Were you flying on RJ's? A319/A320's? I've been curious about Air Canada's policies.
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Bass on a plane! Check or carry on?
- Thread starter Wyattsgroove
- Start date
Were you flying on RJ's? A319/A320's? I've been curious about Air Canada's policies.
Again, the airlines' policies are irrelevant when the flight crew says no, the answer is no. You can't argue policy with them.
Yep. More importantly, have some consideration for your fellow travelers. One person taking up an entire overhead bin simply so they won't be bored for a day or two is pretty uncool, in my book.
i'm flying alaska tomorrow.
i called the airlines, and they assured me, no problem to put it in the attendant's little closet. I'm taking it in a shaped hard case just in case. I'll update after i get back. hoping for the best though.
i called the airlines, and they assured me, no problem to put it in the attendant's little closet. I'm taking it in a shaped hard case just in case. I'll update after i get back. hoping for the best though.
International flights are larger planes. It makes sense to me that you were able to do this, because the plane is large and has such compartments.
In smaller planes, they will have less storage spaces to work with and the ones that are there will be smaller. national flights are often pretty small planes.
I would personally recommend to take a bolt-on, mod it with threaded inserts, and travel with the neck disconnected. Not only will this increase your chances due to smaller footprint; but its a courtesy to your fellow travelers who also need space to store stuff.
- Mar 14, 2011
- 344
- 535
- Disclosures
- Nordstrand Audio, Empire Ears, Reunion Blues, Pig Hog Cables
I fly with my Sadowsky all of the time and the worst that's happened to me is a gate check, and that's usually ALWAYS the case with US Airways. Otherwise, I typically fly Delta and the bass will always fit in the overhead bin unless it's one of those short commuter flight type planes. I use either my Mono Vertigo or my old Incase gig bag and try to have really nice convo with the plane crew and I never have any issues. More than anything, they usually give me the whole "You'll have to play a tune for us" comedy routine...lol.
Also, as stated earlier, try to board as early as possible!
Also, as stated earlier, try to board as early as possible!
I've written this in similar threads and I'll repeat it. I fly frequently between NY and Tokyo. I always check my bass. I carry it in a Sadowsky Portabag and so far, I've never had an issue. The only problem is that when you go to claim your checked bags at the belt, sometimes it comes out there, sometimes not. I always check with an airline staffer. There's one usually near the belt. I very politely ask him/her about my bass and they usually go out of their way to help me get it.
Sitting on a small commuter plane for Alaska airlines. They couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. Let me board early, and my bass, in shaped hard case is sitting comfortably in an overhead bin!
I have to travel coast to coast for school fairly frequently, so for my bass I just bought a Gator TSA Hardshell and never have to worry about it. I fly SouthWest, so checked bags are free, and I never have a problem. The only time I;ve ever had an issue was when I took and acoustic guitar with me in a gig bag. I talked to the people at the check in counter and they said it would be fine to keep it in the coat closet, but when I got to the gate the lady who was gate checking said it had to be checked and stored below, which was terrifying. I was stressing out the whole flight, but it ended up fine. But overall, I have no problem flying with instruments now. Returning to school at Christmas I actually brought my bass, a 12 string acoustic (in a standard hardshell with a TSA lock), and two bags on Southwest, and they didn't even charge me extra. So for something like $130, I recommend getting a Hardshell and not stressing out about it. The only downside is having to deal with the contant "Is that a rifle, sir?"
I don't know planes from space shuttles - your guess is as good as mine! But these flights were all within Canada so the planes were on the smaller side. Regardless, I've heard that Air Canada is consistently a pain when it comes to allowing passengers to bring instruments into the cabin.
I will add that my Sadowsky Portabag survived five flights being stored in the cargo hold without incurring so much as a scratch. I figure that if something's going to go wrong it's going to go REALLY wrong and even a hardshell case isn't going to offer enough protection (having said that, I wouldn't be comfortable using anything less strurdy than the Portabag when checking my bass for a flight).
I have had this guitar neck/bass guitar neck forever. I forgot I still had it and found it in a box in the garage yesterday. I have never done anything with it and I can't even remember where I got it.
Anyway, I think I will attempt to build a travel bass out of it. I have never built anything before. I imagine I will need to use large gauge guitar strings and maybe even guitar tuners. Not sure about what kind of pickup.
The fret board is 18" from the end to the middle of the nut. Someone prepped it to be a bass neck with the holes for the tuners and the nut.
Any suggestions and ideas are appreciated!
Anyway, I think I will attempt to build a travel bass out of it. I have never built anything before. I imagine I will need to use large gauge guitar strings and maybe even guitar tuners. Not sure about what kind of pickup.
The fret board is 18" from the end to the middle of the nut. Someone prepped it to be a bass neck with the holes for the tuners and the nut.
Any suggestions and ideas are appreciated!
I haven't flown with a full sized bass guitar in years, but I carry on this rig:
The Ashbory over the shoulder in its gig bag and the amp in a carry-on. The carry-on ends up a bit heavy but I usually don't get weighed. Plus, it does make a good conversation starter.
The Ashbory over the shoulder in its gig bag and the amp in a carry-on. The carry-on ends up a bit heavy but I usually don't get weighed. Plus, it does make a good conversation starter.
Update, I wrestled with gig bag or hard case. In the end I used my TSA approved fender hardshell. Lets just say, I'm glad I did!
Flying out of Ohio into several smaller airports, I had to get on the smallest jets I've ever been on. No room for even my carry on bag. Both my bag and bass had to be gate checked.
I was not given on bit of trouble by the airports or flight personnel.
I had a few moments where I was really concerned.
First, one my firs connecting flight my guitar "disappeared" and I really had to pester the flight personnel to make sure it was not stolen. Not sure what would have happened if I just waited and kept my mouth shut. They went back into the cargo hold and it " turned up".
Next in another small airport I saw my luggage and bass case become air Bourne off the jet onto the conveyor! No damage.
It was more of a hassle carrying the hard case but it was well worth it.
Remember the little keys that come with those cases? Don't lose them! I had more piece of mind knowing that it was locked up.
I did get one bigger jet on the way home ( 707?) where they put my case in the coat locker.
I will from now on only use a hard shell case when flying!
If you have to gate check, keep your eyes on you instrument, and make sure the tag they give you is secured on the case well!! That's how it was misplaced the first time and I had to go through security to baggage claim and missed a connecting flight!
Hope this helps.
WG.
Flying out of Ohio into several smaller airports, I had to get on the smallest jets I've ever been on. No room for even my carry on bag. Both my bag and bass had to be gate checked.
I was not given on bit of trouble by the airports or flight personnel.
I had a few moments where I was really concerned.
First, one my firs connecting flight my guitar "disappeared" and I really had to pester the flight personnel to make sure it was not stolen. Not sure what would have happened if I just waited and kept my mouth shut. They went back into the cargo hold and it " turned up".
Next in another small airport I saw my luggage and bass case become air Bourne off the jet onto the conveyor! No damage.
It was more of a hassle carrying the hard case but it was well worth it.
Remember the little keys that come with those cases? Don't lose them! I had more piece of mind knowing that it was locked up.
I did get one bigger jet on the way home ( 707?) where they put my case in the coat locker.
I will from now on only use a hard shell case when flying!
If you have to gate check, keep your eyes on you instrument, and make sure the tag they give you is secured on the case well!! That's how it was misplaced the first time and I had to go through security to baggage claim and missed a connecting flight!
Hope this helps.
WG.
There is no guarantee they will let you take it as a carry on or even do a gate check. And there's no way I'd ever check and instrument in a gig bag. Honestly I'd just leave it at home.
