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Hey Guys, just curious of your experience with flying with a guitar, do you have and tips?
I’m going to Mexico for 10 days I NEED my guitar, the most I’ve gone without a guitar is 1 day since I started a year ago, and that’s because i had food poisoning with a nasty fever. I know there are laws in the US that permit you to take your guitar on the plane, though travelling from CANADA to Mexico on a budget airline (Flair airlines) would likely not apply. I bought a gator case in case I have to check it, also will be brining a cheap classical guitar i bought for this purpose. Though that does not protect it from getting lost. I guess worst case scenario i can buy something cheap in mexico? Though I can’t imagine the airline will re-imburse what they deem as “non essential”, basically they have a month to find the bag otherwise i get compensation.
Once piece of advice. Buy a seat for the guitar if it is valuable to you. Otherwise bring a disposable one
Yes it’s a cheapie guitar, though the worst is the inconvenience. 10 days is too long without a guitar though no? I feel like I will forget everything.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
quote:
10 days is too long without a guitar though no?
I've done it occasionally. You get it back within a week of restarting practice, in my experience, but the first few days indeed feel very awkward. But long term - no harm. Plus, travel with an air guitar is much easier than air travel with a guitar
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to kitarist)
quote:
ORIGINAL: kitarist
quote:
10 days is too long without a guitar though no?
I've done it occasionally. You get it back within a week of restarting practice, in my experience, but the first few days indeed feel very awkward. But long term - no harm. Plus, travel with an air guitar is much easier than air travel with a guitar
I found a music shop there, apparently they sell cheap Mexican made classical guitars, so i guess there is that option worse case scenario. Perhaps i would have better off buying one there ahead of time for a couple hundred bucks that the airline is charging to transport mine. Im making great progress on my Granainias and Bulerias, I don’t want anything to spoil that. I’ve seen those small guitars aswell that look like just a guitar neck without the body, unfortunately that won’t work for flamenco as you can’t golpe anywhere. You can also buy folding carbon fibre guitars, though they are $3000, lol.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Visesnut case + case cover (so to disguise the hard case), and they'll very likely let you take it as your carry-on. I've been doing trans-Atlantic flights 3-4 times per year for the past 15 years—plus trips to Italy, etc in-between—and have never been asked to check in my guitar. Be firm, polite, and make sure you have no other hand baggage.
If you haven't seen the video of RE Brune tossing his 1923 Domingo Esteso in a Visesnut, it's very reassuring!
Posts: 3437
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Two potential hazards occur to me:
1. Damage to the instrument: My '67 Ramirez 1a blanca has about a million airline miles on it, as checked baggage in a Mark Leaf case. The cases are no longer made, but an airline ticket agent once remarked that she had been in baggage handling for 10 years, and had never seen an instrument damaged in one. She said she was going to buy one for her pro musician boyfriend's birthday. I have also used Karura and Visesnut, but they cost at least $800, and wouldn't be worth the expense for your travel guitar.
In your Gator case, make sure the guitar can't rattle around. If there are any voids, stuff them with underwear or something. Make sure the headstock is supported above and below, and the strings are completely loosened. The shock caused by a case dropped from an airplane's baggage door can snap the headstock if it is not supported.
2. Lost baggage: In all its travels the Ramirez has only gone walkabout once. I was returning from Bali to the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific. The guitar went to Saipan instead of Guam. Rather than an immediate connection I had opted for an overnight stay in Guam. The guitar arrived in Guam before sundown. Of course I have heard of people having much worse luck.
If you have to buy a guitar in Mexico City, there are several music stores along the Calle Simón Bolivar in the Centro Histórico. Repertorio Wagner is the oldest, and used to have a stock of reasonably priced guitars. A decent looking one in the photos on Google Maps is tagged at 1813 pesos =$97. How it sounds or plays? ¿Quién sabe?
1. Damage to the instrument: My '67 Ramirez 1a blanca has about a million airline miles on it, as checked baggage in a Mark Leaf case. The cases are no longer made, but an airline ticket agent once remarked that she had been in baggage handling for 10 years, and had never seen an instrument damaged in one. She said she was going to buy one for her pro musician boyfriend's birthday. I have also used Karura and Visesnut, but they cost at least $800, and wouldn't be worth the expense for your travel guitar.
In your Gator case, make sure the guitar can't rattle around. If there are any voids, stuff them with underwear or something. Make sure the headstock is supported above and below, and the strings are completely loosened. The shock caused by a case dropped from an airplane's baggage door can snap the headstock if it is not supported.
