Problem: Guitar on Plane. Solutions??

[Rick Crider]

Troops....

I called American Airlines Customer Service regarding taking the guitars on the plane with us. It was a long conversation, being put on hold several times while the rep bounced my questions off someone else. I'll summarize here as briefly as I can:

*By their 'policy' it's an item that should be checked in with the baggage at the counter. Even suggested a special case, made by 'Anvil' company for air transport. (I don't have one and don't want to buy one for this one trip.)

*Aside from the above advice, *everything* else is a big 'maybe'.

*I asked: "What if I just show up at the concours gate with it and politely ask that it be stowed on the plane where the wheelchairs, strollers, etc, normally are seen?" Was told that was a 'maybe'.....that airports and employees vary widely on the friendliness and helpfulness scale. Said one airport 'might' allow that and the next one wouldn't. (We have a layover and will be boarding a second plane, going both ways......) Said they might make me 'gate check' it.....meaning that I hand it over to an employee at the gate and he/she would manually walk it down to the baggage compartment guys loading the plane. Also said, worse case scenario, they might make me go all the way back up to the front counter and start all over. (Yeah...and miss the whole flight..)

*Her other suggestion was: "Buy the guitar a seat ticket if a seat is available and strap it in as passenger." (Well....I figure that would be a 'full fare' ticket, bought on the spot at the last minute......it would cost more to get the guitar there than the two of us.)

One desperate thought I had was to box it up in a Taylor shipping box and ship it to a willing forum member on that end, then ship it back home afterwards....but that's an expensive proposition also.

Needless to say, we've narrowed it down to just one guitar now...Jeff's.

I'm about to panic here folks.....any suggestions welcome. What are some of you others doing?

Thanks....
Rick

[Steve314]

If you decide you want to ship the guitar out here, let me know...

Steve

[Gutch]

With United, I told them I'm bringing a guitar and told them I'm going to gate check the item. They said, "okay", and noted it on my itinerary. A Jumbo case is just too big to carry on...

[TimB]

Rick, I'd be amazed if you're pushed back to the front counter. I always work on the assumption that once I'm past a step I don't have to go back. The only exception could be security/x-ray where maybe they'd say "this won't fit thru, check it".

I'd make it obvious at the front check-in counter, keep it low, not ask..assume you're OK. At the gate try to bring it into the cabin and stow it in the coat closet but be willing to accept gate check-in but make it clear you're not leaving the plane without it at the other end to the flight attendants. I'd make sure that I was remembered (nicely but firmly) with the onboad crew so at the end they realize there's some accountability.

My wife uses and travels with a power wheelchair and, while this is different legally, I find that making sure that we're firm but pleasant and "remembered" works wonders.

Another strategy is to use a gig bag which makes it possible to say "I can't check this in, it'll break". It sounds good but I've only tried it with my Baby.

-=Tim=-

[MJH]

I have gate checked my 710 several times without any problems. I have yet to have them allow me to take it on the plane with me. I do use a Smalldog (brand name) case cover that gives some additional protection from handlers and temperature change. I also have it insured for replacement value. I take my Baby Taylor on some trips to avoid this complication, but I really want my 710 at this function. It is my first and still favorite Taylor. It has to come along!

Mark

[cpmusic]

Rick, whatever you do, make sure you pack the guitar properly for cargo transport, just in case. Frank Ford has excellent advice at www.frets.com for this under "shipping a guitar" or something like that. It includes de-tuning the guitar and packing the headstock tightly in bunched-up newspaper to guard against a headstock break, which apparently is the most common form of shipment damage.

[meridian]

I'm just leaving my Taylors at home snug in their cases. I have the feeling that there will be PLENTY of guitars around. Besides, I'm no great player, I want to listen!

[J.R. Rogers]

Rick, you really don't need to go through all that unless you want to. There will be plenty of guitars at Taylor to play. We've made sure of that. Even some 2002 Fall Limiteds will be there.

J.R.

[JW]

Originally posted by J.R. Rogers
Even some 2002 Fall Limiteds will be there.

J.R. MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could go:mad: :mad: :)

[jmeinel]

Hey JW....

Perhaps if we all pray really, really, really hard then you can be completely healed by Thurs. and hop on a plane that night. :roll: Nothing is immpossible for God. ;)

So technically, there still is a chance you can come. :p

Jennifer :D

[JW]

All things are possible through Christ. Pray!! Pray !! Pray!! JW

[J.R. Rogers]

Originally posted by michaelw
decided to bring the rainsong: figured if anything happened it would be painlessly replaceable.

I heard that Rainsong guitars would bounce if you dropped them. Is this true? :D If so, sounds like the ultimate "luggage check" guitar. (...But the airlines could probably figure out a way to destroy it, no doubt.) I don't think I've ever heard one personally. What do they sound like? How is graphite as a "tonewood?"

J.R.

[Steve314]

Originally posted by J.R. Rogers
What do they sound like? How is graphite as a "tonewood?"

J.R.

I played one at NAMM a few years back, and I remember being pretty impressed with both the sound and the playability. Personally, I like my guitars to be made of wood, but I can definitely understand why there are Rainsong fans out there...

Steve

[rlwing]

I just got off the phone with United, and they said there shouldn't be a problem even if I showed up at the gate with a guitar, but I had it noted just in case.

--Rob