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Flying with an SKB Bass Safe?

#84
I've flown several times with one of my basses in an SKB hard case. And thus far I've gotten away with it, without incurring any damage.

But just be aware that anytime you fly without using an ATA- approved flight case, you're taking a chance. If your instrument should be damaged or destroyed in-transit, and you weren't using an ATA flight case, your chances of obtaining compensation from the airline are nil...

Whether it's worth the gamble or not is up to you...

MM
 
#85
In the U.S., airline liability limits vary a lot. IMHO, and as others have said, one needs to get good musical instrument insurance. Homeowners and Renters insurance usually exclude instruments that are used to play even a single paying gig.

If you look at the airlines baggage policies, you will find that they only compensate you for a lost, damaged, or destroyed instrument under quite limited conditions, and up to some maximum liability. Plus, they get to determine if THEY are liable. Do you trust them to be fair and just in interpreting their own rules when a $3000 instrument is destroyed? We are talking here about big companies that in many cases are in financial trouble, and see customers as an endless herd.

For some samples of the rules, see:

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do...ons.jsp&anchorEvent=false#Limits of Liability

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http://www.delta.com/travel-agency/library/baggage/excess_baggage/index.jsp#OAEVC

etc.
 
#86
These last two posts are why I'm scared to bring anything expensive on a flight. I'm starting to lighten up about it, though. I used to bring an expensive bass in a gigbag and carry it on, and it's suffered much more damage than any bass I've brought in my bungeed-up Bass Safe.

On another note, someone mentioned using a golf bag, and SKB makes a rolling golf bag that some bass players use. I might get one when my Bass Safe wears out.
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#87
Got my case in the other day and I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be. Mine has better latched then some I've seen pictured and it has padding in the headstock area and the butt of the body.


One more question about pedals. Do you guys just carry your pedals on board in your luggage?

Thanks again for all my worrysome questions!
 
#88
Juniorkimbrough said:
Got my case in the other day and I'm more impressed than I thought I'd be. Mine has better latched then some I've seen pictured and it has padding in the headstock area and the butt of the body.


One more question about pedals. Do you guys just carry your pedals on board in your luggage?

Thanks again for all my worrysome questions!
Click to expand...

I check my pedals. I use a Gator PedalTote Board & just put it in my suitcase or duffle bag. So far the only damage has been a slightly cracked wood piece on the Gator board. It's not in a critical area & still functions great!

I'm actually on the road right now with my PedalTote & Bass Safe. No injuries, no issues!

As always, insurance is a must - just in case!
 
#89
I bring an EBS Microbass II and an old Samson wireless on the road, and I check them in my suitcase. Glad to hear your locks are better than mine. BTW, keep an eye on the wheels and screw them in with an allen wrench before every trip. I've had them come off a couple times.
 
#91
I did about 8 flights last summer on SW with my "hard to replace if anything happened" bass in a Gator flight case. Everything turned out fine.

Pros: it was a last minute deal, they took my measurement over the phone, they had one on the shelf, it showed-up and fit PERFECTLY. Beefy, no bells or whistles and a good value.

Cons: The handle also doubles as a torture device. The metal corners may be pretty soft, there were gouges that burred-up and were sharp enough to draw blood a couple times when I was loading in and out of a vehicle. The corners may be designed soft to absorb shock but jagged metal cuts from a heavy object really suck.

It's heavy! I'm actually not mad at it for being so heavy, when luggage is banging around the heavier pieces knock the lighter pieces around and don't get jarred around as much.

The most frustrating thing about the whole ordeal was constantly seeing people getting on and of SW flights with their bass bags with no problem whatsoever even though the policy and several customer service reps clearly stated otherwise. What I came to understand was that if you carried an "A" boarding pass, meaning you're group boards first, you can place your bass in an area they have available for garment bags and the flight crew's luggage.
 
#92
Listen, carrying your bass on in a gig bag is no picnic. First off, you're carrying it everywhere. Second, people have no respect for your bass and won't hesitate to put their heavy giant bags that should be checked on top of it with no concern whatsoever. So even though the Gator case is heavy and dangerous, I think it's preferable to carrying it on. But the whole reason I got the Bass Safe was because of what happened to you. Our guitarist uses a heavy flight case, and it's a pain for him as well.
 
#93
I feel you JimmyM! I've done the gig bag on the plane thing. Nobody wants to be "that guy" with the awkward royal p.i.t.a. carry-on, above that it's tough to feel "in control" of your bass on a plane, it just turns into another crappy object that someone is lugging with them. On this trip with this bass I would've rather carried it on. My bass isn't fragile. On a durability scale it's about a late 70's Precision with graphite in the neck and smaller, less bendable tuners. There was something awful about watching it going down the conveyor belt to.....hopefully the right plane. I felt good about the Gator, I just didn't know what my replacement options would've been if the bass got lost/stolen. Insurance is wise but cash isn't the issue. Things like waiting lists and having to start all over after almost 15 years freak me out.....I've got bass separation issues!
 
#94
I'm only going to be carrying one pedal with me, an MXR 10 band EQ, and I'm just trying to figure out if security is going to give me a hard time with me having it in my carry on luggage?

I haven't flown since 9/11, so I have no clue how much the security has changed since then.

Also do you guys loosen your strings up or leave it in tune?
 
#95
Keep the strings in tune. These counter the action of the truss rod. In theory if you are loosening the strings you should release the tension in the truss rod. In practise I'm sure a few folks loosen and don't have any major issues.

I've travelled internationally several times with my bass 'in tune' and never had an issue.
 
#96
robwren said:
I got one of these (the 1649 model) and it's worked really well so far.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about one of these- but I wonder, would one of these golf cases accomodate a double gig bag? I often fly with two basses and use a Reunion Blues double gig bag. Do you have any advice? Do you think that the case is deep enough to accomodate one of these cases?

Anyone ever tried it?

I'm sick of my traditional 'bass safe' square-sized ATA case. The thing is heavy and a real drag to get in and out of airports- much less international travel.

Really glad to see these posts. Thanks!
 
#97
Finally a latch broke.

I called the 1-800 & had a replacement latch in 2 days! It was easy to just rivet the replacement on. (note: I have the older long latches on my case)

They gave me the option to mail in my case for a replacement (with updated butterfly latch) - but since mine is still in such great shape, I opted for the replacement parts.

I've probably logged about 100 flights with my Bass Safe & it still works great! It's pretty "scuffed up", but still functions 100%.
 
#99
i use an incase gigbag inside the bass safe for my rob allen mb5. it fits inwithout a lot of "rattle room". i looked at a contego to relaace the incase when it wears out and i thought it would be too long to fit in the bass safe. Be sure to checkbefore you buy!
 
#100
Gentlemen, a question from someone who has never traveled with a bass:

If traveling with a Fender style instrument, couldn't you just remove the neck, check the body in a suitcase, and bring the neck on board as a carry-on?

This would seem to be a good solution for bolt-on necked instruments, no?
 

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