Best flight case

[NotACello]

This was in the news today. I don't think this is going to make flying any easier...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1205...mod=yahoo_buzz

[AlanBartram]

I have flown for almost three years and at least one hundred flights with a SBS case and am very pleased. It is very streamlined, which is handy for when I do have to put it in my Toyota Camry. At 92 lbs loaded, it's under the 100 lb limit. The only complaint is that I had to devise a way to keep the airbags in place but no big deal. Very quality case and hard to beat the price. Oh, and SouthwestX1000.

[rachelcalin]

Originally Posted by sybarite

Jet Blue Jet Blue Jet Blue

After having flown many airlines with the bass, I now ONLY fly Jet Blue. If Jet Blue doesn't go there I'm not taking my bass.

I have had horrible experiences with all of the others at one time or another.

L

heh.... yeah... well, jet blue was the airline that broke my neck last year.

but hey they were real friendly when they took the bass......

i guess this just goes to show that everyone's experience is different:

-----even if an airline is bass friendly it still only takes one employee to cause damage to the instrument;

-----on the other hand, as long as your bass falls under their 'contact of carriage' 's rules, even if you get an idiot or jerk at the desk, they have to take the bass...... just have a print out w/ you.... you can find the contract of carriage on every airline's website.

back to the original subject.... trunks?

[Charlie Nilles]

Thanks everybody. Very Helpful.

[sybarite]

Hi Rachel,

FYI-The baggage handlers are not JetBlue employees. They're all sub-contracted. I think you had your bass broken in Tampa right? As you know I go to Sarasota quite a bit, and I've learned to avoid Tampa. The only time I had a problem with my bass being damaged was from the evil baggage handlers in Tampa!

OK... so now back to the trunks

L

[POOPSMITH]

anyone try the new Flight Deluxx by Taargus?

[BMason]

This one? I've heard it's only in the prototype stage, but I like the idea of designing the inner support similar to a nautilus shell. Only 15 pounds.

[sybarite]

I'm waiting for the carbon fiber anti-gravity version... supposedly -36 Lbs.

[j0n0j0n0]

warwick flightcases don't weigh that much and there good as. With my thumb nt 5 in it it weighs 36 pounds i think somewhere around there and my bass is atleast 12 pounds. and there about 100US or so

[Jeremy Allen]

I don't think the original poster would win a job if he took a Warwick thumb bass neck-through 5-string to his orchestral auditions.

[sybarite]

You never know man... Charlie is a bad-ass

[rachelcalin]

Originally Posted by sybarite

Hi Rachel,

FYI-The baggage handlers are not JetBlue employees. They're all sub-contracted.

Ok, now its my turn to go off subject.. hehe.

Sure the baggage guys may be 'sub-contracted', but I did have to deal with many official jetblue employees post-incident that really werent helpful. pre-incident= all smiles, afterwards, not so much.

plus, if i might add, i think the subcontracting issue is kind of splitting hairs; there are bad baggage handlers everywhere and it has nothing to do with subcontracting; or frankly, even what airline they work for. every airline is responsible for damage occuring to baggage up to the point that their contract of carriage states, regardless of whether their guys are their own or subcontracted.

and, lest this turn into a jetblue smackdown--- because i get that its your fav & not really mine, lets just all agree that the trunk didnt protect the bass the way it should have.... which is what this thread is about. yay. full circle.

[sybarite]

Good point, your case should have protected better. I'm sure I'd feel the same way if it happened to me, regardless of airline.

L
(Trueblue)

[Ben Joella]

I'm not sure that it would help the weight, but Stevenson has an interesting way of going about things for the cello cases he makes.

http://www.stevensoncases.co.uk/blob.htm

You have to find a happy medium (strength/weight), but you could lighten up the inner hardshell because it would only have to be stiff (less resin in the mix and no protective gel coat could probably shave 15-20lbs). Shocks and scrapes would be taken up by the soft outer bag. Not to mention...if the baggage handlers can actually get a good grip on the thing and it doesn't break your shins when it rolls over on you, then it may get better treatment all around.

[basserino]

Only the "Ultra" Tuff-lite model is out of production. I have the Pro ($2150) which has no carbon fibre, and weighs 47 pounds. I bought mine from Long Beach Strings in April since Tuff Lite had none ready. Aparently I got the last one because now I know a bunch of people having trouble getting their hands on these cases. Anyway, taken two flight with it (Westjet and Southwest, Westjet being the superior of the two by the way, if you're flying to/in Canada they are certainly the way to go) with no problems. Love the case.

[bassat88]

If you're traveling across seas my advice is,

stick it in the water and start paddling over!

[hamata]

I was thinking that it'd probably be easier to just buy a plane that'll fit your bass, although the paddling idea works as well. You won't need to use dampits then and you'll get a nice workout.

I have a Gage case from 2005. I liked the design and the recessed locks and the whole deal. I was somewhat limited due to a large bass that wouldn't fit in just any case.

[thebassgirl]

Originally Posted by AlanBartram

I have flown for almost three years and at least one hundred flights with a SBS case and am very pleased. It is very streamlined, which is handy for when I do have to put it in my Toyota Camry. At 92 lbs loaded, it's under the 100 lb limit. The only complaint is that I had to devise a way to keep the airbags in place but no big deal. Very quality case and hard to beat the price. Oh, and SouthwestX1000.

SBS case sucks. It ruined my bass before a very important audition.

[askmelater]

http://www.trifibre.co.uk/flight-cases also produce very good cases.

[chicagodoubler]

It seems the removable neck is the wave of the future for these issues. Well under the 100 lb overage, no messy neck breakage, and no weird questions about the instrument at check in.

Anyone going this route?

FWIW the Kolstein is bullet-proof and has a long proven track record of success.