2. Lost baggage: In all its travels the Ramirez has only gone walkabout once. I was returning from Bali to the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific. The guitar went to Saipan instead of Guam. Rather than an immediate connection I had opted for an overnight stay in Guam. The guitar arrived in Guam before sundown. Of course I have heard of people having much worse luck.
If you have to buy a guitar in Mexico City, there are several music stores along the Calle Simón Bolivar in the Centro Histórico. Repertorio Wagner is the oldest, and used to have a stock of reasonably priced guitars. A decent looking one in the photos on Google Maps is tagged at 1813 pesos =$97. How it sounds or plays? ¿Quién sabe?
Good luck!
RNJ
This a reassuring, though we are staying in Puerta Vallarta, i did find a shop that sells guitars. I would not be concerned about how the guitar sounds if i had to buy one, it’s basically to continue with my finger work and memory, as long as i can practice on it. Also hoping to start tackling aires choqueros, but we will see. I guess airlines are not in the Bussiness of losing baggage, i may be worried over nothing.
Posts: 15189
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Nothing is different in 27 years of flying with my best guitars (Conde Hermanos, Jernonimo Peña, Max Bishop, etc.). You get a hard case that doesn’t lock (TSA will break that shyt just to see the label) but won’t accidentally open either (zipper is ideal, or zipper rain cover I use on the Visenut) so latches won’t open. Don’t say ANYTHING just walk onboard with a big fat smile like nothing is wrong (if you want to pay for early boarding options, it could give a piece of mind but doesn’t matter if flight is full and you are not first class. Boarding group LMNOP, whatever, is fine, you will get on). If they warn of a full flight they will tag and bag it for you nicely. Most of the time they let you have a go to get it in the overhead bin yourself, it doesn’t HAVE to be right over your seat, or even near it, but don’t be a jerk about it, try to get it close to you. Sometimes they have closet space, or FIND a space for you. Last time, cuz I was so damn nice, some lady airline agent let me board with pregnant ladies/kids/elderly and first class BECAUSE of the guitar (I did not ask to do that).
If you can’t get it over head in a free bin, then don’t freak out. Just wait, or give it to the flight attendant and they will store it somehow or tag and bag it for you.
IF THEY TAG AND BAG IT: ask where to pick it up. Often like strollers and stuff they leave it there as you walk off plane. Sometimes it goes through baggage anyway. DON”T FREAK OUT. Just go collect it from baggage. Sometimes they have a special baggage area for oversized items, or “handle with care” stuff. I have collected guitars there as well. You should know in advance cuz they will tell you, or the guy that brings the strollers will tell you where it went. I have lost luggage before (not a guitar) but even still, they find the luggage and send it to your hotel where ever you are. One time I left my guitar on the sidewalk in Madrid after paying the cab. I went in to the Hotel, took a shower then realized no guitar. I went out to the lobby, they didn’t know anything. I walked outside and there it was on the sidewalk with 2 million people walking around it.
So, have no fear, relax, take your guitar, enjoy your trip. (Now here come the horror stories from everybody else) Guys, I have flown hundreds of times. The horror stories are one in millions of bad luck cases. Don’t live your lives that way.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
One time I left my guitar on the sidewalk in Madrid after paying the cab. I went in to the Hotel, took a shower then realized no guitar. I went out to the lobby, they didn’t know anything. I walked outside and there it was on the sidewalk with 2 million people walking around it.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
It you’re doing a lot of air, bus, and train travel then a strong lightweight case like a Visesnut is a great thing to have, if you can afford one. You only need the one, too, as they can be adjusted to fit slight differences in guitar shapes so they are always snug in the case. The guitars that stay home don’t need one.
Regardless of whether it’s a Visenut or some other lightweight case, a slipcover really helps matters as it makes the case look more like a gig bag. Most airlines seem to cut a lot of slack for gig bags, I’ve been told they won’t force you to check one, and if there’s a concern about fitting in the overhead bin then it can often be put in one of the closets near the front. I’ve never had to check a case in a slipcover. Also, the people who pack a bus are often sensitive to gig bags if it’s not allowed on the bus and will take extra care when packing it in the storage underneath (although poor Goldwinghai had his stolen from a bus hold at the Malaga station).
