[CaptainTrips]

So I have a nice relatively new Fender Highway1 Tele that cost me a big chunk of change. And I dont come by big chunks of change too often.

Now Im moving in about a month to Arizona from Upstate New York. Im probably going to be flying down and I dont know what I should do with my guitar. I am very hesitant to check it in, as Ive seen how they handle luggage at airports.

I dont know if I should check it in or mail it separately using something like Fed Ex or UPS. Anyone ever had this problem before? Any suggestions on what I should do? More even than just the traveling, but what can I do to keep the drastic change in temperature and pressure from effecting it?

[WSPHead]

A bud of mine brought his axe with him to the gate and he walked on the plane with it and there wasnt any room in the overhead bins.. one of the flight attendants took it up by the cockpit and put it in a closet or something.

[shakedown_04092]

A bud of mine brought his axe with him to the gate and he walked on the plane with it and there wasnt any room in the overhead bins.. one of the flight attendants took it up by the cockpit and put it in a closet or something.

Same thing happened to me a while back - I was allowed to bring it on the plane and they put it in a closet up front.

If I were you CaptainTrips, I'd call the airport AND the airline company and square it away with them, even get them to take your name down or something to confirm that they said it's ok, if they do say so.

I wouldn't mail it down there unless you've exhausted all other options. I'm not a fan of UPS after what I went through w/ getting my custom. The box was dinged in a few places (no holes, just dents and ripps in the cardboard) and I even wrote in big permanant marker "GLASS INSIDE - HANDLE WITH CARE", so if you do mail it, write something like that on the box in a few places. Can't be too careful. And I'd go w/ DHL or FedEx, but that's only because of my experience.

[CaptainTrips]

Yeah, people have told me I might be able to take it aboard, but what would complicate that is that I have to switch planes about half way. So I would be dealing with two separate airports which would really be a pain . . . .

[strumminsix]

+1 for DHL.

Remember that the airline cust service can say okay and so can the airport but you have to get it past security which has stopped more than 1 person I know of.

Also, there is the HSC vs. gig bag concern. Usually they will allow you to put a guitar in a gig bag in the closet but usually not in a HSC. But the HSC is the only way it will make it if they force you to check it.

Might I suggest a flight case?

http://www.music123.com/Gator-G-Tour-El ... 1.Music123

And you'll need to find a good tech.

The climate change will impact the guitar immediately but it should settle within a week and be ready for servicing then.

[pharewellphish]

i got away with carrying on 2 guitars a while back... it was a connecting flight so i had to change planes for it and i had no problems there either

[BuddhaG]

i've carried my acoustic onboard twice in a P.O.S. hard case. i've never had trouble with security and essentially the person who makes the decision is the one in charge of the flight crew. if it can fit in the overhead then thats where it goes but usually they are respectful of instruments and will find a flight closet to throw them in. they have a bunch of those closets in first class. i got some wierd looks from the tightwads in first class when the stewerdess lead me to the front of the plane with my guitar that has a "say no to drugs" (hahaha) sticker on it and "milk cows not taxpayers" and i had fairly long hair at this point and a little beard. god, i love it when i can get those kinds of reactions from people. its so funny to see their faces all twisted up like a sphincter.

i made a thread about this topic before taking my trip last summer with the guitar and one guy on this board is actually an airline pilot. maybe you'll get lucky and he will be your pilot... i think he makes the effort to put the guitar in the cockpit or something. cool dude

as far as climate, there is an adjustment period for the equipment but i didnt have to go to a tech for my acoustic. although i'm broke and rarely go to see a guitar tech. there is probably a bigger difference in humidity and air pressure from Zona->Upstate NY than Boston->California.

have a good flight bro

[CaptainTrips]

+1 for DHL.

Remember that the airline cust service can say okay and so can the airport but you have to get it past security which has stopped more than 1 person I know of.

Also, there is the HSC vs. gig bag concern. Usually they will allow you to put a guitar in a gig bag in the closet but usually not in a HSC. But the HSC is the only way it will make it if they force you to check it.

Might I suggest a flight case?

http://www.music123.com/Gator-G-Tour-El ... 1.Music123

And you'll need to find a good tech.

