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Airline travel with prized possession

#21
I think I am going to do one of two things from now on (if I need to fly to gigs - crosses fingers that it's a yes).

1.) Just ship the instrument

2.) Maybe use the SKB 44rw bass safe and go through TSA screening and try to get it on the plane. Worst case, gate check it. This last trip a guy with a Gibson Jumbo Acoustic did this and got on the plane with it and stored it in the overheard.

Maybe it was the fact that we were heading to Nashville so the staff see a lot of musicians. Not sure.
 
#22
No brainer - an ATA flight case or SKB bass safe. I don't want to have to mess around getting into negotiations at the check in counter or with the flight crew about whether I can carry on a gig bag. I just want to check my luggage, go to the lounge for a beer and a pretzel and not have to deal with any crap.

After all, if the answer is "no", then you're stuck at the airport with a bass that has no protection, so your choices are to risk the gig bag in the baggage hold (bwahahahahahahaha!) or cancel your ticket and come back again later. Better to be safe than sorry.
 
#24
SSCBA said:
What about this gator case?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-ATA-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=544784

It's only to fly from USA to Argentina, only one time, but a long flight and here airport staff is not very careful.
There is a lot of difference in quality between that and this??

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-GTour-Electric-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=545867&src=3SOSWXXA
Click to expand...

Cordoba , i played in Cordoba with Chayanne! :hyper:
Also in Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata
man, i love your country. The steaks, the wine, the Havanna alfajores, the ladies... er.. anyway.. ( hey, i was single then !)
do yourself a favor and get the skb bass safe over the Gator.. much more protection. I have seem my guitarists other cases get destroyed while my molded bass safe stays intact.
 
#25
SSCBA said:
What about this gator case?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-ATA-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=544784

It's only to fly from USA to Argentina, only one time, but a long flight and here airport staff is not very careful.
There is a lot of difference in quality between that and this??

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-GTour-Electric-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=545867&src=3SOSWXXA
Click to expand...

If you are not shipping Fed-Ex, here is my $.02:

Both have problems. The first one has pretty bad reviews citing weakness of hardware and other issues. The second is probably better, but I just can't understand why anyone would go to all the trouble to have recessed latches, but not a recessed handle.

That handle is guaranteed to get sheared off in a few flights (though I realize this is for one trip). Then the whole thing is useless. I advise finding a similar case with ALL hardware recessed. The problem with ATA cases is that they do not have TSA compatible locks (unless they are now available) AND they weight a friggin ton AND they won't fit in many backseats and even some trunks...but I digress...foaming at the mouth....:D :D :D

Also, the SKB bass safe is well-liked here, and I even tried to get one almost 2 years ago, but they were unavailable. HOWEVER, I am glad I did not go that route!!! Please Note: there have been a lot of reviews on musiciansfriend and elsewhere that excoriate them as flimsy and even dangerous to your instrument. I have heard that some of the non-skb golf travel cases are better and cost about the same.

I got one of the ATA cases below, and then primed it and sprayed it olive green. It makes it easy to spot.
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However, I do recall that on my second trip with it out of Cincinnati, the young lady at the ticket counter said, "Sir, are you aware that it is illegal to bring firearms into the passenger ticketing area?" I looked at her sweetly and said in my best slow Kentucky drawl, "Yes Mame. But you needn't worry yourself at all. This here is a perfectly safe electric bass GEEtar." I even managed not to smirk. :p
 
#28
I used to work at UPS. Shipping your bass thru a package carrier or flying it in baggage, it's all the same. It's out of your hands and could disappear or get destroyed at any time just as easily on a plane as with a package carrier. But the likelihood is that it will be just fine either way. And baggage handlers at the airport are no worse than anyone at UPS or Fed Ex. Someone's baggage has to be at the bottom of the pile no matter what it's delivered in. Just use a good flight case no matter how you fly it or ship it.
 
#29
Marcus Alan said:
Chances are that I am going to be studying abroad in Nagasaki starting this fall... should I just have my Sadowsky shipped to my home stay family's home? I have an Anvil flight case, but I dunno if I want to risk losing my bass.......
Click to expand...

