#16
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After facing this dilemma for years, I bought a Journey Overhead OF420 (wood) and haven't had a problem since - fits in the overhead on any flight I've taken. I'm thinking about upgrading to the Carbon Fiber model for even more utility.
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#17
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By all means, however, let's consider this approach a "risky stunt." The fewer thrill-seekers who attempt it, the more likely it is to succeed.
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1 dreadnought, 1 auditorium, 1 concert, and 2 travel guitars. |
#18
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My suggestions: 1. Get a travel case with TSA locks. I have a Gator travel case that I'm happy with. 2. Get early boarding. If you fly a particular airline regularly, get their premium credit card, which will get you early boarding. The last time I flew Delta I paid an extra $15 for each flight segment and got on after first class, military, and Delta frequent flyers and I was able to put my guitar in an overhead bin. Sometimes the airline may offer first-class upgrades at a reduced cost when you check in online. This can be a cost-effective way to guarantee you can board with your computer, especially if you were planning to check a bag. On one flight I got a first class upgrade for $53. Since I needed to check my suitcase anyway ($30), it effectively cost me $23 to board early, stow my guitar onboard, and get a first class seat. BTW, from the reports I've read, Southwest seems to have a reputation for being most cooperative, with Delta coming in second.
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Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |
#19
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Rules aside, the actual practice is whatever the cabin crew says goes, period. Gate agents tend to be overly aggressive making people check things that are actually OK in the cabin. But if a flight attendant says "you must check it" that is the final answer, regardless of whatever rule printout or AFM letter you might be carrying with you. The cabin of a actively boarding jet is not the place to litigate the FAA rules or airline policies. Ask them nicely and they will almost always get you the preferred gate check tag that avoids the conveyor system, though. I've always had good cooperation from the cabin crews, but gate agents -- not so much.
Of course one of my personal goals is to *never* fly commercially again for any reason, either with or without a guitar. More than 950K lifetime air miles is enough. |
#20
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I will probably fly again, when this COVID mess is over, but I'm sure my days of enjoying it are over.
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Patrick 2012 Martin HD-28V 1984 Martin Shenandoah D-2832 2018 Gretsch G5420TG Oscar Schmidt Autoharp, unknown vintage ToneDexter Bugera V22 Infinium |
#21
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When I first started flying on business trips and vacations in the mid 80's it was an adventure and pleasant. But each passing year made things more difficult. I'm 6'-6" and 300 pounds (just like I was back in college) and wear a size 52 / XXL jacket -- think an aging NFL lineman. Even first class seats are being downsized from the good old days.
The very last flight I took that airline (on which I had been an MVP Gold frequent flier for literally decades) suddenly decided between the booking/seat selection and the day of travel to reconfigure the front cabin. Instead of a bulkhead, a closet, and three rows of roomy first class seats, that 737-800 front cabin became a curtain and four rows of smaller seats - for a $1700 fare. There was actually less room (seat pitch) than back in coach. I obviously had to get back home, but I have not flown since. Prior to that incident I had a personal and business travel budget of ~$14K per year. Hopefully they enjoyed the extra revenue from 16 versus 12 first class seats. No airline has gotten a single penny of revenue from me since, and never will. I turn down at least $35K of billable engineering work every year because it would require me to fly. Life is just too short..... |
#22
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though i always put my guitar in a check worthy case i haven't had to check a guitar in years. the musicians union worked it out years ago that if the instrument fits in the overhead we are allowed to carry it on. i have flown with my Santa Cruz OM Grand and last november even my Goodall Jumbo in its Hiscox Pro II case fit in the overhead. a hardcased guitar will fit in the overhead of most Boeing 700 series planes and many MD 80s. I always check what kind of plane (or equipment in the airline lingo) the flight is on. now, if it's a puddle jumper yeah, you're going to have to gate check it.
If you can fly on Southwest. They NEVER hassle you. no matter who you fly on get a rear seat so you can board early while there is still room in the overhead. do NOT be greedy and try to bring another carry on bag with you; a small backpack is okay but nothing large. Above all, be polite and respectful with the flight attendants. This is info from the AFM: The FAA Modernization and Reform Act (H.R. 658) established a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any musical instrument that can be stored safely in the overhead bin or under the seat may be brought on board as a carry-on item. Maximum size and weight requirements for checked instruments are now 150 linear inches and 165 pounds, including the case. Musicians may also purchase an additional seat to stow their instrument in the passenger cabin, as long as the instrument fits in the seat and has a maximum weight of 165 lbs. The law goes into effect upon issuance of FAA regulations to carry out the law, which must occur no later than February 2014. AFM is working with Congress, the FAA, and the airlines to make that happen as soon as possible, and to encourage airlines that have not already done so to voluntarily adopt H.R. 658 as their policy in the meantime. I also have a PDF of the actual law that was signed during the Obama administration.
