| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Mark |
Posted - 12/18/2007 : 1:29:22 PM
Once again I'm seeing folks get all worked up about traveling with their guitars. So I thought: let's really get some answers. Some folks are so concerned that they buy cheap *ss guitars to travel with, some rely on tiny travel guitars, some scam on how to get the guitar in the cabin... and some folks pack 'em up properly and relax.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again: unless you picked up your guitar directly from the luthier, chances it rode in a airplane's cargo hold to get to the store. Go ahead and fret all you want, but a properly packed guitar will survive the trip just fine. I'd much rather play a guitar that turns me on when I reach my destination, but hey, I'm like that...
But, just for ducks, lets get it all out in the open: I'd really like to know, once and for all, how many TaroPatch readers have experienced damage to a properly case guitar on an airline.
I say properly cased, cuz when I was 19 I checked an acoustic through in a canvas gig bag. Guess what? It got broke. Gee.
Personally, I've flown my instruments for over 30 years. On commercial planes. On bush planes. On private planes. To Europe, Canada, and all over North America. In flight cases... and regular hard cases. I've gate checked maybe 5% of the time, the rest went in the hold. So we are talking hundreds of flights. In '86 two buds and I did the Fly Till You Die Tour: 21 days of unlimited mileage; flying two or three legs every single day. Each of us checked our axes.
I have had some scary moments in those 30 years, including two destroyed SKB cases, but zip damage to my instruments. Currently I use a Calton flight case, as does Keola Beamer, and many other pros. There are other alternatives, as well, including Bruce Lamb's amazing Clam Case.
OK, so let's start hearing those horror stories. Not friend of a friend I heard so and so stories, personal experience. (John McCutcheon's iconic forklift accident happened some 25 years ago, tho' the story gets repeated as if it happens every year...)
I want details: how was it packed? How many times have you flown with it? What was the damage? If it was lost, how long did it take to get it back (my record is two days). If it was damaged, was it repairable? And (the real issue) did the world end?
Anecdotally, I seem to remember Lawrence had a problem at some point in the past... Who else? There are quite a few professional musicians on this forum, I'd like to hear from you, too.
And, while we are at it, let's hear from everyone who hasn't had problems... I'm curious about the real percentage risk of damage per number of flights. Which I am guessing is vanishingly small. But, if it isn't, wouldn't it be good to know that, too?
Forewarned is fore armed (and if you had four arms you could play slack key and `ukulele at the same time!)
Mark
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nahenahekihoalu |
Posted - 03/05/2011 : 09:18:20 AM
After reading some of the horror stories on the internet, I was skeptical about flying my guitar to Kauai. I was pleasantly surprised, though. As I checked in my Taylor K-20ce guitar at the Hawaiian Airline counter in San Jose (it was well padded in a foam case, and detuned), I mentioned my worries to the attendant........that I had waited all my life for a really nice guitar and that this was a retirement gift that I would never be able to replace. He smiled and told me that he would be sure and take good care of it. He put it aside behind the counter. And that was the last that I saw it until my wife and I were at the baggage retrieval point in Lihue. As we were waiting there, My wife spotted a Hawaiian Airline attendant walking towards us from down the isle. He was holding my guitar in both of his hands. He asked if I was Mr. Clark, and then put it in my hands. The first attendant had apparently put a large "first class" label on it. It was nearly the same scenario on our trip home. I think that that's pretty exemplary customer service. I may have paid a little more for my coach ticket with this carrier, but I guess their service is one of the reasons they're #1. They made a friend that day, as well as a future customer. There's no substitute for quality. Their story should be told. |
| Trev |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 07:36:05 AM
To all Rainsong owners - I bought a Rainsong in July, and it came with what seems to be an excellent case. I've just been to Egypt and back with it, checked it into the hold, and it was absolutely fine. In fact it wasn't even out of tune. I'm planning on taking it to Hawaii next year, as it seems less of a risk than the wooden guitar - although that too has always been fine on several years of international flights in a Hiscox Liteflite. |
| Volcano |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 5:14:06 PM
I put my Goodall in a Calton and put it through baggage. I used to travel with a '53 D28 in a Calton and it was thrown so hard once the bottom of the case pushed in. The guitar was fine and the case pulled out. No problem. The case is heavy but great protection. |
| Lawrence |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 10:46:53 AM
quote:
But first we'll see how the airline accepts it and if it sits comfortably in the over head..
