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flying domestically with a bass?

ghostjs

ghostjs

Aug 14, 2008
925
3
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ghostjs
Disclosures
Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
#1
Ok, so i'm heading to college and decided to bring one of my good basses with me. Is there any steps to take to ensure i can bring my bass aboard and past security?

What can i bring in my gig bag that i'm flying it in with if I can?

I'll be using Airtran to fly, so please, any reviews or experiences is appreciated.
 
#3
I dunno what current tsa nonsense will think about instruments taken on board airplanes. Something as innocent as tool kit for bass might be concidered potential weapons and other stupid things thought up for bass as well. Not sure which tsa head agency for your location would be best to ask about such things.
 
#4
It's not a tsa issue. My dad works for them and guitars always go through. I've brought basses on Southwest in hardshell cases no problem. The flight attendants look at me like they wont fit but they do. if not, you can check it at the door and it'll be first off. to make sure it doesn't pop open, i put newspaper around the case then duck tape it shut then rip the paper off so it only covers the sticky part of tape. this keeps my case from getting gouey.
 
#5
I just did this a couple of weeks ago, and I got my bass through security and into the carry on compartment without so much as a raised eyebrow:

1. Remove the strings and unbolt the neck. Place the strings in an envelope or in the gig back side pocket.
2. Wrap the neck and body with some padding so they can't rub against each other. Place them in the gig bag so that both the body and neck are at the bottom of the gig bag.
3. Fold the excess part of the gig bag over on its side and tie or tape it in place to give the head stock some extra support.

That's it! Be sure not to lose track of the neck bolt screws.
 
#7
+1 on the comments that TSA shouldn't have an issue, and that gig bags fit in the overheads of standard aircraft, not regional jets. I would remove everything but the bass; the more clutter in any bag, the more likely it it will have to have a hand inspection at security. And remember that the airline baggage fees have prompted everyone to bring their bags on. I fly every week, and have platinum status, so i always get on with plenty of overhead space. If you have to board later/last, you'll probably have to gate check. In some cases that means your bag will have to be picked up at baggage claim, which means more handling abuse.
 
#9
So, I'm gonna be flying back to college on American Airlines in about three weeks, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them recently in terms of carrying on an electric bass (in a gig bag). I looked up their policy regarding it on their website, but its worded a little strangely...

American Airlines said:
Musical instruments

- There is no additional allowance for musical instruments, but they can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
- If the instrument is in addition to your free checked baggage allowance, you will need to pay an extra bag charge.
We will accept a musical instrument between 23-45kg and up to the dimensions: 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5 inches) only if that piece cannot be broken down.
- A double bass will still be accepted even if it exceeds the maximum dimensions.
- You must notify us at the time of booking, or at least 24 hours before your flight, if you are travelling with a musical instrument.
- American Airlines and Iberia have different allowances for the carriage of small musical instruments. Please follow the links on this page to 'Information if you're travelling on American Airlines and Iberia' for more information about their allowances.
Click to expand...

Any ideas of what this means?
 
#12
I am reading this as specific to checked baggage. IF you have a checked baggage allowance (you have status on the airline, for example), this means that they will not charge you extra if you want to check it.

See my comments earlier on the thread for carry-on considerations.

basskidd said:
So, I'm gonna be flying back to college on American Airlines in about three weeks, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them recently in terms of carrying on an electric bass (in a gig bag). I looked up their policy regarding it on their website, but its worded a little strangely...



Any ideas of what this means?
Click to expand...
 
#13
+1 on this. Small battery-operated electronics == increased potential for TSA scrutiny, either at the checkpoint or in your checked baggage. Might be better off boxing them up and shipping them.

Cirk said:
You might want to put those in your checked bag, lest they get some idea that you might do something crazy. Even so, expect that bag to be opened and inspected by TSA without your consent or knowledge.
Click to expand...
 
#16
DO NOT CHECK YOUR INSTRUMENT LIKE YOU WOULD A BAG UNLESS YOU HAVE A TSA FLIGHT CASE. Gate check is okay but the baggage handlers on the Tarmac handle everything with reckless abandon. It's how my Ibanez got damaged and I've seen and heard much, much worse horror stories. Do everything you can to make sure your bass is not handled by the Tarmac crew.
 
#17
I fly all of the time with my bass. I use the Reunion Blues Continental gig bag (which I love). I have to gate check it for regional flights and carry it on on the bigger planes. I pack my accessories in my checked bag not because of the TSA screening, but because I don't want the baggage handler that handles the gate checked items to rip me off.

Most airlines don't want possession of your instrument. I never, ever have had a problem carrying my bass past the gate.
 

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