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Flying With A Bass - What Do I Do?

#143
bopeuph said:
Some people believe that the charging for that second bag is their way to keep air fares down while tacking on more money when you get to the airport, AFTER you've bought their ticket. What choice do you have now?

I also hear that some frequent fliers get more baggage allowance. Which, in my opinion, isn't fair.
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Tough-O, Chuckles! I had to sit next to a lot of fat people in coach to get my Delta Medallion status (and a few hot chicks), so you just pony up that dough and like it!

Just busting stones on ya...I agree that the $25 charge is lame. When Delta finally absorbs Northwest, this won't be much of an issue, because I believe Northwest is the only company that does it. Shouldn't be much longer.
 
#144
Thanks for all the advice!
I wish I had bought one of those SK8 cases' mine is quite bulky.
I have been tempted to take my back-up bass instead I think I'll just take the slim risk (judging by the responses on here) and take by wife in a hard case :)

Thanks people

p.s.

I realise now i probably should have searched the forum first for this.
 
#147
I'm in a similar situation; I'm flying to Boston in 3 weeks and need a case. I broke down and ordered an ATA case today from Link Removed

I thought about showing up at the gate with my bass in a gig bag, but that seems like too big a risk judging from some of the posts in this thread.
 
#149
JimmyM said:
Tough-O, Chuckles! I had to sit next to a lot of fat people in coach to get my Delta Medallion status (and a few hot chicks), so you just pony up that dough and like it!

Just busting stones on ya...I agree that the $25 charge is lame. When Delta finally absorbs Northwest, this won't be much of an issue, because I believe Northwest is the only company that does it. Shouldn't be much longer.
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Delta is doing it...I flew Delta from Pittsburgh to LA in May and they're doing it...

let them charge...you're going to pay one way or another...may as well pay according to your own bags instead of having to fork out a little for everyone else.
 
#152
I just spoke with my guitar tech. He said that the only way he would do it would be with a flight case, strings loose, and with the truss rod in the neck loosened all the way. He said he's seen too many damaged guitars any other way. The classic he said is the guy who takes his gig bag on the plane and because the overheads are so stuffed the crew has to take it down to cargo. In fact, I flew just last week and I saw other passengers who had to that same last minute cargo checking due to lack of overhead space. Imagine if one them had a guitar in gig bag. :eek:
 
#153
guitfiddle0409 said:
I just spoke with my guitar tech. He said that the only way he would do it would be with a flight case, strings loose, and with the truss rod in the neck loosened all the way. He said he's seen too many damaged guitars any other way. The classic he said is the guy who takes his gig bag on the plane and because the overheads are so stuffed the crew has to take it down to cargo. In fact, I flew just last week and I saw other passengers who had to that same last minute cargo checking due to lack of overhead space. Imagine if one them had a guitar in gig bag. :eek:
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Not imagined, it is real. I really recommend that you take the time to read the entire thread. :eyebrow:
 
#154
I recently flew Pittsburgh > Denver > LA > Brisbane > Sydney > Brisbane (yes, again, sydney fogged in) > Gladstone

I had two basses in my normal bag...necks were removed and the trussrods loosened...the necks were wrapped in bubble wrap and suffered zero damage...

the bodies were wrapped in clothes and I did get a reasonable ding on the back of my basswood squier body (my fault, should have used bubble wrap throughout)...otherwise, they travelled well...

I also once sent a Carvin AC40 from Pittsburgh > Melbourne via a freight forwarding agent...it arrived completely safe and sound, even though I didn't remove strings or loosen the trussy. It was packed in a carvin tweed case which was secured with packing tape.

I also have flown a Washburn acoustic dreadnought from London > Pittsburgh, later from Pittsburgh > Melbourne, and later from Pensicola > Brisbane without any issues in a TKL case.

I should note that I've never brought an instrument into the cabin with me.

I should also mention, that I did have a former workmate who did lose an Alvarez acoustic on an airline once...SMASHED!
 
#155
.....a radio ad here in Reno last week, on an AM talk radio station. It was a Southwest Airlines ad, claiming that they still do not charge for your first checked bag. Just a thought, repeated here from another of my posts, they were very cool when I flew them to Vegas a few years back. The rep said they were 'understanding' the needs of musicians to carry their instruments onboard, as it is our occupation. That's exactly what I did, and no problems at all. I'd suggest trying them if they go where you want to go, but in our upside down world nowadays, I'd call first and ask politely. P.S., they have a great safety record! I still highly recommend the SKB Bass Safe. It works. I do NOT recommend loosening the truss rod completely on your bass. If you do, you'll need to precisely count the number of turns to get it back to where it was, and I feel its' unnecessary. You can loosen the strings a whole step, and that's about it, but the neck will backbow slightly if you do. Re-tuning at your destination will pull the neck back, if you must do this. I don't loosen the strings when I fly and must check the bass safe. I've been a repairman for a very long time. I have never in 35+ years seen any cargo hold/ pressurization/ depressurization or temp related damage to any instrument checked in one. Even flying cross country, 7+ hrs., no problems in my experience. I've had more radical neck movement on some basses going from a hot summer subway ride in N.Y.C., to an air conditioned recording studio!
I have seen a LOT of handling damage, mostly to pitched back head guitars like Martin/Gibson/Guild/ and other assorted brands with mangled headstocks. I've seen cases that look pristine, but for a small scuff, and that was enough to break a side and return to normal position after bending in enough to make contact with the instrument inside. I have a Guild here as I type this that arrived here in RNO with the worst headstock break I've ever seen. Almost endgrain, like someone chopped it off with a dull ax! It cannot be repaired, and must be re-necked. A shame, it's a '65, still owned by the original owner.
 
