I'll be doing a fair bit of travel in 2010, so I'm looking for mando travel tips from any road warriors out there. I've taken my Collings MT2 on a few international flights, but not really on any business road trips / shorter regional trips. Looking for lessons learned and advise about stuff like -
- leaving mando in car (case cover?)
- travelling to different climates (Seattle to Phoenix)
- hotel mando tips
- instrument insurance

What say ye?
-

I'll say this regarding carrying on your mandolin on the airlines....Those overhead bins are getting filed up even quicker now that most carriers have started charging for checked bags. I've had good luck getting seats farther aft and as most carriers load the aircraft aft to forward, you'll get a better shot at getting the mandolin in the overhead. I have a Calton case and only one gate agent has ever given me just a little trouble about the size. Talked her into it though.

Hotel...I keep the DO NOT DISTURB sign up all the time. I realize it's not a foolproof lock but it keeps some folks out of your room.

There are brand new regs in place as of last week that I think, are now preventing folk like us from bringing our mandolins on board.

That's disturbing, Kerry. Only ten days ago, I flew with no issues. In five years of travel, there's never been any hassle about carrying it on, be it in a Peg, Calton or TraveLite.

The guitar, I always ship. Looks like that's in store for the mando, too

P.S.--did a quick search and noted that, after a failed attempt to down a Northwest Airlines jet, Canada is restricting carry-ons, but I haven't found yet any new regs. KK, can you direct me to any source of that info?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ledmandlin,

I believe the regulations are changing daily, and unfortunately often at the whim of some bureaucrat. If they would only enforce the regulations and procedures that they have in force we would all be much safer. Instead, at least in the US, we have a bunch of minimum wage goof offs or wannabe cops - think Mall Cop - who only want to get through their shift with the least problems.

Routinely check the TSA's web site and the web site of the airline you plan on traveling. ALWAYS arrive very early and smile and be pleasant to everyone. It makes it all a bit more pleasant and less stressful for everyone.

Jim

I'm not sure smiling at folk and being friendly is going to get anything bigger than a purse on board. The CBC National News was my reference point people. I have not done any other research, and from what they said, the restriction was world wide. I don't think I would EVER be able to check my Monteleone under any circumstance. I have flown with it dozens in times.

Just a follow-up to this thread. Flew out of a regional airport in western Colorado, where, as far as I could tell, smiles and friendliness may or may not have much to do with what you can carry on, though such behavior makes my airport experiences a little lighter, but there was never any question as to the acceptability of the Travelite case going on with me. (Sigh of relief, breathed.)

As for the guitar--shipped it USPS at 4:30 Wed.PM; it arrived in Austin well before noon, Thursday, for $93, including maximum insurance.

All in all, a good trip, with a happy ending.

Bruce

I took my MT2 as a carry-on with Alaska Airlines a week ago without any problems. Seattle to Phoenix, so I was also worried about the climate extremes, but it's pretty mild in both places right now.

Tomorrow I'm flying from Seattle to Tampa, and I think the mando stays at home.