Flying: Original Hardshell Case or ATA Flight Case?

[gspin]

Hi guys, if you are flying to a gig with your MM axe do you prefer to try to carry it on in your hardshell case with you (with the risk that the airline won't let you and make you check it or put it in the hold) or do you just check an ATA flight case and hope for the best?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated

cheers

gspin

 

[beej]

I don't think there's an airline out there that will let you carry on the hardshell case, it would have to go in cargo. If you want to carry your guitar on you'll want to bring a gig bag (it's a risk, sometimes airlines let you, sometimes they don't).

If you're checking it in, it's also a crapshoot ... the case it ok, but won't handle real abuse from baggage handlers. If I 100% needed my guitar for gigs and I was flying, I'd get an ATA case.

So ... gig bag and hope for the best, or ATA case and plan for the worst. I'd say a lot depends where and how much you're planning to fly.

 

[gspin]

I don't think there's an airline out there that will let you carry on the hardshell case, it would have to go in cargo. If you want to carry your guitar on you'll want to bring a gig bag (it's a risk, sometimes airlines let you, sometimes they don't).

If you're checking it in, it's also a crapshoot ... the case it ok, but won't handle real abuse from baggage handlers. If I 100% needed my guitar for gigs and I was flying, I'd get an ATA case.

So ... gig bag and hope for the best, or ATA case and plan for the worst. I'd say a lot depends where and how much you're planning to fly.

Hmm... I would think the gig bag would be pretty much out of the question. So an ATA that I check would have to be it. I know professional cellists by another plane seat! Pretty damn annoying isn't it... Flights would be from NYC to SF, Europe, Brazil, Middle East... on some of these I think I would be inclined to leave my MM Axis Super Sport at home and rent some other axe (see my other thread regarding decent substitutes).

Maybe that's the answer....

Unless someone can suggest something different?

Thanks for the help

gspin

 

[bbake1]

Gig bag always now. So far no issues. Tried with a hardcase it was a no-go, had to check it plane side. Luckily no issues. Most domestic carriers aren't an issue. Not sure about international though. Tough decision. Good luck.

 

[beej]

Hey, Steve Morse travels all over the world with his #1 in a gig bag. There's a good story on his site about him once having to unscrew the neck to make the security folks happy. But he did it.

Btw, the EBMMs will fit in an overhead bin. I've done it on several occasions myself.

 

[gspin]

Hey, Steve Morse travels all over the world with his #1 in a gig bag. There's a good story on his site about him once having to unscrew the neck to make the security folks happy. But he did it.

Btw, the EBMMs will fit in an overhead bin. I've done it on several occasions myself.

Gigbag? In an overhead? With all the neanderthals cramming their duty free Jack Daniels and sundry crapola all over it?... whoa!... maybe Steve Morse travels in business/first where there is more space... maybe I am too much of a whimp...

cheers

gspin

 

[bbake1]

Gigbag? In an overhead? With all the neanderthals cramming their duty free Jack Daniels and sundry crapola all over it?... whoa!... maybe Steve Morse travels in business/first where there is more space... maybe I am too much of a whimp...

cheers

gspin

Just stand up and help the people with their items and make sure your axe is protected. Starts up some good conversation as well. When they see what you have, most people are reasonable and understand not to throw their carry-on on top of a musical instrument. I don't gig, but if my livelihood was in the gig bag, I sure wouldn't leave it to someone else to care for it.

 

[BrickGlass]

My band flew to a gig and they let me and the bass player take our hardshell cases and put them in an overhead. They both fit too.

 

[gspin]

Of course, seriously speaking, that is what I would try to do as well. But again, there is always the risk that the airline will require you to check your axe in its gig bag... so I guess I am back to asking, which risk is worse: a 25% chance of having your axe checked in its gig bag or 100% of it being checked in an ATA flight case (e.g., Anvil)?
I am going to do a little more research with the airlines to see what the latest rules are...

thanks

gspin

 

[DrKev]

Not only does can each airline have it's own rules but the enforcement of those rules also depends on the people working your check-in, boarding gate, and aircraft cabin. Their discretion, good will, or bad moods can determine everything. The only way to be sure is to put it in a case in the hold. Yes, an ATA case will probably be the safest option but us knuckleheads regularly send stuff all over the world in the standard Music Man cases often with no more extra protection than a cardboard box.

And if you think that the guys handling at UPS/Fedex/USPS/whoever treat things better than airport baggage handlers, I can only admire your optimism. Remember, when we fly with our guitars WE get to take them to the airport with us. That limits a lot of risk. When we ship it, it can pass through five or six different pairs of hands before it gets within sight of the airport and I it seems to work out fine. As an example, according to UPS, my SS went from NY to KY to PA before crossing the Atlantic, and even then it crossed the Paris region twice (Roissy to Chilly-Mazarin to St Ouen) before it even got in to Paris city. When I opened the standard Music Man case, the guitar was still beautifully in tune (despite Slav forgetting to tune it)!

The real question, for me, is this - Is the cost of an ATA case worth the extra peace of mind?

 

[gspin]

The real question, for me, is this - Is the cost of an ATA case worth the extra peace of mind?

I guess it would be for me...

Either made to spec (e.g., Anvil for which I got a $400 quote for a 1/4" plywood ATA)
or this thing:
http://www.buy.com/prod/skb-injectio...218363666.html

or something else?

cheers

gspin

 

[gspin]

I guess it would be for me...

Either made to spec (e.g., Anvil for which I got a $400 quote for a 1/4" plywood ATA)
or this thing:
http://www.buy.com/prod/skb-injectio...218363666.html

or something else?

cheers

gspin

Or how about this: does anyone make something similar to the Bass Safe that allows you to put your GIG BAG inside of a larger hardshell (with the added advantage that you can walk around with the gig bag at desination)?

cheers

gspin