The TKL style hard shell cases are pretty good, too, especially if you get one of the double arched models. But they’re heavy and quite often you’ll be asked to check it as baggage, especially if there’s anything else in the case besides the guitar (I was told strings, tuners, etc means an automatice check-in, don’t know why). Fragile stickers help, and I have a red seatbelt style belt that I wrap through the handle and around the case to secure it against accidental opening. Also helps make it visible in the conveyer. Speaking of the conveyer, often times it will be placed on the oversized conveyer and not the luggage conveyor, so once you’ve retrieved your suitcase then be ready to head over to the other line to grab your guitar. It’s often out before the luggage is, so that’s something to consider, too.
I’ve generally only travelled with a guitar (sometimes two) when I’ve had to. Carting a guitar around when travelling is such a pain in the butt that I wouldn’t do it unless necessary, but once it’s determined it’s required I don’t worry too much about it. Once the plane’s in the air it’s generally as safe as being in your living room, it’s the landing and baggage handlers that will be the problem, so if you can’t carry it on then try to gate check it, that’s better as you can often personally hand it over to the handler. Once the personal connection has been made they tend to look after you. In other words, don’t hand it off saying “Hey! watch my frikken’ guitar ya blinkin’ so and so!”. That often doesn’t help the cause, but handing it off with a smile generally works a charm, sometimes they’ll even wave it on board and put it in the closet if you’re nice and human about it.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Ricardo
Nothing is different in 27 years of flying with my best guitars (Conde Hermanos, Jernonimo Peña, Max Bishop, etc.). You get a hard case that doesn’t lock (TSA will break that shyt just to see the label) but won’t accidentally open either (zipper is ideal, or zipper rain cover I use on the Visenut) so latches won’t open. Don’t say ANYTHING just walk onboard with a big fat smile like nothing is wrong (if you want to pay for early boarding options, it could give a piece of mind but doesn’t matter if flight is full and you are not first class. Boarding group LMNOP, whatever, is fine, you will get on). If they warn of a full flight they will tag and bag it for you nicely. Most of the time they let you have a go to get it in the overhead bin yourself, it doesn’t HAVE to be right over your seat, or even near it, but don’t be a jerk about it, try to get it close to you. Sometimes they have closet space, or FIND a space for you. Last time, cuz I was so damn nice, some lady airline agent let me board with pregnant ladies/kids/elderly and first class BECAUSE of the guitar (I did not ask to do that).
If you can’t get it over head in a free bin, then don’t freak out. Just wait, or give it to the flight attendant and they will store it somehow or tag and bag it for you.
IF THEY TAG AND BAG IT: ask where to pick it up. Often like strollers and stuff they leave it there as you walk off plane. Sometimes it goes through baggage anyway. DON”T FREAK OUT. Just go collect it from baggage. Sometimes they have a special baggage area for oversized items, or “handle with care” stuff. I have collected guitars there as well. You should know in advance cuz they will tell you, or the guy that brings the strollers will tell you where it went. I have lost luggage before (not a guitar) but even still, they find the luggage and send it to your hotel where ever you are. One time I left my guitar on the sidewalk in Madrid after paying the cab. I went in to the Hotel, took a shower then realized no guitar. I went out to the lobby, they didn’t know anything. I walked outside and there it was on the sidewalk with 2 million people walking around it.
So, have no fear, relax, take your guitar, enjoy your trip. (Now here come the horror stories from everybody else) Guys, I have flown hundreds of times. The horror stories are one in millions of bad luck cases. Don’t live your lives that way.
So you are saying just dont say anything to the agent? just pretend its a carry on bag? I did pay for priority boarding though it was likely a waste since I have a toddler with us anyways, we would have likely got it anyways. I know there are TSA rules about instruments in the US, just not sure as im flying from Canada to Mexico via a low cost airline. The one time I brought my guitar on an Air Canada flight I got a green tag and it was loaded on the plane last. I was really comfortable with this. Im not too comfortable having it on the baggage cart though, even though the case I have is pretty good and its a cheap guitar.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
quote:
So you are saying just dont say anything to the agent? just pretend its a carry on bag? I did pay for priority boarding though it was likely a waste since I have a toddler with us anyways, we would have likely got it anyways
It's not a waste - you will get in BEFORE families with small children (as outrageous as that is). Also, musical instruments ARE to be treated as carry-on since the 2015 rules went into effect, with these provisions:
"Airlines must accommodate musical instruments as carry-on items as long as there is room available in the overhead bin or under-seat area at the time of boarding and the instrument can be safely stowed."
