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bass on a plane?

#21
enderwaves said:
why not rent gear? i know it's not *your* bass and all that, but it seems like a much more feasible option if transportation costs start pushing the 1k mark.
Click to expand...

i am renting some stuff, it's not out of the question. but i feel like in the music we're playing (instrumental trio, crazy prog'd out psychedelic stuff) the whole thing often goes awry when we change up details in the sound. not everything i play is like that, but this one happens to be.

it's a somewhat heavily modified 73 p bass, different pickups, a preamp, flatwounds, etc.. i use a lot of effects too, those tend to react much differently (and unpredictably) with different instruments.
 
#24
The best option is to invest in an ATA case.
If you can't afford to do that at this time-
You won't be able to take the bass on-board in a HSC.
It's very unlikely, although there's a slight possibility. that you can take the bass onboard in a gig-bag, and they'll store it for you. Real unlikely though, don't count on that at all.

I flew quite often with my bass, and used this method with no problems whatsoever-
Have a UPS store make a heavy-duty box for your HSC.
Cost me $25'; I still have it.

At the check-in counter, explain that it's a valued musical instrument, and ask for Special Handling.
They'll mark the box with "Fragile" and "Special Handling" decals, and in my case, I walked it over and talked to a Baggage Manager.

Despite some people's horror stories about lost and damaged luggage, I got nothing but consideration and understanding from the Airline personnel. They took pride in what they did, and several times, they told me about their own musical projects! Kind of contrary to those who seem to enjoy dissing the Baggage Handlers as Gorillas... but, hey, if that floats your boat...

I took over 15 flights with my bass shipped in this manner, and every time, it came to me intact, in the "oversize" section of baggage claim.

Believe it or not, packages checked in and marked for Special Handling get that. There's accountability for baggage and cargo, and the crews like to keep a good record of having packages marked as such undamaged.
Communication and good packaging go a long way!

Good luck, have a good gig- Italy is awesome! Unbelievable wine (and women). Bon Voyage.
 
#25
Just went from Chicago to NY on Southwest. No problem with a Taylor 12 string in the overhead. 2 years ago did the same on United to Hartford CT, same instrument. Seems as if it will fit overhead it shouldn't be a problem. But these were domestic flights. Hope this helps.
 
#26
easyjet broke the head on my main bass earlier this year.
I carried it to the guys that are supposed to handle fragile gear and it stil happened.
In over 10 years of taking the bass onto planes ,in a gigbag,this was the first time anything happened, and probably the last time I flew with this airline.
Fortunatelly it could be fixed.
 
#27
I've had good luck so far (knock on wood!) by using a good ATA approved case and gate checking it like you would a baby stroller or other carry on stuff too big to fit in the bins. That way it's always on the same flight as you and you get it back as your leaving the aircraft. admittedly I haven't flown with an instrument in couple of years so this practice may not be acceptable any longer. Call your airline t be sure.
 
#28
adbass said:
65 P to paris, carried on, stored overhead or in coat rack closet. same deal on the way to London. no problems. If they had given me any **** about carrying it on, I would not have flown.
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They don't care. They have your money already.

I fly on the average twice a month with my bass. I have given up trying to carry it on in a gigbag. I used to be able to do it in all but the smallest planes, but now it's 50/50 whether they'll let you.

I think that for a 73 Precision, I would suck it up and buy a flight case and check it. Believe it or not, my stuff has been a lot safer in baggage than in the overhead bins with idiots putting their 50 lb. carry-on bags on top of my bass while my back is turned.

I have had good luck with my SKB Bass Safe. Although the locks on it come loose a lot (I've heard they've fixed that problem now), I take a bungee cord or a twistwrap and wrap it around the handle to hold it together and it stays. Haven't got so much as a scratch on any bass I've put in it. Plus you can use your gigbag for in-town traveling once you get there instead of a 30 lb. Anvil case. ATA approved and $120. Well worth it to keep your expensive bass safe in airports.

No matter what you do, it's a chance you take whenever you take your bass from point A to point B in anything but a car. I've flown with standard Fender hardcases and been just fine. Others have had their necks broken off. But from what I've seen, the best way to go that won't cost a fortune is buy a Bass Safe and a good thick gigbag, and it'll fly just fine or the airlines will have to pay your damage claim. And don't forget the twistwrap!
 
#29
I am going to start off my post by stating that I work for the TSA as a TSO, yes O not S we are technically officers now (hah), and from my personal experience working underground at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago I will post my recommendations on flying with your bass.

