Help! Flying With Effects.

[Mayor Stoner]

" Hey, Guys. This thread may be a little off topic, but here goes.
I haven't flown with my guitar gear in over 10 years.
I'm hoping some of you could give me any advice or experiences, on flying with guitars, and especially effects pedals. I assume, little metal boxes, with electronics in them, connected by cables, make the airlines a little jumpy.
Any help would be welcome.
.. BTW, the Silhouette Special is not flying this trip . . not taking a chance. Thanks."
M.S.

 

[rockerjt]

These days I am usually at home, but in the past I usually only had my stuff in the cargo area of a RV/Bus or a trailer. I have flown my stuff on a couple of occasions. I have an ATA pedalboard case made by Space Case, and I have extra foam padding that I put in between the effects and the top of the case, which keeps everything in place during the bumps and such, and keeps them from ripping off the board. Seems to work. Oh yeah, unplug everything from the pedals before you fly-nothing like screwing up a jack because a cable was left in the pedal. I have never had a problem using this method, but the airlines can mess up just about anything.

Good luck and let us know what you did.

JT

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I would imagine that if you check pedals and cables, and have them available to be inspected at all times you should not have too much of a problem.

 

[universe777]

I fly alot and have never had any problems, just make sure you get there early enough to fight your way through the lines at security.

I just got back from Chicago last week via southwest airlines. Here's how it went:

I only went up for the weekend so I could get away with only a back pack (let me say, flying without any luggage to check is very liberating...it almost feels wrong to skip right past baggage check/claim).

I wrapped each pedal in an article of clothing to protect it then just threw them all in my backpack...and voila! that was that...the guy scrutinized my bag under the x-ray for a little longer than usual but I was on my way after that.

-I would never trust the airline with my guitar stuff...I have to know that it's getting on the same plane as I am and that it can be in my sight at almost all times. Heck...I would even just put the pedals in a cardboard box and carry it on if i needed too.

I've found it's harder to get a laptop past security than it is a bag full of guitar goodies....go figure. Also, I have never once had a problem carrying a guitar on the plane and storing it in overhead. I just pack mine in a formfitting softcase (mono cases or coffin) and make sure i'm one of the last people to board (so that way I get to put my guitar on top of everyone elses luggage and not the other way around! Yikes!).

Good luck and happy traveling!

 

[andynpeters]

I fly alot and have never had any problems, just make sure you get there early enough to fight your way through the lines at security.

I just got back from Chicago last week via southwest airlines. Here's how it went:

I only went up for the weekend so I could get away with only a back pack (let me say, flying without any luggage to check is very liberating...it almost feels wrong to skip right past baggage check/claim).

I wrapped each pedal in an article of clothing to protect it then just threw them all in my backpack...and voila! that was that...the guy scrutinized my bag under the x-ray for a little longer than usual but I was on my way after that.

-I would never trust the airline with my guitar stuff...I have to know that it's getting on the same plane as I am and that it can be in my sight at almost all times. Heck...I would even just put the pedals in a cardboard box and carry it on if i needed too.

I've found it's harder to get a laptop past security than it is a bag full of guitar goodies....go figure. Also, I have never once had a problem carrying a guitar on the plane and storing it in overhead. I just pack mine in a formfitting softcase (mono cases or coffin) and make sure i'm one of the last people to board (so that way I get to put my guitar on top of everyone elses luggage and not the other way around! Yikes!).

Good luck and happy traveling!

Never had a problem with effects....your chances of taking a guitar into the cabin in Europe are remote, it will need to be checked....also on many planes the overhead compartment isn't big enough.
These days I take my Warmoth guitar, unscrew the neck and put the 2 parts in my suitcase. Too nervous to travel with my EBMMs

 

[Spudmurphy]

I took a large mixer on board a plane from Scotland- just said to the guy at security what I had - no problems at all - and this was just after the security alert at Glasgow airport when the ramraider set fire to his vehicle!!

You should be fine with your pedals. - You could take precautions by phoning the airline first.

 

[Mayor Stoner]

Thanks Guys.

" Thanks for all replys. I just got in from the trip. I pretty much took all the advise.
I just made sure, up front, the security folks knew what the effects pedals were, and I have to say, they couldn't have been nicer. And, fortunately, the guitar made the trip with no damage issues. Thanks again to one and all. " M.S.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Glad it all worked out for ya.