Photo: Some of the guitars at the Guitar Show, coming up soon! | Preparing for air travel with instruments is risky, delicate, and often frustrating. As you prepare to travel, decisions you make along the way will lead you to a solution that’s right for your needs and resources. Airplane cargo holds are notoriously dangerous places for instruments.
Folk Alliance International created a tip sheet to print and have handy in your instrument case which has suggestions for traveling with an instrument and new DOT/FAA language regarding federal laws on US air travel with instruments effective March 6, 2015.
Produced by the AFM in collaboration with members of the National Musical Instrument Carry-On Coalition (of which FAI is a sitting member), this document is an additional resource to be read, printed and carried with you on your travels with instruments.
IF YOU CHECK
- Choose a case that will provide sufficient strength but be light enough for you to manage
- Pack your instrument securely. Loosen strings, secure or remove loose or bulky objects in case
- Make sure latches are secure. Tape over them if possible
- If you use a Skycap, tip big, $5 and up per bag
IF YOU CARRY ON
- Choose a case with sufficient protection, stability and lightness
- Make every effort to secure priority boarding in advance
- Wear the case like a backpack, on both shoulders, to minimize its profile
- Keep a copy of the FAA regulation available, as a printout (a summary is included in this document) or on your smartphone or tablet.
- If asked to check the bag, politely request that you be allowed to try to get it onboard
- Explain that the instrument is not as big as it appears because of narrowness of the neck area
- Once on the plane, take the most convenient open overhead, unless they are in short supply
- If an overhead is already partially occupied, ask before rearranging things so both items fit
- If your instrument is on the plane and fits, it cannot be forced to be removed or checked
- If your instrument will not fit onboard, ask for a description of the hold area it will occupy
- Ask to speak to the attendant who will place your instrument in the hold
- Request the instrument be returned to you at the arrival gate, not at baggage claim
- Above all, be polite. Being convincing is helpful. Being aggressive is not.
- Get names of flight attendants and gate clerks if needed
- Get numbers and name for Customer Service in case of issues
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