NEVER CHECK YOUR GUITAR - and they can't make you!
Relevant info from:
You CAN Carry On Your Guitar. It
Note that I've
bolded and
underlined some relevant parts - and that a guitar counts as a "small instrument"
In 2012, President 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
And did you notice that the time to determine whether there’s sufficient space for your guitar is at the time you board the aircraft??!?!?! Not that "the plane will be full once everyone gets on, so you have to check it", and they can't decided after it's onboard that your guitar takes up too much room and they’ll have to gate check it fit more suitcases in.
I regularly take an acoustic with me on vacation - I've printed out the text of the law and carry it inside my guitar case and I've always boarded with my guitar and stowed it overhead.
Hope that helps others!
kestrou
