Getting A Guitar on De Plane, Boss, De Plane!
I am sitting in a beautiful garden here in the little village of Waalre, Holland, waiting for my wife to return by bicycle from Einhoven, the major city close by.
I don’t know how long I will have access to a computer so I wanted to write a post today while I had the chance. I I brought a guitar with me, of course, so that I could keep my up my chops while I am on vacation.
When I checked in, the folks at the gate were naysaying the guitar as carry on baggage, even though I explained to them that I was a professional musician and did this every day on airlines all over the world.
None the less, Air France personnel there at check in would only okay the carry on bag I had with me. So I suggested that I carry the guitar to the gate and we’d gate check it.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to not engage these people at check in. They would rather say no than think. So take the responsibility out of their hands as gently and as soon as you can.
Carry your instrument through security and here is what I did upon getting through the airport anal probe. I sat down, took the okay tag off of my carry on bag and placed it in plain view on the strap of my gig bag.
Then when I got to the gate, I engaged no one, kept a low profile and waited for my row to be called. I didn’t have the guitar bag on my back sticking up and looking huge and ungainly. I kept it at my side holding it by the little metal hook on the back at the thin end of the case.
I walked forward, handing my ticket to the agent and simply walking on board. NO NOISE, no “IS IT ALL RIGHT IF I BRING THIS ON BOARD?”
No questions, no attention drawn to me, no interaction with anyone and in a second I was on board.
The plane was a 777 Boeing. The overheads were, at first glance, too short to hold a guitar. Rather than panic, I moved my head until I could see what was above the overhead compartment. There was an extra six inches or so above each compartment. I placed my carry on in the over head and lodged the guitar so that it would sticking up at a slight angle about three inches above the compartment door.
I then gingerly closed the compartment door. It slid into place without any resistance or noise and I knew that my guitar was safe and stowed. See? No noise, no attention, no requesting help.
The airline personnel are as helpful as they can be, but if you don’t’ have to involve them, don’t. It’s easier for them to look the other way than to have to take responsibility for the decision regarding your guitar.
Not to mention the fact that everyone knows that folks are carrying on a lot more stuff than you are with that precious instrument.
And a final note, if you still can’t get it on the plane, getting on your knees and begging and sobbing is not diminishing to you …as long as the guitar gets on the plane with you.
james lee stanley
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Reader Comments (8)
James~
What a great photo...right in front of "Royal James Cafe"...how fitting is that?! Hey, so if you were able to get your guitar on board that way, do you think that I would get my baby grand on board in the same way?! HA, Ha, ha...Lol!!!
Miki~
P.S. So glad to know that you are "keeping up your chops" while you are on vacation...LOL!!!
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James,
Very good. I have traveled a bit and brought guitars, acoustic and electric, in gig bags, on the plane with me. The low profile approach is best. Getting on the plane asap before those overheads fill up is clever too.
However, there is an official ruling on the subject. Symphony musicians whose stradivarii are worth more than most houses have to travel WITH them. Due to increased security regulations, these people were getting grief from airline boarding gate personnel.
At some point in the early zeroes, the musicians union AFM got involved and worked it out with the TSA to allow screening and admission of ONE instrument as carry on. Since then it seems, the airlines have reasserted themselves, and the TSA will screen your instrument, but no guarantee the airline will let it on board. The three documents pertaining to this issue are at:
http://www.promusic47.org/forms.htm
(scroll down to Traveling Letters (for airlines)
They are no longer a magic bullet, simply an aid to understanding.
Not even going to address the CITES treaty regulations kafuffle, except to say, Your vintage guitar which may contain tortoise shell, or brazilian rosewood? Leave it in your home country. See Fretboard Journal, issue 11, also,
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic/2008-11/msg02471.html
Hey James,
I agree. I have always carried my guitar this way. Low profile, no questions, make the guitar look 'small.' I also never engage other passengers at the seating area. A lot of times they are the naysayers and bring attention to you (us - musicians). Drives me nuts.
The only 2 airlines I ever had problems with were Delta (in Salt Lake but pilot heard commotion and as a musician himself, gave me 2 seats in first class - haha on the flight attendant) and America West in Detroit. Now that's a long story I can't possibly tell, let's just say I ended up arrested and taken off the plane - yes, all because my guitar. Sigh.
I use the same tactics I always use otherwise and they've always worked. The only exception is here and Europe (where I live now) the cheaper airlines just won't do it. Some you can buy a seat for but some they don't/won't/refuse to budge.
Glad you made it on and hope you continue to do so! I'm laying low musically in general but am sure I'll be lugging it on board again down the road. Keep me posted and I'll do the same!
Safe, happy and healthy travels James!
Liebe Grüße,
Christene
Love the pic! But we always knew you were royally talented <G>
Great story too. Score one for the good guy!
Happy Trails!
Eva
Thanks for the advice, James. As ever with you, it's just what I needed to hear. Tomorrow....no, actually THIS morning (since it's after 0100) I'll be boarding a plane for Mexico, and will do exactly as you did. I took my Guild dreadnought to England and Greece, and my Martin jumbo to Florida recently, and so far no trouble-- but I'm going to continue to run a low profile so it stays that way. I see you'll be East Coast on Oct. 16th when James Hurley plays the DesertSong Showcase here, and gigging on the 25th when the Slater-Lunsford Pavilion has our next house concert. Miss you, but glad you're staying out of trouble.
thanks for all the input. it's amazing how much anxiety we experience during the boarding process. a few weeks ago i went to houston for two days and didn't take my guitar. it was incredible how relaxed i was. it was only then that i realized how much stress there is just bringing it on with you. like we really need more stress in our lives.
The alternative of course is to have a guitar case that will survive a small nuclear explosion. Then one does not have too sneak it on board. One only has to pay the extra luggage cost. This might or might not be better then demeaning ones self in front of unsympathetic airline assholes. Anyway my guitar is a jumbo Guild. That would be like tring to smuggle a mama hippo on board. No chance
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