There are two questions, really.
Question One - can I take a bass in a gig bag in the cabin with me when I fly?
Answer - maybe. It depends on the airline, and on the flight, and on the people working that particular flight. Some airlines are more consistent than others, but you really need to be emotionally and physically prepared to have to "gate check" it, meaning that the flight folks take your bass and put it in with the other luggage. When you do that, you'll have to sigh a waiver that it's not properly packed and that the airline is not responsible for any damage to the bass. Also a T-bird tends to be on the large size, bass-wise, so I expect it might be slightly harder than, say, a P-bass.
Question Two: Can I bring a double bass gig bag in the cabin with me when I fly?
Answer: Almost certainly not. A single gig bag is really pushing the limits size-wise (which is why it's a sometime thing). A double - I would be really surprised if there were any instances where that flew (pun intended).
Alternatives:
- buy a single gig bag and take your chances
- buy an ATA approved flight case and pack as luggage, insured.
- buy a SKB roller bass case (least expensive ATA approved option I know of) and pack as luggage, insured.
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=544564
- buy an ATA golf bag case that will fit your bass - you can sometimes find these used, and they're a good deal when you can. Also many folks report that airlines are much easier to deal with regarding ATA golf bag cases (which they see all the time) rather than ATA instrument cases (which are much less common).