First off CALL THE DAMN AIRLINE some airlines will in fact allow you to bring your bass as a carry on, if you BUY a seat for your bass you will 100% be able to bring it on the plane people have said Victor Wooten does this I have personally witnessed Nikki Sixx doing this, some of them will allow you to bring it on as a carry-on if they do this 90% of the time you should bring it in a gig-bag as opposed to a hard case due to the size difference and more importantly there is a bit of a gray area in the TSA SOP where you could construe a hard case as a bludgeon I have personally witnessed this while working at the checkpoint and if you get a dick head supervisor at your particular checkpoint you now have to go check your case.

Now I am not going to go into detail on cases and packing because these topics have already been covered but if you are checking your bass heres what I would do if I were you. I would check my bass in at the gate if possible (despite the possibility of checkpoint irritation) just to keep your bass out of the baggage system as much as possible. When you check it at the gate it literally goes down the dumbwaiter (at O'Hare at least) to a guy and he walks about 100 feet and hand puts it in the plane so its not getting smashed up by the employees (or the sorting machine which also beats the crap out of your luggage).

*********IMPORTANT NOTE************
-If you check a bass in a gig bag make 100% sure none of the straps can get loose (tape them down) because loose straps can get easily caught in the conveyor belts and you really don't want your bass getting stuck in the conveyor your bass won't get chewed up (your straps will) but it will get repeatedly struck by other people's 50-70lbs bags moving at 15 mph. On an off note if anyone here ever wonders why your luggage sometimes comes back without straps on it thats usually why because sometimes the only way to get the conveyors unstuck is to cut the strap and use a screwdriver or hammer to knock the bits out of the way.

I decided to take out the section of this post where I started bitching about my job too much I'll re-include it if anyone cares but I'll direct quote the part that pertains to traveling with your bass "And about those fragile stickers - every 3rd ******* in the ticket line has fragile stickers put on his bag" let's just say theres a lot of fragile stickers so nobody cares about yours.

I just want to point out that I have never traveled with my bass but I felt that I should throw my 2c in. Safe flying and don't be dicks to the TSA people its an incredibly ****** job.
 
#32
jollygiantchris said:
I am going to start off my post by stating that I work for the TSA as a TSO, yes O not S we are technically officers now (hah), and from my personal experience working underground at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago I will post my recommendations on flying with your bass.

First off CALL THE DAMN AIRLINE some airlines will in fact allow you to bring your bass as a carry on, if you BUY a seat for your bass you will 100% be able to bring it on the plane people have said Victor Wooten does this I have personally witnessed Nikki Sixx doing this, some of them will allow you to bring it on as a carry-on if they do this 90% of the time you should bring it in a gig-bag as opposed to a hard case due to the size difference and more importantly there is a bit of a gray area in the TSA SOP where you could construe a hard case as a bludgeon I have personally witnessed this while working at the checkpoint and if you get a dick head supervisor at your particular checkpoint you now have to go check your case.

Now I am not going to go into detail on cases and packing because these topics have already been covered but if you are checking your bass heres what I would do if I were you. I would check my bass in at the gate if possible (despite the possibility of checkpoint irritation) just to keep your bass out of the baggage system as much as possible. When you check it at the gate it literally goes down the dumbwaiter (at O'Hare at least) to a guy and he walks about 100 feet and hand puts it in the plane so its not getting smashed up by the employees (or the sorting machine which also beats the crap out of your luggage).

*********IMPORTANT NOTE************
-If you check a bass in a gig bag make 100% sure none of the straps can get loose (tape them down) because loose straps can get easily caught in the conveyor belts and you really don't want your bass getting stuck in the conveyor your bass won't get chewed up (your straps will) but it will get repeatedly struck by other people's 50-70lbs bags moving at 15 mph. On an off note if anyone here ever wonders why your luggage sometimes comes back without straps on it thats usually why because sometimes the only way to get the conveyors unstuck is to cut the strap and use a screwdriver or hammer to knock the bits out of the way.

I decided to take out the section of this post where I started bitching about my job too much I'll re-include it if anyone cares but I'll direct quote the part that pertains to traveling with your bass "And about those fragile stickers - every 3rd ******* in the ticket line has fragile stickers put on his bag" let's just say theres a lot of fragile stickers so nobody cares about yours.

I just want to point out that I have never traveled with my bass but I felt that I should throw my 2c in. Safe flying and don't be dicks to the TSA people its an incredibly ****** job.
Click to expand...

First off, if it's an incredibly ****** job, then QUIT! PLEASE!

What a 'tude. Your quote about "every third ******* has fragile stickers so nobody cares...."

You need a career change.

