Official Luthiers Forum!

I just ran across this on the Delta Airlines web site.

" Carry-on Baggage

Guitars and other smaller musical instruments, such as violins, will be accepted as your free carry-on baggage on Delta operated flights. These items must easily fit in the overhead compartment or approved stowage location in the cabin, on a space available basis at the time of boarding. If adequate space is not available, the item must be checked."

It's nice to know that there are options.

American also has a similar policy.


Musical Instruments
Small musical instruments may be carried on-board the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. Case dimensions may not exceed 45 linear inches (width+length+height), except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin. The instrument is considered the passenger's one allowed carry-on bag. A personal item is allowed in addition to the instrument. See Carry-On Allowance for more information.

If an instrument is too large to fit in the carry-on baggage space, an additional seat may be purchased. In this case, an instrument must travel in a window, bulkhead seat, with the customer in the adjoining seat. Due to their size Bass Fiddles are not accepted in the coach cabin and are only accepted on certain aircraft types, please contact an American Airlines representative at 1-800-433-7300.

Instruments may also be transported as checked baggage, however, due to their fragile nature AA does not accept liability for damages and has limited liability for loss. AA is also not liable for any damage to checked musical instruments not presented in a hard-sided case. If the outside of the hard-sided case does not have visible damage, AA is not liable for any damage to the musical instrument inside the case.

For southwest. Not so good.


"Musical Instruments

    * If your musical instrument does not meet the sizing requirements for carryon items (10”x16”x24”), it will be handled as checked baggage provided you do not wish to purchase a seat for the instrument.
    * In the event you are traveling with a musical instrument that is larger than our sizing requirements for carryon luggage and is fragile in nature, you may purchase a seat for the instrument and carry it in the cabin under the following conditions:
           o The instrument must fit in the seat without blocking aircraft signage and be secured with a seatbelt.
           o The instrument must be placed in a row of seats aft of a bulkhead or divider.
           o Reservations must be made and a ticket must be purchased at a charge no greater than the Child’s Fare. Musical instruments cannot be transported in place of a free companion under any fare promotion.
    * Instruments that are transported in a soft-sided case or other packaging that is not strong enough to protect the instrument under normal baggage handling conditions will be conditionally accepted, which means that Southwest assumes no liability for any damage sustained to the item during transport."

United only talks about musical instrument in terms of checked baggage and says nothing about carry-on.

Northwest:

Carry On: Guitars and smaller musical instruments will be accepted as the passengers *one* item of carry on baggage provided the maximum linear dimensions do not exceed 45 inches. Carry on baggage must be stowed under the seat in front of them or in the overhead bin or closet. These instruments are in lieu of the passenger's carry-on luggage item. Passengers traveling with a guitar or smaller musical instrument may also carry a small personal item.

Continental:



Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can be carried on board or checked as baggage. If necessary, a seat can also be purchased for an instrument.

Carried on Board

    * A musical instrument can be carried on in place of a carry-on bag.
    * The maximum combined linear measurement (L + W + H) of the instrument is 51 inches (130 cm).
    * The maximum weight of the carry-on bag is 40 pounds (18 kg).

Checked as Baggage

    * Instrument should be in a hard shell case to protect it during normal handling.
    * Excess charges apply if checking more than the free baggage allowance.
    * Oversize charges apply to musical instruments that measure 90 - 115 linear inches.
    * Overweight charges apply to musical instruments that are over 50 pounds.
    * Musical instruments over 70 pounds will not be accepted.
    * If the instrument is over 115 linear inches, contact Reservations.

In addition to the above polices, stringed instruments should have the strings loosened to protect the neck from damage due to expansion and contraction which result from temperature variations.

Cabin Seat Baggage

    * Continental will allow a customer to purchase a ticket for a musical instrument which is too fragile or bulky to be handled as checked baggage. Upright Basses and Contra Basses will not be accepted as Cabin Seat Baggage.

Continental is not liable for damage to musical instrument.

Excess Valuation may not be purchased for musical instruments.

I've got one word for you Mike.
Mandolele

Or a removable neck anyway.

They don't make it easy!

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I flew Delta a couple of months ago with my guitar. They allow you to carry it as far as the plane and then leave it at the end of the walkway ramp. From there, one of the guys from the ground gets it and packs it in a special place. They handle baby strollers the same way. WHen you leave the plane, it is in your hand again as soon as you step off of the plane. I didnt have any bad luck or trouble with this and changed planes twice on the flight home.

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Reguards,

Ken H

I've never had to "gate check" a guitar but that doesn't seem like a bad alternative to me either. The amount of space that a guitar takes up in the overhead bin is not much larger than the carry-on bags that I see regularly brought on board. I just thought that having the official policy handy couldn't be a bad thing. Having the information available when choosing an airline could be useful as well.

I am flying out on US Airways tomorrow and thought of taking my guitar with me. After reading all of the rules on their site, I decided to take my 3/4 size cheapy this time and leave the custom OM at home for the burglars. I'll let you all know how it goes when I return... or maybe while relaxing on the lanai.

chris

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Hesh, you wouldn't make past the highly trained attack kitty's!! 

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Well, SWMBO did not let me take any guitar on our trip. I guess my concession will be good for the marriage!
In the past I have never notice many guitar, but yesterday I saw alot.
I saw one group of young guys (probably a band) with two guitars each. They carried them right on a jet from O'Hare to Burbank. One of my flights also had several guitars. The crew stowed them separately in the underbelly of the jet. I in the window seat and could see them pack the guitars separately from luggage. US Airways, by the way...  I'll keep up my watch and report later. Right now I am looking up lumberyards.
chris

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Mike, Calton flight case It is as expensive as a ticket but you can use over and over

I've flown Northwest from Detroit to Boise numerous times with a variety of guitars without trouble. I have come to the conclusion that I'll only fly with guitars that will not break my heart to lose (or have broken) in the future. You are pretty much at the mercy of the gate crew and there is no arguing about anything anymore at the airport.

I take the end pin out, detune the strings and pack the headstock, neck and neck/body joint very well. At this point it is up to the gods of flying .

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC