Fly dates

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 22 Mar 2008 6:37 am

Any tips on getting thru security and walking on with a dobro/bar/picks?
Done this with solid bodies but not since before 911.

thanks!

Drew

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 22 Mar 2008 7:50 am

I do it "all the time". No problems so far. Gigbag,bar and picks in the sidepocket.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 22 Mar 2008 11:50 pm

The problem with bars, if the security people see them, is they want to know what you "do with that".
Security people are dumb as stumps mostly. When they want to search "grandma", (who may be a terrorist

) it speaks a lot about their IQ, if they have one. I put picks and bars in the checked luggage now.

Pete Hunt · Post by **Pete Hunt** » 23 Mar 2008 4:08 am

I do it pretty regularly. Security always asks what they are, so I put them in one of the bins rather than in my carry on bag. I say they're for playing a "country steel guitar" and just cruise on through.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 23 Mar 2008 5:36 am

Last week I flew to Dallas with my Bakelite Rick in a case. Also in the case were my picks and bar.

The x-ray machine lit up and they had to open up the case. I asked the TSA gal what alerted them. She said the huge horseshoe magnet and pickup (she didn't actually use those words, she pointed to the magnet and said "this big thing over here").

They let me through after they scanned the magnet with their magic wand.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 23 Mar 2008 8:01 am

The TSA ( thousands standing around ) has not bothered me about my bars and picks for a few years now. You never know with them though. They stopped me last year because of a small roll of electrical tape just after letting the singer by with full on knitting needles.
I'm not sure the average tsa guy would be able to find there ass with both hands on the first try.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 23 Mar 2008 8:10 am

Gerald Ross wrote: She said the huge horseshoe magnet and pickup (she didn't actually use those words....,

Good thing--might have incurred the wrath of Rickenwhatsis vs. the US of A.

I'm not sure the average tsa guy would be able to find there ass with both hands on the first try.

Just like the NYPD rejecting applicants that score too high on their intelligence exams, I think that two handed grab is part of the tsa employment screening.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 23 Mar 2008 9:39 am

Would it not be better to get a good case, put some packing material around the instrument inside the case, with a padded zipper cover on the case, and check it with the luggage?

I have four steel guitars and all have padded zip-unzip covers for the cases.

It takes only a little time to wait for the unloading of the baggage. I like to check everything and walk on hands free.

The reason it takes so long to deplane is those overhead bins. They are always loaded with big bags; and sometimes people carry on packages that should be shipped __ ARG!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Mar 2008 9:46 am

I always pack my bar with my luggage, figuring it's replaceable, but I always carry my picks with me because they are not (well, at least not bent the way I like 'em, they're not).

My present issue is that my Millenium (9+8 ) in my Wheel-EZE case weighs just under 50 lbs if I keep the pedal rack out of the case. But the pedal rack doesn't fit in my suitcase either. I've been thinking of trying to carry it onto the plane but afraid they might confiscate it, then I'm really in trouble. What do y'all think? Would they let me carry it on board?

Shari Kane · Post by **Shari Kane** » 23 Mar 2008 10:20 am

Hey Drew,
where'ya goin?
I fly with guitars, and they've let me on. Right after 9/11 they said that the strings could be used to choke someone-but they seem to have let that one go.
The thing I don't like about checking them, is that you don't have to worry so much about damage, they hand check em at the end of the baggage and hand carry them off - you have to worry about theft. If you don't hightail it to the baggage carousel someone could just walk off with 'em. Never happened to me, but happened to friends.
have a good trip,
shari

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 23 Mar 2008 12:59 pm

Jim,

My present issue is that my Millenium (9+8 ) in my Wheel-EZE case weighs just under 50 lbs if I keep the pedal rack out of the case. But the pedal rack doesn't fit in my suitcase either. I've been thinking of trying to carry it onto the plane but afraid they might confiscate it, then I'm really in trouble. What do y'all think? Would they let me carry it on board?

What I do is wrap the pedal rack in foam and then cram it into a duffel bag that also will fit my luggage bag. I then repack after landing.

Drew,
You best bet with a dobro is to fork over the money for a Calton case and check it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Mar 2008 1:44 pm

Bob Hoffnar wrote:What I do is wrap the pedal rack in foam and then cram it into a duffel bag that also will fit my luggage bag. I then repack after landing.

Bob, is this a duffel bag you check, or carry on the plane with you?

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 23 Mar 2008 1:50 pm

Calton cases are wonderful protection. They do weigh a ton though.

They also broadcast "STEAL ME! I HAVE A VERY EXPENSIVE INSTRUMENT INSIDE!" as they spin around on the baggage carousel while you sit on the tarmac.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 23 Mar 2008 5:12 pm

My wife wasn't allowed to carry on allowed knitting needles two years ago.

They were afraid she's knit an Afghan.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 23 Mar 2008 5:17 pm

I've heard good things about
www.casextreme.com

They basically make a box for your case.

The videos on their site are sure entertaining.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 23 Mar 2008 6:33 pm

I was travelling in Europe a few years ago with my steel guitar in its case that looks it could contain an AK-47. When I informed them that it did contain a guitar, the gorillas at airport security wanted to know why the incumbent instrument did not look like a regular one. I offered a free demo how to play the steel...

Have not noticed too many steel guitar players at airport security yet...I am working on it, though...

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Mar 2008 6:36 pm

For my own traveling convenience, I have studiously avoided carrying any luggage that looked like it could hold an AK-47. I'm funny that way, I suppose...

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 23 Mar 2008 7:22 pm

Hi Shari!!

How's the Stringmaster? I have a festival in Alaska looming and some other tentatives. I've flown with Tele's and Strat's but no acoustical instruments.

Jim, Bob and gang thanks for your come-backs.

cheers,
Drew