Forget US Airways, if you want your axe aboard.
TD
I have just returned home from some travel. US Airways will absolutely
NOT permit you to take your axe aboard whether it fits in overhead or
not; gig bag or hard case no matter. I traveled First Class, no
matter. They will only "special handle" it. They say It's "law" now.
Hmmm...really? My guitar was not damaged. However, I also flew via
Delta (same trip away) and they *still* accept the guitar aboard, hard
case and all.
-TD
Phred
F all of them!
SB
Roger
I heard the same thing not two weeks ago. A fellow Suzuki classical
guitar teacher who travels constantly as a Suzuki teacher trainer says
US Airways told her that it's the law. She started to argue her side
(other airlines routinely let her carry it on, the infamous United
video, etc.) and they told her to shut up or they would kick her off
the plane - as in, one more comment out of you and you are off this
plane. No kidding! Very surly, apparently. On the other side of the
equation, she says Continental in particular has been very good about
carrying it on. No more US Airways for guitarists -
Roger
tom walls
I've always found US Airways to be the very suckiest of airlines.
Nate Najar
wow! I havent flown usair in about 6 months, but they've always been
very good about letting me carry my guitar on. I'm flying them ext
week- i'll have to see how it goes. Delta used to be the big problem
but now is being very accommodating. and I flew american about 2
weeks ago with absolutely no issue. they were very nice.
my instrument is in a very form fitting (read small) and lightweight,
but still hard case, so if I have to gate check it, I should have no
worries. I have gate checked a few times just because the flight was
so full and I didn't want to deal with trying to get an empty
overhead, so i've volunteered to let them take it, and it's always
been ok.
N
guitarannie
They lied to you. No law says you can't
Here is the TSA policy on instruments
"Bring your stringed instruments, within carrier size limitations, as
carry-on items."
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm
I carry a copy of it in my guitar case.
I travel with a solid body fender which will fit in an overhead bin
I did have a US Air problem with a 335 style guitar
that the case was smashed and they lost
the guitar and it sat in the desert heat for hours in a pickup truck.
Fortunately the baggage agent did confirm the damage to the case.
I was paid $500.00 by the airline which was $50.00 more than the cost
of the guitar and case so everything worked out.
So now i travel with a plank.
SAS
TD
They (US Air) will zero in on you ahead of time as soon as they eye
your guitar. Some one will automatically tag your guitar (gig bag
included). I will be surprised if that does not happen and they
actually do permit you. It seems to me that they *are* being very
careful on this gate-check procedure. After all, whatever the bastards
break, the Air Lines *are* liable. Another guitarist actually
succombed to gate checking with his gig-bagged-guitar. I was shocked,
but it came back OK. However, we can absolutely not rely on those
workers each and every time. I knew that US Airways was not telling
the truth, but it is only a glimpse of what is to come. It appears
that all airlines are experimenting on the masses to see how much we
can take. The concept of "We the people" is consistantly going into
the toilet. If you are a guitarist, I would recommend flying over US
Air ( not on her). Delta seems very good.
-TD
Rick Stone
I'm going to the Jazz Education Network 1st Annual Conference in St.
Louis next month and had to book my flights on American. Unbelievable
as it seemed they were the ONLY airline that I could get a non-stop
round-trip from NYC to St. Louis (everybody else makes you go through
Chicago, Atlanta, and in one case even Milwaukee, turning a 3 hour
flight, into as much as 6 and in one case 12 hours!).
I hate flying and am still nervous about the guitar. Anybody have any
RECENT experience with A.A. (the airlines, not the alcoholics :-)
--
Rick Stone
website: www.rickstone.com
Some of My Other sites: www.myspace.com/rickstonemusic
www.facebook.com/rickstonemusic www.sonicbids.com/rickstone
www.reverbnation.com/rickstone www.youtube.com/jazzand
www.cdbaby.com/all/jazzand http://jazzguitarny.ning.com
TD
> < 1KViewDownload
Well, too bad, because the alcoholics will let you take anything
aboard.
-TD
Tim McNamara
<f393953c-3b5d-4204...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
TD <tonyde...@gmail.com> wrote:
You can download and print a policy statement from the TSA which states
that musicians can carry on instruments.
Tim McNamara
<0496ecc8-d280-4aab...@i37g2000yqn.googlegroups.com>,
Nate Najar <na...@natenajar.com> wrote:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/
Note the photo of the guitar on the TSA Web site.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm
TD
> In article
> <f393953c-3b5d-4204-ad9d-d0f958500...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> TD <tonydecap...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hello fellow guitarists.
