Question Music Man JP6 as hand baggage on flight?

[Screamindv]

December 9th I flew NY to Sanfrancisco. My case had a slight gap from being handled so much over the years. The plane probably spent 4 1/2 hours at 35,000 feet. Outside temp was showing -76 degrees. While the baggage hold is pressurized and temperature controlled, they may have a hard time keping your guitar at 44 degrees Farenheit with a guitar in flight for 4+ hours. Upon opening my case at the top of the jetway (which I always do incase I have to make a claim), my guitar was covered in condensation; probably due to having been in cold for a long time and suddenly going into warm California weather.

 

[QuietSpike]

Couple of questions...

Do you remember what kind of plane you were on? At a minimum it was an A320 or B737... curious (explain why later)...

Also, you said you got it back at the top of the jetway? So it was gate checked and then retrieved as soon as you parked? Care to disclose the airline? This ties in with question 1...

I have taken my JP12 to the Bahamas from cold Washington DC in a gig bag (very airy), and no condensation on arrival... Heated and pressurized in the cargo of a bizjet.

Do you have a silica pack in your case?

 

[Screamindv]

Hi Quietspike. I flew Virgin America Airbus 320 from Newark NJ to SanFrancisco Ca. Yes it was gate checked and this was the first and only time I had this problem. I have been to Florida, Antigua and the Bahamas recently, mostly on United, without any problems. No, I did not have any silica gel packs in my case. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

 

[Beezwx]

Just my 2 cents - I check guitars all the time with travel cases from CaseExtreme (after having had too many issues with regular cases and even flight cases). Worth the scratch to protect your axe if you travel. With it you actually put your whole guitar/case in it, and it's protected. There's an upcharge at certain airports if they decide its "cargo", but I usually just tip the guy at the curb checkin and they let it through without any extra fees.

 

[QuietSpike]

Hi Quietspike. I flew Virgin America Airbus 320 from Newark NJ to SanFrancisco Ca. Yes it was gate checked and this was the first and only time I had this problem. I have been to Florida, Antigua and the Bahamas recently, mostly on United, without any problems. No, I did not have any silica gel packs in my case. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

I suspected such....

The A320 has forward cargo holds that the airline can opt to have heated or not to carry live animals.

The ones that are not heated still have cabin air come in, but it is not conditioned in any way before entering, so you get what you get--- still shouldn't be below freezing, but not conditioned like the air for passengers. I would suspect your case was near the door, too, which can have lower temps than in the center... and if your case was cracked open, would be exposed to cold air, then land in humid climate.... I would guess this is what happened to you. I would say this is very rare, and a better case and silica pack would definitely help.

 

[ccroyalsenders]

Have carried my JP6 on literally 100s of times. No issues.

 

[gurtejsingh]

This forum is awesome! Thank you so much for the insights guys! There's always so much more to learn Cheers to everyone and Mr. President

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Ok, here you go. Pro tip. Request a wheelchair in advance. Carry the guitar in a soft case. They cannot require a reason for a wheelchair. You will board first, put the guitar in the overhead, sit down and enjoy the flight.

I found this out from my mom who travelled with her sister who actually does require a wheelchair.

 

[gurtejsingh]

Thanks for all the help folks. So I tried my best to get the guitar on board, but in vain, I bubble wrapped the case properly and checked in the guitar. When I landed, I saw the entire bubble wrap was almost removed, and there was tape all over the guitar which said "US department of Homeland Security". Yes, they inspected my guitar case out of random choice, and here is the saddest part: I always lock my case before traveling, and they broke open the lock, causing a good amount of damage to the middle latch (Which has the lock).

I found a leaflet inside my case saying that my luggage was examined as a part of a random search, and they broke open the lock because they have the right to.

Anyhow, lesson learnt, never lock your case while flying internationally (perhaps from US). I am told that there is nothing I can do, and have to live with a faulty latch on the case.

Any advice to replace it?

Cheers.

 

[QuietSpike]

Not just international Gurtej... if you fly domestic in the US and check your guitar, it can/probably will happen then as well.

 

[BrickGlass]

Daaaaaamn. Surely there is a better way than for them to just be breaking locks open. Sorry to hear that. I would be pissed.

 

[gurtejsingh]

Daaaaaamn. Surely there is a better way than for them to just be breaking locks open. Sorry to hear that. I would be pissed.

Yes man. I was quite pissed too! The saddest part is that you realize this when you are out of US and thousands of miles away and there is nothing you can do. You can file a complaint, but thats not going to fetch you a new guitar case. I am thankful that they did not tamper with the guitar in anyway or damage it.

Why cant they just scan it like the rest of the baggage? They can obviously see whats inside! What a mess.

 

[ccroyalsenders]

Its just common sense to use only TSA approved locks on checked baggage.

 

[QuietSpike]

Not if your from another country...


Know how they check bags in India?? Didn't think so...

 

[gurtejsingh]

How would you use a TSA approved lock on your guitar case? Pictures please....

 

[ccroyalsenders]

How would you use a TSA approved lock on your guitar case? Pictures please....

I just screw in a little metal U eye and run theock between that and the case handle.

 

[gurtejsingh]

I just screw in a little metal U eye and run theock between that and the case handle.

Thanks for the response. I will keep that in mind next time I am traveling to US.

As Spike rightly said, I had no clue about the checks made while traveling to/from US. I am always learning so much more from you awesome ppl! Thanks everyone

 

[Mordimer]

This is the power of this forum, of this community - you can get good information on every guitar-related topic. I don't fly often, but it's good to know all these things.

<OT>
I was really curious what's inside this thread because I misread "hand baggage on flight" as "head banging in fight"
<EOT>

 

[gurtejsingh]

I was really curious what's inside this thread because I misread "hand baggage on flight" as "head banging in fight"

That one cracked me up pretty good