First time flying with basses

[xbainz013x]

Hello everyone!

This May, my band and I will be flying down to the Florida Keys for seven straight nights of gigs. This will be our 8th or so time playing down in "paradise" but we drove every time. The drive down and back (~24 hours each way) got to be taxing so we have decided to start flying down to the gig.

Needless to say, this will be my first time flying with my basses. I have a minor panic attack every time I think about the airline handling them or there not being anywhere to store them on the plane (overheads, storage closets).

Does anybody have any experience flying with basses? What is the best route to take? My basses live in a a brand new Gator Ultimate Gig Bag for 2 basses. It's a pretty heavy case with both basses inside and has an exterior length of 50.75". Any advice would be much appreciated!

Note: I have not booked my flight yet.

 

[Kevorargh]

I have flown with my bass before - usually they can fit in the overhead without much issue - at least my Warwick did and my Steinberger XQ before that. However, a two bass gigbag? That I don't think may fit and they will ask you to check it if that's the case. You may want to: 1. only bring one bass, 2. invest in a flight case for your basses, 3. invest in a flight case for one bass and just bring that. Flight cases are expensive, but may be worth it in your case. There are many horror stories of basses/guitars (particularly acoustic guitars) being broken because of uncaring baggage handlers.

I had good luck with my basses being able to fit in the overheads so I hope you do too.

BTW - would you fly MidWest? I flew a few times with them with the folk band and it was always great. Delta and others, not so much.

 

[Kevorargh]

Here is an example if you are unfamiliar with one:

https://www.amazon.com/SKB-Injectio...rd_wg=rapKh&psc=1&refRID=6RJ7WME1FNCBE3HYABZ1

 

[Bassbeater]

I suggest to call the airline and talk specifics. I think instruments for work fall under "tools of the trade" category, which might have modified guidelines. Each airline is a little different.

 

[xbainz013x]

Here is an example if you are unfamiliar with one:

https://www.amazon.com/SKB-Injectio...rd_wg=rapKh&psc=1&refRID=6RJ7WME1FNCBE3HYABZ1

Thanks for the link! I've researched these before and you are right, they are expensive. The SKB is for sure out of my price range. The Gator case is more in my ballpark. Ya know, broke musician.

 

[Kevorargh]

I suggest to call the airline and talk specifics. I think instruments for work fall under "tools of the trade" category, which might have modified guidelines. Each airline is a little different.

Bassbeater makes a good point, and I would follow his advice. The problem I have seen with the airlines is that, although the law says you can take your gear onto the plane, whether or not the stewardesses and pilots and other workers are aware of the law, or even choose to follow the law, is a crapshoot. It really depends on the airline and who's working at the time. Like I said, I have had really good luck with Midwest, and hassles with other airlines

Good luck!

P.S. You ever researched taking a train down? My wife and I took one out to California to hike. The cost was on par with flying but it was a lot less stressful and they don't get nearly uptight about gear. The downside is that it will take a day or two to get there if there is a train that actually goes there.

 

[Skybone]

What about the SKB Bass Safe?

Invalid Link Removed

ATA Roto Electric Bass Case w/TSA lock | SKB Music / ProAV

You leave your bass in a gig bag (padded SKB?), and then put the gig bag into this. Though I'd be tempted to try and find another lock to go between the 2 rear handles.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Bassbeater makes a good point, and I would follow his advice. The problem I have seen with the airlines is that, although the law says you can take your gear onto the plane, whether or not the stewardesses and pilots and other workers are aware of the law, or even choose to follow the law, is a crapshoot. It really depends on the airline and who's working at the time. Like I said, I have had really good luck with Midwest, and hassles with other airlines

Whether or not you are allowed to take your bass on a plane, no matter what the airline's rules, is entirely up to the discretion of the crew. I learned this the hard way. Spend the money on a flight case. For $150 it is totally worth it.

 

[Mo'Phat]

Invalid Link Removed


I fly often, and only bring one bass in a Mono M80 Vertigo bag. 80% of the time, I put it in the overhead. Once in the closet. Remaining times, it's gate checked with the strollers and wheelchairs. Never had an issue with the baggage guys on the tarmac or in the plane cargo hold.

