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Rosado Guitars, D'addario/Planet Waves Products | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York City (Uptown) | | | So I called up Jet Blue, which I should have done in the beginning. They said that, basically, my only option was to gate check it as it's "too big to have on the plane."
Thoughts on gate-checking?
Any good music shops around the French Quarter in NO to
play with gear?
Thanks folks. |
09-07-2010, 09:00 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Up the street from Fender... | | | What kind of plane?
767 has a closet up front, I flew Delta & asked if I could bring my "guitar" lol...the attendant said it would be no issue, as it would go in the closet
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Buslady7803
aka Lady Warwick, proud owner of Warco. 2002 Corvette |
09-07-2010, 09:13 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Rosado Guitars, D'addario/Planet Waves Products | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York City (Uptown) | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Buslady7803 What kind of plane?
767 has a closet up front, I flew Delta & asked if I could bring my "guitar" lol...the attendant said it would be no issue, as it would go in the closet | Honestly, I don't know. I don't think we're going to know until we get to the airport. We're flying Jet Blue. Do you think it'd be as easy as just asking politely? The whole stern-faced "No" might just be a facade to discourage people? |
09-07-2010, 09:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brookfield, CT | | The sad fact is, no matter who you call and speak with, you will not know for certain what will be allowed until you get to the airport. At which point they may force you to check it at the counter. Been there. So just check it and stop worrying. One day at JFK, Delta wouldn't even let me gate-check mine. So I got one of these- works fine, just hang around while security examines it because they sometimes can't figure out how to close the latches: http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=544564
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09-07-2010, 10:05 PM
|  | Signed, Sealed, Delivered | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY & MA | | | I fly Jet Blue frequently, and I'd say the odds are against you that you'll be able to bring that on board.
If you do the "take the neck off" route, may I suggest you loosen the truss rod just a little (say about 1/2 turn) to compensate for the loss of string tension. After you arrive at your destination just tighten the truss rod the 1/2 turn and you're probably good-to-go. |
09-07-2010, 10:07 PM
|  | The Dominator | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Vero Beach, Florida | | | I don't know about Jet Blue, but Southwest Airlines will let you bring an instrument on board if you buy a child's priced ticket for it. They'll place it in the front most seat closest to the window apparently to keep it from blocking people's view.
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09-07-2010, 11:19 PM
|  | I dreamt I was an old dog, stuck in a honey pot. | | Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Madison, WI | | | Anecdotal, and it doesn't necessarily mean anything for your situation, but I've never had a problem just carrying on a bass in a gig bag. |
09-07-2010, 11:25 PM
|  | Registered User
Designer, 3Leaf Audio | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle / NYC | | | Ok, I fly Jet Blue with a bass in an iGIG bag (which is not a small gig bag) several times a year and I always carry it onboard. New York to New Orleans will be a full-sized plane so the overheads have plenty of space for an instrument or three. Just show up to the gate, don't ask anyone's permission for anything and simply walk onto the plane with it. The gate attendant might give you a gate check tag, but just walk onto the plane with the bass anyway. It helps if the bass is on your back - it makes it less noticeable. I usually walk on with the pre-boarders to avoid the rush. I don't think the Airbus 380's that Jet Blue uses have coat closets, but that's always a safe option on planes that are equipped with them. |
09-07-2010, 11:44 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Rosado Guitars, D'addario/Planet Waves Products | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York City (Uptown) | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Spencer! Ok, I fly Jet Blue with a bass in an iGIG bag (which is not a small gig bag) several times a year and I always carry it onboard. New York to New Orleans will be a full-sized plane so the overheads have plenty of space for an instrument or three. Just show up to the gate, don't ask anyone's permission for anything and simply walk onto the plane with it. The gate attendant might give you a gate check tag, but just walk onto the plane with the bass anyway. It helps if the bass is on your back - it makes it less noticeable. I usually walk on with the pre-boarders to avoid the rush. I don't think the Airbus 380's that Jet Blue uses have coat closets, but that's always a safe option on planes that are equipped with them. | Thanks for the heads up, Spencer. It says on their website that none of their planes have coat closet. I figure that the worst thing that can happen with me walking on is they tell me that it has to be checked, right? I'll be travelling with a bass and a gym bag/suitcase of clothes this shouldn't present a problem do you think? |
09-07-2010, 11:45 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Karl Hoyt Basses | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: upstate NY | | | Read my post again.
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Viva Los Blancos! http://www.casablancos.com Quote:
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them."
- Mark Twain | |
09-07-2010, 11:50 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: Rosado Guitars, D'addario/Planet Waves Products | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York City (Uptown) | | Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfatbass Read my post again. | Is this something that all planes have? The person I spoke to on the phone said that it'll either get checked or gate-checked.  |
09-08-2010, 12:08 AM
|  | Dr. Jim | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denton TX, Kailua HI, New York | | There are a lot of threads about this, though things are fluid. Five years ago, it was very unlikely you could carry a bass on. Now it is less of an issue with some carriers. The bottom line is take an instrument assuming the worst.
The worst is it is stolen/lost. The next worst is serious damage. The next worst is lost but later found unharmed. I prefer minor damage to the previous scare.
So one way is take an instrument that is insured or not worth insuring. Have it in a gig bag if you are confident in your insurance. Use a "sturdier case" that will still fit in the overhead, if you can—ha ha, that is a total gamble, as the equipment used to fly often has overhead space that varies even with the same type of aircraft and same airline, not to mention crews needs, navigation plans, etc.! I am arguing in favor of having insurance, can you tell?
Try to convince flight personnel to stow it in the 3 seconds of their time you will have. I agree carrying it on your back helps. Also it seems to help if your case "looks like" an acoustic guitar. I get less hassle with a fairly big Mono dual bass bag which looks like it has a giant Martin 12-string in it, than I do with one bass in a Fender gig bag—which for some reason generates contempt.
Of course if you want to be hard core, you can get an ATA-type road case (see links below), or even just ship it Fed-Ex.
Here (again) are a few of the links to some of the previous threads on this topic covering cases, Fed-Ex, etc. in the last few years. Recursion may occur! 
This list is far from complete and is in no particular order: How to travel with a bass... Best case to fly overseas Flying With A Bass - What Do I Do? Flying with a bass might get tougher... Flight Case help How to travel by air with bass? Airline travel with prized possession Help me choose a hardshell flight case!!! bass on a plane? Flying with an SKB Bass Safe? Airlines and basses The cruel lesson I just learned from southwest airlines Air travel with bass - take off neck & put in suitcase? Air Travel: Loosen the Strings, or not? Flying/Touring with a bass CAN MY BASS FLY??? Air travel with a bass Traveling with sadowsky case (airplane). Taking your bass on the airplane? What ATA Bass Flight Case do you use? Air Travel with bass to recording Checking bass at airport..!!. Basses Planes and etc
My trusty ATA case... 
__________________ Sadowsky RV4 P/J
Valenti Fretless 5 #19
1850 Tirolean Upright
55 & 71 P-basses
Lakland 55-01D
08 Fiesta Red RW Jazz
Crest CA6/ART tube channel
Mesa M9
Epifani UL1 410 & 210, NYC 210 www.jamescarr.net
Last edited by Jim Carr : 09-08-2010 at 12:12 AM.
Reason: idiocy abatement
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