Flying with guitars

[hannaugh]

I'm going to be flying to North Carolina soon.  I would like to take a guitar with me, but at the same time I really don't want any of my guitars anywhere near the airline industry after watching the baggage monkeys load the plane on the last flight I was on.  I was reading online though that it should be okay if you fly with a hard case and put some extra padding around the headstock, loosen the strings, and then try to carry it on or at least gate-check it. 

Has anyone here gate-checked before, and how did that work out for you?  Has anyone been allowed to carry theirs on?  The article I was reading said the guy had them cover it with "fragile" stickers and then they loaded it last so it didn't get crushed when he gate-checked.

 

[hannaugh]

Also, I've been considering just taking the neck off and stuffing the parts in my carry on and then re-assembling when I get there. 

 

[Big V]

Heh, i took my nylon in a soft gigbag, no stress.
But, I did this Norway/Spain and back. I don't know about the US rules.
At least, my guitar was totally fine :toothy10:

 

[rockskate4x]

Also, I've been considering just taking the neck off and stuffing the parts in my carry on and then re-assembling when I get there. 

I dunno, I wouldn't want my guitar hardware confiscated by itchy airline security...  :tard:

 

[hannaugh]

Yeah... I don't know.  The thought of flying without a guitar is much less stressful than the thought of flying with one.  I'm still debating though.  I have week to figure it out.

 

[Jusatele]

get a flight case

I know they are expensive but it is worth it, especially for a guitar you can never replace

and do not fly UNITED

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo[/youtube]

 

[OzziePete]

get a flight case

I know they are expensive but it is worth it, especially for a guitar you can never replace

and do not fly UNITED

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo[/youtube]

He he, that vid went viral and forced UA to issue media releases.....

Hannaugh: Have you checked with the airline that you are flying with about travelling with expensive guitars? I know with a local domestic airline in Australai they will let you 'buy a seat' for your fav guitar and have it in that seat......while expensive it certainly saves the worry about it bumping around in stowage or being at the mercy of baggage monkeys!

 

[Justinginn]

Hard case and don't even worry about it. Seriously, if you get one of those ABS plastic cases, not even the airline industry is dumb enough to break them. I did NC to Budapest with one of those durafoam cases and I was fine. If you've got a hardshell case I wouldn't care when the checked it. Gate checking is better though. You can try to take it as a carry on but gate checking will be just fine. Loosen strings.

 

[Graffiti62]

One thing you may want to consider is something an ex-girlfriend's family did with their luggage when they flew--mail the guitar to the hotel. Before you do this, contact the hotel and ask if its okay to do this, and if they'll sign for it when it arrives. You do have additional hassle to deal with (post offices/UPS Stores, added time), but you do have the perk of purchasing insurance on the package, you have the ability to track it, and it will be handled by an organization who routinely handles fragile, expensive objects. You will also have to do the process in reverse the day of or the day before you leave the Carolinas. Yes, its a lot of riff-raff, but its ten times safer, and, considering baggage fees, a lot cheaper.

 

[mayfly]

I'm flying to vegas in a few weeks with a Tonar telecaster.

I have a flight case for it.  I expect no issues.

 

[ptirman]

I fly fairly frequently with a guitar.
Domestically, hard shell case and gate check it if you have a Les Paul type case or a gig bag. I haven't been allowed to gate check a rectangular Strat type G&G case. I usually beg the attendants to be careful. They usually are. Even United which is what I fly most frequently - yes I saw the video.

I checked my Strat before in the rectangular case. The attendant immediately threw it on to the conveyor belt. I screamed. To no avail. I had loosened the strings and added some bubble wrap inside. No problems at all, everything made it fine.

Internationally was able to carry on and stow in overhead bin a gig bag. Had to check in the rectangular case on another trip, same considerations. No problems. Good luck!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Hannaugh, I recently flew to NC with a guitar.  It was in a Fender hardshell case.  I prefer to not check anything ever, so I carried it and another bag as my 2 carry ons.  Technically, it didn't not make the size requirement, but no one made a fuss.  It was Southwest the return flight was full.  Still wasn't an issue.

 

[hannaugh]

I'm torn because I know it would probably be easier to take the LP because it has a smaller case than my Strat, but if it turns out I can't bring my LP in the cabin and something happens to it, I will be forced to commit sepukku.