EVERY one I talked with about checking my Bass on-board-
from Desk Clerks, to Baggage Handlers, to TSA people-
EVERYONE- was civl, understanding, and helpful. No exceptions. they respected that I cared about my instrument, they respected that I needed it for my work, and they respected that it needed to be handled appropriately.

Do you think maybe it was because I came across as respectful and polite to THEM?
I don't know where you work or who you deal with, but I hope I never have to deal with anyone with an attitude like yours. Jeesh.:rollno:
 
#33
i REALLY dont wanna shell out for a new case if i dont have to (im the orig poster)

here's my last idea, maybe someone else has tried it

i could take off the neck. keep both pieces in a gig bag, wrapping the neck in a towel or something to keep it from banging on the body. then i could definitely keep it in the overhead. just put it back together when i arrive (first show is that night)

any thoughts on that? i know it's a little weird maybe...
 
#34
Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet but if you end up getting it checked in, whatever you do don't lock the case, the customs guys will break it open to search it, especially on international flights.

I went from US->UK (just one way, I got it as a nice souvenier of the USA :D) with my bass luckily I didn't lock it (it got searched), but a guitarist friend of mine has had a case ruined before as he made the mistake of locking it.

I just latched mine shut and tied several tight pieces of string round it just in case.
 
#35
Over this past summer I did an AFE (Armed Forces Entertainment) tour to the pacific and my Lakland made the whole trip in a Gator G-Tour ATA case. I got it from musicians friend and it did a good job. Somewhere along the way someone (or something) tried to punch a hole in it but they werent successful. :hyper:

I ran out of time and didn't really have the money to get a custom case built, and luckily this one fit the bill quite nicely. It is actually pretty cheap (for a flight case), and like I said was actually really durable. The only thing that wasn't up to par was the lid for the accessory compartment inside the case that the staples kept backing out of. Just need to glue it back in I guess. I also had it loaded with extra stuff which added quite a bit more weight.

I will say that the JAL (Japan Airlines) cared the most out of anyone that touched our gear. Better than all the rest!
 
#36
I had no problem taking my bass on a plane - I an English but live in Charleston SC, and it has been back and forth a few times, even since the latest security scares. Use a soft padded gig bag (this probably wont work with a hard case since they are much bulkier), and take it on as hold luggage. Smile nicely to the attendant and ask them if they can put it in a wardrobe for you. So far I have never been refused, not on 747's nor little puddle jumpers. No extra baggage charges ever, no damage ever (yet - knocks wood). Don't ever let it go in the hold, the atmosphere down there can wreak havoc with sensitive woods and necks.
D
 
#37
Always remember that even under the best of circumstances, flying with your bass is always a GAMBLE at best.

There are MANY people whose cooperation you will need from the ticketing agent to security people to the gate attendants to the flight attendants. It only takes ONE of them to ruin your day and your instrument. If your best smile and manners fails on any ONE link in the chain, your bass won't make it inside the passenger cabin.

ATA cases are by far the best, but again are no guarantee. I once checked a bass in an ATA case as luggage and a baggage worker tried to walk off with it. No kidding. Behind the scenes where nobody could see. Luckily his shift ended and he was seen trying to walk out with it just shortly after I registered my lost luggage claim. (San Juan, Puerto Rico, FWIW).

Nothing is fool-proof. And your chance of encountering a fool in the process is great.
 
#39
rawrOOO said:
i REALLY dont wanna shell out for a new case if i dont have to (im the orig poster)

here's my last idea, maybe someone else has tried it

i could take off the neck. keep both pieces in a gig bag, wrapping the neck in a towel or something to keep it from banging on the body. then i could definitely keep it in the overhead. just put it back together when i arrive (first show is that night)

any thoughts on that? i know it's a little weird maybe...
Click to expand...

That is what I am thinking about doing for my trip home for the holidays - I'm going to be gone a month, staying with my family and guitarist friend, so I HAVE to have my bass with me ;) I'm also going to epoxy the fingerboard while I'm there.

If you took the neck off, wrapped both the body and the neck in a towel(s), could you still fit it into a gigbag while making the gigbag smaller?
hmm....
 
#40
rawrOOO said:
it's a 73 p bass im looking to travel with
Click to expand...

Unless you have a really good reason to, I'd leave that thing home. I was contemplating taking my 73 Rickenbacker on a plane, which is why I got interested in this thread. I would insure it, but the plain fact of matters is, that bass is irreplaceable. Buying a brand-new 4003 would not compensate for losing 20+ years of personal history with my Ricky.

I might take my year 2000 Spector on a plane if I could insure it.
 

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