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Flying with my SG bass

BassmanAd

BassmanAd

Mar 19, 2008
383
6
UK
#1
Hi all,

I'm doing an internal UK flight in a few weeks with my Gibson SG bass and I'm going to check it in the stock Gibbo case. I've done many many international flights with a Fender P in a regular hard (non flight) case and never had any problems but P basses are much tougher than Gibsons!

I've checked the T&C of carriage with the airline and there's nothing saying they WON'T compensate for damage to musical instruments.

What do you guys reckon? The bass doesn't have any sentimental value but I'd rather not find it in pieces at the other end. :)

Your opinions much appreciated...
 
#2
it rides in the cargo hold
it is not pressurized
it is not heated
the finish will check far beyond your expectations
if you dont care about it check it, but dont expect total replacement, you will be paid according to the limitations of the insurance coverage the airline has
i would try to carry it on, store it overhead or in the crew's closet, other than that, flight case
 
#3
I would do carry on. They said they do it all the time. I did it wit a Gibson Ripper in a soft bag and it just fit in a tall storage compartment.


THe flight attendant knew exactly how and where to store the bass. I would carry it on.
 
#4
Ta chaps.

I'm not so worried about how well the bass will travel in the hold (I've done this 100's of times with other basses without any problems), I'm more concerned about how well the (rather crappy) Gibson case will stand up to being banged about. It won't fit in any of my other cases without putting stress on the neck. :(

A checked finish might look quite nice though, I'm into the relic look...
 
#7
If you can't carry it on, which is the best option, I'd put it in the Gibson hard case and then a flight case. The baggage handlers are adept at finding innovative ways to trash you luggage and the airlines are adept are shrugging off their responsibility to pay for the damage.

Be safe. Go with a flight case.
 
#8
cadduc said:
it rides in the cargo hold
it is not pressurized
it is not heated
the finish will check far beyond your expectations
if you dont care about it check it, but dont expect total replacement, you will be paid according to the limitations of the insurance coverage the airline has
i would try to carry it on, store it overhead or in the crew's closet, other than that, flight case
Click to expand...

False. With most airplanes nowadays, the cargo hold is pressurized and heated.

That is, if you are flying a decent airline flying "new" (read: most jets flying these days) aircraft. That said, what airline and what airplane?

Even so, I'd take it as carry-on. Just as a precaution as while the airline might be fine the airport staff might not be.
 
#9
Dan B said:
False. With most airplanes nowadays, the cargo hold is pressurized and heated.

That is, if you are flying a decent airline flying "new" (read: most jets flying these days) aircraft. That said, what airline and what airplane?

Even so, I'd take it as carry-on. Just as a precaution as while the airline might be fine the airport staff might not be.
Click to expand...

It's a short hop in a small turboprop so the hold pressure isn't really an issue. How the baggage handlers treat it is though. :D

I'm going to call the airline ahead and see if I can take it in the cabin. If I can't then I'm going to fill the case with bubble-wrap and hope for the best.

Thank for all the input guys, it's much appreciated. :bassist:
 
#10
BassmanAd said:
It's a short hop in a small turboprop so the hold pressure isn't really an issue. How the baggage handlers treat it is though. :D

I'm going to call the airline ahead and see if I can take it in the cabin. If I can't then I'm going to fill the case with bubble-wrap and hope for the best.

Thank for all the input guys, it's much appreciated. :bassist:
Click to expand...
Most modern turboprops are pressurized although I don't know much about the smaller ones.

But yes, if you can't get it into the cabin, bubble-wrap it. My guess since it is a small airplane you probably won't be able to take it into the cabin. And you never know about those ramprats (the baggage handlers, groundmen, etc)...:ninja:
 
#11
NEVER feel secure checking your bass in a hard case - the only secure way to go is a flight case. I learned this lesson with a Gibson V. The guys in the airlines absolutely abuse the luggage. Even if your bass makes it okay, the case is going to get beat up (mine got a big dent in it). If you have to do check it, protect the bass inside the case (bubble wrap...) and MAKE SURE TO GET FRAGILE LABELS from the airlines and stick them all over the case.
 

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