>
> > I have just returned home from some travel. US Airways will
> > absolutely NOT permit you to take your axe aboard whether it fits in
> > overhead or not; gig bag or hard case no matter. I traveled First
> > Class, no matter. They will only "special handle" it. They say It's
> > "law" now. Hmmm...really? My guitar was not damaged. However, I also
> > flew via Delta (same trip away) and they *still* accept the guitar
> > aboard, hard case and all.
>
> You can download and print a policy statement from the TSA which states
> that musicians can carry on instruments.
Means nothing to US Airways; nothing. They reserve the right to ignore
that. I will never fly them again.
-TD
edspyhill01
When did this change? All the times I flew USAir people would carry
on suit cases and huge duffle bags and cram into the overheads and the
flight crew completely ignored everything like Sgt Schultz. I once
commented someone could carry on a farm animal as long as they they
could cram it into the overhead.
One trip to the Stetson Guitar Workshop I flew Delta and it was hit or
miss, depending on the gate person. I had to check the guitar on the
return trip in Orlando to Philadelphia, but they promised to hand
carry it. It survived in a light-weight Travelite case. I was lucky.
I gave up flying unless I have to for work. Since I'm being
outsourced I have not flown for work in about 2 years. I'll catch up
on my West Coast visits in the future.
6fingers
wacky machine, or somethin, and he could like tele-transport a guys
ass and his axe too, for like $99.95 ( NY - LA r/t ),...... I think
biz would be pretty good
just sayin'
Big cry baby, go walk the dog.
Nate Najar
in response to the comments about the TSA letter, that has nothing to
do with the airline. TSA is a govt agency concerned with airline
security. That means you can take your guitar through security and
that the airline cannot tell you no based on safety reasons.
to say it's "law" is incorrect, however, the truth of the matter is,
FAA regulations do not permit the instrument. it has nothing to do
with it being an instrument- FAA regulations state that carryon
luggage must not exceed a certain size, and it has to do with total
size as well as individual length, width and girth. if you follow
that regulation literally, than a guitar case should not be allowed on
as carry on. in practice it makes no sense and used to be ignored (or
interpreted differently). my advice is to get a case that is sturdy
enough to allow you to feel comfortable gate checking your
instrument. and insure your instruments. problem solved.
to Rick Stone- I flew american 2 weeks ago direct from florida to los
angeles and they gave me no problem with my guitar. they said "if
there's no room in the overhead, you can put it in the closet up
front, it's not too full now". and on the way home they said not a
word and just let me carry it on. and this was actually a gigbag with
2 thinlines in it. Let's hope they treat you the same.
N
sheetsofsound
> In article
> <f393953c-3b5d-4204-ad9d-d0f958500...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> > Hello fellow guitarists.
>
> > I have just returned home from some travel. US Airways will
> > absolutely NOT permit you to take your axe aboard whether it fits in
> > overhead or not; gig bag or hard case no matter. I traveled First
> > Class, no matter. They will only "special handle" it. They say It's
> > "law" now. Hmmm...really? My guitar was not damaged. However, I also
> > flew via Delta (same trip away) and they *still* accept the guitar
> > aboard, hard case and all.
>
> You can download and print a policy statement from the TSA which states
> that musicians can carry on instruments.
it doesn't matter. They have the option to override any of those
policies if the flight is full which it always is.
southtexasguitarist
> I gave up flying unless I have to for work. Since I'm being
> outsourced I have not flown for work in about 2 years. I'll catch up
> on my West Coast visits in the future.
A few years ago I did a gig in Canada backing up Gene Pitney. If I
recall it was his tour manager who never flew; he took the train or
rode his motorcycle. It sounds impossible in this day and age but he'd
apparently been doing it for some time. I'd like to see trains resurge
as an option, because IMO it's a much more civilized one.
Roger
> In article
> <f393953c-3b5d-4204-ad9d-d0f958500...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com>,
>
> > Hello fellow guitarists.
>
> > I have just returned home from some travel. US Airways will
> > absolutely NOT permit you to take your axe aboard whether it fits in
> > overhead or not; gig bag or hard case no matter. I traveled First
> > Class, no matter. They will only "special handle" it. They say It's
> > "law" now. Hmmm...really? My guitar was not damaged. However, I also
> > flew via Delta (same trip away) and they *still* accept the guitar
> > aboard, hard case and all.
>
> You can download and print a policy statement from the TSA which states
> that musicians can carry on instruments.
If you get the guy my friend did, if you show them that statement
they'll probably kick you off the plane for being "beligerant."
Rick Stone
Thanks Nate. I was going to bring one of my new D'Angelico's in a
gigbag or Litecase as I think the 16" should easily fit in the overhead
(not even thinking about chancing it with one of the Comins though!).
--
Rick Stone
website: www.rickstone.com
TD
LOL
TD
That may be because when Gene Pitney had his first big hit, there were
no airplanes.
-TD
Tim McNamara
<236f43ef-21cf-478f...@g30g2000yqc.googlegroups.com>,
southtexasguitarist <cl...@claymoore.com> wrote:
Me, too. My experience of high speed trains in France was utterly
positive.
Paul Hotchkiss
Did you buy your guitar a ticket? I hear that is what upright bass
players have to do.
TD
In first class? I never had to buy my guitar a ticket in first class.
Many years ago, traveling in coach I had purchased the guitar a ticket
a few times when denied allowance as carry on ( I ate the extra meal
too just for spite). Most of us have been able to simply take the
guitar aboard as long as it fit in the overhead. An upright bass was
never a candidate for overhead, underhead, sideways or down. Guitar is
closer to a carry on where as an upright is closer to a baby elephant.
Two different beasts. The motif of this thread is what has changed
drastically concerning airline tactics towards guitarists; most
particularly mf'n US Airways.
-TD
Gerry
> På Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:05:29 +0200, skrev pmfan57 <jwra...@aol.com>:
>
>> On Apr 18, 11:44 pm, 6fingers <joey6fing...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> But when you teleport you die and a copy comes out that thinks he's
>> you. Doesn't make much difference to anyone else. But it does to you.
>
> Are you sure?
Yes. So sad--but true.
--
Dogmatism kills jazz. Iconoclasm kills rock. Rock dulls scissors.
Derek
>Well, too bad, because the alcoholics will let you take anything
>aboard.
LOL!
pmfan57
But when you teleport you die and a copy comes out that thinks he's
Greger Hoel
> On Apr 18, 11:44ï¿œpm, 6fingers <joey6fing...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Ya' know, this thread got me thinking that if a guy could build this
>> wacky machine, or somethin, and he could like tele-transport a guys
>> ass and his axe too, for like $99.95 ( NY - LA ï¿œr/t ),...... I think
>> biz would be pretty good
>>
>> just sayin'
>>
>> Big cry baby, go walk the dog.
>
> But when you teleport you die and a copy comes out that thinks he's
> you. Doesn't make much difference to anyone else. But it does to you.
Are you sure?
--
Always cross a vampire; never moon a werewolf
Jazzer
> ...Anybody have any
> RECENT experience with A.A. (the airlines, not the alcoholics :-)
I'll be flying with them in a few days.
I noticed they have a guitar-friendly policy on their website now.
Has it changed recently?
If the guitar can fit in the overhead they will allow it.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/carryOnAllowance.jsp
unknownguitarplayer
> > Hello fellow guitarists.
>
> > I have just returned home from some travel. US Airways will absolutely
> > NOT permit you to take your axe aboard whether it fits in overhead or
> > not; gig bag or hard case no matter. I traveled First Class, no
> > matter. They will only "special handle" it. They say It's "law" now.
> > Hmmm...really? My guitar was not damaged. However, I also flew via
> > Delta (same trip away) and they *still* accept the guitar aboard, hard
> > case and all.
>
> I'm going to the Jazz Education Network 1st Annual Conference in St.
> Louis next month and had to book my flights on American. Unbelievable
> as it seemed they were the ONLY airline that I could get a non-stop
> round-trip from NYC to St. Louis (everybody else makes you go through
> Chicago, Atlanta, and in one case even Milwaukee, turning a 3 hour
> flight, into as much as 6 and in one case 12 hours!).
>
> I hate flying and am still nervous about the guitar. Anybody have any
> RECENT experience with A.A. (the airlines, not the alcoholics :-)
>
> --
> Rick Stone
> website:www.rickstone.com
>
> rickstone.vcf
> < 1KViewDownload
I flew American 2 weeks ago. There didn't seem to be any policy
problems, but a few of the planes were smaller regional jets, and some
of them just don't have the bin or closet space for a case, or even a
full sized gig bag. No amount of tears, threats or shekels is gonna
change that. Since I knew I'd be on some smaller planes, I used a
travel guitar (Steinberger copy) that fits in any bin. Not a
preferred situation, but it sorta works for me.
As I've posted before, do your homework and check to see what kind of
airplane you'll be flying on. You should be able to find the cabin
layouts on the carrier web sites. If the plane has less than roughly
50 seats, don't count on bringing a case on board. Ditto, if the row
configuration is 2 - 1 across (as opposed to 2 seats on each side of
the aisle).
The other alternative is to let them gate check your instrument on
commuter flights. We've all seen the "United Breaks Guitars" video,
and it's scary as hell, but I've gate checked tons of times and never
had a problem. The guitar was waiting for me in the jetway as soon as
I stepped off the plane. I'd rather do that than FedEx, as I've had
some disasters with them.