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6 June 2009 - 10:19am
Has anyone experience whit transporting an electric & acoustic on an airplane?
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Hi,
In November 2009 i'm traviling to Thailand whit a dutch worshipteam to play at the 'Pattayapraise-event 2009'. I'm planning to take my fender tele '52 reissue, garrison g50 acoustic and a bunch of fx-pedals with me. I'm doubting about transporting my tube-amp. Maybe it's better to rent one over there.
Is there anyone who can share his experience on this???
God bless!
Maarten
hi one way we do it with a lot of bands i work with is we try to distribute guitars to people that do not have instruments to get them on flights. most flights i have been on have not had problems getting them on flights just get to check-in early. but makes sure that any cases you put them in are of a good make and strong.
colin
Hi Colin
I'm interested... do they usually let you take them on as carry-on luggage?
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
Hi guys,
Thanks for your reactions. Really helpfull! If i'm bringing my own guitar the key thing is get a good, heavy duty flightcase.
Best wishes,
Maarten
Or to check with the airlines that they will let you bring it on as carry-on luggage.
Hiscox do very very good hard cases. They're the best of the ABS moulded cases.
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
I have flown my avalon acoustic back and forth form canada a couple of times. It is in a hiscox case but I always slacken the strings to compensate for any drastic changes in pressure and temperature.
Also I wait a good while after landing to allow the temperature of the case to get solidly back up to room temperature before I open it up. i have a friend who opened their case straight away and the instant change in temperature put a nasty crack in the lacquer of their lovely Taylor!
Unfortunately I did have an experience with an ibanez acoustic in a hard case where the case got cracked by the luggage handlers but the guitar was fine.
If you can avoid flying with your guitar do it. If not make sure it is very well insured and pray!!!
Hey guys! Just take it one the plane as a carry on and if anyone gives you any trouble explain to them that this is how you make your living and it is a necesity for your guitar to on board because it is a sensitive instrument that could be broken easily. (It also helps to let them know that it's expensive :) But almost all airliners have a closet up by the cockpit for over-sized valuable items. But it should fit in the overhead unless your road case is massive. Good luck guys and don't let the airliners push you around, they're just required to ask you to check baggage.
Jonathan
I recently flew to Belgium and took an acoustic Gretch with me to lead at a Church in Brussels. I worried a bit before the trip, and found no definitive answers, so I took my chances w/ a typical hardshell case, determined not to check it as baggage. I flew US Airways, and they were great. On the very full flight from Chicago to Philly, I valet-checked the guitar at the gate (right before you step onto the plane, where parents were checking their strollers). These pieces are the last things on the plane and the first things off - when you get off the plane, you wait at the base of the connecting ramp by the door of the plane, and they bring the guitar to you. it was perfect. On the long flight to Europe, they happily suggested I take it on as carry-on and put it in the overhead bin, where there was more than enough room. All my worries were unfounded...it was almost too easy!
Interesting... looks like sometimes people do have to check their guitars!
Jonathan... appreciate the sentiment, but i've had friends who've used that argument before and it didn't cut any ice, so I probably wouldn't rely on it!
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
yes i have never had a problem getting them on flights. make sure that you sort it out before you go
colin
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Hi Maarten
There is another recent thread where we commented about transporting a keyboard to the same event in Thailand - some of the advice there will be helpful.
For guitars, it is a little different.
Some airlines will let you bring ONE guitar as carry-on luggage, however you will need to contact those airlines in advance to confirm that this is the case, get them to send you a letter confirming it and bring it with you. In the UK & USA, the musicians unions also negotiated with the airlines to allow this to happen... if you have a Dutch musicians' union, i'd also advise you to look them up! Alternatively you can buy an extra seat for it.
I would not bring your amp with you - it will go in the cargo hold and probably get smashed up. I would rent one if I were you, and just put your pedals in your luggage.
In general, I would be trying to hire or borrow guitars whilst you're over there. There's a strong chance you would have to check your guitars into the cargo hold, and i'm always nervous about transporting them in anything less than a locked full flightcase. You don't want your nice guitars being stolen or smashed. The other thing is that check-in staff can be really unhelpful, and even if the airline has said you can carry on a guitar, they might not let you.
I would REALLY try as hard as you can to hire or borrow - perhaps get in touch with the organisers of the festival and see if they can help?
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
www.myspace.com/josephhargreaves
Joe
"One, two, three, here we go..."
www.myspace.com/josephhargreaves