And we're off!

[LarryNJ]

Hey, this thread has taken on a life of its own!!
Maybe something about FLYING with a bass or....

Sterling, I play with a touring act out of Louisiana, a Reggae/Old Funk
band. called FLAVOR. I live & am based out of Southern Cali, so I've been in the sorta friendly skies all too often---packing a bass or two.

To all those who have had their luggages thrashed, my deepest sympathy.
I have no answer for my good fortune so far, just lucky I guess.

I will say, that at my departure point of LAX, one of the most heinous (and busy)
aerodromes in the world, I did get to talk to their baggage manager about taking care while loading my bass. He came up to the counter and everything, wow. (It was NorthWest AL btw)... He was very cool, told me his brother-in-law played, etc, and told me theywould transport it right for me.
Really, he did; even slapped a sticker with a pic of a fragile glass on it!!

Of course I don't get to "bond" with the crew that UNLOADS the cargo-
Ummm, I'm kinda in a cabin between destinations, like in the air? Ya know...

My experiences have been good, that's all- they did their job with no marks showing, and paid heed to what I asked for.
I still am gonna get an ATA tho---and insurance!

 

[maddog]

Then I continued to say the thing about the FCC.

I think qouting the FCC instead of the FAA is what got you in trouble.

 

[roballanson]

.

That's because a Violin will fit in the overhead locker. So will a Steinberger (a Steinberger 'ho - eg. Spirit, Hohner etc - makes a great travel bass)

.

Surprised no-one has mentioned traveling with the granddaddy of basses yet, so here goes.

I have travelled during the past 10 year with Ursula (my 1910 English Double Bass). She has been in the hold in a wardrobe sized hard case and believe me no problems - and like the other guys here with expensive instruments with great sentimental value I don't mess around with this girl.

My favorite was a BA flight from Prague where I got told by the staff there was no way she was going in the hold as the flight was nearly full. Had been paid so was a little flush so - you guessed it - booked another seat!!! The bloke behind her was most amused. And the flight crew gave me a round of applause as I struggled out with her after the flight.

Sorry thats a little rambly but had to share.

 

[AnthonyD]

I think qouting the FCC instead of the FAA is what got you in trouble.

Hysterical - great catch!

 

[roballanson]

Hysterical - great catch!

Yeah I did wonder why the Folkestone Cricket Club was controling American airline policy....

 

[bovinehost]

Over here, the FCC = the Federal Communications Commission.

 

[Mobay45]

A few of you here are old enough to remember the TV commercial that had a Gorilla slamming a Samsonite suitcase around to demonstrate the durability of it. That's the kind of protection you need for anything that is going to be checked on an airline!

The other thing that bothers me is the fact that I'm not allowed to lock any of my checked baggage anymore. I've had a couple of items missing since that rule went into affect. Even before that rule I once found that an extra lock had mysteriously appeared on one of my pieces of luggage from the time we left home until we reached our destination. Fortunately it was just attatched to a ring and not securing anything closed. This was way before 9/11. I figure it was the lock off of someone elses bag that the baggage handlers were going through to see what they could find. People would be much more cooperative about checking luggage if they felt that their possessions were truly secure and properly handled.

 

[LarryNJ]

Mobay, bro, you're trippin'!
Be right!...
I saw a "60 Minutes" piece of video, where some baggage handlers were ripping off suitcases---They were busted by the Airline!
So what I'm saying is this-
For you to imply that the baggage crews, as a matter of routine, thrash luggage-
Not right, not true, just a bad statement.
I'm saying the following-
The FACT is the far larger percentage of luggage arrives safe, intact, undamaged--fine condition. Ask anyone who travels. Agreed, if it happens once, that's enuff to set one off, but you GOTTA be real!
MILLIONS of pieces daily, only a small percentage damaged or lost. Period.
ANY other product or service would probably love to have the same record that the baggage crews have.
I keep hearing- "I SAW them thrash my case" etc etc---
Blah, Blah, Blah--- I have Tumi luggage, a great Banana Republic rollaboard duffle, all have 100's of thousands of Air miles, and nothing but normal wear and tear, most of the scuffs are from bellhops and ground transport.

I'm replying only because of the assistance and service I received when I recently embarked on a number of flights across the country and back with my basses-
checked as luggage, without an ATA case. The courtesy, answers, and ultimate safe delivery of my PRECIOUS basses make me debate the "Baggage Gorilla"
stereotype. It's wrong, not right, black and white, period.

Yes, there are dumbass baggage handlers, there are dumbass bass players too!
Can you believe it???
But I say again- The crews and their supervisors do their job well, they care about what they do, and their record and statistics speak for themself.
They were nothing but helpful to me, and they had no motive other than wanting to take care of a passenger. Really. Man.
Your Samsonite ad was just that- an ad to sell their stuff- Funny, but no cigar.

