Bringing a guitar on a plane: any experience?

[Venomboy]

Long story short:

I was able to get a ticket to the Paul Gilbert guitar lesson clinic in January in Anaheim:

http://www.paulgilbert.com/VIPSoCalDetails.html

My flight is roughly 45 mins and I have to bring a guitar. Most of my cases are G&G or TKL style, not flight cases.

Southwest Airlines told me over the phone that I can bring a guitar in a gig bag on the plane if it fits in an overhead compartment and doesn't take up the whole compartment.

I read on teh interwebs a lot of horror stories about being told the same thing and then being forced to check the guitar at the plane and being promised it would be hand carried to and from the luggage hold only to arrive on the luggage conveyor at the destination. I've also read about very nonchalantly asking the flight attendant if she'd be a dear and hang the gig bag and guitar in the closet. Others have said to buy a seat for the guitar.

I'm considering a flight case...found some online for about $150 to $250. Not sure how many times I'd actually use one after this. Maybe I'll keep it in the shipping box and return it afterwards. Shady, I know...

Any thoughts or suggestions? Case recommendations?

I was looking at these:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/3i4214-OP?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=none&gclid=CI7i_5XA4awCFWsZQgodtWxCmw

http://prostagegear.com/products/prostagegear/guitarflightcasegigbagcombos/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gator-ata-polyethylene-electric-guitar-case/620026000001000

[Devotee]

I've managed to get a massive Coffin Case on a plane as hand luggage on several occasions, you shouldn't have any trouble with a gig bag.

[bombtek]

http://www.rondomusic.com/product2373.html

Here is a flight case that won't break the bank (cheaper by almost HALF of what you quoted).

Side note.....I've flown to Australia 3 different times in the past 5 months, Albania 2 different times a few years ago, the UK LOT of times a few years back, 7 different states on a regular basis and I nearly always bring a guitar a Smokey amp, and an RP50 (the last two fit in the guitar case) and any picks, cables and accesories I might need.

The last time to Australia, I brought an acoustic, and a travel stand with me. I have always had good results just checking them as bags and picking them up at the oversize luggage section at the baggae claim areas. No damage to any guitars and only minor damage (scuffs, scrapes and such) to their respective cases whether they were flight cases or regular cases, but that's what the cases are for aren't they?

Anyways, that flight case is a freakin TANK, I have it and love it. I can literally STAND on it (215lbs) and I have no fear of hurting either the case or whatever guitar is in it.

Hope that helps.

[asix]

i got my explorer in Chicago in 2000. it came is a iffy bass case. i stuffed it with clothes and it went in the hold. it got taken as a delicate item and was not put on the belts came back to me still in tune. that was on virgin Atlantic from Chicago to London Heathrow.

[Larz]

Do they let you bring a Jackson pointy on a plane? You could spear the pilot with it.

But otherwise, no experience with it.

The thing with Southwest Airlines is the unassigned seating and rampage of passengers. Depending on when you board with their unusual seating procedures, you may not find an overhead bin empty enough to accomodate a guitar, unless you pay the $10 early bird seating fee each way to try and get on ahead of most of the others. And then some numb nut will try and cram his carry on suitcase on top of your guitar.

[DonP]

No issues bringing a Les Paul from LA to Cinci, but that was 7 years ago. Delta.

[Larz]

"I listen to each student so I can give advice, techniques, and exercises based on your current level and style. I'll also explain my newest guitar ideas, and of course we will play our guitars together and jam!"

That sounds awesome.....and somewhat daunting. With me there, Paul would be like ..."dude, lets work on your twelve bar blues progression so we can get that nice and tight before I teach you how to sweep."

[Larz]

big letters....hmmmm

[tonemonster]

I would never bring a Les Paul to Cincinnati.

[RacerX]

VB, here's an alternative: you can borrow an axe from me, I'm 6 miles from Anaheim.

I don't have a Les Paul, but I do have an Agile 2000. Plus lots of Jacksons, Charvels, etc.



Oh yeah, I don't have a pass for NAMM HINT HINT

[Hellbat]

You should borrow Ron's Ran V. And if you get him a pass make sure he doesn't get your future passes revoked by booting show attendees in the ass or slapping them upside the head.

[Twitch]

Im so sick of these motha fuckin guitars on this mutha fuckin plane!!!

[Venomboy]

RacerX...thanks!

I'll ask my contact if he has any more passes and get back to you.

[tonemonster]

All Ron's jackson's are mini sized though, so I dont know if they would work for you.

[RacerX]

RacerX...thanks!

I'll ask my contact if he has any more passes and get back to you.

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