Flying with Guitars...

[Systems]

I'm headed out to L.A. in a few weeks for recording and I'm taking my JP12-7. I've flown with guitars before and had the airline 'temporarily' lose one (eventually recovered the next day). I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. The way I see it I have three options-
1) Have the guitar checked and go underneath the plane; wrap a belt around the case since those latches are pretty flimsy
2) Ship the guitar out a few days before I leave
3) Buy a gig-bag, take the guitar on the plane with me.

Obviously the third option is ideal. I've spoken with a few people who have done this and haven't had any issues (one "near issue"). My only fear with doing this, is that if they make me check the guitar at the gate then I'm 100% screwed because we all know the guitar wouldn't survive (especially with a connecting flight). I really feel that no amount of calling the airline ahead of time and being aware of all the dimension requirements will help me in any way as it is up to the discretion of the airline/TSA. Just looking to see what other experiences people here have had flying with their guitars.

 

[ScoobySteve]

mY .02 Unless its an airline that personally takes care of your instruments. (some high end ones do like Korean Air, Singapore Air, all the american airlines dont, unfortunately) then I suggest you absolutely gig bag it and carry it yourself. A little uncomfortable.

 

[threeminutesboy]

I flew from US to France with my guitar in its case with me. No issue. The flight attendant said "oh a musician! we love them, I will take care of your guitar" and so she did

it was a Delta Airline flight

 

[bbake1]

Option 3. I've flown with an Axis before with no issues. MMs are shorter than a lot of axes and fit just fine. Be sure to help out your seat mates in loading the overheadbin so your JP is on top.

 

[BUC]

I'm an airline pilot. If you're planning on checking your axe I'd make sure it's in a case made of kryptonite. The baggage handlers have a lot of stuff to move and don't slow down when they get to your guitar...it gets tossed onto belt loader just like every other bag.

Definitely go for the gig bag and overhead bin option. If you're flying Southwest, pay the extra 10 or so bucks for early boarding so that you're guaranteed space.

Regardless of who you're flying, getting on the airplane early increases your chances of NOT having to gate-check your guitar.

 

[ACELUEK]

I just flew to Wisconsin and back last week. I saw 4 guys that had to check their guitars in for storage due to no more space inside.. 2 of them had them in a soft case.. Yikes!

The early boarding as mentioned above would be the best bet.

 

[Systems]

I'm an airline pilot. If you're planning on checking your axe I'd make sure it's in a case made of kryptonite. The baggage handlers have a lot of stuff to move and don't slow down when they get to your guitar...it gets tossed onto belt loader just like every other bag.

Definitely go for the gig bag and overhead bin option. If you're flying Southwest, pay the extra 10 or so bucks for early boarding so that you're guaranteed space.

Regardless of who you're flying, getting on the airplane early increases your chances of NOT having to gate-check your guitar.

This made me feel a lot better. Until I read this:

I just flew to Wisconsin and back last week. I saw 4 guys that had to check their guitars in for storage due to no more space inside.. 2 of them had them in a soft case.. Yikes!

The early boarding as mentioned above would be the best bet.

There's no way I could let a $2,500 guitar go under a plane in a gig bag. I already have my tickets, but does anyone know if I can still do the early boarding upgrade?

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

Take a gig bag and the case. If you have to check in the guitar, Then you can fold up the gig bag as a carry on. If you can bring the guitar and gig bag on board, Then check the empty case in to go underneath. Either way your safe. If checking the guitar & case to go into the cargo, Be sure to have a couple of nylon straps to wrap around the case. If you have to check the guitar in, Make sure you don't handle the guitar until it comes up to room temp. It gets very cold in the cargo hold. Good luck !

 

[dibart77]

@Screaming: This advice is flawed. You won't know if they force to you gate check the guitar due to full overhead bins until you're on the plane (the example that @ACELUEK gave). Long after you would have had to decide what was going under the plane in checked baggage. Only valid options are:

A) Guitar in an ATA approved flight case, checked under the plane, or

B) Gig bag as carry-on baggage in the overhead bin and boarding early or buying premium boarding. NOTE: in the example that @ACELUEK gave, EVEN IF YOU BOARDED EARLY, there is a chance that the flight attendant can say, "The bins are too full, you need to check this bulky guitar." You can probably argue that it'll get ruined, but good luck arguing with the gestapo.

@Systems, what airline are you flying? With JetBlue you can go on their site and change your seat to a "Extra Legroom" seat under the "Seats" section which also gets you first boarding. I believe Delta has the same now. Several others do too.

One thing I have done in the past (and don't tell anyone I told you this): If you CAN'T get premium boarding, when you get to the gate EARLY, go to the counter and sheepishly tell the gate attendant: "This is kind of embarrassing, but I'm claustrophobic. Would it be OK if I pre-board, as it helps me if I can get settled in before all the passengers start filing on the plane." USUALLY, they pat your hand and say, "Of course. No problem. Come up when I call the first group."

