Official Luthiers Forum!

Off topic for building!!!
I have never travelled with a guitar, but when you fly with one, do most of
you check it in hard case, carry on with a gig bag, check at the gate etc.
I am flying to Jackson Wyoming in 2 weeks, 2 planes, one a small plane.

What works best

Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Crate it I had one of mine in a TKL checked badgage when I whent to by brother wedding in Calf. a couple years ago. It made it out there just fine but when I got home to Odessa I resimbeled the one Paul Woolson Shiped back from HG. So if you dont't want to carry on build a crate or buy a shipping case

Andy, I'm an airline pilot...DON'T check a guitar that you like!!! Sweet talk the flight attendant(s) when you board and you may be allowed to put it in the crew's closet...if the guitar's especially dear to you some carriers offer a discounted fare for a seat for your instrument...another thing is that cargo bins on an aircraft are pressurized but not climate controlled as the cabin...so even if the guitar survives intact, it'll have been superheated/flash frozen/super heated....

Larry

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Larry,

Don't you usually get stopped before you get to the gate?

BTW- thanks for the miracle story-AMAZING!. We read it on a trip to visit friends and they have the hard copy.

Larry
As a pilot, you can sweat talk the crew better.
What if they insist on checking??
I was thinking of using a soft gig bag so it is easier and smaller apprearing
so I can get it on the plane

What do musicians do that tour???

Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Andy,

Almost all airlines will let you board with the guitar as a carry-on. Delta has been singled out as one of the only airlines that doesn't allow you to bring an instrument on board (according to the musicians union). If the airline insists you check the guitar, make sure you open it and show it to them and make sure they understand they will be accepting liability for a $3,000 guitar. I knew somebody who was challenged by the stewardess and when he did this, she promptly found storage for the guitar in the 1st class garment storage.

It also might help to get a seat at the rear of the plane and board first so you can fit it up top before it gets jam packed.

Good luck!

John

One more thing, spare guitar strings are considered a weapon. Security will make you put them in your checked luggage, or you'll be stuck and have to throw them away. Clean out your case of anything other than the guitar.

John

John, that's a great idea! I've never thought of reminding the airline that they are liable for the replacement cost of the guitar! (As stingy as they are that'd probably make the deal right there ). Brian, I always have my airline ID with me, so it's not too big a problem getting to the gate with the guitar, but many travellers are bringing "roll-a-board" bags that'll barely fit thru the boarding door, let alone the overhead compartments! So, they can't single us guitarists out! And right again John about strings and stuff...once in Detroit they even balked at my Truss rod wrench in the accessory compartment!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

John, that's pretty scary about the strings. I just went to and from Healdsburg with 12 sets of strings with no problems at all. Not saying you are wrong at all, I'm just glad they let it slide this time.
I'm a little skeptical about making the airline accept liability. Every time I've gotten stuck checking a guitar I have to sign a waiver releasing them from any liability.

Just to note about FedExing the 2 I sent out last week...when I told them the declared value of the shipment, they wanted to UNPACK the box and inspect it!!! I told them that I didn't have time to re-pack it, and didn't trust them to, and that I'd have mailed my kids in a lesser-packed box than that! They eventually took my word for it and I just got word that the guitars arrived intact.

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I could tell you some real horror stories about the airlines handling of musical instruments. I've actually seen them kick our gear out of the cargo hold on to the tarmack ! This was in a country outside the US but, it's not a lot better there. Even in flight cases, your chances of getting to your destination with damaged goods are fairly high. We have actually payed for extra seats to carry gear just so we didn't arrive with damaged goods. It's just a hazard of the trade if you travel. Bottom line..don't carry something you can't live without.

Jeff, I've seen it here in the US! I won't name the airline, but a ramper dropped 2 cases from the bag hold (7 feet up) to the pavement! When I called him on it, he said, "Well, they can file a claim"....

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Paul, they may ask you to sign but you're not required to sign anything. It would be no different than them losing a suitcase with some expensive jewelry in it. They're receiving good money for your ticket to handle your luggage properly, and if accidents happen, that's why they have insurance.

Cheers!

John