Topic: Taking my guitar by air to Port Townsend

[WayneS]

I've got a good hardshell case for my guitar-- a Dreadnaught style.  I want to take guitar and case on the plane with me, but am leery about checking it in.

How do you folk usually do this?  Ask the flight attendants to put it in the cabin?   Put it in an overhead bin?  (Would it fit?)  Check it in?

I do have a flight case.  Great for simple point-to-point travel, but absolutely awful if you're going from point A to B, getting on a shuttle, taking a boat, renting a car, driving down to Portland to visit relatives.... thing weighs almost 50 pounds empty, and it's big.

Any advice appreciated.  Thanks!

Wayne

[uncle bud]

Hi Wayne -

I check mine. Gate check if possible. Some won't even let you do that. I bring a guitar that I would not be heartbroken to lose, fully expecting that one day, the airline will lose or destroy my guitar. Basically, the lawyers have set it up so there is no real accountability, and the United Breaks Guitars video probably won't work more than once. If you can't bring your flight case, you just gotta try what you can at the airport.

There are various guides on the web about packing the guitar for air travel, one by George Gruhn, another by Bob Brozman.

[Johnm]

Hi Wayne,
One option in addition to those suggested by uncle bud is to bring your guitar in the flight case, but to bring a gig bag in addition for use once you get to Fort Worden, so you don't have to tote the flight case around.  I've done this in the past, though not recently.
All best,
Johnm

[waxwing]

This is from the USAirways site:

Musical instruments
Musical instruments are considered a fragile item. Fragile items will be accepted as checked baggage if they are appropriately packaged in a container/case designed for shipping such items. Fragile items without appropriate packaging will be accepted upon the execution of a release furnished by US Airways relieving US Airways of liability for loss/damage of checked baggage.

Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

US Airways allows customers to carry their musical instrument in the cabin with them if the instrument exceeds the size restrictions for carry-on baggage and/or the customer believes that the instrument is too fragile to be handled as checked baggage. To do this:
The customer must purchase an extra seat for the instrument. Cost of the seat is the applicable adult fare for the portions of the flight that the extra seat is requested plus sales tax.
The musical instrument must be secured in or against a window seat (not in an Emergency Exit Row).
The customer must be seated in the seat directly next to the instrument.
Seat baggage must not weigh more than 170 lbs/77 kg and must meet the size restrictions based on aircraft type.
Cellos and bass violas will only be accepted as seat baggage.

Check with your airline and find out what their policies are. I believe guidelines have been loosened somewhat since the post 9/11 days, altho' higher fees are in effect for extra bags and such. I have had no trouble getting a D-18S into the overhead of an Airbus 321 and several other planes, altho' now I mostly travel with a parlor. I did once recently have to gate check at the discretion of the gate attendant due to a very full flight, but that is uncommon and gate checking is pretty safe. Sometimes a stewardess will even offer to place the guitar in a first class coat closet (especially in summer) and have it waiting for you when you disembark.

A positive attitude toward the flight personnel is a powerful tool. I usually arrive early and talk with the gate attendant, when they are not busy, to see if they will allow me to board with the "special needs" boarders so that I can get the overhead by my seat in order to fend off last minute overhead stuffers. Also I try to book a seat in the back rows as they usually get to board first and by courteous but intelligent queueing foreplay I can usually be among the first to board after first class.

Arriving very early, as I said, I usually 'practice' in the waiting area. No singing, just softly and casually playing through some smoother stuff. I have often had nice comments from the flight personnel and I'm sure it predisposes them to be more accommodating.

I also take some care to make sure there is nothing extraneous in the case such as extra strings, pliers, etc. which might throw up a red flag at the security gate. Capoes seem to pass ok, as do clip on tuners. I have on one occasion put a German silver resonator through without a burp.

Wax

[WayneS]

Thanks to all.  The flight case is out-- just too heavy for all the side trips-- but the hardshell case is a very sturdy old thing, and I think the gate check sounds best.  I'll have to practice sweet-talking stewardesses for a few weeks. :-)

See you at Port Townsend.

Wayne

[Chezztone]

Sorry I didn't see the question about traveling with guitar until after camp. But I hope you'll be taking your guitar on a plane again soon (next time you fly anywhere -- don't leave home without it!). So here is a link to my discussion on how to do that:
http://stevecheseborough.com/2009/07/15/flying-with-your-guitar/
Enjoy.
Cheers, Chezz

[Mr.OMuck]

Previously posted on another thread:

In a previous life I was an art handler-mover of priceless objects. Try packing a priceless eggshell thin pre Columbian ceramic sculpture at eight am with a ferocious hangover while the anxious owner looks on. That was me.
Here's how I'd do it given my d'ruthers.
1. Buy a box of acid free tissue paper 24x36" sheets (Talas library supplies, NY)
2. Wrap entire guitar,crumpling and building up paper beneath the neck and head so that you end up with a bundle  where you can't tell the front from the back of the guitar. Pad face and back and sides with 3" or so thickness. Paper touching the guitar should be rolled.
3. Wrap the whole bundle with two thicknesses of large bubble-bubble wrap.
4. Trace silhouette of resulting bundle and cut shape out of ectofoam which is then inserted in a wooden crate lined with water barrier house construction paper. the top and sides should have a 2' layer of foam as well.
5. Send the case separately.

Alternately:
Pack guitar in case with whatever socks you're traveling with rolled under and around the head.
Wrap case in two thicknesses of large bubble bubble wrap, insert in heavy cardboard box.
I've had my Martin d18 flying in baggage in a Martin case cracked more than once so these precautions are worth the effort.