• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

will the TSA pay attention to my note?

#62
jefff100 said:
Marcus a few posts above hit it square on the head. I fly extensivly for work as well.... plan on taking it as a gate check. You may be able to carry it on, but pack it as planning and expecting to do a gate check. You wont pay baggage fees and you carry it yourself up to the jetway. At that point it depends on the size of the plane and airline policy....With a gate check you avoid the baggage handling conveyors and they give you your instrument back at the next gate, not the baggage carousel (United Airlines is an exception here - I avoid United for this and other reasons). Nonetheless, pack your instrument in a good case....
Click to expand...

Also, gate check is not always an option, it depends. Additionally, in my case at least I don't book the flights so I just have to assume the worst (regular checked baggage) and pack the backup bass accordingly. I'm in no mood to hope I get lucky.

FWIW my advice is to assume the worst and prepare for it. If you're wrong, then you get a pleasant surprise. If you're right, you prepared.
 
Last edited:
#63
Last edited:
#64
Jughead6 said:
The TSA are there to protect us and probably do a great job 99.999% of the time, it's just the 0.001% of the time that we find reason to complain about. I'm being diplomatic because there are probably TBers who work for the TSA, and I can't be critical of a fellow bass player no matter what he/she does for a living!
Click to expand...

I hardly think that public criticism of the TSA is equivalent to personal criticism of someone who happens to work for the TSA.

MM
 
  • Like
Reactions: Imaginary Pony
#66
Marcus Willett said:
That does help, but look at all the caveats. Small instruments, if it fits, overhead bins. It increases the odds, sure. If you're ok with rolling the dice that way, by all means. You may be just fine.
Click to expand...

I'd like to know their definition of "small." The article specifically states guitars as carry-on. If not, what's the whole point of these "big" changes in carry-on policy?
 
#69
BassFishingInAmerica said:
I'd like to know their definition of "small." The article specifically states guitars as carry-on. If not, what's the whole point of these "big" changes in carry-on policy?
Click to expand...

Based upon my admittedly limited experience of dealing with both the TSA and the major airlines, the answers to questions such as these are deliberately left vague and undefined - so as to allow the prevailing authority to retain maximum latitude in making determinations...and thereby minimize the amount of leverage left to the individual by which to challenge or appeal such determinations.

MM
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheBear and Jah Wobble Fan
#74
Mystic Michael said:
Based upon my admittedly limited experience of dealing with both the TSA and the major airlines, the answers to questions such as these are deliberately left vague and undefined - so as to allow the prevailing authority to retain maximum latitude in making determinations...and thereby minimize the amount of leverage left to the individual by which to challenge or appeal such determinations.

MM
Click to expand...


This, this, 1000x this! My guess is also that the non-specified terminology in this bill was included so that TSA and the airline carrier retain leverage to make "field decisions" when they're looking at a crowded boarding area and see nine full golf club bags, four baby strollers, fourteen rolling-suitcases that are bursting at the zippers and your lone hardshell case amidst the sea of despondent passengers stuffed with overpriced airport food and juggling screaming toddlers while charging various phones and electronic devices at any available electrical outlet. The gate agents are simply minimizing headaches and I'd bet that they have a quota to meet on bags to be checked for an extra fee to their employer.

This all being said, I've never had an issue with carrying-on or gate-checking basses but I religiously get the earliest possible boarding spot and fly Southwest 99% of the time due to their wonderfully permissive cattle-call method of boarding.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jah Wobble Fan
#78
Mystic Michael said:
I hardly think that public criticism of the TSA is equivalent to personal criticism of someone who happens to work for the TSA. MM
Click to expand...
Oh well, I tried to be nice.

The TSA is (IMO) badly managed, the employees badly trained and poorly paid. The TSA also has a rather inflated opinion of its own importance. So it's no wonder things go wrong.

Actually, that sounds like a lot of places I've worked...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jah Wobble Fan
#80
my brother was in the middle of soundproofing his bedroom so he could play drums.
because he covered the window, he felt it looked like a grow-op. so he put a sign in the window that read "soundproofed music room" to throw off potential thieves and cops.

nothing like drawing attention to yourself; instead of attracting pot thieves, now you will be attracting thieves who think you have 100k in studio equipment instead of a POS drum set.
if a cop read that, he would bang on the door out of curiosity if nothing else...

true story-happened last week.

somehow-this thread reminded me of that.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back