For me, if it is a single flight, no changes and no stops, I check it in a very heavy duty ATA case, usually. IMHO, Customs might make it a bit more risky. More people handling it = more thieves. If it is really valuable, I use Fed-Ex, not because they handle it more sweetly, but because they have way better tracking, it is ALL they do, and they are covering it for declared value. The airlines view baggage as a nuissance, IMHO. You can ship a bus engine block via Fed-Ex. Britain to Japan may not be on their route, though. :D

BTW, get insured!
 
#30
Well, thanks all. I think after all, if possible, Fed Ex may be the answer. Although my wife is in the furniture biz and says 'the nicer and prettier the box is, the harder they throw it.'
The bass safe looks cool (I may check out one of these) and my Anvil is a real lug to carry around, but it's worked quite well. Besides w/Fed Ex, I like the insurance AND that I can lock it.
Often with most of us, it's not only the $value$ on the instrument that gets damaged, but the playability, the sound, the age and the identity/history/connections that make our basses part of who we are, that can't readily be replaced.:bawl:
Even after 20+ years, these guys are comming up an asking ,'Is that THE same bass you used to play? The same one?'
And there's a damn good reason I'm still playing that same one - that ol' Tele is almost indestructable!!!

...OK, I'll just keep it at home.

NOT
 
#31
I'd love to know if there is anyone who knows about golf luggage used as bass protection? Surely someone has tried it? I have lot's of Scottish ancestors, but due to a caddy job as a teen, I seem to be pretty much allergic to golf, golf clubs, pro-shops, etc. Can anyone with better golf-intelligence inform us? :bassist: :bassist: :bassist:
 
#32
scarekrow said:
I'd like to hear some of your experiences with air travel. I've got an anvil flight case and used it a few times with no problems. I've heard that it's risky to depend on a flight case and that quite a few of you are using carry-on gig bags. Do these bags usually fit in the overhead compartments? Anyone gotten away with a double instrument bag (2 basses)? What do you think is the better choice?
Click to expand...

I had a custom anvil case made for my bass around 1991. The thing about this case is it is an ATA case. This means is has been tested in accordance with the Air Transportation Association or what ever their name is. So when you check the bass in and they ask you to sign a release that says they are not responsible for damage, you can say, sorry, it is an ATA case. They are fully responsibile for any and all damage. They may argue with you, but ask to speak with a supervisor who will confirm this truth.

I used to be able to place my bass in a gig bag in a clothes closet in the cabin but it is very rare that will happen with all the recent airline drama. The overhead bin is small, you usually will need to take up two of them. You need to get onboard earlier than the guy sitting next to you who jams his luggage against your soft gig bag in the overhead compartment.



The Ata cases are tough and I have never had a problem with them. The only downside is that some flights can get very cold and the bass can freeze. The ATA with thicker wood usually is enough to offset the cold.
I've encountered inspections that really have taken me to the edge of my patience. I recommend having a photo of you with the bass and one with the bass in the case and you (non-polaroid) to show you own the bass. This shows them you are really a bass player.
it's easier to check the bass in,IMO.
 
#33
Garry Goodman said:
I had a custom anvil case made for my bass around 1991. The thing about this case is it is an ATA case. This means is has been tested in accordance with the Air Transportation Association or what ever their name is. So when you check the bass in and they ask you to sign a release that says they are not responsible for damage, you can say, sorry, it is an ATA case. They are fully responsibile for any and all damage. They may argue with you, but ask to speak with a supervisor who will confirm this truth.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks. But, I wonder if what they told you is really accurate. Here is what I have found on a Cabela site discussing ATA cases for firearms:

"The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America issued specifications for the packaging of airline cargo, designated ATA Specification 300. The objective is to establish standards for a case that would hold up for a minimum of 100 roundtrip airline flights. The detailed specifications involve design, material content and environmental tolerance characteristics.

