Flying with bass. Oversized baggage?

[TommyN]

Was wondering if anyone has any experience flying with a full scale bass. Am I'm going to have to pay oversized baggage fees? Is this common? I just looked over the airline's policies for music instruments and it says they have to be under 62 (158cm) in total dimensions. My flight case looks to be about 71in (182cm). Says they are counted the same as "large sporting equipment" if they are over and thats $116 more than the normal instrument charge.

I am moving overseas btw so not bringing it isn't an option.

Edited to add: So I guess the better line of questioning would be: Has anyone flown recently with a full scale bass in a flight case? What airline? And how did it go?

 

[charlie monroe]

Take the neck off and ditch the hardcase.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

When I’ve flown with basses I just checked them in the hard case, flying between UK and USA

 

[TommyN]

When I’ve flown with basses I just checked them in the hard case, flying between UK and USA

My regular Fender tolex case exceeds those dimensions too

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I haven’t flown in a couple of years, maybe it’s more strict now but I just checked it anyway and never paid any mind of dimensions. Never been charged extra and I’ve done it four or five times in the past ten years until a few years ago

 

[TommyN]

I haven’t flown in a couple of years, maybe it’s more strict now but I just checked it anyway and never paid any mind of dimensions. Never been charged extra and I’ve done it four or five times in the past ten years until a few years ago

Yeah, I suppose that's what I'm asking. You think the airline staff is gonna really be that strict or is is common for them to just be like, "that's roughly guitar sized, so you pay the music instrument fee"

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Yeah, I suppose that's what I'm asking. You think the airline staff is gonna really be that strict or is is common for them to just be like, "that's roughly guitar sized, so you pay the music instrument fee"

Probably impossible to say. Like I said I’ve never had any issue but it probably depends who you’re flying with, your destination and who you’re dealing with at the point of checking in

 

[TommyN]

Probably impossible to say. Like I said I’ve never had any issue but it probably depends who you’re flying with, your destination and who you’re dealing with at the point of checking in

Ok, yeah. True. I updated the original post to clarify what might be helpful.