Travelling With a Bass

[rust_preacher]

I flew British Airways from Los Angeles to Helsinki with a stopover in London, in May. I had a 1974 Precision onboard, in an original hardshell case.

The economy carryon storage space in a 747 is OK on the fuselage side, not on the center storage bins. The musical instrument to bring on needs to be shorter than 125 cm, and reasonable weight. The BA web page advises to call ahead of check-in to inform the staff that an instrument is to be brought on as carryon.

I used some bubble wrap as additional cushioning but otherwise left the bass as it was. I think it is advisable to put any tools you might have with you in your checked baggage.

I had no problem traveling with my bass. the only trouble was that my seat had been changed, and they only informed me on boarding. This meant that the back rows already had people milling about when I arrived. I just threw the bass in a free space some 15 rows ahead of where I was sitting. It got some weird looks I am told, but all was OK.

 

[JimmyM]

I've got an international flight coming up, Boston to Amsterdam, and was going to use my flight case to check a bass as baggage. Delta classifies anything over 50 lbs. or larger than 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) as oversized. My bass case is 72 inches, even though less than 50 lbs, and Delta would charge $150 each way to check it. Has anyone run up against this lately and what happened?

I personally haven't run across this problem with any airline in the 6 years I've been checking. Not saying it can't happen, but I fly about 2 times a month on average, and have never been charged extra for my flight case.

 

[billio]

I flew British Airways...

Lol, there's your first problem right there

 

[Wannaflea]

All went fine

Flew premium economy (check me out!) from Miami to London and club (I'm kinda a big deal ) from London to Jersey. Both with British Airways. Bass went in the closet thing and in the overhead bins.

 

[rust_preacher]

All went fine

Flew premium economy (check me out!) from Miami to London and club (I'm kinda a big deal ) from London to Jersey. Both with British Airways. Bass went in the closet thing and in the overhead bins.

I am glad it was fine for you. Now, PICS OF YOUR NEW BASS???

 

[Wannaflea]

Oh I will, certaintly, I'm waiting for my Jazz to get back from the shop (upgraded pups and bridge) then I'll do pics of them all, including a family shot, at once, to save me time Getting it back hopefully today

 

[Wannaflea]

P.S it's only an ibby sr370m but the body maple grain on this thing is beautiful and it's probably the most playable bass I've ever played! Would be too scared to gig it though as I don't think smudges and bumps would add mojo so my next purchase will probably be a 4 or 5 ibby, in an opaque finish