What does having an ATA case designation mean? This means the hardware, such as handles, latches and locks, can withstand abuse and mishandling without danger of breakage. The case will withstand a drop on to concrete from 36" without the case popping open due to a malfunctioning latch. It generally means you can ship an ATA-approved case by airline without concern about the security of the case.

Does ATA case approval mean the airlines will automatically accept the case? No. Size and weight restrictions still govern the acceptance of checked luggage. The ATA designation only refers to the durability of the case.

Do all ATA-approved cases meet the weight and size requirements of most airlines? Again, no. Weight and size limitations vary by airline. The specifications only refer to the amount of abuse the case will take."

see also Invalid Link Removed

ATA has a spec they will sell you for several hundred dollars! I can't seem to find any references to the airlines responsibility for content in ATA spec 300. Can anyone help? :ninja:
 
#34
SSCBA said:
What about this gator case?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-ATA-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=544784

It's only to fly from USA to Argentina, only one time, but a long flight and here airport staff is not very careful.
There is a lot of difference in quality between that and this??

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-GTour-Electric-Bass-Flight-Case?sku=545867&src=3SOSWXXA
Click to expand...
I have the 2nd case listed (the more heavy-duty model). I've only taken it on one round trip to NYC, but my bass survived just fine in this case. I wouldn't hesitate to fly with it again.
 
#35
Jim Carr said:
Wow, thanks. But, I wonder if what they told you is really accurate. Here is what I have found on a Cabela site discussing ATA cases for firearms:quote]



Ok, ATA cases can be huge, like for electric grand pianos, etc. A bass case around 53"-no problem. At Anvil, they actually send a guy to you to measure and make a template to fit your bass. My basses aren't standard length,shape etc.
You can opt for thicker wood, special latches and color of velvet inside and outside.
Anvil says ATA basically means they can throw the case out the cargo hatch onto the runway and it won't break.
I have traveled extensively with the case fron N.Y. to Hong Kong without a scratch to the case. The bass is always untouched. THat's why ATA says the airline has to take responsibility because it would take a forklift plowing into the case to maybe do damage.

You can't go wrong surrounding your bass with "armor". A gig bag... someone's bag jammed on top of your bass in an overhead bin as it's slammed shut. There goes your knobs and pots.
Call Anvil in So. Cal.
Click to expand...
 
#36
Garry Goodman said:
I used to be able to place my bass in a gig bag in a clothes closet in the cabin but it is very rare that will happen with all the recent airline drama. The overhead bin is small, you usually will need to take up two of them. You need to get onboard earlier than the guy sitting next to you who jams his luggage against your soft gig bag in the overhead compartment.
Click to expand...

This is an important point for those going the gigbag route onboard: try and find out in advance what model plane it is you'll be taking and how big the overheads bins are. One a recent trip from Dublin to Brisbane (AU), two flights on smaller planes were fine, no problems or issues with my gigbag and sturdy SSII, but the last leg was on a 747 and those bins are definitely MUCH narrower (though deep), I doubt even a guitar would fit. And then the haggling and the cajoling and shifty negotiations with the pursar or flight manager lead to him checking in the bass as last-minute luggage unbeknown to me (just as doors closed). Couldn't find a spare attendant's closet either. This had me fuming and fretting like a pale loser who's lost his baby, well padded as she was. On arrival it was eventually located in the oversize luggage area (makes sense, last in the hold (on top of the other stuff) and then first out & separated from the bags) but it was still cold to the touch. Thank my lucky stars for German engineering.

Never again. Not worth the ulcers and risk. Next time, I'm going to get a super case and send it via airline freight in advance of my flight. Fully insured etc. If I ever get to gig internationally, I might just buy one at the destination.
 
#37
You may also wish to try the method I, and Norm Stockton use.

Get an SKB keyboard case. You are able to add extra padding if you want to. It also holds any pedals you want to take with you, and all cords, sheet music, etc.....

Put your bass in a heavy duty gig bag, and Bob's your uncle.

The clasps are much better on these than on most other SKB products. They close easily, and stay closed.