And make sure you say you are a member of "THE NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CARRY-ON COALITION" (see doc)
(But I admit I don't know how all of this applies to low-cost airlines. Maybe the document addresses it, haven't read it all. I can't imagine them being exempt, though)
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to kitarist)
quote:
ORIGINAL: kitarist
quote:
So you are saying just dont say anything to the agent? just pretend its a carry on bag? I did pay for priority boarding though it was likely a waste since I have a toddler with us anyways, we would have likely got it anyways
It's not a waste - you will get in BEFORE families with small children (as outrageous as that is). Also, musical instruments ARE to be treated as carry-on since the 2015 rules went into effect, with these provisions:
"Airlines must accommodate musical instruments as carry-on items as long as there is room available in the overhead bin or under-seat area at the time of boarding and the instrument can be safely stowed."
And make sure you say you are a member of "THE NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CARRY-ON COALITION" (see doc)
(But I admit I don't know how all of this applies to low-cost airlines. Maybe the document addresses it, haven't read it all. I can't imagine them being exempt, though)
Does this apply to Canada though or just the US? They say US airlines, but in reality Flair airlines travels to the US so it should be applicable to them. It's pretty ridiculous that people can bring golf clubs despite the large size for an additional charge of course, but the policy only states that musical instruments must comply with carry on sizing requirements. A guitar will most definitely not comply with carry on sizing. I guess I just go in there like Ricardo said and dont say anything, then the flight crew is forced to accommodate me.
Posts: 15189
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
I have flown to Turkey, lots of European countries (destination Spain of course), Canada, Dominican Republic (during covid)…. Every where on Earth it is the exact same situation. It IS a carry on, it does fit in most overhead bins (not all). The carry on restrictions of size are only for stuff that can fit under the seat in front of you, so ignore that thing. Obviously, so you don’t have TWO fat carry ons in your aisle don’t be a jerk…use a back pack instead of a carry on suitcase if you can. So the only place I had a different type of flying experience was from El Salvador to Nicaragua, over top of the volcanoes with a prop propeller plane….no over head bins on that little thing, guitar went underneath.
One last thing. Went to Vegas with Conde one time, and when I checked it, the poor guitar was ICE COLD. In the humid environment I ended up (just outside of Vegas toward the mountains) the cold guitar soaked up tons of water and sounded totally dead the entire day. It gradually dried out and sounded normal a day or so later. Unfortunately I had to do a private acoustic performance (no amplification), with the poor guitar in that state. On that trip I got sick, and flew back home and damaged my ears badly (they blocked up from pressure and never opened up for a week, and I got an infection, cured by antibiotics). I had to perform on Kennedy center stage and I was totally deaf. I am more concerned about THAT ever since, than the guitar.
Posts: 2684
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Ricardo)
weird this topic comes up. was just thinking about it too.
So Ricardo are you saying you just turn up with the geetar and take it onboard everytime? I always worry they will be dicks and ill end up being forced to put in the hold. therefore feel the need to book a seat for the instrument.
weird this topic comes up. was just thinking about it too.
So Ricardo are you saying you just turn up with the geetar and take it onboard everytime? I always worry they will be dicks and ill end up being forced to put in the hold. therefore feel the need to book a seat for the instrument.
That is the plan yes. Like I said, there will be reasons they make you check it, but don’t freak out, it is not a big deal. They are not necessarily being jerks…everybody has to check stuff in that they planned to carry on (usually suitcases). But I have been in situations were everybody had to check their hand luggage that didn’’t fit under the seat, but they still got my guitar on. I did not have to say anything about it.
Ok, The only stressful time was one time there was a connecting flight. I had to collect my guitar from baggage claim first, then go through security all over again (normal connections are “in transit” and you bypass security for connections), my family was already on the plane by the time I got to the gate. But we both made it on board.
Next, a similar situation, but the connection was tight. By the time I got my guitar from baggage they closed the gate and the guy I was flying with and I had to get put on a different flight. Honestly, it wasn’t just me due to guitar…everybody else that had to get their stuff from baggage missed the flight so the airline had to accommodate a lot of people that day. This was a perfect storm thing where the plane had small bins, and the international plane the airline wanted to connect to had a specific time to leave…knowing full well all the passengers needed the extra time to pick up their bags. They screwed up the timing situation when they sold the tickets and paid for it by having to buy all these customers international seats on various other partner airlines. Later that day our next connection plane burst into flame on the tarmac, so we had to wait like 10 hours to get another plane to Spain. These are the one in a million type problems. My checked luggage and guitar all made it fine to destination, but it was late. (That was the same night was so exhausted and left my guitar on the sidewalk! )
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Echoing Ricardo here -- just show up with the guitar and don't make a big deal out of it to begin with, anticipating to take it as a carry on and put it in the overhead bin. I did have one situation where I got some pushback and the guy told me I would have to tag/bag it. I told him my instrument is worth several thousands of dollars and if he wants to be responsible for it in the event that something happens to it, he can go ahead and store it. He let me go on ahead and there was plenty of space in the overhead bin haha.
