Flying with your bass

[Mike Bub]

As someone who has been flying a bass for nearly 20 years, yes it can be a bit tedious and expensive.  Most everyone has a horror story or two but in all the flying I have done, I have very few.  My instrument has only been broken twice...the first by my own ignorance and the second because the initial repair was not thorough enough.  I do use a flight case and the best experience you will have flying is with Southwest Airlines.  $50 each way with a maximum of 100lbs.  It's all down hill from there with the other airlines.  By down hill I mean both expense wise and the acceptability of oversize baggage.  They don't like putting the trunk on commuter business jets.  It's not a weight issue as much as a size issue.  Getting all the bags to fit around it.  But that being said, I have had my bass loaded onto a Folker 100 which is the smallest jet I have flown on.  Without a trunk I do not recommend checking your bass.  The best and only alternative is to buy another seat.  Todd Phillips does this almost exclusively and sometimes flies with a smaller more manageable instrument like a 1/2 size or 5/8 size.  He told me he sits in the rear of the plane and positions the bass so the neck is going down toward the floor because the body won't fit between the seat and the back of the one in front.  Sometimes it is actually cheaper to purchase an additional ticket than it is to pay the excess/overweight baggage fees.  Definitely worth looking into if you are flying on any other airline besides Southwest.  The most important thing to remember is that the people handling passengers and your luggage are not used to dealing with your instrument, particularly one of that size.  It is imperative that you don't cross the line of being too demanding but rather show that you are experienced as a professional and are familiar with the procedure.  Sometimes there is an educational aspect on your part to help the airline folks deal with you and the bass.  Humor is a great ice breaker....always endear yourself to the ticket agent.  They have to be in control and when they feel good about helping you, you will get done what you need to get done.  Being pushy and demanding will get you nowhere with the airlines...just like at the post office.  So let's review:

 

1. Travel with a flight case if possible.  Never check your bass in a soft bag.

2. Buying a seat is the only and best alternative to taking an electric/acoustic guitar bass

3. Taking a smaller instrument is helpful.

4. Make friends at the counter.  The airlines have very short tolerance for demanding passengers.

5. Act like a pro, exude calm and experience, and be helpful.

6. Have a great trip.

 

Hope this helps. 

Mike Bub

www.myspace.com/mikebub
oleb...@bellsouth.net

[More Cowbell]

Great thoughts, all. I always appreciate both this topic and reading the viewpoints/experiences.
Brad

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From: oleb...@bellsouth.net
To: bgBa...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [bgBass-l] Flying with your bass
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:48:15 +0000

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