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Flying with an SKB Bass Safe?

#61
gillento said:
I read about all the complaints regarding the latches at the MF site.

I am wondering if SKB improved the design. Here is a pictue of mine:

Link Removed

The black metal thing on the left is supposed to guide the lower half to the upper one.
Is this a new design, or has it always been like that?
I seems to me that this is a great help to put both pieces together.

One more question:
At the MF site there are peolpe claiming they put 2 basses in a double Gator gig bag inside the Bass Safe.
What gig bag is this?
Is it a reasonable thing to do?
Has anyone of you tried this?
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with the latches on mine, so maybe they changed them.

There is no way two basses would fit in mine. Some single gig bags are too thick.
 
#62
Someone mentioned carrying a bass in a single (or two basses in a double) gig bag and putting it into a keyboard case. According to the SKB dimensions spec sheet a 76-key hard case (4814) is the closest in dimensions to the Bass Safe. The latches on that look more sturdier and there are wheels attached to it. As far as the weight, it should still be under 50 pounds packed according to the specs so there shouldn't be any issues with extra weight baggage charges.

I think I may go that route instead of the Bass Safe until SKB redesigns the latches. I just don't want to take that chance.
 
#63
gillento said:
I read about all the complaints regarding the latches at the MF site.

I am wondering if SKB improved the design. Here is a pictue of mine:

Link Removed

The black metal thing on the left is supposed to guide the lower half to the upper one.
Is this a new design, or has it always been like that?
I seems to me that this is a great help to put both pieces together.

One more question:
At the MF site there are peolpe claiming they put 2 basses in a double Gator gig bag inside the Bass Safe.
What gig bag is this?
Is it a reasonable thing to do?
Has anyone of you tried this?
Click to expand...

It appears to be a better latch than what is on mine.

The "guide" piece is not new.

I would be cautious putting two basses in it. While they would probably fit, I would expect that the fit would be a little too tight, increasing the probability of side-case impact doing any damage. Also, putting in two basses would imply using a thinner & less-protective gig bag. My Levy's single hemp gig bag fits in perfectly with no extra space front to back. I have a thin Warwick gig bag that leaves some extra room. The extra padding in the Levy's gives me a lot more piece of mind! (Just my opinion on this!)
 
#66
TSA policy allows musical instruments to pass through security as a carry-on. They are subject to the same screening as any other carry-on, including possibly being hand-checked. The owner is encouraged to be present if the instrument is hand-inspected. The TSA defers to carrier size limitations and specifically states that airlines may still refuse to allow certain instruments on board even if they have made it through security. Invalid Link Removed

Stated policies for various airlines regarding musical instruments as carry-ons are as follows:

Southwest - Guitars/basses need their own ticket or the instrument must be checked. Maximum carryon size is 24"x16"x10", no exceptions. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

American - Guitars/basses are allowed as an exception to carryon size restrictions provided the instrument can be made to fit in the overhead space or garment closet (this is shaky; if space runs out your bass will probably be the first to be checked). It counts as your one carryon bag. American's policy in full.

Delta - Musical instruments must meet carry-on restrictions. Total linear size must be less than 45" (most guitars/basses will not be permitted as carry-ons under this restriction). You can buy your instrument its own seat.

Continental - Musical instruments can be carried on board provided the total linear size (L+W+H) is no more than 51 inches (Your average bass in a gig bag will likely be too large: the average bag is 40"+19"+3" = ~62") and the instrument weighs less than 40 lbs. A seat may be purchased for oversize instruments, but URB's are not allowed as cabin luggage. Invalid Link Removed.

Northwest - Guitars may be carried on provided the max linear size does not exceed 45" (Most guitars/basses will not meet this restriction) and the item will fit in acceptable carryon stowage. Musical instruments count as carry-ons. You can also buy your instrument a ticket IF you do so in advance.Northwest's policy in full.

US Airways/America West - All musical instruments with total linear size less than 75" may carry on. (This is the most lenient yet; most gig bags and hard cases are allowed under these rules). Link Removed.

And for those travelling outside the U.S.:

Qantas - Carryons are limited to 45", or 73" for a NON-RIGID garment bag (your bass will probably not be considered either) and counts as a carry-on. Musical instruments exceeding this may be carried on given approval by Qantas on a case-by-case basis. You may need to buy the instrument its own seat. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

British Airways - Carryon limitations prohibit practically all guitars/basses (22" max longest side). No specific mention of musical instruments. Their "baggage tips" say not to pack valuables in checked luggage. No mention of cabin seat baggage for fragile items. BA's policy in full

Air France - Standard hand baggage requirements prohibit most musical instruments (22" max on its longest side) by themselves, however musical instruments are apparently given an exception, with banjos specifically mentioned as an instrument that can be carried on with no prior arrangements. Guitars/basses may therefore be allowed.

