Traveling by air

[Lowell]

Hi all, Have a travel case question. Working in Dubai (live in Florida) and over the past several years I’ve bought a couple very nice guitars, both from Germany. Now I have to get them home. I took them to FedEx for a quote, and shipping for the D140 is almost $720, right at $680 for the OM120, and $875 for a nice brass body I found. I could buy the same model Guilds new, in the US for the shipping price...but I’ve had the both awhile, and love them. I have Gator ABS TSA-lock “airline” cases for all three, and it’s around $100 apiece to check them with Emirates. It’s a non-stop to Orlando, so that’ll minimize the handling. What do you all think? Honest opinions welcome, please. I’m feeling very indecisive, which is rare.

 

[Stuball48]

Loosen the strings, pack 'em to best of your ability, and introduce them to "loading at Gate 6."

 

[Cougar]

It’s a non-stop to Orlando, so that’ll minimize the handling.

Wow. That's a good deal. Yeah, I'd go ahead and check them at the airline and hope for the best. That FedEx shipping price is crazy.

 

[Lowell]

Wow. That's a good deal. Yeah, I'd go ahead and check them at the airline and hope for the best. That FedEx shipping price is crazy.

Yeah, it is.

 

[Lowell]

Loosen the strings, pack 'em to best of your ability, and introduce them to "loading at Gate 6."

Thanks, I concur. I’ve got some real small bubble wrap I’ll stuff in the cases, and as the other gentleman said I’ll “ hope for the best.”

 

[fronobulax]

Thanks, I concur. I’ve got some real small bubble wrap I’ll stuff in the cases, and as the other gentleman said I’ll “ hope for the best.”

There is a thread somewhere showing examples of bubble wrap damaging guitar finishes. You might consider something else or taking the time to verify that it is unlikely to happen in your situation.

 

[wileypickett]

Would it be less expensive to buy a seat for the three guitars?

 

[Guildedagain]

Check them, the trip will give them character. Check two, buy a seat for one?

 

[SFIV1967]

There is a thread somewhere showing examples of bubble wrap damaging guitar finishes.

That only applies to Nitro finishes not to urethan finishes like on the D-140 and OM-120.

Most important in the guitar case is that the headstock (EDIT: AND the entire neck!) is totally immobilized and the strap button on the bottom of the guitar is best totally removed (if possible). Use used T-Shirts and whatever to don't allow any movement.

Guitar packing for airline travel – how to protect your guitar

Successful traveling with your instruments begins at home. Pack your guitar with care; here are some tips from the pros.

flyingwithguitars.com

Tech Tales: Packing Your Guitar for Air Travel

The ideal--and less ideal--ways to protect your instrument on an airplane

www.premierguitar.com

And since it is Emirates the United video won't apply...




Ralf

 

[chazmo]

$100 to check them seems fair. Plus, usually the baggage handlers will be careful with guitars. Check them in like oversized luggage, and hopefully when you arrive they will not come out on a carousel... I travel with firearms occasionally, and same deal. That's a much trickier process, but it all starts with going to the special handling folks at the ticket counter. Don't just check 'em in like regular luggage..

 

[fronobulax]

$100 to check them seems fair. Plus, usually the baggage handlers will be careful with guitars. Check them in like oversized luggage, and hopefully when you arrive they will not come out on a carousel... I travel with firearms occasionally, and same deal. That's a much trickier process, but it all starts with going to the special handling folks at the ticket counter. Don't just check 'em in like regular luggage..

Because firearms get special handling, people who travel with expensive cameras or electronic gear are often advised to buy a starter pistol, pack it with the "good stuff" and then declare that the baggage contains a firearm. The entire package gets the special handling because of the starter pistol.

 

[wileypickett]

Don't just check 'em in like regular luggage..

I always take my guitar with me through security. If they won't let me take it on the plane when I board, it'll be gate checked, like strollers and wheelchairs and the like. Much safer and it'll be waiting for you right there when you get off the plane -- no trucks, conveyer belts or carousels.