Posts: 219
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
I always carried the guitar with me and I learned a little more with each flight. For the last several flights to Spain or so, as soon as I got on the plane, I asked the flight attendant at the door politely to put my guitar in the closet. She/he would be standing at the door waiting for me with my guitar upon deboarding.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Update guys, they would not allow me to take the guitar on as a carry on, so it was a gate check item. They handled it with care and i had a AirTag installed aswell so no issues. My cheapie guitar made it there and back and I had some productive practice sessions on the trip.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
I have flown with guitars for many years. I put the guitar in a roadworthy case, either a Mark Leaf or a Calton, that better insures the safety of the guitar should I have to check it. Alaska Airlines lets me take it on board (I always take preboarding for old people, people with kids, guys with guitars) and put it in the overhead. Some airlines have followed suit. Flew to Athens last October and it rode in the overhead, same with Swiss Air. A hard case in a case cover should do. Once I got a guitar shipping box from the old local music store put a duct tape handle on it, put my Martin D28 case and guitar inside, checked it and flew to Seattle. Everyone has horror stories. I do not, and I flew every two weeks for 20 years with a guitar.
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Yes so the problem is in Canada, the rules are more vague and these low cost carriers exploit any loopholes they find. It’s so expensive to fly these days that low cost carriers are getting more and more popular. In the US it’s pretty clear, the rules say if the plane can accommodate the guitar in the overhead bin.
Posts: 219
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
A couple of days ago before my flight to Spain, luckily I checked the baggage requirements on British Airways. It stated clearly on the website that flamenco guitar is welcome but it must be placed in a hard case and goes as checked baggage. If you want it with you on the plane, you would have to buy a seat for your guitar. I had no choice, checked the guitar in to the final destination. The guitar came out on the conveyor belt just like all other suitcases.
Posts: 15189
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Goldwinghai)
quote:
It stated clearly on the website that flamenco guitar is welcome but it must be placed in a hard case and goes as checked baggage.
As of 2012 I believe, this was illegal for domestic flights (I know yours was International). They have to let you try to carry it on and put overhead as per law (domestic flights in USA). However, since the pandemic, many laws may have changed.
Posts: 2684
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Ricardo)
Meant to update this with my experience traveling to Spain in July 2023
I bubble wrapped the guitar and took it in my hard flight case. I tried to charm the lady into letting me carry out on board and stash over head... But they were not having any of it! I had to pay 65£ (insured) to put in the hold. Same on the way back.
This was Ryan air.
I travel to Portugal on Monday with the guitar with easyjet. I will try again. And report back.
Meant to update this with my experience traveling to Spain in July 2023
I bubble wrapped the guitar and took it in my hard flight case. I tried to charm the lady into letting me carry out on board and stash over head... But they were not having any of it! I had to pay 65£ (insured) to put in the hold. Same on the way back.
This was Ryan air.
I travel to Portugal on Monday with the guitar with easyjet. I will try again. And report back.
Which “lady”? Before or AFTER security? As in, you made it WITH GUITAR to the GATE, and then they CHARGED you? I have never experienced this. The pre-security people are trying to make $ remember. You can bypass that by checking in online, getting boarding pass emailed or at kiosk…no sales people, unless you have to check large luggage….in which case, why do you need such a big bag? They charge for THAT of course. But what you check under is supposed to be YOUR choice.
Posts: 2684
Joined: Jan. 30 2007
From: London (the South of it), England
RE: Air Travel with a Guitar (in reply to Ricardo)
Hmm. Ok.
Well I did check in online. So was planning to head straight to security. I only had ruck sack and guitar.
But I got collated by some side saying I'll need to check that in. So doubt set in and queued.
At the time I guess I was worried I'd be sent back then have to q. I've definitely had success before where the desk person said yeah just take it with you.
So you're saying go straight to security and they will have to let me take it? Ok!
So you're saying go straight to security and they will have to let me take it? Ok!
If you get singled out, they normally force you to check it at the gate (called a gate check) with a pink colored tag and no $ is exchanged. This will literally happen as you are attempting to board the plane, and they tell you WHERE to pick up the guitar when you land (either you wait as they bring out baby strollers etc, or they specify you must go to baggage claim). I have never gotten through security then at the gate been pulled aside demanding $ to check it in. I have only ever paid for luggage check BEFORE security.