The climate change will impact the guitar immediately but it should settle within a week and be ready for servicing then.

That flight case looks pretty solid but I was thinking of something cheaper. That thing is more expensive than my airline ticket!

I was thinking Id go to my music store and get a hard shell case, as I dont have one right now, and ask them if they have any guitar boxes lying around that they might want to let me take off their hands. Then just pack it in really well with crumpled up newspaper.

And I looked at DHL and they seem to have very reasonable prices. I just am having a hard time estimating the weight of my telecaster.

OK I just weighed it in at 8 lbs . . . seems low though, its a heavy gal.

[CountryMile Cadillac]

Yea, no problem carring a geetar aboard a plane. If someone has a problem with it, just tell them you are with the band

[zoppenheimer]

hmmm
I tried to get my acoustic on a plane when I went to Isreal over the summer, and a security guy stopped me right before I got on the plane and told me it had to go under. I tried argueing with him but I eventually had to give it over (his reason was that they'll be careful with it cause they also handle baby strollers, wtf?) Luckily, it was fine, but I was freaking out inside for a good twelve hours on the flight.

[frankielee]

DO NOT CHECK IT ON WITH REGULAR LUGGAGE!!!!!I fly twice a yr back to NYC to visit family I fly out of San Fran.I have NEVER had a problem bringing any of my guitars as a carry-on item.Have done it more than a dozen times...pre 911 as well as post 911 Take care of your baby!

[krzykat]

this is encouraging, i'm gioing t Texas to see my daughter in May, and want to take my guitar with me as i am getting Kahlia one of her own for her b-day.

[CaptainTrips]

I contacted my airline, Southwest and they say that I can not take it aboard unless I buy another seat for it and buckle it up . . . .

So my plan is to take it apart and wrap it up well with my checked luggage. Im sure it will be fine. It'll need a good set up after the big change in climate and temperature anyway.

[amyjared]

I contacted my airline, Southwest and they say that I can not take it aboard unless I buy another seat for it and buckle it up . . . .

So my plan is to take it apart and wrap it up well with my checked luggage. Im sure it will be fine. It'll need a good set up after the big change in climate and temperature anyway.

They always say this. Don't ever call them first, as they'll only give you their standard line which is very often NOT what they will make you do at the gate. I've flown often and always with a guitar. I've even talked in airports with others who have their guitars. Everyone has a different story and every airline is different. Once went from SF to Denver to Atlanta to NC and back and every one let me take the guitar on except the very last leg back from SF to Oregon! It was all the same airline and the lady in SF was just a pain in the ass.
Anyhow, I always take my acoustic in a soft backpack gig bag and keep it over my shoulder and don't ever ask. Just keep going. On rare occasions, someone has stopped me at the gate and said they need to check it underneath. I explain that I am fine with that if they are fine replacing this $2000 instrument if there is any damage. They either say yes or let me take it on the plane. It fits in most overheads, but like others said, most often, the flight attendents will put it in the suit closet or near the cockpit or even in the cockpit (fantasy: Pilot is letting co-pilot fly while playing a nice Scarlet/fire on my guitar at 30,000'). It's always better to try to carry it on than to check it. Always.

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

AmyJared,
I travel about once to twice a month via various airlines, mostly Delta or SouthWest. I take my "Franken-Phil" (Old Kramer) guitar not the most expensive but re-worked from stem to stern and I've had it for 25+ years. It is my road guitar. I also travel with a POD XT, headphones cables etc...

I pack the XT, cables etc... in bubble wrap and plastic bags then pack in the checked suitcase. Scary but so far so good.
The guitar goes with me. Like many things in life, walk in there like "You have been there and done that" and you know what the hell you are doing. TSA will not give you a hard time. Just remember to remove anything that may typically be in your case. This "Road" guitar has a Floyd Rose so I always travel with a screwdriver, 2mm hex wrench, String cutters .. All these go into the checked suitcase.
I carry the hard case on the airplane and pout it in the closet myself (Forward of 1st class on airlines other than SW). Everyonce in a while I'll get questioned however.. by turning on the charm and letting them know you just did this last week wink wink.... They will let you do pretty much what you want. They do not want pissed off cusotmers.
My experience.... Good luck,
PEACE,
Phil