MM Original Case on Planes

[luciano]

Hello, how are you guys?

I am flying with a Stingray in its original hard case and I wanted to know if anyone in this forum have flew with this case.

- Have you checked it in the cargo area?
- How was the bass after the flight?
- What extra protection did you add?

Any extra info will be appreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[danny-79]

Only every once flown with a stingray and that was bringing it back from America to England.
In its original hard case, it got there in one piece the same time as me and was still in tune when the first thing I did was open it up to check it. Although there was possibly a lot of luck involved in that being so smooth
It’s too big for carry on so cost me $25 as an extra bag (this was 2011)
What I should of done is quite possibly slacken the strings off and bubble wrap it inside the case maybe ?
Either way it survived the trip. But saying that come the end of the world all that will be left is the odd Bo$$ pedal and millions of StingRay basses all untouched and still in tune !! So unless you’re bass is intentional vandalised it should be fine (a flight case wouldn’t hurt as an investment though!)
Good luck

 

[njhammer]

I have traveled to the UK and back on numerous occasions and with EBMM guitars in their original cases as checked luggage. Never had a problem, just don't lock the case. Have also been "allowed" to carry them on and stow them in a coat closet for the duration of the flight which makes for a more relaxing flight. Good luck.

 

[MaxKlein40]

I wouldnt trust it for air travel but I'm also paranoid about my instruments.

 

[Movielife]

Get a proper solid flight case. Much safer. Or buy a ticket and bring it on in a soft case.

 

[luciano]

Get a proper solid flight case. Much safer. Or buy a ticket and bring it on in a soft case.

What would be a proper flight case?

 

[Golem]

What would be a proper flight case?

"ATA Compliant"

 

[luciano]

Get a proper solid flight case. Much safer. Or buy a ticket and bring it on in a soft case.

A ticket for that flight costs $800 haha. Should I get a flight case if my bass has insurance?

 

[kinopah]

Man miss the days when I was in school in Boston, and had no problem flying with my bass in a Levy's bag in the overheads (or even the coat rack a few times). The two times I have flown with basses in the last few years, I checked them. These were both Fenders in the skb cases, but still. I wouldn't hesitate to check my Ray. Of all the basses I've owned, that's the one I'm pretty sure I could put in a garbage bag, hand it over the luggage counter, and receive it on the other end just fine. Such a tank.

 

[Wim Laven]

Your original case should be fine.

If you want an upgrade you may check out SKB ATA Rated, Electric Bass Safe Gig Bag Case w/ Wheels | Reverb

 

[luciano]

Man miss the days when I was in school in Boston, and had no problem flying with my bass in a Levy's bag in the overheads (or even the coat rack a few times). The two times I have flown with basses in the last few years, I checked them. These were both Fenders in the skb cases, but still. I wouldn't hesitate to check my Ray. Of all the basses I've owned, that's the one I'm pretty sure I could put in a garbage bag, hand it over the luggage counter, and receive it on the other end just fine. Such a tank.

Your original case should be fine.

If you want an upgrade you may check out SKB ATA Rated, Electric Bass Safe Gig Bag Case w/ Wheels | Reverb

I think I will just check the original case in, but adding a lot of bubble wrap, and maybe putting the case inside of another box full of this: https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/cardboard-box-packaging-foam-23985552.jpg

What do you think?

 

[njhammer]

FYI:

In 2012, former President Barack Obama signed into law the ‘‘FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012,’’ which, along with provisions for enhancing runway safety and easing restrictions on transporting lithium batteries, contains the following text:

SEC. 403. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL—Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended by adding at the end the following:

§ 41724. Musical instruments

(a) IN GENERAL—

(1) SMALL INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if—

(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator; and

(B) there is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.

For instruments too large to fit in an overhead or under your seat, you can bring them aboard but you do have to buy another ticket:

(2) LARGER INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the cost of the additional ticket described in subparagraph (E), if—

(A) the instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury to other passengers;

(B) the weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft;

(C) the instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator;

(D) neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States; and

(E) the passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.

 

[five7]

A gig bag will get it on the plane with you, a case and it is going with baggage. I have a wolfpack case that has enough room that I can pack some of my other stuff and usually save on luggage. It is a great case.

 

[kinopah]

Yeah the last time my friend flew with his Mono Vertigo bag, they did not have room in the bins (though he said he thought they did) and he had to gate-check it. Said he was sweating it the whole flight but that it was fine and he’d do it again.

 

[luciano]

A gig bag will get it on the plane with you, a case and it is going with baggage. I have a wolfpack case that has enough room that I can pack some of my other stuff and usually save on luggage. It is a great case.

Yeah the last time my friend flew with his Mono Vertigo bag, they did not have room in the bins (though he said he thought they did) and he had to gate-check it. Said he was sweating it the whole flight but that it was fine and he’d do it again.

I think I will buy a gig bag but pack the bass in the hard case. When I get to the counter, I will ask if I can carry it with me. If I can, I take it from the hard case and use the gig bag, if not, I check it in. What do you think?

FYI:

In 2012, former President Barack Obama signed into law the ‘‘FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012,’’ which, along with provisions for enhancing runway safety and easing restrictions on transporting lithium batteries, contains the following text:

SEC. 403. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL—Subchapter I of chapter 417 is amended by adding at the end the following:

§ 41724. Musical instruments

(a) IN GENERAL—

(1) SMALL INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if—

(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator; and

(B) there is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.

For instruments too large to fit in an overhead or under your seat, you can bring them aboard but you do have to buy another ticket:

(2) LARGER INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE.—An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the cost of the additional ticket described in subparagraph (E), if—

(A) the instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury to other passengers;

(B) the weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft;

(C) the instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator;

(D) neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States; and

(E) the passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.

I know this law, but I have read that if the instrument size is larger that the allowed for a carry on bag, you can't take it with you.

 

[Golem]

A ticket for that flight costs $800 haha.

Should I get a flight case if my bass has insurance?

Depends .... how is the tone and playability of your
insuraance policy ?