A considerable risk for guitarists is traveling on an airplane with their instrument.
Some musicians tell truly horrifying stories - ending with a priceless instrument
being stolen, or its neck broken. Airlines do not adhere to strict (or sometimes
seemingly any) standards concerning guitars as baggage, and stricter
security regulations have complicated the movement of traveling musicians.
Indie-Music.com recently solicited feedback from dozens of our readers about
how they safely travel with their instrument, and compiled it for your use.
We touch on strategies (carry on or check baggage), equipment, packing techniques,
flight cases, and regulations.
By Suzanne Glass
Preferred: Carry Your Guitar On The Plane
Airline procedures are extremely varied - one must be prepared for possible
argument at each checkpoint or boarding, as well as attitude problems from Airline
or Security employees.
Attempt to carry your guitar on in a gig bag or soft case - the smaller, the
better. (See our travel guitar links, below).
Veteran musicians say you’re better off "not asking" if you can carry
on the guitar, but simply approaching as if you always do it this way.
(If you ask, they typically say, "No".)
Arrive early. Try to pre-board, or at least get on early enough so that the
overhead bins are still empty. Consider requesting a seat in the rear of the
plane, which should board before front seats.
Carry the AFM
Letter (more info). Also try calling the airline
in advance of your trip to request a mailed or faxed letter stating that they
will allow you to carry the guitar on board.
Consider flying off-peak. Sometimes night flights aren’t as crowded, and
non-stops are ideal. (Peak times: Sunday, Monday morning, Thursday afternoon/evening,
Friday, Saturday in summer, Holidays, seasonal events. Off peak times: Monday
noon until Thursday noon, Saturday except in summer.)
Be
courteous and processional at all times.
Pack all wire cutters, tuners, pedals, and other sharp or electronic devices
in your checked baggage to increase the chances of carrying your guitar on board.
Most plane overhead bins will hold a guitar in a gig bag (some even fit hardshell
cases). There’s also room in the coat closet near the entry.
If you can’t get on the plane, and are faced with checking your guitar
in its gig bag, you’ll have a real problem. Your guitar is not safe in its soft
case in the plane’s baggage hold. You may have to decide whether to fly
or not. You can also (gulp) buy a second seat for your instrument as a last
resort.
Insure
your instruments. (They are NOT covered on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance,
you need a separate rider or policy.)
Mare Lennon’s
Good Lines for Getting On Board:
- "Please, it’s my livelihood".
- "You look like someone with a big heart..."
- "It fits and I can prove it, if not, I’ll be happy to check it,
but let’s see.."
- "I just got off a flight with the same plane, it fit like a dream".
- "How can we make this a win-win for everybody?"
If You Must Baggage Check Your Instrument
To
be safe, you’ll need an ATA approved flight case for
your instrument. NOT a standard hardshell case, an approved flight case.
"Gate Check" the guitar rather than checking it at the Ticket Counter
or Curbside - this cuts down on the amount of handling by airline employees.
Gate checking usually means that the baggage handler will load items by hand
on top of the rest of the luggage, hopefully safely. You can check it with a
gate agent or flight crew member at the gate of the plane and (at your option)
pick it up on the next connection, or your final destination. Gate checked items
go from the gate or ramp to the belly of the plane, where the other luggage
is stored. When the plane lands, gate-checked items are handed to the inside
of the ramp just before the passengers begin to disembark, and are usually available
for you just after you leave the plane. There may be a fee for this service.
Cost can be up to $80 extra (each way) for oversize/overweight baggage. Make
sure to check beforehand, and know the dimensions of your case.
Optional: Take the guitar to the Airline Baggage Services Office, and let them
pack it for you. This will cost you a bit of money, but the airline will accept
responsibility if it is damaged, EVEN IF the exterior case/packing materials
are not damaged.
Insure
your instruments. (They are NOT covered on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance,
you need a separate rider or policy.)
Theft - always be on guard for theft when traveling with your instrument. Keep
your hands on it as much as possible, and never leave it lying around unattended,
even for short periods of time. It’s extremely easy to snatch a guitar
and walk off.
After leaving the plane, your case may be in special baggage location, not
on the regular carousel, so be on the lookout.
Packing Tips
Tape
the latches, one of the most vulnerable parts of your case, to protect them.
Bungee Cords/Straps around outside of case can protect against latch failure.
If you lock the case, make sure you attach the key - security will break locks
for inspection. Consider using disposable plastic ties instead of locks.
Your name and address must be on the outside of your baggage. Name tags are
available at all airport baggage check-in locations. Place your name and address
on the inside as well as the outside of your baggage.
Pad
around all empty spaces with soft material such as bubble wrap, clothing, or
foam. Pay special attention to the area under the headstock in your case - make
sure it is fully padded. Airlines typically will not pay for damage to your
guitar if the outside case is undamaged.
Debated: Loosening strings (most musicians recommended you loosen them slightly)
and placing "Fragile" stickers (the Airlines request these, but many
people suggested it invited even rougher-than-usual handling by baggage personnel).
Flight Case Links
 |
ATA Rated Case: A hard carrying case rated acceptable by common carriers
and airlines to be strong enough to ship or "check".
The best flight cases have recessed,
heavy-duty latches, and reinforced corners. An arched top/back helps deflect
pressure from anything stacked on top of the case. Prices range from around
$80 - $800 plus, but you can’t skimp without increasing your risks.
|
Small Guitar Links
Note that small guitars may need additional tech work for optimum sound (such
as lowering the action and reworking the nut/saddle). Costs range from $150
- $900.
Hard Shell Case - NOT ATA-rated as flight-safe.
Case cover protects latches and case finish.
Colorado Case
Important Linkography
Airport & Airline Links
Musician Tips For Flying
TSA/Security Info
Download Musician’s
Union AFM Letter
AFM LETTER INFO
The AFM (American Federation
of Musicians, the Musician’s Union) has negotiated with the Transportation
Safety Administration (TSA) the right for musicians to carry on their instruments
on airline flights. Download and print the document and be prepared to show
this to security personnel should there be a problem. The letter, written by
Thomas R. Blank, the Assistant Administrator for Security Regulation and Policy,
basically states "...TSA instructed aircraft operators that effective immediately,
they are to allow musical instruments as carry-on baggage in addition to the
limit of one bag and personal item per person as carryon baggage on an aircraft".
The letter further states that "should your membership experience problems
at the security screening checkpoints, please advise them to request to speak
to a Screening Supervisor for resolution".
