Ship vs Carry On?

[smssatts]

I am moving overseas this summer and need to bring my guitar with me to lead worship at a brand new church just starting up. The guitar is a 2010 Gibson J-45 w/a standard Gibson hardshell case. I am debating taking it as a carry on, checking it or shipping it. I need some advice from anyone who has brought a guitar overseas with them. What is the best way to go about this? i.e., most affordable, safest, least hassle...

[Hip Hiker]

I traveled overseas in a band dozens of times in the last year. Guitars (both electric and acoustic) were always fine and undamaged as checked in (not carry on) luggage (piano accordions are another story entirely...). Just remember to slacken the strings.

[smssatts]

What kind of cases did you use? Any special flight cases or just regular hardshells?

[Hip Hiker]

My case for my Tele was probably the most flight-worthy. But the acoustic, which is of more interest to your case, was in a fairly standard Takamine hard shell case.

Just found a pic of the case:

[andrenighthound]

Try to carry it on. From my experience If the plane is not crowded you will have no problem bringing it on the plane. Or they will take it right at the plane entrance like a baby stroller. Then they put a special tag on it and put it with the rest of the luggage. When the plane lands they give it to you as soon as you exit the plane.

[smssatts]

I'm thinking it's too big to fit in an overhead bin even if they let me take it on.

[R.S.Fraser Sr.]

Originally Posted by smssatts

I'm thinking it's too big to fit in an overhead bin even if they let me take it on.

well then, there is your answer, check it in a good flight case, it is worth the money.

[smssatts]

Ok so what's the best flight case that would fit a J-45?

[Joe M]

Originally Posted by smssatts

I'm thinking it's too big to fit in an overhead bin even if they let me take it on.

I had no trouble putting my AJ in the overhead on a recent flight. You shouldn't have any problem with the J45.

[EricS76]

These came out recently. Seem to be out of stock most places right now though.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...FQFeTAodlALF0A

[william tele]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSb5S1_B2YA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

Oldies but goodies

[JCSouthpawtele]

If you are shipping an entire collection of gear call

http://www.rock-itcargo.com/home.html
http://www.rockitcargo.com/content.asp

They ship entire productions around the world. Keeping care of expensive gear is their specialty. If that is not in the budget and only flying a few guitars ATA spec flight cases insure of damage. If you do not have an ATA case,if your guitars were damaged, the airline would not pay for damages. I've seen it happen a few times. A friend was on a recent flight to L.A from Chicago and sat near Steve Vai. Steves guitar was in the closet by the stewardess station.

[Dr. Bill]

For some reason I thought this was a thread about CSN songs.

[smssatts]

That SKB case looks really nice. I have a couple of the ones that come with new Fenders but that one looks more heavy duty. I may go that route... $300 is about my limit for budget.

[Brother Rob]

I've flown with guitars any number of times, including overseas with a full sized acoustic. I've always carried on rather than checked.

A couple of lessons learned:

• Plan ahead to get to the gate very early. This means leaving a ton of extra time to get thorough Security.
• Do not carry on your extra stings nor other accessories such as wire cutters for trimming strings and allen wrenches. Put those items in your checked bags.
• When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent that you have a guitar. S/he might let you board early. S/he will also probably defer the final decision of if/where you can stash your guitar to the Lead Flight Attendant.
• There is no "right" to carry on a guitar. Eventually someone will probably come here claiming that there is an FAA document that you should print out that gives you the right to carry on a guitar. It is a bit of an Urban Legend. However Congress just passed legislation establishing a standard for Musical Instruments as part of Carry-On Luggage: http://bluegrasstoday.com/37594/us-c...r-instruments/
• If you do not have preferred frequent flyer status, some airlines (such as American Airlines) give you an option to purchase pre-boarding privileges. This is HIGHLY recommended.
• You do not need to loosen the strings
• On most full sized planes there is plenty of space for an acoustic guitar in the overhead. Watch your fellow passengers after you stow your guitar to ensure they don't toss their bag on your instrument.
• The lead attendant might think you want to monopolize the First Class coat hanging space. It really isn't necessary. If S/he offers the space just say you'll toss it in the overhead That allows you the opportunity to keep it close and safe.
• If you can't fit the guitar on a smaller or very full plane, it is still better to "gate check" the guitar. It will be waiting on the Jet Way when you get to the final destination and won't have to go thru the full baggage handling process.

[Arbiter]

That's not exactly a cheap guitar. I'd get something cheaper for the trip and take my chances with that instead.

In general you might be safer shipping than flying. My "favorite" flight case story involved a keyboard in one of those mammoth ATA Anvil cases. On arrival at destination, the band got their keyboard, in the case, with two enormous holes where a forklift driver had punched the forklift clean through the case.

[colchar]

Originally Posted by Hip Hiker

I traveled overseas in a band dozens of times in the last year. Guitars (both electric and acoustic) were always fine and undamaged as checked in (not carry on) luggage (piano accordions are another story entirely...). Just remember to slacken the strings.

Why would we need to slacken the strings? They are shipped from the factories with the stings at tension so why would we need to slacken them when transporting them ourselves?

[xtrajerry]

If you can find. TSA approved case I'd go with that. I don't have a lot of faith in the latches that come on standard hard cases.

[Rolling Estonian]

I've traveled about a dozen times over the last three years with my tele and have gotten it on the plane in overhead or front closet every time.

M

[Hip Hiker]

Originally Posted by colchar

Why would we need to slacken the strings? They are shipped from the factories with the stings at tension so why would we need to slacken them when transporting them ourselves?

So that's just another urban legend? Good to know.

Things must be different in America. There's no way I would have been able to get a guitar in the overheads flying out from New Zealand.