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Backup bass on fly out tour

B

bassybass

Mar 29, 2008
111
0
#1
I searched and surprisingly didn't find much with what I thought were logical search terms, so here goes:
I will be doing a short tour on the east coast with an artist, and maybe in Europe too. I live in California--so, flying out of course, with a little driving between certain dates--but mostly flying. Haven't toured much before except for driving tours and I always brought a backup bass. What is the norm when you have to fly out--do most guys just take one bass? Or bring a backup? How do the seasoned pros determine this? Do you ask for a backup bass as part of the backline ever? (FWIW I play a pbass with rounds so a suitable backup would not be hard to come by I expect). Thanks.
 
#5
I bought a Mono double gig bag for just this reason...had to do some fly dates and I hate relying on the venue or sound company for a bass. Sure, they'll provide one, but God only knows what you'll get. And rentals are a hassle to me.

I was told by a friend who's done this a lot, that domestic airlines will let you carry a TSA approved (indicated by these little symbols on a tag, which the Mono has) gig bag on board and hang it in the wardrobe closet by the entrance.

Disclaimer: My dates didn't work out so I haven't done it myself.

I would verify with the airline before showing up though.
 
#6
bassybass said:
Excellent point---that would really suck!
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I'm thinking of those luggage trains they drive around on the tarmac, probably the whole train gets loaded onto the wrong plane if they mess up. But if the luggage sorter goofs up, then one bag goes missing if its put on the wrong luggage train.

No idea which is more common, I haven't ever had my luggage lost, not sure if its usually 1 bag or the whole batch.

So I could be totally off base, too...

Randy
 
#7
Sparkdog said:
I bought a Mono double gig bag for just this reason...had to do some fly dates and I hate relying on the venue or sound company for a bass. Sure, they'll provide one, but God only knows what you'll get. And rentals are a hassle to me.

I was told by a friend who's done this a lot, that domestic airlines will let you carry a TSA approved (indicated by these little symbols on a tag, which the Mono has) gig bag on board and hang it in the wardrobe closet by the entrance.

Disclaimer: My dates didn't work out so I haven't done it myself.

I would verify with the airline before showing up though.
Click to expand...
This sounds like the best option. Its unlikely the bass would be lost forever, just maybe delayed enough to miss the show. But still, if you can carry on, that's the best option. I love my amp, but don't have that personal connection like I do with the bass, a different bass would feel/play different. Takes a while to adjust to it, and adjust it to your liking. If you can carry on 2 in a double gig bag, I might take 2, otherwise, just one.

Next time I fly, if possible I'm putting a firearm in my bag (checked luggage, not carry on). Thinking that would give them an extra sense of "urgency" to locate and return it in case its lost. Note you have to declare it at check in time, and follow airline procedures, take it to TSA and have them inspect it, etc. So a little extra hassle. Won't work if you're flying to Europe most likely. Or if your destination is New York, Chicago, or DC. Or if you're from California.. ;)

Randy
 
#8
From what I've been finding though, it's still kinda sketchy about what/when they'll let you carry something on of that size. It seems as if you could get a nasty surprise at the gate and end up having to check that gig bag(holy cow, I'd almost rather they lost it then, than see what they did to it!).
 
#9
bassybass said:
From what I've been finding though, it's still kinda sketchy about what/when they'll let you carry something on of that size. It seems as if you could get a nasty surprise at the gate and end up having to check that gig bag(holy cow, I'd almost rather they lost it then, than see what they did to it!).
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Go to the airlines web site, print out the relevant policies and take copies with you.

Otherwise you'll be at the mercy of whatever the people at the gate THINK the policies are. Getting their supervisor may not be any more well informed.

If you can SHOW them its allowed, prove it, you'll be ok. If you call to ask, make sure to get a name. Thing is the person you call could be wrong too, and won't matter what they tell you is ok. So calling to ask is fine to see if its possible, but get a name, and make sure they are correct by printing out their relevant policies on their web site.

Be calm and respectful when they challenge you, even if you're right, they can probably make things miserable for you if you get on their bad side.

Randy
 
#10
I'd be hesitant to count on flying with a double gig bag.
I've been fortunate to fly with a single on certain airlines, but the crew has a lot of leeway on what they can and can't allow, and gig bags, particularly bass, are definitely bigger than the "allowable carry-on" luggage size.

Even with a single gig bag (and I do use Mono) I resign myself to the fact that I might be required to "gate check" it. So I put extra padding inside where there are spaces (t-shirt around the neck, for example).

I would take one bass as carry-on, and either rent the backup, or put it in an ATA flight case.
 
#12
Backlined electrics are always a let-down. Airlines will feed you boilerplate responses with no possible guarantees. In my experience, the only way to guarantee your needs are met is to use a company such as Sound Moves, especially if international carnets are needed.

~Tommy
 
#13
bassybass said:
From what I've been finding though, it's still kinda sketchy about what/when they'll let you carry something on of that size. It seems as if you could get a nasty surprise at the gate and end up having to check that gig bag(holy cow, I'd almost rather they lost it then, than see what they did to it!).
Click to expand...

In that case, you might want to have one of these gig bags.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#14
Don't even bother printing the airline's policies or calling in advance. It is ALWAYS up to the flight crew for that plane.

Bad, bad BAD idea to bring a double wide gig bag with "certainty" that it will be allowed on the plane as a carry-on. I've personally seen single gig bags rejected and made to be gate checked. Then you'll have TWO broken basses.

Take one bass. Backups are good when it is CONVENIENT to bring one. Ask yourself this: How many times did you use your backup on your last tour? Probably never. You can always get a backup located/borrowed/rented locally in the unlikely event something catastophic happens.
 
#15
Unless you're the only band on the bill, trying making friends with the other band's bass player and ask if something should happen to yours, can you use his/her bass.

In the event of the airline losing your checked bass, call a local rental company and rent one for the show. (or go to Guitar Center, buy a bass, leave the tags on, play the gig, and return the bass the next day in the same condition :hiding:)

Carrying musical instruments on board flights can be dicey and if you get on a smaller commuter/shuttle plane, expect no closets and tiny overheads. Virgin America, for example, doesn't even have any closets on their planes.
 

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