Air Travel

[bassplayinggirl]

I'll be buying a new bass during my upcoming visit to the US and wanted to ask for stories and advice about traveling with your guitars.

I was told by Air France that the bass is too long to fit in the overhead compartment, and so I must send it as baggage. I really don't want to invest in a hardshell case, especially since I don't know if a case will be strong enough to protect it from the baggage handlers.

Any thoughts?
BPG

[Rocketpriest]

A plane as large as the ones used on trans-Atlantic flights should have a sizeable coat closet, which should accommodate an electric bass in a gig bag. the first time I flew with one of my basses, I didn't have a gig bag I could trust, so I bought it and its hard case a 'cabin baggage' seat. I don't know if Air France does this, and it really wouldn't be cost effective for you anyway, not on a flight like that. If you go the check baggage route, do not (DO NOT) skimp on the case. I actually had a friend get his regular hard case run over (or crushed by something) on a flight just a couple of weeks ago - destroyed one entire corner of the case and took a large chunk out of his headstock. they did give him $300 towards repairs, but still. This is why flight cases are built so heavy duty.

Of the options, I'd say the coat closet is your best bet. It may be worthwhile to speak to the people at the gate to see if you can have the bass stowed in the closet early (perhaps pre-boarding?).

[worldfamousandy]

Br REALLY nice to the gate agents and flight attendants. Ask permission, and be humble. The rules are open to their interpretation, so they can completely screw you, if they want. The worst case scenario is that you show up with a gig bag, piss off the flight attendant, and he/she tells you you have to gate-check your bass. Bad news: now it's off to the baggage handlers in a soft case!

Be discrete about it, so some first-class businessman isn't alerted to the fact that a coach-class passenger just took his coat closet space with a guitar.

I have had good luck, but it is a bit of a crapshoot.

[punkbassistfc]

Seriously spend money on a good case. It will pay for itself. I promise. Flying is unedictable, and unfortunately you will not have control of your bass for the whole flight.

[BassIsBoss]

+ 1 on the flight case....and don't forget to loosen up the strings.

[251]

The only time I have flown with a bass, 4 years ago, 4 domestic US flight crews said yes to a polite request to stow the bass in a coat locker. I carried the American Federation of Musicians Union/TSA letter, with me just in case. I can no longer find that letter on their site. Things may have changed.

You may find the bass is counted as your carry on bag so, you will need a large purse for the personal items you want to have in the cabin.

Airport security might let you board with bass strings in your carry on bag but insist that you cannot have a bottle of Avian or they might not allow either.

You might consider un-bolting the neck & using hard shell luggage in which it will fit, along with the body, strings & your clothing.

Good luck