hybrid gig bags

[slapagroov]

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I'm really trying to figure out the best thing for flying. I can just buy an ATA case, but I'd rather keep it with me if I can. I have a friend who always carries his on, and has great luck not getting stopped. I've also read that Steve Lawson does the same with his Incase bag.

I had an incase dub bag and loved it, but I noticed that the body glove hybrid bags are half the price. Does anyone have any experience with these? I feel like if it had to be checked (preferably at the gate) I'd be OK with the incase, but I don't know of any others. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Steve Lawson]

Just to clarify - I've never carried my incase bag onto the plane - I always check it, and have had no damage to my bass or to the pedals in the front pocket in all the flights I've taken while I've been using it...

Cheers,

Steve
www.stevelawson.net

[slapagroov]

wow, I didn't realize that you checked it every time. That says alot about the incase bags. I never had any damage to my instruments either, but I've read some stories here that scare me! Thanks for the info, Steve.

[lmfreeman9]

American Airlines lets you carry on in a gig bag.

[Eublet]

Hiya, Eric. I'm looking at an incase bag myself. Seems like it will give me some added protection that I've been missing cause I keep getting dings that I know aren't happening while I have the bass out.

Steve - I just heard that you might have gotten your hands on my previous Modulus Q6! I sold it to a guy over on your side of the pond. It was a myrtle top with a Retro Deluxe pre. Right down your alley, eh?

[Bard2dbone]

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

American Airlines lets you carry on in a gig bag.

I wish they'd done that back in the '80's. I'm sure you've all heard my angry and bitter rants whenever the subject of traveling with a bass, in general, or flying with a bass on American in particular have come up. I've mellowed considerably over the years. I think now, even if I didn't think I would be punished, I might not cripple the guy responsible for my case(my situation, not the thing my bass lived in) back then, you know, if I had the chance.

The part that made me angriest was his assertion that I should have expected the instrument to be destroyed and that that was totally a normal outcome for flying with a bass in an ATA case.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

American Airlines lets you carry on in a gig bag.

This is another topic that has been discussed at length in various threads. Here's the bottom line, Reader's Digest version:

1) No one ever guarantees you can carry ANYTHING on ANY airline at ANY time. It's a decision made by the gate agents when you board, and there is no appeal. None. If they tell you to check it, you have to check it.

2) Airline policies don't matter. What you've heard from other people doesn't matter. Rumors don't matter. What a friend tells you doesn't matter. What happens in airport A doesn't matter in airport B. Precedents don't matter. If the gate agent doesn't let you carry on, you can't. Period. No debate. Finito. Over. Done.

3) There is a letter circulating from one of the federal agencies having to do with carry-on instruments. Doesn't matter. If the gate agent doesn't let you carry on, you can't. Period. No debate. Finito. Over. Done.

4) There is one, and only one, foolproof way to transport an instrument by air: Come with it in a checkable flight case, prepared to check it. If you are an optimist, carry a gig bag too and try your luck at the gate. Just leave time to go back and check the instrument.