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Double Bass Airline policies for flying with a removable neck DB...

#22
arnoldschnitzer said:
I shipped a bass out yesterday in the new Gage case. I found the design and execution to be spot-on. The neck, tailpiece and bridge go into a foam-core rifle case with handle, which attaches to the main case with velcro straps. It can be removed to keep the weight down. Because of restraints on travel with a full-sized case, we've been setting up a lot of New Standard basses with a removable neck (a single bolt), and recommending this case to travelers. It's expensive, but does the job well.
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Arnold, do you have the details on how much these cases cost? Also it's a hot topic out of necessity and I know lots of folks on here would be keen to know details of your hybrid detachable model plus case or the cost of converting a bass for this purpose.
Wondered also has anyone seen or tried the lemur case for similar purpose aside from the whole deal flyaway case? Seems to be the lightest weight.
Most airlines are using baggage as a way to gouge back money. I went on a flight in Uk last year where the bass in flight case cost more than 3 tickets on plane! Our total body weight was close to 300 kgs and bass incase 30 kgs, and yet bass cost more. Never fly Easy Jet if you can avoid it.
 
#24
labravajazz said:
Arnold, do you have the details on how much these cases cost? Also it's a hot topic out of necessity and I know lots of folks on here would be keen to know details of your hybrid detachable model plus case or the cost of converting a bass for this purpose.
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For case prices, you will have to contact Gage. We have been charging $200 for the removable neck option, providing it has been specified prior to assembly.
 
#29
Not meaning to contradict anyone, but with EXTENSIVE (hundreds of times) experience flying double basses and EUB (which is also technically oversized) I can say that it is a very bad idea to contact airlines before. 95 out of 100 times you will be either turned down (with a double bass) because it is technically larger than their maximum allowable excess baggage size, or charged more Technically since a double bass is oversize and overweight by the books they are supposed to charge TRIPLE excess charges. One time out of nearly 100 overseas flights in the past ten years was I charges this. $440. One way to France. Almost every other time I was charged a single charge.About $150. I always just show up at the counter and am VERY nice to them and act like it's just another walk in the park. Half of the time they'd ask if it was a cello and I'd say "yes" Lower charge. One time years ago an overly neurotic manager insisted on calling KLM. They made us ship the bass cargo. Lots of bucks and customs hassles.
With the EUB and also removable neck basses they aren't overweight but they are oversized. The case for my Volante is a golf club case which is tecnically oversized. I've never been charged a cent in oversized charges.
 
#30
I agree 100% with Mike A. Asking the airlines in advance is a very bad idea. They are not really there to help us with our basses, only to try to get as much money as they can out of us. As he says, the best advice is just show up at the counter and be nice and hope for the best.
 
#31
Mike Arnopol said:
Not meaning to contradict anyone, but with EXTENSIVE (hundreds of times) experience flying double basses and EUB (which is also technically oversized) I can say that it is a very bad idea to contact airlines before. 95 out of 100 times you will be either turned down (with a double bass) because it is technically larger than their maximum allowable excess baggage size, or charged more Technically since a double bass is oversize and overweight by the books they are supposed to charge TRIPLE excess charges. One time out of nearly 100 overseas flights in the past ten years was I charges this. $440. One way to France. Almost every other time I was charged a single charge.About $150. I always just show up at the counter and am VERY nice to them and act like it's just another walk in the park. Half of the time they'd ask if it was a cello and I'd say "yes" Lower charge. One time years ago an overly neurotic manager insisted on calling KLM. They made us ship the bass cargo. Lots of bucks and customs hassles.
With the EUB and also removable neck basses they aren't overweight but they are oversized. The case for my Volante is a golf club case which is tecnically oversized. I've never been charged a cent in oversized charges.
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Yes I totally agree, act like business as usual, and its what I always do too and have mostly gotten away with it over 20 something years travelling with bass, but I find it getting worse especially as baggage allowances are cut often less than 20Kgs and on these flights its impossible to escape without their calculated extras. as I said in a previous post Easy Jet in UK charge more for a 30Kg bass than for 3 people' regular tickets. It is just a ripoff where cheap tickets are sold then they make it up by add on fees. These kind of stings make it necessary to find alternatives. The result is that even world famous bass starts cannot take their instrument on many occasions or they just give up and compromise. I went to hear Dave Holland group at the Sydney Opera House last year at great expense and what a disappointment to find he is on a candy assed Czech ease (no offence meant Dave H or Dave G!). And did I recently hear Chris McBride is using a folding ply bass? Even in the lightest CF flight cases the bass will be oversize and overweight and sometimes they will even just refuse to take it. I recently had them measuring it in Narita airport (Japan) and found that it was not acceptable cubic dimensions. Only our fast talking promoter's assistant saved us from having it refused.
So while I agree with Mike Arnopol, it seems they are out to stop us carrying basses!
 
#32
The body of my bass in the case is under 50lbs. The neck and hardware in its case are under 20. Being able to separate and re-attach them is really helpful, as is being able to fly with an extra piece of luggage, but no overweight pieces. I've found airlines in general to be much more willing to waive oversize fees than overweight fees, probably since the price of fuel is a contributing factor to the rise in air travel prices.
 
#33
dansolobass said:
I have a bass with a removable neck and am looking for a flight case for it in two parts for easier travel. I was referring to the first post in this thread where Brian K said he bought a Gage removable neck carbon flight case. I've looked around everywhere and cannot find any info on it, although I've heard from various builders that David has been working on the design.
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If you look at the David Gage String Instruments Facebook page, in the photo section there are 10 photos of the case, you should be able to get more info by e-mailing the shop.
 

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