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Re: Flying with a guitar... or not
On a related note- When I have to check my instruments, I keep one of
those "TSA inspection" tags inside the case. (they leave one whenever
they open a bag.) That way, when a TSA'r opens the case, they see that
someone else from TSA has already been there. This has greatly reduced
the number of times that my overpacking gets mangled. Similarly, I leave
a very polite note explaining that the instrument must be packed properly
in order to ensure its safety and that I appreciate how focused on safety
the TSA is! :)
Daniel
On Aug 7, 2012, at 1:26 PM, Tim Mungenast wrote:
> Thank you, Sylvain.
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 8/6/12, Sylvain Poitras <sylvain.trombone@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Sylvain Poitras <sylvain.trombone@gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: Flying with a guitar... or not
>> To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
>> Date: Monday, August 6, 2012, 2:37 PM
>> In my experience, it depends on both
>> the carrier and the actual plane
>> you're flying. Check you carrier's policy regarding
>> musical
>> instruments and book a flight on the biggest plane you can
>> get. I
>> like to fly with Air Canada, because their policy is let me
>> carry my
>> instrument on board if it fits in the overhead bin. My
>> trombone
>> always fit in the overhead bin of the airbus 319 or 320, so
>> that's
>> what I'm flying on when I go to Santa Cruz later this
>> year. Last week
>> I flew to Moncton and back to Ottawa on a small regional
>> jet. My horn
>> did not fit in the overhead bin and I could only slide it
>> partly under
>> the seat in front of me (and side ways, taking room away
>> from my
>> fellow traveler). The flight attendant didn't even
>> mention it on both
>> flights. Getting on the good side of the flight crew
>> can save your
>> ass...
>>
>> My advice is to pack your smallest guitar in the smallest
>> and
>> strongest case you can find and book a flight on the biggest
>> plane you
>> can get. Plan to take it on board as carry-on and be
>> prepared to
>> gate-check if necessary. Most damage occurs when the
>> instrument moves
>> around inside the case (or other objects move within the
>> case, banging
>> on the instrument). Remove everything but the
>> instrument from the
>> case and secure it with packing foam or bubble wrap.
>>
>> Never check your instrument. They will destroy it (as
>> we've already
>> heard, the most likely scenario is a TSA agent screwing up
>> your
>> packing). Always carry-on or gate-check. If you
>> must check your
>> instrument, insist on being present when the TSA opens the
>> case (this
>> is in accordance with their policy:
>> http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm
>> )
>>
>> Sylvain
>>
>>
>