A couple more tips: In really big letters, on both sides of your hard case (I only travel with a hard case), write "Fragile - *Bass Guitar*" so that it's easily visible. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "what kind of *gun* is that?"... No, it's just a bass guitar! Also add a few stickers of bass guitar pictures for those that don't read English well. This has saved me a lot of questioning! Also, a recognized TSA lock is better than duct tape. If (when) they want into your case, they'll just cut the duct tape, and then you've lost the advantage that the tape provides for keeping your case closed. Even worse, the cut edges of the tape can catch on things making it want to pop open even that much more. You'll also end up with blade marks on your case where they cut through the tape. I also put a nice letter inside my case addressed to the TSA all in large bold print, simple and to the point. However kiss-ass this might sound, I thank them for their service and for doing their job well and for respecting my bass guitar. After I started doing that, I had no more issues from scratches, dings, missing gear from the case, etc. In addition to that, I leave at least one of my previous TSA Inspected cards in the case from a previous trip. Seems to help too. I've put about 980,000 miles on airplanes (ouch), and I agree almost 100% with Scott's tips (aside from the duct tape). Cheers!
2 more tips 1 - Some planes have a 1st class coat locker. Ask to store your bass behind the coats 2 - The pilot has final say on what goes on the plane, not the gate agent. Ask to confirm the decision with the pilot. And always be polite and humble - it usually makes a difference in the outcome!
what my bass teacher does when he has to fly, and talked about it with the luthier where he bought his bass who suggested this idea, is that he removes the strings and unscrews the neck, then he folds the gigback double and puts it in the overhead compartment.
Gydo van de Lagemaat definitely the way to go if you just have a gig bag. You can always keep the body in your checked in luggage with all your cloth protecting it and keep the neck in your hand bag!
I have flown with the upside down gig bag method and it worked! What helps is booking a seat at the back of the plane so that you get on early or first, as long as you can get your gig bag into the over head you are fine. You do need to go as stealth as possible though! Don't ask questions, walk in a group, be super polite and don't argue with attendants, even if you think you are right! You just end up making it worse for yourself and others. If you make it all the way to the back of the plane and you can't get your bass into the over head, ask an attendant to help. There should still be plenty of space available as you got on early and they could find a nice space for it, this happened to me. Also flying with a cheap bass takes away the nerves a bit. It's super scary the first time but lots of people fly only with gig bags. That said though, if I had a case that wasn't super heavy and was strong I would use that rather. I have a flight case but it is heavy. I thought it was indestructible BUT an airport or airline, managed to bend the end of it. I can't imagine how much force that must have taken. Thanks for the awesome video Scott! I swear, if some airline could some how be musician friendly they could seriously take a sizeable piece of the market, I think.
I don't own a hard case yet, so i've had no choice but to travel with a gig bag. In the Caribbean, with a lot of musicians flying constantly, the airlines are used to us and understand our concerns about our instruments. So guitarists and bassists don't usually have issues carrying their instruments onto the plane. If the overhead compartments are full and you're nice enough to the flight attendant, they sometimes tuck it away into their cupboard for you.
I don't know if it was mentioned, but when you take your instrument on a plane make sure you register it as hand luggage. cargo spaces on aeroplanes are not pressurized and the temps are freezing. might not do as much damage to a solid body guitar than to an acoustic, but still. a friend of mine who is a keyboard player/electronic musician flew just from central europe to spain had some of his electronic equipment damaged just by temperatures alone. for an instrument, the cargo space is a real shock.
Scott, excellent piece. A lot depends on where you are flying from and to. For international: Bottomline, put your bass in a hardshell case, pad the headstock/tuners and butt, check it in but have it put it in the hold at the gate if you can. Be prepared that you cannot do that and you have to load it at check-in and package it accordingly. I have tried too often to "get away" with something and it has mostly bit me in the bottoms. Good preparation and expectations = success. Also good idea from below on letter in the case to TSA (when coming back into US) with an old TSA inspection card, brilliant! In Europe, Easyjet et al will definitely NOT let you take it on board, they take their on board sizing rules super strict, why mess with it, just check it in. I have flown a 150 year old upright bass back to the US and the preparation is what made it work. Did you hear about the cellist who bought a ticket for a seat for his cello and still was refused to board the cello? Anything can be refused by an airline. Package accordingly. 2012 rule by Obama, for instruments flying in USA, cool rule. See link in comments below, print out and take with you.
totally thought this was a metaphor for learning to improvise smoother or something. Was super confused with the browsing incognito metaphor and was waiting to see how Scott used it in reference to bass playing lol
Great tips. I have a new Fender's case with TSA locker, I never had a problem, but i don't now with works in all countries of the world, I had never thought about it, thanks for the tip.
as of march 2015 is by law that you are allowed to take your instrument on board as long as it fits on the overhead bin! they cant take it from you unless you are one of the last one's to board and there's no more space in the overhead bins but if there is space you are allowed to bring it on board everytime! also an extra thing, if you HAVE to check it in a good thing to do is wrap your hardcase in plastic, they will not try to open it and it will be safe from any extra harm :)
I'm flying back to the states from China with a Bass I purchased here. I had a surprise gig here and didn't have a bass so I just bought a cheap one here with the hopes of being able to sell it back home. Wish me luck.
