Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.
This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.
We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.
Realizing I cannot afford a Hoffee, Calton or Karura flight case, I came across a cheaper alternative: http://www.casextreme.com
Has anyone here used the cases from this company? I am looking for real life user reviews as I don't trust video demos etc
Speaking to the airline I am travelling with they require guitars to be checked in as regular baggage (they will not allow carry-on or even gate-check) so I need something very strong to handle being checked in as regular luggage.
Speaking to the airline I am travelling with they require guitars to be checked in as regular baggage (they will not allow carry-on or even gate-check) so I need something very strong to handle being checked in as regular luggage.
Never heard of such a thing. Just carry it on board and don't say anything. If it won't fit then they have to gate check it for you.
Those look interesting--a case to put a case in, for several hundred bucks. I have an alternative suggestion: The boxes I use to ship guitars in cases in, for about $15: http://www.uline.com/BL_7906/Guitar-Boxes Packed with other rolled up corrugated cardboard (used small boxes) I have never had a guitar damaged by UPS this way.
ORIGINAL: constructordeguitarras The boxes I use to ship guitars in cases in, for about $15: http://www.uline.com/BL_7906/Guitar-Boxes Packed with other rolled up corrugated cardboard (used small boxes) I have never had a guitar damaged by UPS this way.
You're lucky Ethan, we've had two guitars damaged by UPS and the second one (last year) they refused to take responsibility for. We had to replace the guitar at our expense. I now use Fedex exclusively.
Getting back to the original question - anyone has any experience with Case Extreme flight cases?
I want the guitar to travel with me as free second baggage, not via courier (at a cost of $400-500).
As for the airline making you check the guitar as baggage, I spoke to them and checked their policies, it says so in black and white. They only allow small instruments like violins on-board.
I asked about gate-check but they say you need to get a gate-check tag from the staff when you check-in and if they see a guitar they won't give me one.
Some airlines say its up to check-in staff discretion and depends on plane load etc but thats not a chance I am willing to take with an expensive guitar.
Posts: 1708
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
RE: Case Extreme Flight Case (in reply to jshelton5040)
quote:
we've had two guitars damaged by UPS and the second one (last year) they refused to take responsibility for. We had to replace the guitar at our expense. I now use Fedex exclusively.
This is very interesting, John. Had you declared the value of the guitar, and therefore paid for insurance? I have always wondered whether they would honor the insurance they make me pay for. My experience with insurance companies is that what they mostly do is try not to pay. What was their explanation?
I shipped a guitar by Fed Ex once and it was inconvenient because the office is downtown in Seattle with no good place to park nearby. And when I brought the packed guitar in they insisted on opening the package and examining it. I was afraid they were going to scratch it with fingernails since they obviously didn't know how to handle one properly.
But I have had many problems with the billing departments of UPS. Sometimes it seems like I am spending half my time fighting with them about charges for things I didn't order and invoices they never sent me yet expected me to pay on time although everything else was automatically charged to my credit card. They finally assigned a guy to me that I can contact any time just for fixing problems like this.
Getting back to the original question - anyone has any experience with Case Extreme flight cases?
I want the guitar to travel with me as free second baggage, not via courier (at a cost of $400-500).
As for the airline making you check the guitar as baggage, I spoke to them and checked their policies, it says so in black and white. They only allow small instruments like violins on-board.
I asked about gate-check but they say you need to get a gate-check tag from the staff when you check-in and if they see a guitar they won't give me one.
Some airlines say its up to check-in staff discretion and depends on plane load etc but thats not a chance I am willing to take with an expensive guitar.
absolutely f ing ridiculous. WHich airline???? dont fly with them. and anyway never ask just do it they cant not let you board or accomodate you in some way. be nice and play dumb at the gate....i am freaking telling you never check a guitar or anything valuable underneath i dont care if its bullet proof. plus most airlines charging now for checked bags
plus i heard congress pass a law its illegal what you describe of their policy only violin size etc
This is very interesting, John. Had you declared the value of the guitar, and therefore paid for insurance? I have always wondered whether they would honor the insurance they make me pay for. My experience with insurance companies is that what they mostly do is try not to pay. What was their explanation?
I shipped a guitar by Fed Ex once and it was inconvenient because the office is downtown in Seattle with no good place to park nearby. And when I brought the packed guitar in they insisted on opening the package and examining it. I was afraid they were going to scratch it with fingernails since they obviously didn't know how to handle one properly.
But I have had many problems with the billing departments of UPS. Sometimes it seems like I am spending half my time fighting with them about charges for things I didn't order and invoices they never sent me yet expected me to pay on time although everything else was automatically charged to my credit card. They finally assigned a guy to me that I can contact any time just for fixing problems like this.
Both damaged guitars were fully insured. The first one had a caved in back and smashed case so they could hardly deny responsibility. The second one they said was packed improperly (i.e. they didn't pack it). It was in a box with packing material and was in a high quality (Ameritage) shipping case. When I used UPS I also had trouble with their billing. The price of the shipping and insurance seemed to vary dramatically depending on who I was talking to. Fedex is less expensive and faster so far.
