Traveling With A Guitar

?

[~_~]

Active member
Does anybody know if I can bring my shitty beater acoustic on the airplane as a carry on along with my backpack? I'll be damned if I go to Hawaii without playing guitar and watching the sunset.
 
wouldnt it be too big?? they have pretty stringent guidelines for carry on luggage. i think it would be ok as checked luggage. i brought a guitar cross country on the greyhound (it rode under the bus with all the luggage) and it was surprisingly fine. wrap some shirts or towels around the guitar, duct tape all around the case. should be golden
 
I would for sure bring it in a hard case. Because you are flying to Hawaii your flight will probably be packed so they are most likely going to be strict about carry on size especially when they see a guitar. But here is where you can get tricky: if you have two bags already you can try and take your guitar as a gate check, claiming that it is fragile. Worse thing they will do is check it and maybe you have to pay the extra charge. Personally I have never had to pay extra because gate checking has always worked, but that is always a possibility. If you are only taking one bag then I'd say just put it in a hard case and take it. Then checking it will not be a problem and you can still try to gate check it just so it will be on top of everything and not getting crushed around.
 
Unless you're traveling first class and have something worked out. They will not allow you to bring a guitar as a carry on. Item needs to fit in the overhead or under your seat. So unless you can some how take youre guitar apart, its not fitting in the overhead. They will however let you check it with out a problem, most airlines will charge you $25 for a second checked bag. So if you can fit everything else in your carry on, you are set.
 
Haha that would be sooo brutal..

I've brought my electric guitar in a gig-bag (pretty much the least pretection possible), but with the guitar wrapped in buble wrap within the case, with out paying extra, and carrying another carry on bag, on air canada twice, once from japan to canda, and once from toronto to kelowna, BC. I pretty much just give the people at the gate the impression that i have no backup plan and they pretty much need to let me bring my guitar or i'll be severely screwed. And i just line up at the gate ASAP and try to get on with like people who need extra help (kids flying alone, some seniors, wheelchair people ect.) pretty much saying that my special need is my guitar. Then they put it like the coat closet/room thing and its just chills there nicely resting against a wall without taking any beatings.

If you have a hardcase it would much much likely to get less denied if you just put it as checked luggage but, serisously...... they beat the shiiiit out of your guitar. I love my accoustic guitar (which i actually have a hard case for) to put it in chekced luggage. I dont have a hard case for my electric yet because the body is like a semi-elongated flying v making it need a custom molded bass case ( the gig-bag that came with it is a bass one).

but that costs more money i think^

Its pretty bad musicians got soooo shafted from airlines, people used to be able to reserve the seat beside them without charge to put there instruments on ie a chello player. If you like your instrument alot and your not moving,, and its just a vacation, then i think the risk of it getting destroyed is not worth the fun you will have jamming with it. (i only flew with my electric because i bought it in a different country, and then i moved for school (university), and i would be without it for 8 months.
 
I guess it depends on the airline and how full the flight is then.

Because almost every time I fly I see a guitar sitting at the gate waiting to go in with the checked baggage.

"Northwest allows you to carry one piece of luggage on board the aircraft plus a purse or briefcase or laptop computer or small backpack. The carry-on luggage must be of a size and shape to allow for storage in overhead compartments or underneath the seat in front of you.Dimensions:[*]Cannot exceed 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches)[/list]Note: Luggage not meeting these specifications must be checked and is subject to any applicable fees."
 
just because you've done it once?

it depends on the guitar, the airplane, and which compartments, mine didn't fit the only time i tired.

 
It should be fine, ive taken my cello on as a carry-on without any problems but that was like four years ago so who knows.
 
American Airlines announces enhanced carry-on baggage allowances for customers traveling with a guitar or a small pet.

Guitars
Guitars may now exceed 45 dimensional inches when counted as the customer's carry-on item and when safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin. This change was submitted to and approved by the FAA.

Looks like some airlines will take them and some wont. Go to the airlines website and check.
 
DON'T LISTEN TO ANY OF THESE PEOPLE

I fly international roughy 10+ times a year, and throughout continents roughly 20+. I always bring my guitar in a hard case alongside my carry-on luggage (laptop bag). There will be no problem. If there is no room in the overhead compartments, they will gladly gate check it for you. You will then be able to retrieve your guitar immediately as you exit the plane.

I HOPE THIS HELPED... if you are still unsure call the airline I am sure they will assist you via the phone.

PCC

-Tony


 
word...

but if you "sweet talk" / know someone. you can get more stuff on board... i fly carry on with a backpack and small / medium rolling suitcase.

just be nice and ask.
 
that seems pretty reasonable, but i'd also asume you take the same airline the majority of the time.

But i'm glad to hear that taking a hardcase as carry-on has worked, so thanks.
 
Haha do listen cause you should still check the websites.

Looks like in 2006 it became standard for airlines to allow guitars, but each airline has its own regulations regarding them such as size of case and possible fees. Looks like most of the domestic airlines are fine. The only one I can't find anything from is NWA which is what I usually fly. I do know that if it is a sold out flight and overhead space is limited, they will ask you to check it. But from what I read they generally put it in the oversized luggage so that it isn't thrown down the carousal.
 
I don't really fly the same airlines all the time... I usually look for the cheapest flights available, even if that means connecting. However, I do have many Airline Reward Memberships, hahaha

btw I have one had trouble 1 time in the past 2 years traveling with my guitar. They wanted me to check it and I had flown with the airline before and knew there protocol. They didn't want me to take the guitar cas on the aircraft, then I I busted out a rant stating people take there children and this guitar is my baby. Needless to say... It worked. Only 1 bad experience in about 100 flights.

 
dude thats sooo sick, thats such a good way to get it your point across to clueless people at gates. That's exactly what its like, your not going to huck a baby in check, so why would you a guitar.
 
Thanks...keep in mind I'm not taking it in a case (ergo, "beater guitar") so I think I could probably fit it overhead without any problems?
 
call the airline and make sure you can have it with out a case... even if it is a beater, ild hate to see what some bad turbulence could do. Wrap it in bubble wrap so everyone freaks out when it gets shaken around. That would be amusing.
 
Or if terrorists try to hijack the plane, I can take out my guitar and calm them into a life of pacifism with a slothy lullaby.
 
i know a couple people that have done this....works out fine and dandy...and if you have chill flight attendents they will let you play it and entertain everyone before take off....and if you get bored in the terminal you can just jam....its fun

but i always take mine in a case and it works fine...no problems at all...

have fun in hawaii brosive
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top