I would ship it to my new address. Just put the bass in a hard shell case, bubble wrap the case and pad the box with newspaper. Thats already a better job than most retailers will do.
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Moving Out of State
- Thread starter raventepes
- Start date
If it gets checked into the baggage, they will probably tear the bubble wrap off to see what's in there.
I know on a FB group I'm on, a gal got her case opened & damaged during a flight.
They just broke the lock, which is why those TSA approved ABS cases are best.
I know on a FB group I'm on, a gal got her case opened & damaged during a flight.
They just broke the lock, which is why those TSA approved ABS cases are best.
If you are flying with it, you may want to look at Excess Valuation coverage when you get to the airport.
The baggage "insurance" you've probably never heard about - Blog - Airfarewatchdog
The baggage "insurance" you've probably never heard about - Blog - Airfarewatchdog
I wouldn't check any bass that I cared about in one of those cases. They get beat up in regular use. I'll second the Reunion Blues Continental gig bag suggestion. That's what I use when I travel.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
I keep watching all of these reality shows that are based in Alaska and I'm really falling in love with that state.
I shipped my Tacoma from MI to FL via USPS, it was $147 shipping plus insurance. I packed it in the OEM case (filled empty space with newspaper and protected the fret board with thin foam), wrapped the case in plastic wrap. Packed the case in a large box and used cardboard to shim it off the bottom and center it in the box, and filled the areas in between with more newspaper. It made the trip just fine with only a few handling marks in the cardboard box. Although, I was really nervous the entire time it was in transit.
Are you flying Alaska Airlines? They are pretty cool with musicians carrying on Guitars, especially in a gig bag. they can stow it for you in one of the forward closets or you might be able to put it in one of the overheads. My buddy flies from Seattle to Reno and Vegas and also to Austin, TX all the time with a guitar and they always let him carry it on. Check it out.
That's worth looking into. THanks for the tip! I AM flying on Alaska Airlines, so...I'll check it out.
We played in Hawaii a couple of times and I never thought twice about checking my 76 Ric. Idiot! Luckily there was never an issue.
I've had good luck getting my bass on planes, all down to how full the flight is...gate check it will be the last thing in and the first thing out, waiting for u as you de-plane. I did have a tuner ear get bent a little on one trip, not too traumatic.
MJ
MJ
Same here. I gate checked it and it was in a gig bag and was handed to me upon arrival. I always ask if I can store it in the little coat closet and gate check it if they say no. Never any damage.
Is it a bolt on neck? If so the safest way woukd be take it apart and put it in your carry-on.
I gate checked a bass in a standard plastic hardcase on an international flight. I brought it to the plane, then someone took it (along with car seats and strollers) and put it with the luggage. When we landed I got it back - but somehow they had managed to tear one of the metal "rests" off the case and removed a chunk of plastic with it. How????
Luckily bass inside was ok - no issues.
I made the mistake of checking Christmas gifts in my luggage along with my laptop (long story) and after I reached my destination I started to unpack - and yup - no gifts or laptop. They were stolen at one of the two airports but neither one's police dept wanted to even talk to me to take down my report.
I wouldn't let that bass out of your sight - carry on. And then be careful bc if you get stuck at the back of the plane and the bass is stored in the "captain's closet" near the front, someone sitting near the front just needs to ask for it when deboarding and they'll be 10 minutes ahead of you. (people get stuff stolen out of their carry ons all the time - especially if the carry on is not stored where they can see it!)
But I'm a bit paranoid...
I gate checked a bass in a standard plastic hardcase on an international flight. I brought it to the plane, then someone took it (along with car seats and strollers) and put it with the luggage. When we landed I got it back - but somehow they had managed to tear one of the metal "rests" off the case and removed a chunk of plastic with it. How????
Luckily bass inside was ok - no issues.
I made the mistake of checking Christmas gifts in my luggage along with my laptop (long story) and after I reached my destination I started to unpack - and yup - no gifts or laptop. They were stolen at one of the two airports but neither one's police dept wanted to even talk to me to take down my report.
I wouldn't let that bass out of your sight - carry on. And then be careful bc if you get stuck at the back of the plane and the bass is stored in the "captain's closet" near the front, someone sitting near the front just needs to ask for it when deboarding and they'll be 10 minutes ahead of you. (people get stuff stolen out of their carry ons all the time - especially if the carry on is not stored where they can see it!)
But I'm a bit paranoid...
I'm pretty sure that Congress recently passed or amended a law to ensure that musicians are able to take instruments onboard an airline as long as they'll fit in te overhead bins or underneath the seat. However the catch is that you HAVE to get on the plane early and claim that space for yourself...I've done this many times with my SKB hardshell case (with TSA locks) and never had an issue but I also sit within five feet of it so my eyes are on it as we exit the plane upon arrival.
Not trying to derail the focus here too much, I fly with an skb gig bag flight case and check my bass every time, so far so good after 2 years and a dozen flights.. But Id prefer to carry... My concern is international regulations. If I carry on my mono case to Greece and then upon my return flight the Greek desk says nope, can't carry.. Then I'm SoL with my custom Drake in a gig bag.. I often have international layovers as well, switching companies sometimes. My solution is to check every time just in case. Am I right? Is the risk high enough? Or is it a wasted effort and I could have carried this whole time?
Just thought I'd jump in since it seems there are some well traveled people reading..
I agree, domestic you should be able to carry on no prob, although I've never actually had a domestic flight with my bass.. Just international..
Just thought I'd jump in since it seems there are some well traveled people reading..
I agree, domestic you should be able to carry on no prob, although I've never actually had a domestic flight with my bass.. Just international..
No way I would put that case on an airplane. Box the bad boy up and FedEx it.
I live in China, previously living in Seattle/Tacoma area. I have taken several guitars back and forth on various trips (as well as 5 years as a 'professional' musician flying to gigs around mainland). I always always carry the instrument on as my carry on, in its hard shell case. When I get on the plane, I ask IF I may put the guitar in the coat check (up in front of first class). Usually this is fine. If not, then I casually re-arrange the overhead compartment and stick it up there.
Only once did the airline try to make me check the instrument, at the check-in counter. In that case, make them fill out a form declaring the value. I was bringing a Gretsch Country Club, which has a posted online MSRP around US$4000. When they saw that, I carried it on no problem. You can definitely push the issue and carry it on.
Only once did the airline try to make me check the instrument, at the check-in counter. In that case, make them fill out a form declaring the value. I was bringing a Gretsch Country Club, which has a posted online MSRP around US$4000. When they saw that, I carried it on no problem. You can definitely push the issue and carry it on.
As a ground service agent, I endorse this message - even my cohorts put those flight cases to the test. It surprises me how careless others are, even with a big, floppy FRAGILE sticker on it!
As a musician, I take extra care when handing hard cases. I know they're protecting valuable things.
