1. Go cheap and try to store it in the overhead and you could be screwed because they will never allow a hardcase as carry on. When they say that you will have to check it at the gate, they can charge you extra and you will have to pay and on top of that, check it with a soft case because you now know that hard cases will never be allowed as cabin luggage. I strongly advise you not to check it in a soft case.
2. Cough up and get the extra seat.
3. Book with an airline that doesn't calculate luggage by per luggage but by weight. If you go per luggage and you are allowed one, then you will have to check the bass and carry your clothing with you. You pick an airline that allows luggage by weight, then just stuff the bass into a hard case and the remainder of the weight limit, stuff whatever you need to bring.
There is no way getting around it. You will have to be nice to the attendants. In fact you should be nice. They are usually nice people, unless you fly __________ (fill in the blank at your own preference, personally for me it's KLM). If you are nice, they might let you onboard with the soft case. If not and you have extra luggage, you will have to pay. You can always Pay extra and get a flight that allows two pieces of luggage. Problem solved, as long as they don't charge for oversize.
I think you should check the bass in a hard case and carry your personal belonging in a big backpack. This is the best solution.
Trust me on what I write. I fly with 2-3 instruments 3-5 times a year. There is no cheap or simple solution. Every time it is different for me. One thing for sure is, business class helps. No matter what you do, if you get the cheapest ticket that allows only 1 piece of luggage, you will have to carry your clothes and whatnot with you onboard. It is either your personal stuff or bass that goes as luggage.
2. Cough up and get the extra seat.
3. Book with an airline that doesn't calculate luggage by per luggage but by weight. If you go per luggage and you are allowed one, then you will have to check the bass and carry your clothing with you. You pick an airline that allows luggage by weight, then just stuff the bass into a hard case and the remainder of the weight limit, stuff whatever you need to bring.
There is no way getting around it. You will have to be nice to the attendants. In fact you should be nice. They are usually nice people, unless you fly __________ (fill in the blank at your own preference, personally for me it's KLM). If you are nice, they might let you onboard with the soft case. If not and you have extra luggage, you will have to pay. You can always Pay extra and get a flight that allows two pieces of luggage. Problem solved, as long as they don't charge for oversize.
I think you should check the bass in a hard case and carry your personal belonging in a big backpack. This is the best solution.
Trust me on what I write. I fly with 2-3 instruments 3-5 times a year. There is no cheap or simple solution. Every time it is different for me. One thing for sure is, business class helps. No matter what you do, if you get the cheapest ticket that allows only 1 piece of luggage, you will have to carry your clothes and whatnot with you onboard. It is either your personal stuff or bass that goes as luggage.