Get a Hiscox Pro II about $250; they are tough as nails and give good thermal protection as well. They also have a tough outer hide which does not scratch/mar so readily like the boutique high dollar cases.
Posts: 1607
Joined: Dec. 24 2007
From: Siegburg, Alemania
RE: Case Extreme Flight Case (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
i heard congress pass a law its illegal what you describe of their policy only violin size etc
That's so in the US, but here in Europe it's different. I live near Frankfurt Hahn airport, serviced by Ryan Air. The only reason I fly with them, is the proximity of the Airport, I wouldn't otherwise. Their online booking really sucks (you have to check "I don't want any extra insurance", "I don't want a hotel", "I don't want a rental car", and finally "I don't want to buy an onboard luggage-bag or suitcase", and you have to find these options deeply embedded in extra-non-intuitive menus ) And: You definitely can NOT carry your guitar on board, unless you buy an extra ticket.
RE: Case Extreme Flight Case (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
plus i heard congress pass a law its illegal what you describe of their policy only violin size etc
Yep, I think the introduction of the new US decree was posted here on the foro too.
Ethan,
I admire your nerves to trust such a carton thingy! Had metal edges of a hard case smashed into pieces at Kennedy airport already decades ago. On AG forum much more scary examples were told, like experiences of orchestra members who would find their celli headplates and necks snapped off. Tops broken in, etc.
You must count with dropping from plane hatches and with your guitar being topped with loads of heavy suitcases. Very likely all thrown. -
Airlines apparently will for the most damages simply refuse to pay. And with the law allowing them to do so the companies simply reject by tiring you down with sending you through exhausting routines of requesting, tracking and filling of endless forms.
In the same time private shippers no matter which of them have undergone a remarkable development from once perfect and attentive service to disregarding and boundless creaming off.
Because of above experiences my last guitar from USA came per USPS and was treated well while billed comparably cheap. I almost think USPS ( states´ post offices) to be the most reliable option these days. -
Me will be receiving a guitar from US in the next weeks and am already wringing hands. ( Will be using USPS again.)
I suppose the only enclosure that could leave you relatively relaxed ought to be some hypothetical CF or firm metall case which would hold your guitars case completely suspended in the center by some sturdy elastic ribbons or so. Built in a way for its content to remain untouched at kinetics like of a 8 meter drop or so, and strong enough to endure at least 200 kg of weight on top without collapsing.
- If those airlines and shippers would only care, no baggage crew / department would dare to damage so many parts as they obviously do now routingly since decades.
But being allowed to reject complaints turns out just too profitable I guess.
I really appreciate the information, Ruphus. Thank you. I had bad experiences with USPS in the past ("losing" valuable things) but I guess they are on top now in the competition among the carriers to be the best.
I haven't flown since 2011--not because I am afraid of terrorism (though, come to think of it, I should be) but because I hate being patted down (searched). The last time I was patted down, leaving The Philippines, the officer tapped my groin, which was very painful. I should not expect them to treat our baggage any better than they treat us.
I notice that you do not list where you are. Would you care to say?
In a dictature of Near East. ( No direct shipping from US to here. Will have the guitar shipped to a neighbouring country and let it be picked up from there. - Likewise the last one was shipped from California to Germany first, then brought over by a good friend of mine.)
Ruphus
PS:
Had a simiar experience to your groin tapping when last time leaving this place at the main airport, paired with the most antisocial tone. I was getting sour. Only good that I managed to keep my grumble in limits. ( "What ridiculous are you searching .. What terrorists could be out of all after you?")
David Collett, president of Guitar Salon International, once told me that he always manages to carry a guitar onboard. He frequently hand delivers guitars to Europe. You could call and ask him for tips.
Though even if I manage to gate-check it, won't it go into the main baggage hold with all the other suitcases?
I never had a cold guitar from a gate check. They put in a different place I think, with other special items meant to be handed to you right off the plane. Important thing is how it is handled (differently) than through the whole baggage claim process. I could relate dozens and dozens of experiences. If you see what type of plane you will fly you can look on there and find out about the over head bin size, you can argue that their policy actually says IF IT FITS IN THE OVERHEAD BIN...LIKE A VIOLIN FOR EXAMPLE, then yes you CAN bring on board. Some planes have ridiculous small bin, doubtful for international flights. In a different place they say large instruments like GUITARS AND F ING TUBAS??????????? you need to contact them...lets be real. THey are giving miss leading info. If it fits in the over head then YOU CAN bring it on the plane, its clear black and white.
Anyway do what you want man. I always fly with my sanchis, head stock only broke twice so far.
RE: Case Extreme Flight Case (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
I always fly with my sanchis, head stock only broke twice so far.
Wait, did it break twice on account of flight-related handling? I thought one of the times was when you were performing with Jason, et al, for some show on the West Coast.
RE: Case Extreme Flight Case (in reply to jshelton5040)
quote:
You're lucky Ethan, we've had two guitars damaged by UPS and the second one (last year) they refused to take responsibility for. We had to replace the guitar at our expense. I now use Fedex exclusively.
Printable Version
) 
you need to contact them...lets be real. THey are giving miss leading info. If it fits in the over head then YOU CAN bring it on the plane, its clear black and white. 
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread