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Author
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Topic: Rookie Air Travel Questions
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Dillon Jackson
Member From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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posted 07 August 2005 09:03 AM
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I need to get to a practice session in Las Vegas and a gig later this year in San Antonio. This time I'm bringing the steel. And yes, I am sure with case its 50 lbs. plus. What are folks experiences with the airlines--am I better off to ship it ahead with UPS or FEDEX?------------------
Dillon Jackson
abiband.com
ZUM U-12; NV-1000 |
Steve Hitsman
Member From: Waterloo, IL
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posted 07 August 2005 09:14 AM
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I checked my Emmons through on a flight from St. Louis to Richmond with a layover in Chicago (O'Hare). It weighed 67 lbs and cost me $25. On my return from Richmond they waived the charge.Don Curtis supplied me with a sleeve he made from corrugated cardboard that wrapped around the case and was secured with velcro that he had stapled to the cardboard. There was a cutout for the handle. I bought some nylon straps and wrapped them around the whole thing in both directions. This protected the case and prevented the latches from being inadvertantly flipped open. It made the whole round trip with no mishaps. |
Eric West
Member From: Portland, Oregon, USA
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posted 07 August 2005 10:22 AM
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Tipping the skycap produces major results in my case. It's good manners anyhow, and in my case it saved me over 2 bills and a major teardown nightmare for 15$. They have the perrogative to send it to the "weighmaster" or not. Checking it in yourself, you're guaranteed a weigh in and probably an extensive tear apart for security you might otherwise avoid. At the curbside check in I found a TSA man that checked it with me there.I think for the latter alone with all the tunes channels and a recess under your guitar I'd consider another way.  EJL |
Bob Hoffnar
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 07 August 2005 10:27 AM
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Extra cardboard is good but make sure it can be packed and unpacked by knuckle dragging cretins without you there. Those guys in charge of our national security at the airports like to pull apart shiney objects when they get confused or excited. I must admit it has been getting better with the security guys. Now they make sure they can find there own ass with both hands within 3 tries before they get the badge.Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 07 August 2005 at 01:13 PM.] |
Dave Grafe
Member From: Portland, Oregon, USA
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posted 07 August 2005 03:01 PM
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No problems with the airlines, they ignore the extra weight as often as they charge me for it. Can't say the same for the TSA folks, though -- they have smashed and broken a few things along the way. Still, I would chack my guitar on the plane I'm riding in before I would send it via any freight service. I carry lots of gaffer's tape to wrap the case in after TSA gets through with it. |
Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 07 August 2005 03:10 PM
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Definitely go to curbside checkin and tip the skycap if you can. Usually $10 will encourage him not to make waves for you. If your axe is just a few pounds over 50, you might consider removing the legs and pedal rack, and put them in your suitcase instead (if they'll fit), or wrap them separately and put as your 2nd checked piece (if everything else you need fits in your hand luggage). That might just get the weight down under 50 lbs and then this whole problem goes away. But I'd still take it with you on the plane rather than send it ahead by FedEx or another courier. Good luck!
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Boo Bernstein
Member From: Los Angeles, CA
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posted 08 August 2005 03:53 PM
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I have a solid roadcase with wheels that has room for the pedal board and an area on the end for volume pedal, wires, etc. (Definitely oversized.) I flew to Nashville to play a few weeks ago. Southwest was very strict with me and charged me for it being over 75 pounds. I mentioned to the porter that the last time I flew they didn't charge me. He said that now they have inspectors checking weights --if something is over 50 pounds, they can go back and see who checked the luggage in -- with the threat of being fired. They also told me that if it is over 100 pounds, they won't allow it on the plane at all. I think given new interest in security and what is being checked, there is now closer attention to things that we got away with for a long time! Boo |
Dillon Jackson
Member From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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posted 08 August 2005 10:54 PM
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All good imput--use skycap; beware of having to open for inspection. Seems to me it would be best to invest in a ATA case risk the extra weight rather than have to open up a cardboard protected hard case. I'll report back what which Airline did what when I get back in from Vegas in Sept.------------------
Dillon Jackson
abiband.com
ZUM U-12; NV-1000 |
Roy Ayres
Member From: Starke, Florida, USA
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posted 09 August 2005 07:40 AM
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As I type, my steel (in the case with legs, etc.) is being packed by one of those pack-and-ship stores. He is building a box from double-thick cardboard and packing the steel case in 2-inch foam rubber (not styrofoam). He is designing the box so it can be opened for inspection by cutting the tape on one seam. I'm carrying a roll of shipping tape along with me. The trip is from Memphis to Seattle and return. It's a "through flight" (i.e, no changing planes) so I don't think there is a lot of probability of lost items. If the box works out, I plan to save it for future trips. The guy is charging $35 for making the box.------------------
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book. |
Todd Pertll
Member From: Austin, Texas, USA
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posted 09 August 2005 08:13 AM
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I had a case made by Calzone. It was expensive, but I figure that if the steel gets dropped even once, it has paid for itself. Plus it has wheels.My MSA 12 string with the flight case weighs in at 74 lbs. the last few airlines I've dealt with charge $25.00 for 50-70 lbs. and $50.00 for 70-100lbs.
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Bob Hoffnar
Member From: Brooklyn, NY
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posted 09 August 2005 08:35 AM
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Roy,
I made made a box like that for myself out of cardboard shipping boxes for acoustic guitars of different sizes. I would put my standard case inside it. It lasted for about a dozen flights till I got myself a flight case I'm happy with. 2 layers of cardboard with bubble wrap or foam rubber for padding is as good as anything. Make sure you brace up and pad the corners well.Bob |
Roy Ayres
Member From: Starke, Florida, USA
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posted 09 August 2005 09:58 AM
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Thanks, Bob. I'm supposed to pick mine up this afternoon. I think the guy is going to do a good job. I'll edit this post later after I get it.
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Bob, I picked up the box this afternoon. The guy did a great job. It's designed so that it can easily be opened and the steel case can be removed for inspection. Cost me $35.00 but I think it's worth every penny of it. I think the box will hold up for a number of flights -- although I don't plan on flying very often.[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 09 August 2005 at 08:45 PM.] |
Boo Bernstein
Member From: Los Angeles, CA
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posted 11 August 2005 11:27 AM
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One other thing (I actually read it here on the Forum) I put a page with big print on the inside of the steel case that says something like: "To Airline Personnel: This is a PEDAL STEEL GUITAR (a musical instrument) along with supplies to play it. Please handle with care." Chances are that if they open it and you're not around, they will have no idea what it is and, hopefully, this helps from having them tear everything apart. |
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