Lufthansa - Guitars/basses may not be carried on (max longest dimension is 22" with the only exception being foldable garment bags). most flight cases however are allowed as checked baggage with no additional charge for bulky items. Invalid Link Removed

All Nippon Airways - Guitars/basses cannot be carried on (max length of longest dimension is 22"). Airline is not responsible for damage to musical instruments in checked baggage. ANA's policy in full

Indian Airlines - Portable musical instruments not exceeding 45" in length are accepted as checked luggage. Carryon luggage is restricted to essential personal items only. Link Removed

Conclusion? If you plan to fly, get the flight case. It'll save you a lot of headaches as most airlines do not allow guitars or basses as carryons, and those that state in their guidelines that they will accept them still have the right to refuse any bag for any reason. The term "musical instruments" apparently does not yet refer to guitars/basses; the instruments that would be allowed under said rules are violins/violas, flutes/piccolos, clarinets, oboes, trumpets, and similarly-sized instruments.
 
#67
I just found out today that I'm going to be flying to either Vegas or L.A. later this month and am trying to find a good ATA case.

It seems a lot of players recommend the SKB bass safe but I've seem multiple mentions of the flimsy latches and that the cases weren't closed correctly by TSA when inspected. Anyone have any problems with the case not being closed correctly?

Also could someone show me a picture of their bungee cord strapped around the handle? I'm not 100% clear on that.

Thanks so much!
 
#68
Here's the bungee. I wrap it around once and tie it simply, then I do it again, then I pull the hooks together and hook them up. Hasn't come loose one single time, and I haven't got a scratch on any bass I've flown with it.

And here's a pic of my locks, too. Looks like they've either changed before or after mine. But this style lock is, indeed, crappy.
 
#69
JimmyM said:
Here's the bungee. I wrap it around once and tie it simply, then I do it again, then I pull the hooks together and hook them up. Hasn't come loose one single time, and I haven't got a scratch on any bass I've flown with it.

And here's a pic of my locks, too. Looks like they've either changed before or after mine. But this style lock is, indeed, crappy.
Click to expand...

Thanks JimmyM,
That picture of the bungees makes your "technique" clearer now:)

I was wondering if the TSA guys weren't bothered by/complaining about the metal hooks.
 
#70
I've been using it for a year now flying about 3-4 times a month, and in that time, only one counter lady (not TSA) has given me static over it. The TSA person told me not to worry about it, and the counter lady walked off in a huff. I've flown internationally with it, too, and never got any static over it. I could probably send it back to SKB and make them fix the locks, but it works and I need it too often to send it back.
 
#74
Here is mine:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Weighs a ton, but well-built. It has survived about 2 dozen trips from Kentucky to California, Hawaii, Texas, and Oregon. Mine is the "full ATA model." The J-bass model also holds a 35" scale Lakland, Sadowskys, and P-basses. Basic problems: heavy, no gig bag at the gig, hard to fit in a small rental car.

The bass safe is tempting, but I have doubts about it's durability in the long haul. :cool:

BTW, Your bass will be inspected AND x-rayed when checked. I have never gotten one of those "we inspected your bag, have a nice day" notices from TSA inside the case, even when they partially disassembled my Lakland, so forget that, it probably only applies to passenger personal lugguage, not "gear." Also, I was told by one TSA agent that the copper shielding in some basses makes them "objects of interest" to the X-ray operators, which pretty much guarentees they will get hand inspected and swabbed for explosive residues.

I can't fit the bass in the ATA case while in a gig bag. When I travel to Northern California, I borrow a gig bag from a friend who lives there. I have considered trying to pack the gig bag inside the small rollaboard I check with travel stuff and cables/DI or in the rucksack I carry-on, but there just is not room.

It would be possible to recut the foam inside an ATA to hold a bass in a gig bag, but I haven't done it, yet. :p

I haven't found TSA locks that fit an ATA case. The case has a lock on one of the (very strong) latches, but the lock is not TSA master-key compatible. As we all know TSA will cut or break ANY lock (or latch they can't figure out) in order to inspect, and the assumption is they will X-ray or inspect (or both) everything. I doubt that a lock buys you any security. Once your instrument is out of your hands for a few hours, anything can happen. If you were a crook, wouldn't you just steal the whole thing? Security cameras in baggage handling areas are a pleasant fantasy, but probably not much more than that.

Bottom line: Have insurance, an ATA case, and arrive very early at checkin. I actually come ~2 hours early, when possible. Expect anything, and keep an eye out for it to arrive either on the belt, or through some other special baggage door. :scowl:
 
#75
I also have heavy-duty hard road cases like the one mentioned above. I used to use them all the time & they are great at protecting your bass.

