gig bag for checking on flights

[ezrs]

can i check my basses (modulus Q4 and rob allen mouse) with a high quality gig bag?
i use a pro tec contego for the rob allen and i am looking into a mono m80 for the modulus.
what, if any, gig bag do you trust when checking a bass during flight?

[Plookie]

I have, and I trust my leather Levy gig bag......for local hits. Meaning, when the gig is within car/bus traveling distance, and my axe n gig bag are placed in n area where no damages can occur.

Now, I ALWAYS place my axe in a high quality hard case, when flying. I would never, never think my bass and or amp will be safe, when flying.

I'm sure you have a couple of good hard shell cases to use. Better safe, than sorry.

Pavel Jazz bass endorser

[RCCollins]

don't even THINK about checking you bass in a gigbag. Get an ATA case and sleep through the flight soundly...

[ClassicJazz]

I would never check-in a gig bag. You are asking for trouble. I recommend the SKB Bass Safe.

It is basically a hard shell case for your gig bag. You open it up, slip in your gig bag and close back up and you are set to go.

I just used mine yesterday when I flew up to NYC to visit Sadowsky Guitars. I trusted my 1988 Sadowsky in it!

For a little added protection, I put some extra padding around the headstock and at the end of the body by strap button into the gig bag. (pool noodles split in half work great for that)

[renniw]

I would call the Airline customer service first, sometime they want, sometimes not.

If they agree, try to get a written proof of it (by fax or e-mail).

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

don't even THINK about checking you bass in a gigbag. Get an ATA case and sleep through the flight soundly...

+1

amen. i love my rockhard ATA cases.

[embellisher]

I love good gig bags. As long as you are the only one transporting your instrument, I think that they are the way to go.

There is no way I would trust an airline to ship my bass as freight or luggage in a gigbag, unless I was tired of the bass and wanted insurance to buy me a new one, after the current one was reduced to toothpicks.

Either an ATA flightcase, or the SKB Bass Safe is the way to go.

[Pilgrim]

search....search.........search.............

[bassteban]

I've had good results using the bass safe. If you choose to check the bass in a gig bag, please let us knowhow it went.

[heroincredible]

Some airlines allow you an instrument on the flight, but only if its in a gig bag. Find out first. If they don't allow it on the plane, go with one of the recommended hard cases.

[StyleOverShow]

Was on a flight recently with the Solomon Burke band. The saxophonist had his horn in a soft bag slung over his shoulder and three times the airline employees stopped him and refused to let him pass without checking his horn. He refused each time, and the band (and a few bystanders) massed around him and we proceeded onto the aircraft.

It is real "iffy" letting people fly with carry-ons that are large and of unusual shape.

[newbold]

I've checked acoustic guitars with no worries before.

However, something like an incase or sadowsky case is probably a best bet.

[ksandvik]

IF you leave your bass to someone else -- always hard case. That might sometimes not even avoid problems, but it's thousand times better than a gig bag.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I've brought my bass as a carry-on in a Ritter gig bag. It fits in the overhead of the large jetliners, but not the regional jets (i.e., American Eagle, Delta Connection, et al). For those smaller planes I've done planeside checks, which has worked out okay, probably because they go into the cargo area last, and once a flight attendant helped me stash it in a vertical space where it was safe.

[Eric Moesle]

This question is literally asked every week.

I've responded to this in about 10 different threads before I just gave up.

Anyone want dibs on who asks it next week????

[heroincredible]

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Was on a flight recently with the Solomon Burke band. The saxophonist had his horn in a soft bag slung over his shoulder and three times the airline employees stopped him and refused to let him pass without checking his horn. He refused each time, and the band (and a few bystanders) massed around him and we proceeded onto the aircraft.

Working as a security guard at the airport, I've come to understand just how ****ing stupid some airline employees are. I frequently see passengers with gig bags (mandolins, guitars, some basses, a sax and even a trombone) coming through security, and we let them through with no issues.

As long as the instrument in the gig-bag can fit into the x-ray machine at security there shouldn't be a problem. If you tried that stunt with security, I can assure you that none of you would have been allowed to fly out of that airport. If you passed security, then good job not complying with the dumbass airline employee.

It is real "iffy" letting people fly with carry-ons that are large and of unusual shape.

As long as the carry-ons make it through security then there is nothing 'iffy' about large carry-ons of unusual shape.

[Lesfunk]

Originally Posted by ezrs

can i check my basses (modulus Q4 and rob allen mouse) with a high quality gig bag?
i use a pro tec contego for the rob allen and i am looking into a mono m80 for the modulus.

NO!

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

NO!

Actually, yes- just don't expect it to be playable at the other end of the ride...