No doubt it will fit in the overhead just fine. I looked at these things too and measured them to airline specification. Carry on must be under 9x14x22 to "guarantee" (there are no real guarantees) getting on board. When folded, the Voyage-Air I measured was much thicker than 9 inches (and would not fit in the United Airlines test box, nor under the steel template they sometimes put on the x-ray machine). So, once again you may finally depend on the good graces of the flight crew, if you cannot fit it under your seat you may have to gate-check it.
Here is the current UA policy on the web (America/Delta are similar):
(there may be some wiggle room  if the bins are not all full)
Carry-on baggage policies for all United travel
For worldwide travel on any United or United Express flight, you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag...
* must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
* should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
* may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.
The following personal items are not counted toward your one bag and one personal item limit:
* Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
* Child safety seats for ticketed children
* Infant restraint devices (infant seat with or without stroller, front pouch or back carrier)
* Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)
* Reading material (a reasonable amount)
* Umbrellas (one per passenger)
* Food and beverages to be consumed onboard
* One musical instrument not exceeding a size of 45 linear inches*
Please note that items must be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. They may not be stowed in the seat back pocket.
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| noeau |
Posted - 02/11/2010 : 10:23:04 AM
Flew Delta to Hawai'i the plane was full so no can bring on board. Saw a first class passenger carry his hrd shell on but you gotta pay for an expensive tkt. I checked 900 + round trip and 30,000 points. Too much. So any way i get to the gate and they make me check the guitar but it went in regular luggage and not the usualgate check like wheel chairs and stroller and car seats. it came flying into the carousel in hawai'i but no problem with the guitar. i used a trec case and it heldup. I just bought a voyage air OM6 in Hawai'i and will ship my other guitar via UPS.The owner of Island guitars was amazed at the voyage air I was too sounds as good as a Martin or Taylor. That is why I bought it cost under 700 bills so I am happy. It should clear the gate folded up in its specially made case. Oh yeah the guitar shop guy said he saw a demo of the Trec case where the guy in the booth threw it and a Taylor inside across the room and sustained no injury to the instrument. I believe it needs to fit snug.because my Seagull sustained some little ding on the binding when it fell from the tailgate of my rent a car in Kona last year. The guitar may have moved a little inside the case. Any way I don't know about staying power of my new guitar yet but it sure sounds pretty. It came with D'Addario phos/bronze lights and the string rings very nicely. Great sub harmonics too add to the tone and the neck is true all the way up. The folding mechanism ids interesting. The store claimed you could fold it tuned up and then extend it it again and find it still in tune. I have not experienced that and the manufacturer suggests that the instrument be detuned before folding. It make s sense cause their is a springy snap to the neck if it is under tension and I rather not do that too often.. Folding under tension I mean. I would recommend it for purchase. But first we'll see how the airline accepts it and if it sits comfortably in the over head.. |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 01/29/2010 : 8:18:07 PM
Continental was pretty good to us last August, but I still wound up gate checking on 3 of the 4 flights. Only once did they find closet space for my guitar. I don't think Hawaiian or Alaska Airlines has flights from Cleveland. In our 6 trips to Hawai`i, we've flown Delta and American at least twice each, United and Continental once each. This last time was the only time I took a guitar, so I don't know how we would have fared on the other 3 airlines. United does have that YouTube video to live down. Needless to say, my Taylor can count on staying home when I fly somewhere. It has gone on one car trip so far. I went a lot of years when I couldn't afford new strings,part of me has a hard time with the concept of $3000+ guitars.
Paul |
| slipry1 |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 11:56:02 AM
quote:
Originally posted by rendesvous1840
That all sounds good, but there are those of us to whom a guitar costing in the $1-2K price range is an extravagant, probably once in a lifetime purchase. Frankly, airline horror stories scare me worse than the cockroach that ate Cinncinnatti! Auntie worried more than I did, even before she got bonked on the noggin by that heavy case.
