Once in a while the question of guitars and air travel comes up here. If you'll be flying a commercial airline with a decent guitar, consider Continental. My experience last week was in contrast to the usual horror stories you hear when airlines and guitars come together.

I took two flights with a Martin OM42 (note: it's a fine guitar, but I'll probably sell it and get some kind of Collings OM or C10). One flight was a U.S. domestic flight on a Boeing 737. All I had to say to the ticket agent was that I had a valuable guitar that I didn't want to check as baggage and she gladly let me bring it on the plane with me where it easily fit in the overhead compartment.

Next was an international flight on a Boeing 767. Same thing -- I just asked and they happily let me bring it onboard even though a guitar could never fit in the short overheads of a 767. A flight attendant put it in the business class coat closet (my ticket was economy class), comfortably padded by Armani and the like jackets and put it back in my hand when I got off.

I couldn't have been happier and all the worries about the guitar being damaged or stolen were for naught . . .

Anyway, that's my pitch for Continental -- maybe it will be helpful for someone planning to fly with a guitar.

As usual in most circumstances like this, it comes down to the people you are dealing with not the airline. It could have just as easily been a horror story if your were dealing with less sympathetic employees.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave Aaronson,

Dave Aaronson wrote:

quote:

As usual is most circumstances like this, it comes down to the people you are dealing with not the airline. It could have just as easily been a horror story if your were dealing with less sympathetic employees.

You're right, but I found out from Continental supervisor at Newark Airport (Continental's main hub) that at least they have no policy prohibiting bringing guitars onboard which makes it easier to convince an employee to let you bring it on the plane. If you run into a tough employee, you can always try an appeal to a supervisor.

Also, on those 2 flights I probably passed a total of at least 10-12 Continental employees (check-in, gate, plane door, flight attendants) with my guitar in hand and no one said anything.

Airlines are desparate now for money and treating a customer badly will only mean they will be out of a job that much sooner.

Kenny B.

quote:

Airlines are desparate now for money and treating a customer badly will only mean they will be out of a job that much sooner.

Well, they're not shy about charging sky-high ticket prices, charging $5 for a beer, $150 for an extra bag, losing your luggage, overbooking, and generally treating you like dirt, so anytime they want to let me bring my guitar on for free, it's OK by me . . .

I would never trust a valued guitar to the mood swings of airline employees or security policies. It's a crap shoot. They can, at their will, say turn over the guitar and check it, and you have no recourse beyond giving it over or going home. If I didn't have Calton case, I'd not fly with a guitar. That simple. OF course, travel is becoming so expensive that may not be much of a problem.

[QUOTE] [Well, they're not shy about charging sky-high ticket prices, charging $5 for a beer, $150 for an extra bag, losing your luggage, overbooking, and generally treating you like dirt, so anytime they want to let me bring my guitar on for free, it's OK by me . . .]

Beers are now $6 on American. Thank goodness for drink coupons on Southwest.

Flying with guitars...2nd trip for this D1Asb and the Calton case it travels in.

Coos Bay/North Bend (gate check) to PDX (gate check) to Burbank. LAX (carry on Air NZ) to Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Raro to Aitutaki (Air Rarotonga), boat to the motu, Maina...played all the time, 3 gigs using the pickup in Raro...and all the way back. No problems, no worries, friendly airline folks...But, most of it comes down to the Calton. If you are going to travel and care enough about your instrument, get a Calton...

Kia Manuia,

Dale
www.daleinskeep.com

No doubt Calton cases are very good, but even in a Calton, the guitar is obviously much safer onboard. No case is indestructible and what case says "an expensive guitar is within" to a thief more clearly than a Calton?

I've got a friend who's a professional guitarist constantly traveling on airlines with a Guild archtop in a softcase. He says that with a softcase they always let him bring it onboard because it looks much smaller and can't be checked for obvious reasons. Maybe he's lucky he hasn't run into the real sadist who would make him check it in with a softcase . . .

Always an interesting topic. I've said before, and I'll say it again, arrive early, smile and be pleasant to each and every airline representative you deal with, and ALWAYS use a Calton.

I've flown most, and always had the best luck, with American. Love those folks. Have also had the experience Redavide describes of having the flight attendant pack it away in the first class stowage.

Jim
BSOB '07

Be careful if you have to fly on a regional jet (usually much smaller than a more typical 737). In many of these smaller jets, there is no overhead space big enough for a guitar with a hard case.

Another vote for Continental. They seem to be very guitar friendly.

Jim