| Author |
Topic: Steel case for air travel |
Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
|
Posted 22 Mar 2007 12:23 pm |
|
There have been threads on this subject before, but my Search efforts so far haven't been successful.
I know there are several people on the Forum who make steel cases, but aren't listed in the "Links" page.
I read the current post about Texas Case Co., and I'm quite interested in that, but I would like to know what else is out there. For the first time I have to take my steel on a plane, I'm considering my options. Which steel to take might depend on this. A heavier one with split cases? A lighter one with a heavy-duty case? A lighter one with a light case, packed carefully in the case, perhaps less likely to receive rough treatment?
I would appreciate input from any case makers and from anybody's own experience with flying with a steel. |
|
|
 |
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 22 Mar 2007 12:34 pm
|
|
| I put the legs, pedal board, and pedal rods in the suitcase with my underwear. Then the other case is lighter and I think it survives better. Also neither case is too heavy for the air lines. |
|
|
|
Dyke Corson
From:
Fairmount, IL USA
|
Posted 23 Mar 2007 7:38 pm
|
|
| I just went to Jamaica in January and did the same thing as Earnest. I included a photo of someone sitting behind one playing it to make customs go smoother. It worked. |
|
|
|
Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
|
Posted 24 Mar 2007 11:39 am
|
|
Brint -- I traveled by plane quite a bit last year. The biggest issue you need to address is weight. Most of the airlines now have upper weight restrictions. Over 50 pounds and certain dimensions, they will charge you extra. However, if the weight exceeds a certain amount (all of the airlines have different numbers), they won't take it on the plane AT ALL! Earnest has a good solution -- separate the legs and pedal board to reduce the weight.
I had done my research about all this last summer when I flew to London. I was supposed to go out on Air Canada when I found out that they had a weight restriction of 70 pounds -- my steel in the road case weighed more than that. I switched to Delta which had a weight limit of 100 pounds -- although it cost me about $200 for being over-weight and over the dimension limits. HOWEVER, when I was returning from London (two days after the liquid explosives scare), they told me that their weight limit was 75 pounds and that I would have to find a way to ship it via cargo. Luckily, I had printed out the information from their website and kept my receipt from my trip over, and eventually a manager was forced to accept the steel.
With all of the security restrictions, there are more and more difficulties (and less and less patience) at the airports so my best advice is to do your homework before your get there and bring printouts of the information you find.
Hope this is helpful. Boo |
|
|
|
Mike Christensen
From:
Cook Minnesota
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 4:53 am Steel Case
|
|
| I got a case for my very pristine 76 LDG from Texas Case. It has wheels which I use all the time. The case could fall out of your pickup at 60 mph and I believe the guitar would be fine. There is no way the gorillas working for an airlines or even UPS could injure your rig. I would highly recommend their cases for someone really wanting to protect a fine instrument. Happy Trails, Mike C. |
|
|
|
Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 6:52 am
|
|
I would llke to put a word in for Texas Case. I had a very small problem with one of there cases and they went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect for me.
I fly pretty often with my steel and Boo has it right about how its going. I know one European steeler who works constantly over there who has the band buy him an extra seat for his pedal steel. It turns out to be cheaper than baggage on some EU only airlines.
_________________
Bob |
|
|
|
Dyke Corson
From:
Fairmount, IL USA
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 10:06 am
|
|
| Texas Cases are great, but with most airlines making you pay $80+ if you go over 50lbs, I could not use my Texas Case with my MSA Millennium (the lightest guitar I own) without going over the limit. I took a D-10 push pull body in an ATA case it came in at 48.5lbs, then the rest went in the suitcase with a small cheap drum thorne and some clothes. For my 6 string I took off the neck and put it in my carry on. Lot of hoops to jump through...I'm glad I don't have to fly again until May! Now if they would just have a nice amp when I get to the gig.... |
|
|
|
Jon Jaffe
From:
Austin, Texas
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 4:00 pm
|
|
According to the American Airlines site:
| Quote: |
Overweight Baggage
For travel within the 50 United States and between the 50 United States and Canada, checked baggage weighing over 50 lbs/23 kgs but not more than 70 lbs/32 kgs will be charged at the rate of $25 per piece. |
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp&anchorEvent=false
If your guitar and case are greater than 70 lbs, but less than 100lbs then the cost is $50 bucks each way.
That is not $85 dollars. To me it is worth knowing I have the whole guitar in the Texas Case. If you are taking your seat, and want to check more than 2 bags, the $85 fee kicks in. So carry your clothes on the plane. Over-tipping the folks at curbside check in is also reasonable.
Most of the guitars are are worth more that $2500, and protection of the instrument should be the most important concern. According to Priceline.com the average cost of a round trip airline ticket is $335, so the cost of checking the guitar and tipping adds another 10%. Travel is stressful enough, lately, worrying about your guitar should not be part of your flight.
If you travel with your guitar frquently then all of this is part of the cost of doing business. The case itself is an expense for Schedule C.
I also place an 8 x 10 picture of the guitar being played in the inside top of the case for the TSA so they know what it is. |
|
|
|
Dyke Corson
From:
Fairmount, IL USA
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 4:55 pm
|
|
Thanks for the link Jon. I had checked Delta and US Air to Montego Bay, don't know if being international made a difference or not. I would have paid $25 easy,,,but $80?? Call me a cheap ass I guess... next time I'll try American  |
|
|
|
Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted 25 Mar 2007 9:19 pm
|
|
| Brint, I can build you a set of light weight split flight worthy split cases. One for the body and one for the pedal rack and legs. It takes 20 pounds off the total carry weight. You can take the leg case on the plane with you. The body case has wheels and a spring handle so you just roll it like luggage. Call me. Hatton Split Cases. (716) 691-6527 |
|
|
|
