Flying Veeez

sonik

sonik

Motor City Madman
The gator thread reminded of this situation.


Somebody I know has to fly very soon with an acoustic. 3 hours flight on south west, it's just one way. And they were asking me if their normal hard shell acoustic case would be ok for one flight.

I've never done it, but it should be OK for one flight right? Right??????

Maybe with some extra bubble wrap around the guitar.

I told them about flight cases and they can't really afford one. :(
 
I took two flights with a Gibson coffin case and electric guitar. Both survived without any serious damage. I'm not sure that's proof of anything.
 
sonik said:
The gator thread reminded of this situation.


Somebody I know has to fly very soon with an acoustic. 3 hours flight on south west, it's just one way. And they were asking me if their normal hard shell acoustic case would be ok for one flight.

I've never done it, but it should be OK for one flight right? Right??????

Maybe with some extra bubble wrap around the guitar.

I told them about flight cases and they can't really afford one. :(
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Does the airline have a stated policy about taking musical instruments on as hand luggage in the cabin? Worth checking.
 
Bad idea for an acoustic unless the storage area is pressurized. Most commercial airlines are pressurized but not all. Ask beforehand..
 
I fly a fair amount (not with a guitar) and frequently see people carrying on guitars in gig bags. I’d check with the airline about carryon options. I wouldn’t check anything with any airline without a flight case.

Depending on the reason they’re flying with an acoustic, it might make more sense to ship it to the final destination if it’s a one way domestic thing or just rent something at the end location if it’s something needed for a gig/event.
 
I use a gig bag, bring it as a carry on, and ask a flight attendant to store it in their closet. I’ve only had one time where they were not happy to help and that turned into a bit of a fiasco but they eventually relented and allowed me to do it.
 
rhino said:
I use a gig bag, bring it as a carry on, and ask a flight attendant to store it in their closet. I’ve only had one time where they were not happy to help and that turned into a bit of a fiasco but they eventually relented and allowed me to do it.
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Yeah, that’s what I see most people doing. It’s only ever a problem on totally booked flights from what I can tell. Paying extra for priority boarding or luxury economy or whatever probably takes the edge off that.
 
Peen Simmons said:
Yeah, that’s what I see most people doing. It’s only ever a problem on totally booked flights from what I can tell. Paying extra for priority boarding or luxury economy or whatever probably takes the edge off that.
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You probably fly a lot more than I do these days. The only time it was a problem for me was when the flight attendant made it a problem. The flight was not totally booked and a different member of the crew allowed me to put it in the seat next to me. This was 6 or 7 years ago. I could see it being a much bigger pain if the flight were totally booked as well, and that seems to be the trend these days. I have a cheap acoustic I fly with.
 
Years ago I ducked taped up an inexpensive Alvarez in its hard plywood case, with towels and rolled up washcloths inside for extra padding, and checked it. It made it fine.
But a few yrs later the solid cedar top did get a crack in it. Can’t say if the flight contributed or not.
 
Last time I flew with a guitar was in the 80s. It was an Epiphone acoustic in a crappy hardshell (reinforced cardboard) case. I flew from CA to London and it was fine. I de-tuned/loosened the strings and wrapped an old t-shirt around the neck before checking it. Not sure how much has changed in terms of baggage handling in the last 40 yrs...probably gotten worse, lol. The guitar made it both ways without any problems. Maybe I just got lucky.

If it's a nice/prized guitar (unlike my old Epi), I think your best bet is carrying it on in a well padded gig bag like others have suggested.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I relayed the info. He's going to try it in a hardshell case with extra internal padding, and hope he doesn't have to check it....
 
sonik said:
Thanks for the advice guys. I relayed the info. He's going to try it in a hardshell case with extra internal padding, and hope he doesn't have to check it....
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If he does have to check it, I'd recommend loosening the strings. The baggage compartment gets pretty cold and the contracting strings will put a extra stress on the cold neck.
 
The plane was half full and the crew were cool with the guitar being put in the overhead so everything went smoothly. Thanks again for the tips!
 
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