Freaking Out about Flying with my Bass

MirageBass · #1 08-21-2007, 05:42 AM

I'm heading off to college on Saturday morning, and since I want to join the student music association, I gotta take at least one bass. I have two - A Geddy and a Dean Edge six-string fretless. Both have hardshell cases, the former with a standard J-Bass case and the latter with a Coffin Case ATC-425.

I'm scared as hell to take them. I have one flight from LA to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Rochester, and I'm really scared that one of them will get dinged up in baggage, since they toss that crap around. If I have to take one, it'll be the Geddy. I'm just unsure as to how I should go about this. We're flying American Airlines, BTW, and I doubt they'll let me carry it on, and I'm sure as hell not packing it in the soft case.

Help me! Help meeeeeee!

Tony G · #2 08-21-2007, 06:01 AM

Here is a thread that may help you: Flying with an SKB Bass Safe?

Tony G · #3 08-21-2007, 06:02 AM

and another: Flying/Touring with a bass

MirageBass · #4 08-21-2007, 06:29 PM

I can't find a flight case anywhere around here, and it's too late to ship one. I have no clue what to do.

Is it possible to gate check or carry on in a hardshell, or do I need a gig bag to do that?

marcray · #5 08-21-2007, 06:38 PM

I've baggaged checked my basses more than 100 times and still all okay. I wouldn't worry too much, make sure they are insured in some way, just incase, and get going... good luck!

MysticMichael · #6 08-21-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirageBass

I can't find a flight case anywhere around here, and it's too late to ship one. I have no clue what to do.

Is it possible to gate check or carry on in a hardshell, or do I need a gig bag to do that?

I have both gate-checked and carried on a bass guitar in a hardshell case, each time without incident. But I was taking a chance, and you will be too.

If there's a mishap, the airline insurance won't cover you. Just pack as securely as you can, try to carry it into the cabin if they'll allow you, and pray.

Next time, either have your instrument(s) shipped to you (making sure to pack very securely with styrofoam peanuts or something similar), or fly with 'em in ATA-approved flight cases...

MM

Eric Moesle · #7 08-21-2007, 11:18 PM

If you can't get a flight case, I'd recommend getting a used SKB golf club case. Lots of local golf supply stores sell them relatively cheap.

If you don't have a gig bag to put in it, you can wrap your bass in thick blankets and totally pack the case so your bass doesn't move around in it at all.

I would NOT under any circumstances check the bass as luggage in a regular guitar case. I have seen SO MANY guitars coming down the chute in baggage claim with giant holes punched straight through the cases and other extreme damage that HAD to have damaged the contents.

I used to fly American Airlines every month. They NEVER let me carry on a gig bag post 9/11.