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2021 Santa Cruz OM Grand Custom 2018 Collings OM2HT Baked 2014 Santa Cruz OM Grand Ovation Legend Guild D40 Last edited by Graylocks; 09-03-2020 at 08:00 PM. |
#23
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As Graylocks said, if possible fly Southwest. I'm lucky that the only places I fly to are Southwest destinations.
Every time they didn't even blink when I board carrying my guitar in its Trek hard/soft case. Great airline! Best, PJ
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A Gibson A couple Martins |
#24
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I have no idea what it would be like to fly during COVID times, but prior I've taken my Santa Cruz 00 on hundreds of flights and it was always in the overhead. The trick for me has been to only to use Southwest. I'm sure you can do a search on this forum for more details about Southwest (probably written in detail by me) but basically there's several reasons why they are far and away the best for flying with a guitar, and why every-other pro player I know feels the same way.
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#25
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By insisting we fly our annual pilgrimage to our son in CA on United, I crossed 1M a few years ago. Early boarding is free for me! Here are some relative case sizes which tell me there is no reason not to bring a dreadnought in a hard case. You will green tag and gate check on a smaller plane. Full sized aircraft won't care about these small differences as only length matters for displacing wheelie space. I've had plenty of people attempt to stuff wheelies on top of travel guitars in gig bags because they (could pretend they) did not see them. You will be glad you brought a hard case if you end up gate checked on a full sized plane. TKL Case Dimensions Inches, Ext Length, Ext Width, Ext Height
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jf45ir Free DIY Acoustic Guitar IR Generator .wav file, 30 seconds, pickup left, mic right, open position strumming best...send to direct email below I'll send you 100/0, 75/25, 50/50 & 0/100 IR/Bypass IRs IR Demo, read the description too: https://youtu.be/SELEE4yugjE My duo's website and my email... [email protected] Jon Fields |
#26
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I would not travel with a soft case. As mentioned, board early so there is room in the overheads. This can be an added purchase but Well worth it. Also check out Backaxe. https://www.backaxe.com/
There are other similar products but the point is to hang the guitar low on your back so it is not a visual eye saw when boarding. Works for me all the time
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#27
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Relatively new Humidipacks were confiscated by TSA. Lesson learned. Otherwise, Southwest has been super accommodating in the 4 or 5 times I flew with a guitar.
(Now have a SnapDragon so it goes in checked luggage) |
#28
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A good question. I fly extensively and have found in business class, I can always bring my guitar onboard and store it either in the overhead (make sure to board early!) or in the coat closet. Flying coach is a different story and although the case will often fit in an overhead, depending on the flight, they will often require you to check it at the gate. The airline “rule” that you can board with a musical instrument is not uniformly enforced and you really have no recourse to argue as the flight is boarding. Maybe with fewer flyers right now, you can carry the case onboard but that can be hit or miss.
Temperature in the baggage area is no longer a problem as it was in the old days. Modern baggage compartments are designed to handle pets, medicines, liquids, etc. so your guitar should be safe from extreme temperatures. As for the baggage handlers, most seem to be careful but you will sometimes run into a bag dropping off the conveyer belt or a careless worker giving your bag a short toss. Traveling with your guitar inside a hard case provides the best protection as you know. Enjoy your trip.
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Barry 1969 Martin D-35 (Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce) 2002 Taylor 355 12-string (Sapele/Sitka Spruce) 2014 Taylor 914ce (Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce) 2016 Breedlove Oregon Concert (Myrtlewood) 2018 Taylor GS Mini (Walnut/Spruce) 2021 Taylor 326ce (Urban Ash/Mahogany) 2021 Kevin Ryan Paradiso (The Tree/Sinker Redwood) 2022 KaAloha KTM-10RP Ukulele (Koa) |
#29
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2021 Santa Cruz OM Grand Custom 2018 Collings OM2HT Baked 2014 Santa Cruz OM Grand Ovation Legend Guild D40 |
#30
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This is good info to know. Never thought about taking the Himidipaks out. Expensive lesson.
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Barry 1969 Martin D-35 (Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce) 2002 Taylor 355 12-string (Sapele/Sitka Spruce) 2014 Taylor 914ce (Indian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce) 2016 Breedlove Oregon Concert (Myrtlewood) 2018 Taylor GS Mini (Walnut/Spruce) 2021 Taylor 326ce (Urban Ash/Mahogany) 2021 Kevin Ryan Paradiso (The Tree/Sinker Redwood) 2022 KaAloha KTM-10RP Ukulele (Koa) |