Norm travels internationaly all the time, and has yet to have one problem.

I have never had one either. The airport inspectors can look as good as they like, then click it shut and your on your way.

Having an extra luggage strap on the outside is a good idea, just in case.

Good luck.
 
#39
Garry Goodman said:
Ok, ATA cases can be huge, like for electric grand pianos, etc. A bass case around 53"-no problem. At Anvil, they actually send a guy to you to measure and make a template to fit your bass. My basses aren't standard length,shape etc.
You can opt for thicker wood, special latches and color of velvet inside and outside.
Anvil says ATA basically means they can throw the case out the cargo hatch onto the runway and it won't break.
I have traveled extensively with the case fron N.Y. to Hong Kong without a scratch to the case. The bass is always untouched. THat's why ATA says the airline has to take responsibility because it would take a forklift plowing into the case to maybe do damage.

You can't go wrong surrounding your bass with "armor". A gig bag... someone's bag jammed on top of your bass in an overhead bin as it's slammed shut. There goes your knobs and pots.
Call Anvil in So. Cal.
Click to expand...

Gary, Thanks. I have a very heavy-duty all recessed hardware ATA case. It is form fit to my bass. I am just wondering how much responsibility an airline will take. The value of baggage is limited by each airline, and varies from firm to firm.

Given that our cases are very effective, what happens when an instrument is destroyed, damaged, lost or stolen? I submit that the airlines are not going to be held responsible above the max they set in their baggage rules. As I recall, some even make it clear that fragile items of value are not their responsibility.

My point is that the case will not change that policy, and that ATA spec 300 does not change the limitations that the baggage policies set forth. I may be wrong, but I don't see any where that this is the case.
 
#40
Jim Carr said:
Gary, Thanks. I have a very heavy-duty all recessed hardware ATA case. It is form fit to my bass. I am just wondering how much responsibility an airline will take. The value of baggage is limited by each airline, and varies from firm to firm.

Given that our cases are very effective, what happens when an instrument is destroyed, damaged, lost or stolen? I submit that the airlines are not going to be held responsible above the max they set in their baggage rules. As I recall, some even make it clear that fragile items of value are not their responsibility.

My point is that the case will not change that policy, and that ATA spec 300 does not change the limitations that the bagage policies set forth. I may be wrong, but I don't see any where that this is the case.
Click to expand...

I was not aware of any new bagage policies for ATA. So let's figure this out. Most baggage guys I 've seen take my case off the plane and hand carry it to oversized luggage pick up. Along with surfboards,bikes, baby carrages etc. Never a scratch.
So let's call Anvil and ask them what they have to say about thier ATA cases.

The ATA metal tag on your case is supposed to let handlers know they are responsible(good luck, right?). ATA has been synonymous with "This case has been tested for abusive handling so if it breaks Airline company, you pay" I have had American Airlines loose my bass,and have it delivered to my door a day later and once they broke a latch which they reimbursed me for 45 days later. ATA can't protect you against theft. So insurance is a good idea. I also go on record because I refuse ti sign the damage release tag.

Hawaiian Air has never damaged any of my gear and I've flown as much as ten flights a week with them between 1984-2006.

So what we are talking about is a situation where there is major damage,i.e. Forklift pieces the wood,case is dropped twenty feet etc.
The ATA cases hold up to this kind of extreme abuse. I bring up the Forklift because I had the forks stab my rack and destroy a sampler.
A freak accident. Not an ATA approved case.

Ok, so if you call your ATA case company and ask what happens if we have a case malfuntion, they will tell you their point of view.
Call your airlines and ask thier policy on ATA for musical instruments.
Also,look into insurance to cover the cost of the bass. Mine are one of a kind, and I finally learned to travel with basses that can be more easily replaced.

It really would take some force to bust an ATA case especially with 1/2"-3/4" wood sides. Custom fit foam helps reduce the shock vibrations which helps protect the electronics on the bass.
I have a few "Fragile-Handel With Care" stickers on there as well.

also check this out:
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