 

[Cougar]

I travel with firearms occasionally, and same deal. That's a much trickier process, but it all starts with going to the special handling folks at the ticket counter. Don't just check 'em in like regular luggage..

Funny you mention that. In a couple days I'm going to be flying back to North Idaho with a Browning pistol. I've checked into how you do that, but you've obviously got some more and better info! I know it's got to be in a locked box, no ammo, etc.) I didn't know there are "special handling folks" at the ticket counter. What else can you tell me?

 

[Cougar]

I always take my guitar with me through security. If they won't let me take it on the plane when I board, it'll be gate checked, like strollers and wheelchairs and the like. Much safer and it'll be waiting for you right there when you get off the plane -- no trucks, conveyer belts or carousels.

Good info. We had a prop plane from Spokane to Portland, (then a regular jet to Burbank). The prop plane was small, and they gate-checked my carry-on like that instead of overhead-binning it. Then it was right there as I got off the plane.

 

[SFIV1967]

I didn't know there are "special handling folks" at the ticket counter. What else can you tell me?

A lot of airports have such special counter, usually called something like "bulky-baggage counter". Same at the luggage receive area. For instance when you check in a backpack with open straps that could get stuck in the carousels those counters take care about this. As far as I remember from my travelling past usually you first go to your airline counter, check in and tell them you would like to drop this item off at the special "bulky-baggage counter". (best to inquire beforehand with the airport website where such counters would be).

Ralf

 

[Lowell]

That only applies to Nitro finishes not to urethan finishes like on the D-140 and OM-120.

Most important in the guitar case is that the headstock is totally imobilized and the strap button on the bottom of the guitar is best totally removed (if possible). Use used T-Shirts and whatever to don't allow any movement.

Guitar packing for airline travel – how to protect your guitar

Successful traveling with your instruments begins at home. Pack your guitar with care; here are some tips from the pros.

flyingwithguitars.com

Tech Tales: Packing Your Guitar for Air Travel

The ideal--and less ideal--ways to protect your instrument on an airplane

www.premierguitar.com

And since it is Emirates the United video won't apply...




Ralf

Good advice. I’ll pack ‘em tight

 

[Lowell]

$100 to check them seems fair. Plus, usually the baggage handlers will be careful with guitars. Check them in like oversized luggage, and hopefully when you arrive they will not come out on a carousel... I travel with firearms occasionally, and same deal. That's a much trickier process, but it all starts with going to the special handling folks at the ticket counter. Don't just check 'em in like regular luggage..

I’m with you. They’ll be checked in at the separate “oversized luggage” counter.

 

[fronobulax]

Funny you mention that. In a couple days I'm going to be flying back to North Idaho with a Browning pistol. I've checked into how you do that, but you've obviously got some more and better info! I know it's got to be in a locked box, no ammo, etc.) I didn't know there are "special handling folks" at the ticket counter. What else can you tell me?

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

www.tsa.gov

Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter.

I don't think there is special handling as much as a trained gate agent.

 

[GAD]

Most important in the guitar case is that the headstock is totally imobilized and the strap button on the bottom of the guitar is best totally removed (if possible). Use used T-Shirts and whatever to don't allow any movement.

Just a quick note on this. It’s most important to immobilize the neck. If you immobilize the head and not the neck then the neck can break. Happened to me when a guy shipped a $3000 jackson with the headstock totally wrapped in bubble wrap but left the neck floating.

 

[chazmo]

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

www.tsa.gov

I don't think there is special handling as much as a trained gate agent.

At Logan (Boston) there's a special counter for checkin with the airline I frequent (United) for this. At SFO (San Francisco), it's either the special counter or often the ticket agent can do it. BUT, the process at SFO requires that an agent goes with you to TSA for an inspection... It takes about another .5 hr to check-in than normal there.

Cougs, happy to share, but must of what I had to say has already been mentioned. . Follow the TSA's instructions, and also check with the airline you're flying with for their details. Bottom line, announce yourself and ask for help. Oh, and if you can avoid traveling with ammo, that's potentially easier than with. I travel with my target trap shotguns in a flight case... The process might be somewhat different for pistols.