Club Alleva-Coppolo (Part 13)

[B String]

Ryan.. Good to see you. You travel alot so i have a question for you.
I have been getting some flack lately on my fly dates.. Some FA says Its OK to hang my gig bag in the closet and other make me check it.. In a gig bag.. ughhh
Im doing some shows in Monte Carlo and paris in a few weeks.
Do you check your bass in ATA case, or gig bag it on international flights.
I have an Anvil flight case but it is so heavy for these one offs for me to carry..
I was thinking of getting a Pelican Molded Mil Spec case or a Gator ATA TSA..
Does anyone have experiences with the Pelican of Gator flight cases? Pelican looks killer .. it is actually a rifle case... No pun intended.
I never had a problem in years of flying till recent.. American Airlines has always been great. But we are flying KLM.
Any info on flight cases that are light would be of help..

Call KLM and ask what kind of plane you'll be on. Then ask about closet space and such. Then ask their policy on hanging things in the closet space. If it all sounds good, get the persons name and extension just in case you have issues at the airport. Its worked for me. However, things seem to change with every flight nowadays. Hope this helps at all.

 

[Chef]

kpb5 in classifieds here
not mine, etc..

 

[ryanowens]

Good question. We deal with this a lot and there really is no sure fire bet when it comes to carrying on your bass.

We carry on a les Paul, Taylor acoustic and my alleva coppolo. I keep my bass is a mono case gig bag.

95% of the time we have no problem getting them all on board.

Get there early.

Board first.

Be sneaky ( just hold the bass to your side so it doesn't look so big)

Have the airline policy printed out and in your pocket (in case you need to remind the gate agent of their policy

Even with all this prep, it still just comes down to the gate agent and flight attendants. If they are having a bad day, so will you

Just board the plane without making any commotion, if they give you a gate claim tag just take it and don't say anything. (keep it in our pocket and try to get the bass on the plane first before giving in and gate checking it)

The problem with the large flight cases is that they are a pain to carry around (I only use mine when basses are in the trailer) an for us we are always renting a minivan or something and with all the other gear we fly with, the flight case just won't fit.

A smaller molded case is a good idea but you will have to gate check that every time.

I have been talking to the guy at Link Removed about making a form fitted fiberglass bass case. It would be a compact, lightweight alternative to a big flight case.

Calton cases is another company that makes these cases, expensive, but will last a lifetime.

Anyone else interested in these cases?

I am riding in the van right now to the LAX airport to head home, wish my
Bass luck!

Ryan.. Good to see you. You travel alot so i have a question for you.
I have been getting some flack lately on my fly dates.. Some FA says Its OK to hang my gig bag in the closet and other make me check it.. In a gig bag.. ughhh
Im doing some shows in Monte Carlo and paris in a few weeks.
Do you check your bass in ATA case, or gig bag it on international flights.
I have an Anvil flight case but it is so heavy for these one offs for me to carry..
I was thinking of getting a Pelican Molded Mil Spec case or a Gator ATA TSA..
Does anyone have experiences with the Pelican of Gator flight cases? Pelican looks killer .. it is actually a rifle case... No pun intended.
I never had a problem in years of flying till recent.. American Airlines has always been great. But we are flying KLM.
Any info on flight cases that are light would be of help..

 

[KJung]

Call KLM and ask what kind of plane you'll be on. Then ask about closet space and such. Then ask their policy on hanging things in the closet space. If it all sounds good, get the persons name and extension just in case you have issues at the airport. Its worked for me. However, things seem to change with every flight nowadays. Hope this helps at all.

Even that usually doesn't help. It's all about the gate agent you happen to run into.

I use a three step approach, since I fly to gigs quite a bit.

1) I'm lucky enough that I keep a bass in the city I fly into most often, so zero issue there.

2) If I'm playing internationally (a rare thing, but I did one international gig this year), I require that they supply a bass. Not optimal, but depending on the country, even getting a bass through customs without declaring that you are there for business can be iffy (and you DON'T want to declare you are there on business in some countries.... that's an invitation to ge slapped with 'entry fees', etc.).

3) Have a banger that you are comfortable checking in a hard case for everything else.

Gate check is even a thing of the past (I used to use that all the time.... not even available any more). A banger (nice Fender MIM J or whatever) in a standard hard case is a wonderful thing when flying.

IMO and IME!

 

[jonno1707]

A banger (nice Fender MIM J or whatever) in a standard hard case is a wonderful thing when flying.

Agreed 100% I have a sweet Marcus Miller J bass with a Nordy pre I keep in a hard case for all my fly in gigs...

 

[Vic]

Even that usually doesn't help. It's all about the gate agent you happen to run into.

I use a three step approach, since I fly to gigs quite a bit.

1) I'm lucky enough that I keep a bass in the city I fly into most often, so zero issue there.

