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Taking your bass on the airplane?

#4
each airport is different. I've flown from boston to atlanta with bass in gigbag as a carry on, and then on the return flight been denied.
The best thing to do is get a hardcore flight case, like a Gator case. They weigh a crapload, but get the job done if you have to check the bass. Also, lock it up with one of those airport security locks, which security can unlock with a key for checks.

A few years back, victor bailys prototype for his sig. bass was stolen from an airport, because he checked it.
 
#7
TSA hasn't been the problem, indivdual airlines can be the problem. Last May my wife and I (she's a guitarist) flew American Airlines to Memphis and back. On our connecting flights at Dallas Ft. Worth both ways we were told at the gate that we wouldn't be able to carry on are axes in gig bags in the future. I've flown twice this year and haven't had problems with carry on. The first time was Continental and just this week flew Southwest without any problems.

Wally
 
#9
Usually they'll let you throw a gig bag in the overhead. When I had just bought my Warwick I was flying New Orleans to Boston, and there was no overhead room so they let me put it in the closet near the front where they hang the garment bags.
 
#13
NJW said:
sorry its not exactly related to the original post - but I had to check my Jazz on a flight from Newark to Edinburgh, Scotland and despite leaving the case UNLOCKED they still cut the catches off and left a note saying I could not claim any compensation! Argh!!!
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***? i hope you were able to talk sense into them and after showing them how twist latches work, they opened their purse for you.
 
#14
drumsnbass said:
American & SwissAir to Barcelona from the states. 1st Class (LOVE those frequent flier miles!). Gig bag. We shall see...
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I have had nothing but bad experiences with the airlines and musical instruments.

They are very inconsistent, even at the same airport on the exact same plane on the exact same route, separated by 6 days.

In effect, each little dear at the gate is the law unto themselves. American has been the worst for me, although Delta also deserves my contempt.

They will reassure you mightily over the phone. They even have written policies that seem reassuring. But once you are en route, that means absolutely positively squat, zip, zilch, zero, nada.:spit: :spit: :spit:

BTW, I believe the Delta boycott is still on:
http://www.takeittothebridge.com/forums/?q=node/11

My advice is don't fly.
If you have to, don't take a good instrument.
If you have to take your Fodera, vintage P-bass, Sadowsky, whatever, ship it via Fed-Ex. :cool:
 
#16
Yeah it is hit and miss for sure,back in the early 90's when i was going to bass institute in hollywood.i would fly from N.Y. to L.A.,i
used to take my kubicki in a gig bag and always had a metal hook that connected to the loop on the gig bag,so in case i had nowhere to put the bass i could put it on a garment hook in a closet,one time i had a problem, they were gonna make me check my bass when i was on the plane,ha with a gig bag,anyway luckily i had that metal hook on my gig bag,stewardess found a garment rack for suit bags and put it in,she said your lucky you had that hook.
 
#18
chaosMK said:
I've done it. I hate it.

I wouldnt travel with my Cirrus unless it was boxed up in the hard case.

My old Ibanez... different story.
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+1

I must admit I have written most of this before, but I seem never to tire of telling people about it because I am so disappointed in TSA and the airline industry's treatment of musicians. :(

You must have the best instrument insurance you can find!!! :eek:
I have a very tough heavy-duty all recessed hardware "100% ATA compliant bass case" (Recessed Latches, Ball Corners, Recessed Handle, 1/4" ABS sides). It weights about 35 lbs. Inside is form fit foam for my bass. The case is lockable, but the locks are not TSA locks, the kind that TSA can unlock with their "master key." BTW, if you think crooks are going to be bothered by any lock, you are wrong. Case locks keep honest people honest. Crooks break them, or smarter yet, take the whole thing, case and all.

I painted it Olive Drab to make it a little more unique, and who knows--maybe look a little less like a bass case to the eyes of thieves.

I have used it many many times, and found that the TSA loaths it. They always warn me that it will have to be hand inspected, and because they are so busy, may miss my flight. I learned quickly and after it was once delayed by 6 hours, I have always checked in over an hour before my flight when traveling with this heavy thing. Of course, while this improves the chances of it making my flight, it also increases the amount of time the bad guys have to snatch it.

Who are these bad guys? Airline employees, that's who. I know of a number of thefts of lugguage or contents of lugguage while the items were in the airlines possession. BTW, IMHO Europe is very bad for this. We have had our worst theft experiences in Germany with Lufthansa. There are crooks in all cultures and in all walks of life, sadly.

Back to TSA. I once flew to Portland, OR from Lexington, KY with a Lakland 55-01 Deluxe in my olive drab case. When I entered the airport, the person at the ticket counter informed me that firearms are not allowed in the airport, I just grinned and in my best faux kentucky gent ultra-slow drawl said, "Well now 'Mam, I know that. But ya'll see, this here is a Bass Geeetar." When I got to Portland and retrieved the bass, I opened the case to discover it was partially disassembled. TSA had removed the back panel, the knobs, input jack, and pots/pre harness.

It was easy to assemble because they hadn't lost any screws or parts, and no harm was done, but it gave me an idea of their attitude toward instruments. This was Delta, IIRC. I might add that on one trip to Hawaii, upon arrival I discovered my rental car was too small to fit the ATA road case and my wife and our lugguage, so I had to upgrade (the car that is). ;) These cases are wider than the back seat of the majority of automobiles. Make sure the back seat folds down.

So, I soon realized these were my choices:

0) Don't fly.
1) Don't fly with a bass.
2) Fly with a cheap bass in a gig bag, that has a 50/50 chance of going into the cargo hold at the gate (happens to me about half the time).
3) Fly with a cheap bass in a heavy big case, check it and leave the case unlocked on orders from TSA--and for the ease of airline thieves--check in way early, upgrade my rental, and lug it around between worrisome legs of travel, and reassemble as needed).
4) $hip it Fed-Ex. N.B., Fed-Ex put$ the declared value of the box content$ ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!!!!!! :confused: :confused: :confused:
5) rent a bass when I am going.
6) buy a ticket for my bass.

I have been using 4, but am considering 5 and 6.

IMHO, until deregualtion, flying was comfortable, fun, expensive, and romantic--a literal cocktail party in the air. The food was never great, but it was edible. The crew used to be twice as big, and tried very hard to solve any and all problems. The deregulation made all of that slowly turn into what we have today, most of which corporate greed had accoumplished before 911, IMHO. :rollno:

Final word: If some one can steal your belongings after they are checked, why can't they put something INTO your luggage, too?
 

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