Hi Scott I have travel a lot as well and I was lucky to bring my gig bag with on board its a mooradian gig bag single bass. I have an ATA Calzone case and I have use it only 2 times and this was after the 9/11 attacks , it was a no no to board with an instrument , but recently 2014 I was flying NY to Mexico City and it got complicated , the airline didn't gave a shit about the Union Rules , and had to send my bass in the haul, luckily I had with me a Sadowsky Porta Bag and I handle my bass before boarding the plane right at the plane door it has been my most terrifying 5 hours of fly ever in my life... hoping that my bass will be in one piece and second to have my bass at my destination, It made in one piece and The Porta Bass did a great job, I do recommend that case, But I will always try to bring my bass on board and as soon I arrive at the gate I will always give my best smile and dress sharp I also recommend that . Peace
Scott, they let me put in the crew locker before. It was a classical guitar with its case. I just brought it with me without asking whether I should check it in
Great info video! I'm a guitarist (so why do I watch your videos right?). I'm from Hawaii and I've just started doing some traveling for gigs and hope to do more. A lot has changed since 2016. Can you do an update to this video?
Hey Scott! Thank you for this very helpful video.... What do you think of detaching the neck from the body and carrying it in the suitcase? Would you recommend it? Others from the comment section please feel free to answer and add to this based of your experience..
I once flew with a travel sized acoustic guitar, probably half the size of a bass, and the attendant at the desk said it would have to be checked. I used tip #10 and covered up the tag, the attendant on the plane was happy to let me carry it on
Another tips if you dont flight alone. Check in without the bass with you. Just ask the other personne to keep your bass until you checked your lugagge in. And then let them check in at the gate if needed. There is no way a bass goes in overhead compartement but you can always ask flight attendants just before begin of bording to to ask the pilot, he have the final desicion, to put your bass in first class closet. There is normally plenty of space.
I've never flown with an instrument and probably never will but if it's a really high quality instrument, what about buying a ticket for it? Will they let you do that?
+EclecticHillbilly Yes, you can do that, but it's more expensive that buying a ticket with a larger weight allowance (20-30kg). In fact, it's probably still more expensive than paying for excess weight on top of that, provided you prepay excess when buying your ticket (as they charge you more for it at the check-in desk).
Maybe useful, gigbags can be tagged as handbagage on the way from your homecountry to the gig (with a unioncard for instance). Upon arrival, leave the tag on! On your return flight you can always point to the tag that says 'cabin approved' so that they they'll have to let you take it on board.
Yeah the SKB Bass Safe is absolutely the way to go. Then get some airline-approved padlocks (so customs or security can open it but no one else can) and you're golden :) You could drop your bass out of the plane from 38,000 ft and crash the plane on top of it and your bass will just be like, "Sorry, did you say something?"
I have seen a baggage handler literally hurl my bass (in a hard case) on to the conveyor belt going in to the hold. I invested in a flight case after that.
I might be moving to another country in a few months and i find these tips very interesting! I don't plan to put my bass with the movers as things can happen. In our various moves, we've had lamps, dressers, and other things break so we aren't risking it. (pro military tip: DON'T BUY IKEA) And I was planning to take some packing tape and going NUTS. But one question, will it fit through the x-ray at security? thanks!
Great video! I tried one of these SKB bass safe together with my mono m80 case and its really(!!!!) tight. I had to really press my m80 case together to lock the bass safe. Have u experienced the same problem? If not, what kkind of soft case do u use inside the skb bass safe? Merry xmas! Sam
This is a really old video but if you still look at these did you use insurance? I have a fairly cheap Charvel guitar (about $900) that I want to take to The Philippines where I'm eventually moving (going to leave it with my fiancee). I'll be there 2 months and want to be able to practice and play a bit for people. I'll probably be flying ANA through Japan, then once in Manila I'll have to claim it, then check it again for the flight to Davao (probably Philippine Air which I don't trust as much). So do you think buying insurance is necessary (just flying it one-way)?
Hi Scott! I'd like to know what do you think it's better: - to practise for example 6 exercises a few minutes every day, or - practise 2 exercises per day more time, and play another 2 exercises the next day and so on I hope you can answer me this question. Thanks and have a nice day :)
Guys, guys, guys. Step #1 if you're flying, buy a Reunion Blues case. The expensive one, not the cheap one. It has straps so you can wear it, and the straps tuck away. They're about $200. USD. Gate check your bass with the baby strollers. It'll be fine. Best money I've spent on my bass next to the Tech 21 Sansamp Bass DI.
That is I always do! I have all my instruments fully insured and I will only travel with an instrument I can easily replace! If it gets damaged, I collect the insurance money and replace the instrument....
I’d rather take a cheap easy bass instead like a Yamaha or Taylor GS Mini Bass instead, try to take care of it but won’t break your heart if it does break
Yeah but what a short cam-stand you have. Put the cam higher looking down at you and we can see things on the floor that way. Never use a soft case. If they don't permit it in the cabin and they stack things on top? Soft case won't protect it. If you haven't got a hard case, make one and put the soft case in it. It doesn't have to look fancy and the soft case is safe.
Great tips Scott. I have that Mono Vertigo case and can vouch for its excellent quality. Love the design of it and how the bass comes in and out of it quickly without needing to lay it down flat. Great neck support and boot support. Have flown with it checked without any issues. Bit expensive but worth the investment. SBL Academy member = MichaelMCC