Sometimes bad stuff happens and luggage is abused, lost, or mis-handled.
MOST of the time, BY FAR, your luggage comes rolling down the chute, just as you packed it, with all intact. Anybody dispute that?

No locks has to do with Homeland Security.....Don't blame me, I didn't vote for Bush!

Ok, have fun, I gotta pack.....Key West, here I come!!!!

 

[AnthonyD]

We all have horror stories. I don't think we should let the bad apple spoil... aw, you know what I mean.

Me, I prefer to assume good intentions... Reduces the chance of heading down the wrong path with people.


Now I gotta end my post on this matter - I am dangerously close to getting into a political discussion...

 

[Mobay45]

Most of the time my luggage has arrived safe and sound. The odds are definitely in favor of that. All I'm doing is relating some of my experiences and sending a warning to anyone that wants to travel that bad things can happen. Be prepared for the worst and you will probably survive.

I'm really happy that some people have had nothing but good experiences but don't let that lull you into thinking that you will definitely have a good one. Some of the horror stories you hear are true. They just don't happen that often.

 

[Mobay45]

By the way, no matter which one of us you listen to, you will be taking Larry's advice.

 

[LarryNJ]

...And I'll recap my advice, since I'm bored.....

Get an ATA flight case & insurance- however, even if I were to receive a settlement of $100,000 for my '69 P-Bass I still couldn't replace IT---ya know??

If you can't travel with an ATA (or Bass Safe), do the HSC within a UPS HEAVY
cardboard box thing-- it's a GOOD idea-

Then- ASK forSPECIAL HANDLING at the check-in. If you have even rudimentary communication skillz, they will understand, respect, mark your packaged bass accordingly and duly note that you CARE about that package and put a watch on it. Really. Try it and see what happens. I did. It works.
They are professionals, and the vast majority of the Airline personnel care about, and take pride in doing their jobs well- Just like You and Me, right??? I know I do.

Finally, a gig bag riding with you inside the cabin would be sweet, but there is no guarantee that they will make room available- unless you have a 1st-Class ticket.

So there you have my .02 if you're gonna hit the sky with your bass.
Remember, the fun starts after you....
DE- PLANE!

 

[DaveB]

Sorry - its not so beautiful out here in Norfolk today. Thunder and rain unfortunately....

I used to live in Norwich - great in the summer going to beaches at Cromer/Winterton etc - but bloody awful in the winter!

Hope you get enough time back in the civilised world <G>

Dave

 

[Aussie Mark]

Finally, a gig bag riding with you inside the cabin would be sweet, but there is no guarantee that they will make room available- unless you have a 1st-Class ticket.

For the price of a 1st class ticket you could buy two seats up the back, one for you and one for the bass

 

[LarryNJ]

For the price of a 1st class ticket you could buy two seats up the back, one for you and one for the bass

...Yeah, but you wouldn't get unlimited drinks, edible food (well, sorta), all kinds of cookies, pretzels, etc., a seat wide enough for a normal adult, the right to get on and off first, and most of all......
A HOT TOWEL!!!!

Easily worth 5x the price of coach!

Me, I miss the old days!!

 

[Mobay45]

...Yeah, but you wouldn't get unlimited drinks, edible food (well, sorta), all kinds of cookies, pretzels, etc., a seat wide enough for a normal adult, the right to get on and off first, and most of all......
A HOT TOWEL!!!!

Easily worth 5x the price of coach!

Me, I miss the old days!!

Man I wish I could afford to travel 1st class all the time. The few times I've been able to it was awesome.

I miss the old days too.

 

[Oatus]

i wouldnt leave my bass with baggage handelers...i could get 20 to life...

 

[bovinehost]

Did I mention this before?

Hope for the best.

Prepare for the worst.

thank you, thank you, i'll be here all week,

Jack

 

[LarryNJ]

...Try the Veal, Jack!

Only times I've flown 1st-Class is with freq flyer mile upgrades, (got a few of those lately!) and the occasional special "last minute availability" sorta reasonable pricing a few carriers have.
I actually feel embarrased to be sitting in a luxury seat, sipping a drink, eating cashews, WITH A HOT TOWEL!!!! while the coach passengers file by, looking with a mixture of envy and hate! I do the same myself, the 90% of the time I'm in the
"back of the bus" too!

Luggage Handlers- OK I give up!
They're just waiting in the shadow, hoping to get a Bass, especially a 'Ray. or a Bongo, that they can stomp on and break, and spit on, and destroy. I guess they get bored and have their fun that way.

NOT!!!!

C'mon Now!
Try and be fair!

 

[MingusBASS]

Larry-

We believe you! There's no need to keep posting the same thing.

Andrew