Buying a new guitar then flying what's better ??

[Chrom]

Need some quick options on what's better. I am contemplating purchasing a new guitar and then bringing it back with me on a six hour flight (777-200). What's better. Trying to get it into the cabin in its hard case (it will be a Taylor 562ce) or having the store keep it in its Taylor box full of packing peanuts and putting it down below?


The airline is United and I am a 1k member so my chances for cabin are better than most but not guaranteed. Especially as the 777 has smaller width bins which would preclude it in the overhead.




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[Long Jon]

I'd say buying a new guitar beats flying every time !

[seannx]

Have you ever heard of the "United Breaks Guitars" video?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Breaks_Guitars

If you can't carry it onboard to go in a closet, gate checking the guitar could be safer than sending it through baggage in the Taylor shipping box, as long as you stabilize the neck inside. But good luck getting reimbursed for any damage. Can you insure the guitar before traveling? Depending on the price and where you buy it, saving sales tax by having it sent to you by the store, could offset shipping costs.

[Chrom]

I plan on insuring it through the USAA high value policy which I ensure my other guitars. When I called them today they said it does cover accidental breakage.


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An option is to keep it in the Taylor box and ship it to yourself UPS.

[PorkPieGuy]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

An option is to keep it in the Taylor box and ship it to yourself UPS.

I was going to suggest this as well.

Also, people on here have said to carry it on and then ask for it to be stored in the closet made for strollers, walkers, etc.

If it were me though, I'd have it shipped.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

An option is to keep it in the Taylor box and ship it to yourself UPS.

That would be my choice too, easily… UPS or FedEx. Either will work fine.

[6L6]

A couple of things to be sure to do:

* Loosen the strings

* Pack a soft cloth around the headstock so it is well secured.

* Never leave ANYTHING in the case.

* Never lock the case! They will tear it open if they want to see what's inside and it's locked.

* The day of your flight, take pics of your guitar with that days' newspaper. That will help prove the condition of your guitar should you need it.

* If your guitar has a battery powered pickup, REMOVE the battery (looks like a bomb on the X-ray screen)

* Look into insuring your guitar. It's very cheap to do and makes total sense. Heritage and USAA (if you are current or former military) are great with their coverage.

* If you're going to be doing a lot of future air travel with your guitar, look into getting a Hiscox Pro II case ($279 at Musicians Friend). Very light weight, exceptionally strong, and D Ring-equipped to fix a golf strap on so you can just sling it over your shoulder.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...20case&index=1

* Gate checking always is safer than checking at first counter. It eliminates one trip through the baggage labyrinth.

* Your guitar may come back through the regular turnstile with other baggage or it may come back at the "Outsized Luggage" port. Check both places.

My 2014 Collings D2HA safely inside its Hiscox Pro II case at London's Victoria Station complete with soft golf strap. This in the way to go IMHO:

[rmyAddison]

Potential problems that can be avoided....should be.

Why do you have to fly with it, you don't! Get it shipped home, detuned, end pin removed, neck supported in case, case in guitar box with peanuts/bubble wrap, insured. Best of luck.....

[Shoreline Music]

Just ship it. Far less headache.

And if the dealer has the original Taylor box, you shouldn't need packing peanuts

[Chrom]

Thanks to everyone for your advise. Unfortunately shipping is not an option. It is either buy it and bring it with me or don't buy it and try to source it locally. I will absolutely have it insured under my USAA high valuable policy which is how I have my other guitars. I also think the consensus is try and get it on board and gate check it as a last resort.

I may also look into the hisox case but this will be the only travel this guitar makes.


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Ship it. The closet is a good option but you really don't know if it will be available to you until too late. Unless you buy it a seat like cello players do. Those things can be way more expensive than our guitars, or maybe cellists are smarter than we are.

[amyFB]

Originally Posted by PorkPieGuy

... ask for it to be stored in the closet made for strollers, walkers, etc.

..

strollers and walkers get gate checked.

there may be exceptions on jumbo jets that I've not encountered, but the domestic air travel I've done is on planes with the tiniest suggestion of closet for the flight attendant's jacket. Yet even still there must be limits and someone or two will be disappointed when the space is used up by those who arrived before them.

as a practical matter, consider how many passenger seats would have to be removed in order to provide closet space for the variety of odd shaped valuables that some of us carry when traveling.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

I would ask the dealer to ship it to me. They will more than likely ship it for free, and you would not be charged sales tax.

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

An option is to keep it in the Taylor box and ship it to yourself UPS.

Put me down in the ship it category.

Last time I was flying (without a guitar) I saw a guy get denied the closet...He looked sick to his stomach. I felt for him.