-Jeff

​

 

[guitfiddle]

I use an ATA flight case. Yes, it's bulkier to drag around, but there is no way I can risk having to gate check a guitar. No matter how early you get there, it's still a risk. If you get the wrong person at the gate, or if they know a sports team is coming on with a load of rackets or some such, there is a good chance you could have to check your guitar. I had this happen a couple of times (I travel a lot), and the last time I did it my guitar did get damaged. I need it to be playable on the other side so I bought a good ATA flight case and lug it around in that. Harder sure, but much safer.

 

[guitarp77]

I´ve always flown with my guitars in hard case, taking them with me in the cabin.

You just have to ask the flight attendant to keep it stored in the locker with their jackets. They never put problems with it.

 

[Harable]

Hey - there's a post here somewhere, I think, describing how Steve Morse, of all people, was being given a hard time when trying to board his plane with #1 in a gig bag. Steve ended up REMOVING THE NECK FROM HIS GUITAR (!!!!!) so that it would pass their space requirements, and so he wouldn't have to let it go under the plane...

(remember, though, that this is the same guy who put the same guitar to his bench grinder because he couldn't get up to the higher frets with a cast on his left wrist).

 

[fbecir]

Don't read this story :
stevemorse.com: notes from the road

 

[fbecir]

This one is worst :
stevemorse.com: notes from the road



Good luck with your travel

 

[Harable]

This one is worst :
stevemorse.com: notes from the road



Good luck with your travel

Yup, that's the one...

 

[OU812]

Here is what I did.

Spring 2011 I flew to Prague...well ok I moved here. I had 2 guitars with me. One was my Music Man Axis and the other was a kickass 5150 replica that I spent tons of time on and money, and which I later ended up selling. Point being both guitars weren't cheap. I had a container shipped also with other stuff of mine by boat which arrived later.

I removed the neck from the body on both guitars (releasing the tension on the truss rod!). I took off the Floyds and wrapped them up so they don't damage the bodies. I had 2 suitcases with me and placed a guitar body in each suitcase right in the middle in between all my clothes. I then wrapped the necks up and placed them in my tennis bag along with my rackets (I make my living as a tennis coach) which was carry on.
I talked to a friend of mine who's a guitar tech and we both agreed this was the best and safest method in getting these guitars over here and also apparently what EVH used to do back in the late 70's with his Frankie when travelling (body in checked luggage, neck as carry on) but don't quote me on that.

I reassembled both guitars when I got where after a few days and was back to playing. Only thing I left behind and threw away was the MM case but thats ok as it was kinda beat up anyways and I can always buy a new one.

 

[DrKev]

Regardless of who you're flying, getting on the aircraft early increases your chances of NOT having to gate-check your guitar.

Absolutely!

The earlier you get on the aircraft, the easier it will be. If you get on board with a gigbag and the overhead bins are already full, you are SOL.

Also remember that every step of the way, you are relying on the good humour of the airline staff you deal with. Your guitar might be special to you, but to them you are just another demanding customer with special wishes. Be as nice as you possibly can, at all times. Until there are industry-wide rules in place regarding travelling with musical instruments, whether or not your guitar gets to the aircraft at all is at the discretion of the next airline staff member you deal with, and them alone.

I'm not overly worried about baggage handlers and I'll tell you why - depending on where we are in the world, we're all happy to pay $100-$400 in shipping charges for our guitars with UPS or Fedex. I've seen those guys load a truck with guitars I've packed for shipping. Believe me, the word FRAGILE means nothing to them either. Yet, our guitars arrive intact, and frequently still in tune, protected only by thin layers of foam, plastic, and cardboard.

Whatever you do, don't travel without appropriate insurance for your instrument. Don't assume the airline will cover anything if something goes wrong.

 

[dkannen]

If you can, pay for preboard to alleviate stress. Often times when you check in with the clerk when you first enter the airport, they will measure it and tell you that you will have to gate check it. Say "okay" and proceed through security. If they put a little tag on your instrument, take it off. When you get to the gate, talk with the clerk at the gate, and you should have no issues getting onboard early if you tell them it's an extremely fragile instrument. I've flown with my BFR jp6 over 15 times now, and I've never had any issues once on the plane.

 

[ScreaminFloyd]

Steve ended up REMOVING THE NECK FROM HIS GUITAR (!!!!!) so that it would pass their space requirements, and so he wouldn't have to let it go under the plane...

Thats a cool trick ! I wonder where he got the philips screw driver from? No way thats getting by TSA.

Also I wouldn't recommend making up an non existing condition to get special treatment. Fibs like that could

come back to haunt a person. Advocating and or condoning for people to make up some kind of character

flaw for special treatment will have everyone doing it. And it for sure won't help the person who actually

needs the help. Probably your best bet is to call the airlines and take names and numbers. I have heard of

Guitar players actually buying an extra seat for their guitar. Good Luck !

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Gig bag and have a stubby screw driver in it.

In Steve Morse's clinic last summer, he said that in all the time that he's played, he's only had to take the guitar apart twice.

He's flown more than most anyone I know of......