rufes
Formerly dmartinez
- Joined
- May 8, 2003
- Messages
- 4,389
I've flown all over the World with vintage Bursts, coming and going - at least 25-30 times, as recently as three weeks ago. I have NEVER EVER had ONE problem WHATSOEVER in boarding the plane WITH the guitar and stowing it either overhead or in the coat closet. Granted, MOST of the time I fly First/Business First, but even on the Coach Class flights, I've never had a problem. Having an agent tell you that you have to buy the guitar a seat is a bunch of HORSESHIT!!
Having said all that, I AM always at the gate EARLY, always try to get in line as "first" as I can, and am polite to EVERYONE, including TSA personnel. I've also flown with $250K in CASH with NO problem WHATSOEVER (not Internationally, just Domestic), so anyone that tells you you can't do THAT is full of shite too! Good idea to request a "private TSA screening" by a TSA Manager, however...
I hope this puts some myths to rest...:ganz
If you really need to take a '59 Burst (or other nice guitar) with you, I'd say do what Howe does, buy the seat next to you also, some guitars are worth it, and the worry is over. It's cheap insurance and piece of mind as you have it right next to you the whole trip. It also depends on the price of the plane seat, then the person has to weigh pro's and con's. UPS has been known the break a headstock or 2 in their day during shipment.
Not so if you have a good flight case . A regular case = no , but a flight case you should be good to go . I would not even think about it as long as it is a reliable flight case .I've heard so many awful stories about broken instruments that I never travel without my guitar in the cabin.
Extra cost, but peace of mind.
______________________________________
Alexandra
Also see air freight rates
If you get stuck and you’ve just got to take it along, talk with the Captain. Some safe spaces (lockers, closets) are often available in the larger aircraft where it is perfectly legal for the crew to pack your guitar. I’ve taken many.
Always worth asking :hank