After 9/11 & the airlines new restrictions, they no longer remained a viable option. The weight & size always garner overweight and/or oversize charges. I can't afford to fly with them anymore!

The bass safe has solved that problem for me & I love having a gig bag available as well! My SKB safe is still going strong. One of the latches got a little bent, but still functions correctly.

My hard cases, which I originally had purchased for flying, now only make it out on bus tours.

Great advice Jim- Definitely get insurance, arrive early for check in, be ready for anything!
 
#76
scotch said:
I also have heavy-duty hard road cases like the one mentioned above. I used to use them all the time & they are great at protecting your bass.

After 9/11 & the airlines new restrictions, they no longer remained a viable option. The weight & size always garner overweight and/or oversize charges. I can't afford to fly with them anymore!

The bass safe has solved that problem for me & I love having a gig bag available as well! My SKB safe is still going strong. One of the latches got a little bent, but still functions correctly.

My hard cases, which I originally had purchased for flying, now only make it out on bus tours.

Great advice Jim- Definitely get insurance, arrive early for check in, be ready for anything!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words. Since I have only traveled with one ATA at a time, I haven't been hit with any charges.

Can you tell us how many ATA cases you took, what they charged, and which airlines did it?

BTW, when I have traveled to a recording with an expensive bass, I have used Fed-Ex for my bass, as Victor Wooten advises his campers to do. The bass traveled in the Sadowsky case, which was then put into the same box Nino Valenti shipped it in. It was not cheap, took a bit of extra work and time, but did give me some peace of mind with the Sadowsky. Fed-Ex will take responsibility up to the declared value if you show the shipping agent a receipt at the beginning of the journey. The killer is that Fed-Ex posts that value on the airbill on the outside of the box! That would seem to invite crooks, IMHO. :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
#78
Jim Carr said:
Thanks for the kind words. Since I have only traveled with one ATA at a time, I haven't been hit with any charges.

Can you tell us how many ATA cases you took, what they charged, and which airlines did it?
Click to expand...

Well previous to 9/11, I used to travel with two ATA cases, a pedalboard, and a suitcase! I virtually never got hit with oversize or weight charges. (note: I was generally traveling with a group w/ similar baggage and usually SkyCap services were used)

After the post 9/11 travel changes, I started getting hit with oversize weight/size fees of anywhere from $25-$100. The tougher airlines to deal with have been: Delta (the worst), United, Continental, and to a lesser extent American.

It's definitely possible to get away with an ATA case these days. The big factors are the mood of the agent checking you in & the attitude you go in to the situation with. 9 times out of 10, I've managed to "get what I want" regarding baggage & carry-on issues just by being prepared and using good people-skills. For whatever reason, I've found it's a lot easier to get airline employees to accept the Bass Safe than an ATA-style case. (I know the size isn't that different, but apparantly to them...)

Shipping through a third party doesn't really work for me as I usualy spend 1 day or less in a given city before flying to the next one. It is a great idea for extended stays, however. As always, good insurance is a must - of course!
 
#80
...or a sub forum. It's a challenge these days- and I'd like to hear from people about the possiblilities and experiences of using non-bass-specific cases such as golf cases and keyboard cases.
A few years back (2003) I flew to Spain and later to Senegal with an electric (an old fretless Lakland that is virtually irreplacable) and I used an old-style ATA aluminum and plywood type case weighing about 55 pounds. The bass was fine (if a little cold on the overseas flight) but when I saw that the corners were bent in and the whole case scuffed up I realized just how hard a trip that case had- and that most of the problem is that the old style ATA case IS HEAVY. Of course it's going to get dropped!! I might drop the thing too if I were a baggage handler. And that kind of case does NOT fit in the average european taxi! Much less west african transport (no offense, mama Africa). The Skb ATA case looks good- but I'd love to find an option that will accomodate 2 bases in a high-quality soft case (a la a Reunion Blues double gig bag).
Most recently, I had a flight to california/oregon and the connecting flight was a tiny 30 seater where baggage and weight are always issues. Contrary to popular opinion, I used a beat-up fender molded plastic-type case (with working latches, of course). I knew the case would get beat up (it did get some cracks around the edges where the feet are) but the bass came through fine- and I bought the case for $30 used, so no great loss.
My one added suggestion to those flying with a musical instrument is that the package should be TIGHT. The padding should fill the interior of the case so that any movement of the instrument is minimized. Damage is more likely to occur when your bass is knocking around inside a loose fitting shell.
Don't even get me started about flying with an upright. Now THAT is a pain post 9-11!
They wont even let you buy an extra seat for it on the cabin anymore...
 

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