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The last straw was a flight to Ashville, NC, in 2010. I had worked out my packing so that I could fit my theremin (an irreplaceble and valuable Etherwave Pro) into my carry on suitcase. However, the plane was a small jet and I had to leave the suitcase at the end of the jetway to be "packed" in the baggage compartment. I took my seat and watched the baggage handler grab my suitcase, swing it over his head and slam it down on the cart. At that very moment, I decided that "This is it. Never again. This is bullshit!".
It hurt. Perhaps the baggage handler was just thoughtless and meant no malice. However, I didn't feel like a "valued customer" that day. I mean, good grief -- he was handling carry-on luggage. Did the dumbass ever ask himself, "Why do people carry-on luggage?" Duhh -- perhaps it is because the stuff is fragile or expensive.
And since then, my policy is that if I can't drive or fly myself (I fly light airplanes) then I don't play the gig. It is not like I make enough money to compensate for the risk.
Incidentally, I played in Asheville last May and made the trip via Cessna.I'd enjoy playing in Santa Cruz again however my future trips will likely be without equipment so I'd just attend without playing. My light airplane just isn't equipped to fly over the Rocky mountains and from Kansas City to Santa Cruz would be a nearly a three-day drive (one-way).
To fly via airlines used to be pretty easy and pleasant. Now it is a supreme hassle. And -- on most airlines one has to pay extra for the privilege of having one's luggage abused.
As you can tell, the subject of airline flyhing with instruments is a sensitive one. Don't get me started .... :)
-- Kevin Quoting Ed Durbrow <edurbrow@sea.plala.or.jp>:
There is always risk, of course, but why don't you wrap it in bubble wrap, put cardboard around that, then more bubble wrap, then more cardboard etc. until it is as big as allowed. Also make sure the guitar can't move in a direction inside the case that could break the headstock, for example. Then demand/plead to have it hand carried onto the plane. I would investigate different airline's reputations. I brought back a very delicate Baroque guitar to Japan in April and it ended up being hand carried. That way it doesn't come through the machines at the luggage carousels.On Aug 5, 2012, at 11:55 AM, Tim Mungenast wrote:Hi Gang!I am deeply honored to be able to play this year's festival. One thing that keeps me awake, though, besides performance anxiety, is something even more horrible than modern air travel: modern air travel with a guitar. Out of all my guitars, I cannot think of a single one that I would willingly risk to careless or felonious baggage handlers or overzealous members of the Security Industrial Complex. Sneaking a few pedals into my onboard bag should be easy, but the guitar is a much bigger deal.Therefore I think I'd be best served by a guitar that will fit onboard and be playable but not something I'll get all sentimental over. Should I just look for a vintage Hondo II Chiquita (ka-ching!$) or an Erlewine Lazer (ka-ching again!)? I've been told that even those Hohner Steinberger copies are getting pricey. Maybe one of those novelty mini-strats? Any ideas would most welcome and greatly appreciated.Ed Durbrow Saitama, Japan http://www.youtube.com/user/edurbrow?feature=watch http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/ edurbrow@sea.plala.or.jp