BTW, I'm flying American Airlines.  It seems like they are instrument friendly on their site, but it's hard to tell for sure what to expect. 

 

[bagman67]

I'm torn because I know it would probably be easier to take the LP because it has a smaller case than my Strat, but if it turns out I can't bring my LP in the cabin and something happens to it, I will be forced to commit sepukku BRUTAL SERIAL MURDER ON BAGGAGE HANDLERS WHILE LAUGHING MANIACALLY.

FTFY.  HTH.  HAND.

Bagman

 

[pabloman]

I'm torn because I know it would probably be easier to take the LP because it has a smaller case than my Strat, but if it turns out I can't bring my LP in the cabin and something happens to it, I will be forced to commit sepukku.

BTW, I'm flying American Airlines.  It seems like they are instrument friendly on their site, but it's hard to tell for sure what to expect. 

If it's at all convenient for you maybe a pre trip, trip to the airport could yield answers. Straight from the horses mouth if you will. I flew from Hawaii into Denver and was allowed to bring my SG in the cabin. It was in a gig bag. Same thing from Austin to Colorado Springs. Either way good luck. That LP is gorgeous BTW.

 

[OzziePete]

I'm flying to vegas in a few weeks with a Tonar telecaster.

I have a flight case for it.  I expect no issues.

Las Vegas has had paisley Teles there before Mayfly, so you shouldn't have any stares.... :icon_biggrin:

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAKvwWgr1R0[/youtube]

 

[llmtelecaster]

Oh, man. I'll never forget this...

I actually took my guitar with me to the Cayman Islands when my wife and I went on our honeymoon a couple years ago. It made it there just fine. On the way back, however, the good folks at Continental Airlines sent it to New Jersey instead of Texas. Thankfully they tracked it down and had Fed Ex deliver it to my house the next day at no charge.

Good thing is it was a mexican strat. I didn't have my Warmoth yet. If it was the warmoth that had gotten lost I would have probably had a meltdown at baggage claim. I'll never take a guitar with me on a vacation again, but if I had to, I wouldn't really do anything different. It was in one of the Fender hardshell SKB cases and even though it took the long way home, the guitar wasn't damaged in the slightest. It was really cold and had a little condensation when I opened it, though. That was weird.

 

[Graffiti62]

Oh, man. I'll never forget this...

I actually took my guitar with me to the Cayman Islands when my wife and I went on our honeymoon a couple years ago. It made it there just fine. On the way back, however, the good folks at Continental Airlines sent it to New Jersey instead of Texas. Thankfully they tracked it down and had Fed Ex deliver it to my house the next day at no charge.

Good thing is it was a mexican strat. I didn't have my Warmoth yet. If it was the warmoth that had gotten lost I would have probably had a meltdown at baggage claim. I'll never take a guitar with me on a vacation again, but if I had to, I wouldn't really do anything different. It was in one of the Fender hardshell SKB cases and even though it took the long way home, the guitar wasn't damaged in the slightest. It was really cold and had a little condensation when I opened it, though. That was weird.

Its much colder in the cargo hold of a jet due to the higher elevation and the fact that the cargo hold isn't pressurized. Something like that was mentioned in a Spike TV show called "1000 Ways to Die."  Some jealous husband snuck into the cargo hold of a plane his wife was on, and he froze to death on the long flight.

 

[stubhead]

Well, whenever I buy or sell a bolt-on neck guitar, I prefer to ship it with the neck off... it makes almost foolproofedly hard to break something, although they may try and wear the corners off the box. Having it in a carry-on right over your head would be psychologically soothing. I suppose that if you got a sudden terrorist urge you could jam the screws in somebody's ears and beat on 'em with the neck. Hmmm, haven't tried that.

 

[OzziePete]

Well, whenever I buy or sell a bolt-on neck guitar, I prefer to ship it with the neck off... it makes almost foolproofedly hard to break something, although they may try and wear the corners off the box. Having it in a carry-on right over your head would be psychologically soothing. I suppose that if you got a sudden terrorist urge you could jam the screws in somebody's ears and beat on 'em with the neck. Hmmm, haven't tried that.

These days those airport security dudes would probably not let you on the plane with the 'baseball bat' profiled neck! But man, a decent belt from a thick profiled maple neck would hurt... :doh:

(wondering what pitch the 'clunk' would be at, when it hit the skull?  would be a good hollow 'clllonk' sound eh?  :evil4: )