I would always fear the automated sorters and carousels over a person doing a job.

I have a copy of the FAA ruling in my case.

Ps- checked bags get lost.

pps. Insure your instrument.

 

[garp]

What is the best route to take?

Airline?!? Pfft. Get with the program, son. "Paradise" demands nothing less.

 

[Downunderwonder]

1 bass in 1 mutha of a ATA case, not that Gator with a TSA lock.
1 carryon bag.

 

[Razman]

When I flew with my band to Tucson from FL a few years ago I did all the research, talked to the airlines, and looked at numerous TB threads. At the end of the day it came down to the staff there in the airport. Only once did I have to convince an attendant that my bass fit in an overhead compartment - and it was in a Gator hard case. And I think one time they carried it down to the hold to be put with the baggage.

For future flights, I plan on just bringing it in a gig bag. A smile to whoever the staff is at check in goes a long way to help with this. And on one flight they let us stow our guitars in the crew's storage compartment, which was vertical and had plenty of room for instruments standing upright.

Not sure how big your bag is but if I had to take two basses, a dual Mono or similar would be what I would use and I'd put it in an overhead compartment.

Best wishes on your travel...

Raz

 

[dreamadream99]

You are absolutely not guaranteed a place in the overhead bin. Your case will certainly be longer than the carry-on limits, so if you even get to board with it, it will be due to a nice or sympathetic gate agent. And what happens if you show up at the gate with your little cloth gig bag, and they force you to gate check it into the luggage hold? You either comply and end up with a sack full of splinters, or you walk away with your basses, and forfeit your ticket.

I also don’t trust checking anything expensive or irreplaceable. There seem to be luggage handlers who specialize in destroying instruments.

As far I know, the only guaranteed safe way to get your instrument on board the cabin, is to purchase a seat for it. Not a cheap solution, I know.

 

[B-line]

Purchasing a seat for your bass is 100% safe, but not cost effective! A full-on TSA case is also 100%, but some may not travel with their axe enough to justify the investment. And although many have told of being fortunate repeatedly to be allowed to take their instruments aboard, it is absolutely not a sure thing-it's totally dependent on what the flight crew allows on any given airline on any given flight.

Before I purchased an ATA, I had the UPS store cut a heavy duty cardboard box to fit my HSC, leaving a space for the handle. I applied "Fragile-Handle with Care" stickers, and checked it at the oversize luggage section, where I took a moment to talk to the handlers and tell them it was my tool of the trade, etc.
They were always receptive and considerate, and I always found my "Bass -in- its- case- in- its box" come off the luggage ramp intact.
This worked for me until I ponied up for proper ATA road case.

 

[Howlin' Hanson]

Amtrak only goes as far south as Miami. Still a ways to get to Key West.

 

[Lesfunk]

I put my bass in a road case and check it.
Also I don’t bring my “best” or most valuable bass
I use this case by GATOR

 

[Downunderwonder]

Invalid Link Removed $309 is a good deal I reckon.

 

[friskinator]

I still don't quite understand the concept of purchasing a seat for the bass. Has anyone here ever done it, and if so, do you just stand it upright in the seat? Airlines are pretty particular about unsecured large items in the seats, and the lap-style seat belts in most planes wouldn't secure it at all.

If I were doing enough fly dates to make a difference, I'd probably get a Mustang (or other short scale) with a sturdy gig bag and try to put it in the overhead as much as possible.

 

[Kevorargh]

Amtrak only goes as far south as Miami. Still a ways to get to Key West.

Is there a reputable bus line that goes there? Up here there is Concord Trailways and they are cheap, easy to deal with, and comfy. They also go nonstop from one stop to another unlike Greyhound.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Is there any way to see what kind of plane you’ll be flying on? With some research you can find out exactly how long the overhead bins are, and then it’s just a matter of making sure that you’re one of the first passengers to board so that you have an overhead all to yourself.

I’ve had a lot of luck flying Southwest with guitars and basses in plastic SKB “flight cases” or high quality gigbags.