Feb
23
Written by:
athompson
2/23/2012 1:34 PM
Lets face it, air travel in the 21st century can be a total nightmare. Airlines change their rules every other day, add fees every way they can, and make it almost impossible to travel with your own gear. It’s really frustrating! There’s only so much you can do about it, but here are a few tips that can make your life a little less stressful.
Having an elite status on one of the sky groups (which means flying a lot on the same airline) makes a huge difference, and the higher your status, the better you’ll travel. You’re not going to pay extra for baggage, so that can save you some money, and you are also allowed more weight per bag. My pedalboard weighs 54 pounds—four pounds over the limit—and if I didn’t have an elite status, I would have to pay up to $200 in overweight fees in each direction!
Elite status also allows you to board the plane first, which gives you a better chance of finding a place to put your guitar. Boarding late often means you have to check your guitar in with baggage, which sucks if it’s in a gig bag. On international flights you most likely won’t have a problem because the aircraft are bigger, but on domestic flights or short hops in smaller planes you can definitely run into problems.
Traveling with a guitar is a real crapshoot, but the best solution I’ve found is to go to the gate with your guitar in the smallest hard-shell case you can find, and if they don’t allow you on the plane with it, check it in. At least that ensures your guitar goes on the right flight. Another option is to get a good flight case and check the guitar in with your baggage. But you might get charged for an extra bag, and there are also risks that the guitar may be damaged during travel. TSA people don’t give a damn if it says "fragile" on the case, and airlines aren’t responsible if your instrument is damaged or lost. That's why it's very important to insure the guitar you’re traveling with, and don’t travel with a real expensive instrument!
It’s not practical to fly with an amplifier, of course, and rental amps are often a problem because you never know what you’ll get. I always ask for two, that way you have the option to choose the best one or play through both of them. Also, try to get a model that sounds consistent and is widely available—for me, that means a Vox AC30 or a Fender Blues DeVille.
Weight has become a big problem while traveling with gear, so you need to plan your pedalboard to be less than 50 pounds in order to avoid overweight charges. Traveling with your Echoplex, Uni-Vibe or any other big pedals isn’t an option nowadays, but fortunately there are a lot of great pedals that are small and light and will do the job. Travel with gear that is built well and easily replaceable—you don’t want to be on the road and have one of your main pedals go down and have to play the rest of the tour without it!
Remember, no matter what airline you travel on, you are at the total mercy of the people who work for them. They’re the ones who can help you out or give you hell, so just prepare yourself as well as you can, relax, get into a Zen mode, and hope for the best. Fun times! —Oz Noy
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6 comment(s) so far...
Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
FedEXing your gear ahead of you can often be cheaper and is definitely more reliable and safer.
By Sugapablo on
2/24/2012 9:26 AM
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Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
Oz,
I've been flying with my acoustic in a Mono M80 gig bag. Mostly it goes onboard, but I've had to gate-check on a couple of occasions and the bag is remarkably protective. I've also checked electric guitars in the Reunion Blues Continental bag. That works just as well as a hard case, although their acoustic version has some design issues.
The new FAA ruling codifies that instruments are allowed on board if they fit in the overhead, closet or under the seat and if there is room when you board.
LJ
By Laurence Juber on
2/24/2012 9:26 AM
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Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
Traveling with a guitar is a real crapshoot,but your solution is really superb one.
By Plumber Welwyn on
3/7/2012 1:26 PM
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Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
Seriously, dude. A 54 lb pedal board? Try some discipline!
By Russ on
3/21/2012 1:43 PM
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Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
I Tavel with a Steinberger (GL-8) every week thought western Canada- around 125 flights a year fixing medical lab analyzers.
Oz is right on the money, but I can add a few useful things.
First do not offer, suggest, or in anyway hint that you are checking in your guitar. Act like its the same as your laptop - don't give any attention to it. Otherwise they may try and make you check it.
If they do try to make you check it ask if you can gate check it or sky check it ( put it on a cart as you cross the Tarmac to board the plane). That way it gets on the right plane and doesn't get trashed by the ramp o handlers.
Board as early as possible so you can find the best place for it-some times (if there is no room) you can put it in the front closet if you are nice to the crew.
These days lots of carriers charge for most if not all checked baggage. That means everyone is carrying on a ton of junk so they don't have to pay. So space is more limited than ever. I once overheard a crew member complain about this new problem.
On time in Denver an American airline employee at the gate saw that I had a Strat in a hard shell case. He insisted that I put a tag on it and leave it outside the plane (on the ramp) so that they would put it underneath. Citing that my guitar was taking space for two roll-bags.
As I was walking down the ramp I turfed the tag and carried it on board with out anyone knowing different...
By Guytron on
9/21/2012 1:47 PM
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Re: Oz Noy: Traveling with Gear
This works for electrics.....
I always take my electric onboard with me thus - I put it in a cheapo light weight soft case and walk along with the neck of the guitar up my leather jacket. To all intents and purposes it looks as if I am carrying a normal hand luggage on. At the gate I make sure the guitar is facing away from the ticket/ passport control.
Once onboard I put it in an overhead with my jacket wrapped around it. If anyone puts up a heavy case I move the guitar or make sure it is not going to get crushed by re-arranging coats and cases etc.
I make the overhead look full by spreading out my gear and this usually works too. Best to be first onboard for this which is another story...
I have done many flights like this and never had any damage done to my guitar.
I cant relax till all have boarded but usually there is no problem.
Whoops, hope no air-stewardesses are reading this....
By bruce reynolds on
10/14/2012 8:06 AM
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