#156
after reading all the posts, I'm still undecided on what to do...

I would bring my bass into its hsc but, according to Delta's website :
"Checked Baggage
You can check your musical instruments and equipment as baggage if the outside linear dimensions (length + width + height) do not exceed 120 inches (305cm) and provided the weight, including the case, does not exceed 100 lbs. (45kgs).

Standard rules and fees for Excess Baggage will apply."

Excess baggage rules : 62–80 inches—total of length plus width plus height = $150 each

My case (Musicman Sterling original HSC) measures 68 inches (L+W+H).

What rule applies? 62 to 80 inches for 150$ or less than 120 inches for free?

I emailed them for the first time this morning and they told me that excess baggage applies. I emailed them again asking which rule applied. I'll post the answer.

Anyone has the experience with Delta?
 
#157
turcmic said:
after reading all the posts, I'm still undecided on what to do...

...

What rule applies? 62 to 80 inches for 150$ or less than 120 inches for free?

I emailed them for the first time this morning and they told me that excess baggage applies. I emailed them again asking which rule applied. I'll post the answer.

Anyone has the experience with Delta?
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Yup..... Delta is one of the least flexible airlines with musicians, I'm afraid!

To be honest (and this applies to every airline), the airline employees play pretty fast & loose with the "policies". Depending on the mood and mindset of the employee checking you in & depending on your own attitude and travel savvy will determine whether or not you get hit with the over size charge!
I have been hit up for "oversize" charges occasionally with a standard, plastic, square-shaped case. Then, quite often, the oversize has been overlooked with the same case on the same airline. For some reason my Bass Safe has never been charged - It's overall dimensions add up to pretty much the same as the square case when you add in the extra width - but I haven't payed an oversize charge for it yet!?!?!? (note: technically, the bass safe does add up to "oversize" dimensionally)

A Delta-specific anecdote from new years 2007:
I fly out of Nashville on Delta & carry my gig-bag on without a single sideways glance or question from the Delta staff. I complete the gig & the next morning try to check in at Kansas City & Delta refuses to let me carry on my gig bag! Even after my careful method of reasoning with the ticketing agent and manager on duty - no beans. But... they would be happy to check the gig-bag if I sign a damage release!:eyebrow: They don't give a rats a$$ that I just flew into KCI less than 24 hours ago with the same carried on gig bag!!!!!!!
The guitardist travelling w/ me was in the same quandary. We were prepared to just rent a car & drive back home, but - wouldn't you know it? I notice a pleasant looking Southwest agent with no customers at her station. 20 minutes & a carefully worded version of the above story and me & my colleague were carrying our instruments on-board a flight to BNA for $100 a piece!!! Attitudes are everything these days.

Pretty much every major airline (other than Southwest) is charging for the first checked bag now. Add in possible oversize charges, their refusal to accept liability for instrument damage (often requiring you to sign a damage waiver) and staying home keeps looking more & more attractive!!!!
 
#158
thanks Scotch

That's what I tought... I have a wonderful attitude (and a big smile considering we have a gig at Columbus Isle Club Med:hyper:). Unfortunately, we leave at 6AM this Saturday, so I'm not sure we'll find comprehensive agents at 5AM:crying:

I think I'm gonna unscrew the neck and bring it with me in my carry-on bag.
 
#159
Delta got back to me :

"Dear Mr. Turcotte, Thank you for contacting Delta Air Lines. You will not be charged excess baggage fee if your checked luggage weighs less than 50 pounds and does not exceed 62 linear inches (157.5 cm) as measured by length + width + height. If your luggage exceeds 62 linear inches as measured by length + width + height you will be charged for excess size."

My musicman original HSC measures exactly 72 inches. The cost for excess size is 150$. My other case are in the same ballpark.

I'm gonna have to unscrew the neck and bring it with me as a carry-on.:rollno:

Should have learned banjo:smug:
 
#160
turcmic said:
Delta got back to me :

"Dear Mr. Turcotte, Thank you for contacting Delta Air Lines. You will not be charged excess baggage fee if your checked luggage weighs less than 50 pounds and does not exceed 62 linear inches (157.5 cm) as measured by length + width + height. If your luggage exceeds 62 linear inches as measured by length + width + height you will be charged for excess size."

My musicman original HSC measures exactly 72 inches. The cost for excess size is 150$. My other case are in the same ballpark.

I'm gonna have to unscrew the neck and bring it with me as a carry-on.:rollno:

Should have learned banjo:smug:
Click to expand...

I wonder how many nano seconds it took them to come up with 62? :rollno:
 

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