I have to decide real quick here if I am going to mail my warwick back to italy from texas or take it through the airport. It is kept in an skb hardshell case. What would I need to do for either option? Thanks!
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Checking bass at airport..!!.
- Thread starter FAT(b)ASS
- Start date
haha yes. i took mine to pieces and had the body in my hand luggage. you will get some very confused security guards with the pickups
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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FAT(b)ASS said:
Carrying on is hard to pull off. I finally gave up, because it is so unpredicatable, especially if you are changing planes.
I check my bass in an ATA case with recessed hardware, and the locks unlocked. TSA has been a little weird, but I still have the bass. It is a Deluxe 55-01 Lakland Skyline. The case is a pain, but the bass has traveled a lot.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Tape up the case with duct tape to make sure it doesn't open and check it on the plane. Done it a about a dozen times now without incident.
One time they asked me what was in the case, and then made me untape and open it. She saw a bass laughed and siad, "Oh my God! I thought you said it was a rifle!". They sound so similar, I could see the reason...
One time they asked me what was in the case, and then made me untape and open it. She saw a bass laughed and siad, "Oh my God! I thought you said it was a rifle!". They sound so similar, I could see the reason...
personally I would take it on a plane. if its in a hardshell case, I wouldnt worry too much about it. with shipping, it'll be in the hands of "professionals" for alot longer which gives it more opportunity to get hurt. just pack some bubble wrap around the bass for either option, and make sure that your strings aren't up to full tension...one of my friends put his guitar on a plane, didnt detune the strings, opened it up afterwards and the neck was snapped clean off.
it depends on how much you want to spend, butyou might consider buying an ATA approved case like
Link Removed
I put my conklin in a flight case sorta like that except made by modern cases and fly without fear (well except for the guys that check to make sure theres no bombs or anything in luggage "look bob I can play the geetar!" *drop*) thats my only fear but definately makes me feel better if its on a plane. plus, you'll have it much sooner
it depends on how much you want to spend, butyou might consider buying an ATA approved case like
Link Removed
I put my conklin in a flight case sorta like that except made by modern cases and fly without fear (well except for the guys that check to make sure theres no bombs or anything in luggage "look bob I can play the geetar!" *drop*) thats my only fear but definately makes me feel better if its on a plane. plus, you'll have it much sooner
Joe Nerve said:Tape up the case with duct tape to make sure it doesn't open and check it on the plane. Done it a about a dozen times now without incident.
One time they asked me what was in the case, and then made me untape and open it. She saw a bass laughed and siad, "Oh my God! I thought you said it was a rifle!". They sound so similar, I could see the reason...
spring break of 2002 i brought a machete with me in my carry on asd wasnt even stopped. it was in a army duffle bag though
ballison said:
It is highly unlikely that the sole cause of the neck breaking off was from not detuning the strings. A bass has far more tension on the neck than a guitar, and i have recieved bass through airmail with tuned or even sharp strings without incident. Your friend's bass had to have been handled quite roughly as well I believe. Some manufaturers even say NOT to detune the bass when shipping because the string prevent neck warp. This seems to be a an unclear issue for teh most part...
As far as the flight case, Rondo sells a VERY affordable ATA aluminum flight case. www.rondomusic.net. You guys should just be thankful you don't have to try adn travel with an Upright Bass.. now that is hell.
5stringDNA said:
Im not saying that it was just not detuning the strings, but I would say with less tension on the neck, there is less chance of that happening.
I took my bass on a plane once. they lost it for two days and ever since then I fedex overnight it everywhere I go.
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When we went to russia last year, my drummers cymbals didn't make it to the airport with us. He had to go back that night to get them, was given an escort to help him translate and get around, and they are now madly in love. She just got here yesterday in fact to spend a few weeks with him.
Just went to Canada and the lower 48 with my acoustic, which I carried in my Incase Slimbag.
Did a handcheck on a couple smaller planes but all the big ones I was able to put it in the overhead.
Did a handcheck on a couple smaller planes but all the big ones I was able to put it in the overhead.
I just got back from Prague, Czech Republic. I checked mine in a SKB Flight Case with the rolling wheels, can't remember the name of it. I put airline approved locks on it. It arrived in Germany with one lock missing and one latch opened. They obviously opened it to check it out and didn't know how to latch it back. The bass was fine. Got back to Atlanta and the bass was still in Germany. The airline delivered it to my house a couple of days later. Latches were still locked and bass was fine. I would do it again. The guitarist both carried on their acoustic and electric in standard SKB cases going over but both had to hand check them coming back. I don't know how they survived but they did. I also checked my Eden head and it was fine too. I insured them both with my homeowner insurance before I left though!
Also, If you duct tape it they will just remove the tape. They have to have access to it.
Also, If you duct tape it they will just remove the tape. They have to have access to it.
The requirement to leave checked luggage unlocked exists in the USA only. Through checking from Italy shouldn't be problem.
I do the same thing as Joe Nerve, just tape up the hardcase. Here in Canada they don't like the duct tape, but they will give you packing tape to use and if they open the case they have always re-taped it in my experience. I usually put a couple t-shirts in with the bass to keep it from moving at all.
- Oct 7, 2000
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5bassman said:
Not true. It's never happened to me except the one time they asked me to open it myself because they misunderstoond what I said. the other guys I play with fly all the time, all over the world, and they've never taken the duct tape off.
I was all concerned 1st time I flew about them taking it off because of what someone told me here - maybe it was you.
The guys I was with assured me they wouldn't and they were right.
This is a really good question.
I've only travelled with my bass 4 times and had no problem using a gig bag and putting it into the overhead. However, people seem to have really ramped up the carry on load in the US, and the overheads are more packed. But the international flights seem more accessible in the overheads. I did run into the cat who plays for Taj Majal in Houston somewhat recently, and he was carrying his bass.
I guess I think its like any other luggage. If you have to have it when you get there, then carry it on in a gig bag. If you have more luxury of time and can check it, I think I'd buy a really good Anvil type case.
In your case, it might be most expedient to buy a cheaper gig bag, carry on, and check the hard case. Good luck.
I've only travelled with my bass 4 times and had no problem using a gig bag and putting it into the overhead. However, people seem to have really ramped up the carry on load in the US, and the overheads are more packed. But the international flights seem more accessible in the overheads. I did run into the cat who plays for Taj Majal in Houston somewhat recently, and he was carrying his bass.
I guess I think its like any other luggage. If you have to have it when you get there, then carry it on in a gig bag. If you have more luxury of time and can check it, I think I'd buy a really good Anvil type case.
In your case, it might be most expedient to buy a cheaper gig bag, carry on, and check the hard case. Good luck.
If I was to start traveling a lot again I would get a Anvil ATA travel case. Yes, they are heavy, but newer one can be ordered with wheels on one end. Also Norm Stockton on one of his video has a nice idea. He got a keyboard travel case then puts his bass in its gig bag inside the keyboard case. Then a acessories and some extra foam and all set. The larger cases have wheels to make moving easier.
I would also suggest when flying and you know your bass will be in the baggage compartment detune it a half-step. It gets real cold in the baggage area so help to take a little tension off the neck.
I would also suggest when flying and you know your bass will be in the baggage compartment detune it a half-step. It gets real cold in the baggage area so help to take a little tension off the neck.
steveb98 said:
Cold...sometimes yes, sometimes no. Live animals are carried in bellies and they're heated.
That said, Air Canada almost killed my lab on a 9 hour flight between Calgary and London. Two inches of ice on his cage when they pulled the cage out of the belly, according to the Animal Reception Center at Heathrow.
