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If it is very very valuable and I absolutely must travel with it, (say, a vintage guitar) I freight it rather than handing it over the airline. This allows me to use larger shock mount road cases and purchase adequate insurance. In fact, beyond the airlines baggage weight limit, its actually cheaper to freight the equipment than check it as baggage. In other cases, I have actually just bought a seat for the guitar. Expensive but cheaper than heartbreak. Daniel On Aug 6, 2012, at 10:09 AM, Torben Scharling wrote: > I had a broken key on a Novation Remote midi keyboard, that was in it's > factory box, after a flight from Montpellier to Copenhagen (top big for > carry-on. When I bought my handmade bass in the US, I had it in it's > molded hardcase flightcase. The case was then covered in blankets, and > put in a big cardboard box, that I tied some gaffers tape around, and > made a handle out of a rope. Nothing happened. So I guess I concur, that > a molded flightcase (molded to the body of the guitar) + whatever > additional precautions and extra padding you'd like, is a good start. > > I am however a bit frightened now, after these stories. If I'm able to > gather the dough in time, I'll also be performing in Santa Cruz.. Buy > very unsure which instruments, and what gear to bring with me. Kinda > stupid that we'll be several people bringing the same controllers, > expression pedals, loopers, mics, cables, electric guitars, etc. etc. > and coming from overseas, that's gonna be a hassle. Anyway still early > for all that planning, but thought I'd mention it already :) > > > On 05/08/2012, at 14.53, kkissinger@kevinkissinger.com wrote: > >> Over the last few years, I've had a good deal of equipment >> damage/mishandling by airlines. I think part of the problem is that >> the TSA ALWAYS opens my luggage and they don't repack it carefully. >> >> 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 >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >