surfmonkey Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 I have to fly with my bass for the first time in many years, and I realize that I haven't done it since 9/11 and all these new security regulations. It used to be that I could get away with carrying on my electric in a gig bag and either stowing in an overhead compartment. Or, sometimes the crew would be nice and store it in the First Class closet. Anyone know if this has changed? Can you still carry on instruments, or do you have to check them? I should mention that this is also an international flight. So, I imagine customs is even more of an ass pain than before? I have no homepage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellybassbeans Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Hi there - I work on cruise ships, and I've flown with gear many times over the past 14 years. For me, flight cases are the absolute best way to go. Check it and forget about it till you get there. I've never had an instrument damaged, although my electric bass flight case took a bit of a crunch once from Air France. I fly with my upright, too, and the David Gage case is the best in the biz....but I digress; back to your electric. I think you might be able to take your electric in the compartment if it's in a soft case. The union has worked out some understanding with the airlines regarding musos flying with their inst. I believe that there's an official letter of some sort posted on the AFM website somewhere that you can use when you check in for the flight. I'll get back to you with a link if I can find it. If your bass is in an ordinary hard case, they'll make you check it, which is not at all a good idea. Lke I say, I heartily recommend a flight case, preferably with a lock of some sort. After you check in you will likely have to go over to the official baggage screening area (right near check in areas) where they will X-ray and inspect your checked bags. Give the inspector your lock to lock it up after they've finished. Hope some of this helps. jbb Smile - it's contagious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notabob Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 i flew to argentina on a mission trip and we didnt lose a single piece of equipment. we had a complete drumset (and hardware) 2 or 3 guitars, sound baord and speakers, amps, basses, everything. we lost nothing except for maybe 1 speaker stand. we checked everything except for the drummers snare drum i believe. i noticed someone from a different group who carried a gig bag onto a 747. the flight attendant stored it behind a seat or something. i would call the airline ahead of time and see what the scoop is. i believe our group was flying with american and united. i was on american planes i believe. i dont remember. so, taht was over the summer, i bet things havent changed too much since. oh, when we got to argentina (funny story) we were loading everything through the giant x ray things. i got stuck with the drummers giant playwood hardware box. i got it onto the scanner (with extra help) and the scanner guy jumped up and started yelling missile! missile!. i wasnt fluent in spanish so i started pretending like i was playing drums and he got the idea. it was funny. like he said above, if u r gonna lock something give them the lock or tape a key to your equipment so they can see it and open it. on the return flight (from international flights) they opened stuff before we checked it and they tagged it so we could go ahead and lock stuff up. they swabbed it with some kind of chemical to detect explosives or something. it made me quite nervous, but it was fun...somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellybassbeans Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Here's a link from the AFM site: http://www.afm.org/public/departments/leg_issues_01.php That page has links to the letters between the union and the airlines I referred to above. However, you'll need to be registered on the union site - they're "members only" links to get the actual letters. Best of luck...jbb Smile - it's contagious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 You can get the letter from the AFM website. Some airlines won't honor it. One that I'm aware of musicians having problems with is Delta. There are also tips at the AFM site as well. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Here's the link right to the page with the letter on the AFM page. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notabob Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=12 this is the government page that you can find anything about what you can fly with and what you can carry on/ check. 2 lighters and 4 books of matches are permitted in your carry on (incase that matters) hope this helps (i looked and i dont recall seeing anything inparticular about guitars, but, if its not a meat cleaver, or any other sharp item, it shouldnt be too much of a problem.) this website is quite interesting, especially that pdf file that there is a hyperlink to on that page. i hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Check with the airline that you are flying on to find out what their policies are on carrying your instrument onboard. If nothing else you could ship it by Fedex or UPS to your hotel and not worry about the airlines loosing your bass if you are not allowed to carry it on. Of course you will need to notify the hotel that you are expecting the package. Goo luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Watts Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 I guess I haven't been playing long enough to fly with my bass Pain teaches what pride won't let you learn... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 i thought you meant flying with your bass in the sky like Superman... seriously i did though http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notabob Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 yeah shipping actually is cheaper than paying the oversize charge of the airline. its like $50 - $100 each way. if you are going international then definitly pay the charges or carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViLo Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Dr. Phil-6006: i thought you meant flying with your bass in the sky like Superman... seriously i did though Jesus Is Coming, Make Music, Get Ready! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClarkW Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 I talked them into gate-checking my electric bass in its hardshell case. That way it doesn't get tossed around on conveyor belts and gets handled by fewer people and it's out of your possession for the least amount of time. I passed it through the X-ray machine without a problem, though one security officer did get a little flustered when he saw me carrying the big black case. He was quickly mollified with a glimpse at the fine instrument's flamed maple finish, though. My bass teacher also said that you can call the airline and say something like you're getting married and your wife needs to bring her wedding dress to a reception that you're flying to and you want to know if they have a closet where she could hang it on your particular flight/aircraft. If they have that closet, then chances are you could talk them into stowing your instrument there when you fly. But he said that if you mention the instrument over the phone, they'll just tell you to check it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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