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Airline Travel with a Guitar
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=2043		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Tue May 24, 2005 5:09 pm ]
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I successfully transported my guitar from Indianaplois to Sacramento yesterday. Here's what worked and what I would suggest:

Get on the plane early so you can store the guitar in an empty overhead compartment. I traveled on Southwest Airlines so I made sure I was in the "A" line. Had I been in the "B" or "C" lines, I never would have found room to stow it away. Under no circumstances would I ever let them check it in the luggage compartment!!!

On other airlines where there is assigned seating, try to sit in the back of the plane...that way you'll be getting on first and have more options for storage.

The security check was uneventful...the case went through the X-ray tunnel and required no additional checks.

And BTW...it was kinda fun walking through the airports with a guitar and meeting curious people who weren't quite sure that I wasn't some professional musician or celebrity that they thought they should recognize.

Author:  arvey [ Wed May 25, 2005 1:09 am ]
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That is all fine and dandy but many airlines will not allow a guitar as carry on. With Air Cnada it used to be you had to pay for an extra seat for your guitar, I know a number of musicians who do that. My size 5 I can get on as carry on but not my full size guitars. You can try getting on with a guitar but most airlines will refuse to allow it.
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Wed May 25, 2005 1:14 am ]
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You can also gate check the instrument it they won't allow it on the plane with you. You carry it to the gate and then they put it under the plane from there. When you get off the plane you also claim it at the gate. The is better than checking it at the entance to the airport.
Author:  L. Presnall [ Wed May 25, 2005 1:46 am ]
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I have to say this...in response to Robbie gate checking his guitar...I'm an airline pilot and have seen personally how bags are treated by the "rampies". (And yes, to them a guitar is just another bag!). Once, during a routine walk-around between flights, I watched a ramp employee standing 2 feet from me remove 2 Calton cases from the bag hold, do a half-turn, and toss them about 5 feet to the ramp, where they slid another few feet before coming to rest short of a baggage cart! Thankfully they were heavy duty cases, but I always wondered what the owner of the guitars found when he opened his cases! When I told the the ramp guy what a bad thing he did, he replied, "Let the guy file a claim." A ticket for your guitar is expensive, and for most of us, impractical given the value of the instrument and all. But, it is the safest way to make sure both of you arrive in top condition!

Larry
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed May 25, 2005 2:04 am ]
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I obviously got lucky with Southwest Airlines. Perhaps the best advice would be to call in advance to check the particular airline's policy before purchasing a ticket.

As far as size...this was a 000-12 fret in a standard Martin case. It fit well in the overhead compartment with room to spare. I believe it would have accommodated a dred size. The plane was a 737-300 series.
Author:  Pete Licis [ Wed May 25, 2005 2:37 am ]
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In the US at least, airlines are required to allow a guitar in addition to one carry-on (if you are a luthier or musician). I'm told that you should have the TSA letter on hand if any airline person argues with your desire to do so. I'll try to attach the pdf file to this message. Hopefully it makes it as I've never tried this before.

2005-05-25_113652_TSA_Letter.pdf
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Wed May 25, 2005 2:44 am ]
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pete

thanks so much. i have clients who will love to have a copy of this.

do you know if iata have a similar policy?
Author:  arvey [ Wed May 25, 2005 3:52 am ]
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Wow Pete that is amazing. I remember waiting to get on a flight in Toronto once with my guitar checked and a friend O mine, professional musician had to argue forever to get them to allow her to cary on her Violin. It was 1/2" to long (they actually have these little cages that you have to fit your carry on baggage in to prove it meets the requirements) and they wern't going to let her bring it on despite the fact she flies all over the world with it as carry on. As Far as Baggage handlers go my theory is that the more cvaluable the instrument the farther they throw it. Fortunately Calton cases are "Air Canada Proof". I think that is why they are doing so well up here.
Author:  Mike Mahar [ Wed May 25, 2005 5:29 am ]
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I too have the TSA letter. Since that was written, however, the policy has been clearified. In short, the TSA has no objection to musical instruments being carry on baggage but that has no effect on the policy of the airlines. TSA
For example, Southwest says this: Southwest

Of course, the gate agent can, and often does, ignore that rule and will let you carry on the instrument. Be be careful, when making connections, the next gate agent may have a different idea.
Author:  CarltonM [ Wed May 25, 2005 5:41 am ]
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Just to add more confusion: I have a musician friend who puts her guitar in a soft case (!) and hangs it in the plane's coat closet. She swears she's never had a problem in being allowed to do that.

Carlton
Author:  L. Presnall [ Wed May 25, 2005 5:46 am ]
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Try bringing the gate agent a "Starbuck's"...that may improve your chances somewhat!
Author:  Pete Licis [ Wed May 25, 2005 7:25 am ]
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Mike, thanks for the update. Too bad it looks like it's still up to the airlines basically. For a while there, I thought some serious headway was being made.

Seems like a guitar won't fit within Southwest's policy of 10”x16”x24, huh? Oh well, maybe we just have to hope for a "good" ticket agent, or follow the suggestion to keep lots of Starbuck's on hand to "soften" the more difficult agents!
Author:  Pete Licis [ Wed May 25, 2005 7:28 am ]
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do you know if iata have a similar policy?

IATA???

I guess my having to ask that means that no I don't know if they have a similar policy!

;-)

Sorry!
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Wed May 25, 2005 7:33 am ]
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international air transport authority -- sets regs international carriers must follow re baggage etc.
Author:  Wade Sylvester [ Fri May 27, 2005 6:30 am ]
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Has anyone tryed carrying on a un-bolted guitar neck and body? I have thought if you packed the neck in a normal carry-on, and have the body in a folded up soft case..
Would that work?
Author:  willdfw5 [ Tue May 31, 2005 2:00 pm ]
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I too am an airline pilot and I can tell you regardless of what the TSA says
it is really up to the gate agent and if you get past them then the flight
attendant. So just don't get pushy and explain the reason you can't check
it clearly and you can generally put it in the coat closet. If I see anyone
having to gate check an instrument I always instruct the Flight attendant
to allow it on the aircraft. So I'm watching out for you. Just be curtious
and a starbucks never hurts.

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