2) If I'm playing internationally (a rare thing, but I did one international gig this year), I require that they supply a bass. Not optimal, but depending on the country, even getting a bass through customs without declaring that you are there for business can be iffy (and you DON'T want to declare you are there on business in some countries.... that's an invitation to ge slapped with 'entry fees', etc.).

3) Have a banger that you are comfortable checking in a hard case for everything else.

Gate check is even a thing of the past (I used to use that all the time.... not even available any more). A banger (nice Fender MIM J or whatever) in a standard hard case is a wonderful thing when flying.

IMO and IME!

4.) If you're gonna' be abroad for a while, ship your main axe "to yourself".

 

[svtb15]

That is really not an option,,, To many things to go wrong in that scenario. And I wont be there long on this jump.
I have not had any issues except on South West in the states. But international is always sketchy it seems.
I flew to Australia with my bass in gig bag and hung it in the closet.. But on the way back they refused,we were in business class. But it went down below..Get off in LA and its not there.. But it made it to JFK when my other flight got there later that day..

4.) If you're gonna' be abroad for a while, ship your main axe "to yourself".

 

[svtb15]

Well. My Allevas are beloved...Looks like im talking my sadowsky this time. I love that bass but its is replaceable if anything did go south..
Like i said its not bad in the states, but once you get international its so iffy..Then you have the language barrier.
Did one flight to Amsterdam, then a small puddle jumper to Monte Carlo.. They spoke English, not that great.and it was early for me..and you all know how well i convey my messages here on TB. so the bass went below...haha.

If it were an "A" tour the stuff would go in my bass trunk and let the crew take care of it... these are short little 2 weeks and one week drive by's.

Im heading to the gun store today to look at some Pelican cases.. http://www.pelican-case.com/im3300.html
But has anyone here tried the Gator TSA ATA? Or SKB 44? I have not seen one in person.. Sometimes its not that bad to check at the gate in a gig bag i feel... at least you get to look them in the eye as they take the bass.. there is a personal connect there and they treat it good.

I recently just got tired of the hassles of one carry on.. its not the way it was just 2 years ago. .now they charge you if you want to peeee .. hahaha well almost..

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

I had a nightmare experience my first time touring in Israel. Fortunately I had my modded out J bass and NOT my AC or vintage Fenders....when I got to the gate with my soft gig bag, they told me it was too big to fit in the overhead compartment (which wasn't true) and forced me to check it underneath....after arriving in Israel, not one person could tell me where my bass went and the more angry I got, the more the Israelis pretended they didn't speak english haha....2 and a half hours later, (my band was now late for a radio interview) I found my bass in the bag standing upright against a RANDOM wall in the airport....just chillin there....how it ended up there I will never know, but everything was still inside untouched! I'm sure in the states it would have been stolen in .2 seconds....and that's how i had my first heart attack at 19 haha

 

[funkaholic]

You might wanna check SKB golf cases [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] if you want to carry more than one bass, you can fit up to three (really tight fit) basses in gig bags, or pack two with extra padding.. .For one bass, this is a good alternative, again you fit your bass with the gigbag into this case
http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/proddetail.php?id=13&c=84&o=&s=75

BTW that 9-11 bass is coming to me, and that german looking name would be mine, and not quite german but turkish......

Cheers!

Caner

Well. My Allevas are beloved...Looks like im talking my sadowsky this time. I love that bass but its is replaceable if anything did go south..
like i said it not bad in the states, but once you get international its so iffy..Then you have the language barrier.
Did one flight to Amsterdam, then a small puddle jumper to monte carlo.. They spoke english, not that great.and it was early for me..and you all know how well i convey my messages here on TB. so the bass went below...haha.

If it were an "A" tour the stuff would do in my bass trunk and let the crew take care of it... these are short little 2 weeks and one week drive by's.

I heading to the gun store today to look at some Pelican cases..
But has anyone here tried the Gator TSA ATA? Or SKB 44? I have not seen one in person.. Sometimes its not that bad to check at the gate in a gig bag i feel... at least you get to look them in the eye as they take the bass.. there is a personal connect there and they treat it good.

I recently just got tired of the hassles of one carry on.. its not the way it was just it was 2 years ago. .now they charge you if you want to peeee .. hahaha well almost..

 

[KJung]

4.) If you're gonna' be abroad for a while, ship your main axe "to yourself".

Being abroad for a while would be a very rare occurance, and if you were actually on even a 'B' level gig, the agency would most probably provide gear and coordinate shipping, etc.

Shipping to 'yourself' internationally... no way, not ever, especially since coordinating to a hotel for shipping prior to being there is even more of a nightmare than schlepping yourself.

 

[svtb15]

I hate to mess up this thread with all this.. I did start a thread a month or so ago regarding flight cases but it went nowhere.. So when i saw Ryan here, i figured i would ask away..

 

[svtb15]

Ive had that happen . and they told me that right at the cabin door.. I said look it fits right here in the cloths hanger closet. Let me show you.. and it did fit.. I kept my smugness to myself...

Sometimes i think it is just a power thing to just mess with people of if they have a bad day..
Im just tired of it all..
Now they want Xray ya as you go through security.. Mmm I wonder what that skin cancer rate is going to go up to in a few years form that mess?
I would rather them pat me down and look in my private parts than go through that machine..
I dont care if the keep the photos and pass them around to their buddies. I just dont want to be xrayed.

I had a nightmare experience my first time touring in Israel. Fortunately I had my modded out J bass and NOT my AC or vintage Fenders....when I got to the gate with my soft gig bag, they told me it was too big to fit in the overhead compartment (which wasn't true) and forced me to check it underneath....after arriving in Israel, not one person could tell me where my bass went and the more angry I got, the more the Israelis pretended they didn't speak english haha....2 and a half hours later, (my band was now late for a radio interview) I found my bass in the bag standing upright against a RANDOM wall in the airport....just chillin there....how it ended up there I will never know, but everything was still inside untouched! I'm sure in the states it would have been stolen in .2 seconds....and that's how i had my first heart attack at 19 haha

 

[svtb15]

Nightmare.. Been there.

When i lived in NYC we played a gig on Bleeker and the drummer had his drums stolen from curb to club door..
you have to keep an eye on your car so you dont get ticketed in a second... you walk your gear from the curb to the club. 15 feet.. you turn around to go back to your car and its empty!!! someone already helped themselves to your stuff in 10 seconds.. So You are right about it being in the states and getting stolen.. Fast!

I'm sure in the states it would have been stolen in .2 seconds....and that's how i had my first heart attack at 19 haha

 

[YCBass]

How about taking apart a bolt-on bass so that it can fit in the overheard or at least not look too big?

I have one of the new SKB's with the TSA locks, I haven't gotten a chance to fly with it but it seems like it'll be ok.

 

[YCBass]

Nightmare.. Been there.

When i lived in NYC we played a gig on Bleeker and the drummer had his drums stolen from curb to club door..
you have to keep an eye on your car so you dont get ticketed in a second... you walk your gear from the curb to the club. 15 feet.. you turn around to go back to your car and its empty!!! someone already helped themselves to your stuff in 10 seconds.. So You are right about it being in the states and getting stolen.. Fast!

Isn't that how Marcus Miller got his first 2 Jazz basses stolen? From what he says, he left the first one in the car for a second and GONE. I don't remember how the 2nd one disappeared.

 

[svtb15]

Oh .. please send photos when the bass gets to you...

I like the Rolling case idea.. very cool! Thank you for the links..

You might wanna check SKB golf cases [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] if you want to carry more than one bass, you can fit up to three (really tight fit) basses in gig bags, or pack two with extra padding.. .For one bass, this is a good alternative, again you fit your bass with the gigbag into this case
http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/proddetail.php?id=13&c=84&o=&s=75

BTW that 9-11 bass is coming to me, and that german looking name would be mine, and not quite german but turkish......

Cheers!

Caner

 

[svtb15]

I was looking at that case online. The SKB. Id it less prone to crushing than lets say a typical Musicman of Fender case that looks similar from the outside?

How about taking apart a bolt-on bass so that it can fit in the overheard or at least not look too big?

I have one of the new SKB's with the TSA locks, I haven't gotten a chance to fly with it but it seems like it'll be ok.

 

[KJung]

Oh .. please send photos when the bass gets to you...

I like the Rolling case idea.. very cool! Thank you for the links..

I've flown with the SKB bass case. It works great. The rolling wheels are great.

The only downside is that it has barely enough room inside for a regular, thin, nylon gig bag (it uses the gig bag as 'padding'). So, you have to take all the cables, straps, etc. out of the pockets to keep the bass safe and to fit the gig bag. The good news about this case is that once you get to the hotel, you have a gig bag and not a heavy case for the rest of the stay.

Highly recommended. The only other downside I've heard is that everyone in security assumes it is a gun, since it kind of looks like a shotgun case! So, it gets opened a lot during the process of travel and security checks down in the luggage area.

 

[Vic]

Being abroad for a while would be a very rare occurance, and if you were actually on even a 'B' level gig, the agency would most probably provide gear and coordinate shipping, etc.

Shipping to 'yourself' internationally... no way, not ever, especially since coordinating to a hotel for shipping prior to being there is even more of a nightmare than schlepping yourself.

Really? Ok, I'll take your word for it. I've never had to do this, but I was also thinking about the case where you're actually a touring band, not a hired agency guy. That said, the tour company should probably provide transport like that anyway, so I guess my idea still doesn't make much sense unless it's a small band on a self-supported "tour"... fringe case.