Unko Paul
Eh, Paul. I took my pristine Martin 000-28 with me to Oahu on Hawaiian Airlines, along with a couple of steel guitars and my 8 string Dobro, which I checked through (it's hard to hurt something whose neck is a piece of 2X4). On the way over, the overhead bins were too small for the guitar, but the flight attendents stashed it in a closet for me. The 767 on the way back had double sized bins, so the guitar went there. In my extensive travel, I have found porblems to be airline and airplane dependent. MD-11's are pieces of junk, imho, with almost no overhead space and dinky closets. 737's don't have large overheads, but Alaska has always been good to me. Widebodies have better storage space, but Delta and United do not care about their passengers' well being - enuf said. My old time music pal, W. Bruce Reid, posted on our local old time music newsgroup about professional, classical musicians complaining to TSA about the problen of carry-on instruments, and, apparently, they are allowing this to happen. Unfortunately, I've only been able to get in and out of Cleveland (visiting NASA Lewis) on Delta or American, so I guess you folks DO have probelms. |
| old Pooperoo |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 05:19:53 AM
noeau,Thanks for the message. I work in Seattle. I have been to the Kona before. I will try to stop by when I can swing it. About 16 years ago, my dear friend Alan Keanu kept bugging me around mid-morning. "I'm hungry, lets get a plate". Dis Haole have no clue. "What good's a plate going to do you, we need some lunch". Alan just looked at me. "Get in da ca." On to the Kona and a huge plate lunch. That's about 1000 or so plates ago. Now I can walk to the food court at Uwajimaya's, order a five pound plate of Kalua Pork and rice and satisfy my need for grinds. Apologies if I miss-spelled anything. Hope to see and hear you soon! Aloha and Mahalo for the invite! |
| old Pooperoo |
Posted - 01/28/2010 : 05:07:45 AM
Thanks Rendevous. Ah hem....I may have forgot to mention (memory, what memory!), the original hard case fits inside the clam, suspended by dense foam arms. The 910esFLTD cost more than I'm willing to admit here. When I first purchased it, I nick named it 'the hussy' because it was just so beautiful and ornamented. (Boy did I have buyers remorse for a while) Of course, that only lasted until I picked it up again, slacked it down and heard thos endless, shimmering sustains even my amatuer scratching produced. My wife could hear it in the other end of the house and immediately knew which guitar (of 4) I was using. I played hundreds of instruments before I finally bought it. I was looking for a Goodall sounding axe on a Taylor G series budget. Of course like all spoiled little boys, I coughed up the big dough anyway when I found it. So, I understand the reluctance to pack any well loved instrument and watch it disapear into the Large items door and into the hands of a bored security guy. Thanks again for the input. |
| noeau |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 8:01:41 PM
Well if you pack um god and gate check it it comes out with the baby strollers and stuff. I do understand the paranoia though. |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 11:06:17 AM
That all sounds good, but there are those of us to whom a guitar costing in the $1-2K price range is an extravagant, probably once in a lifetime purchase. Frankly, airline horror stories scare me worse than the cockroach that ate Cinncinnatti! Auntie worried more than I did, even before she got bonked on the noggin by that heavy case.
Unko Paul |
| old Pooperoo |
Posted - 01/27/2010 : 06:20:39 AM
I have traveled with my Baby Taylor, 1970 Martin D-18, and my Taylor 910es Fall Limited (big boy guitar) many times to Hawaii.(one at a time of course) (Seattle, Ohau, Molokai and reverse)I've flown United, Hawaiian, Alaska, Island Air, and Mokulele. Each time I've used the 'clam' travel case. No problemo. There are some horrendous marks on the outside of this durable coffin that were obviously made by some high impact or wrenching turn in the luggage ramps but not a scratch to the axe. The clam will also store two sets of fins/snorkels, 30 slack key CD's, accmpanying guitar baggies with essential stuff, shorts, t-shirs and anything else I can squeeze in. You can tell I'm a huge fan and totally confident in this travel case.
Mark is quite right about good instruments. I first only traveled with the Baby T. But my other guitars got horribly jealous of the T's trip to Molokai. So, they now draw straws to see who gets to twang in paradise. I've warned them sternly, "no whining no matter who wins". Of course like all children, they mope around until we get back with pictures and presents.
It's worth it to slack down those boxes and send out that sweet music to accompany the wind and waves.
Aloha from Seattle. |
| Larry Goldstein |
Posted - 01/06/2010 : 6:39:28 PM
No doubt this is not news to many of you, but I recently learned about the new fees on checking baggage and "oversize."
I was planning on taking my guitar to CA on a business trip of five days. Typically I fly Alaska which now is charging $50 each way for any baggage over 62 linear inches; that's length, width and depth. Thinking that was a lot I checked United. They are charging $175 each way!
Nevermind your Calton or Lamb Clam overpack. My nylon string guitar case exceeds the limit.
Larry |
| slipry1 |
Posted - 12/26/2009 : 09:35:28 AM
How about this? http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/e367.html. Anybody have experience with this guy? |
| Bart |
Posted - 12/25/2009 : 3:18:16 PM
Here's a nice musical account of guitar damage by United: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
It's not slack key, though. |
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