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Topic: Flying with dobro |
Alan Michael
From:
Winston-Salem North Carolina U.S.A.
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Posted 17 Apr 2003 6:57 am |
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| I'm flying from Alaska to North Carolina to take in the Merlefest next week and am taking along my dobro. Has anyone had any experiences with carrying an instrument on board or sending it through baggage? I would like to carry it with me but have to change airlines in Seattle and neither Alaska Airlines or Northwest Airlines is giving me very encouraging information. In other words they won't say, yes you can carry it on or no you can't carry it on. I could box the case and guitar up and send it through baggage and it would probably fair as well or better than sending it UPS. What do y'all think. |
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2003 7:12 am
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According to the United States Dept. of Transportation, as of December 20,2002 musicians are allowed to carry on one musical instrument as carry-on in addition to the one carry-on baggage limit. The Musicians Union got a bill approved and say you should print out the letter on the web site to show at the airport if you have any trouble.
Its kind of strange that Alaska Airlines is giving you the run around. It was because of them, charging a sax player for an extra seat to carry his horn on the plane, that was one of the reasons this was passed. The guy with the sax and the AFM fought Alaska Airlines and he got all his money back for the flight.
For your Dobro the best thing is to get a gig bag and just carry it with you, then store in the overhead once you board. They will not let you carry any tools (wire cutters,screw drivers, Allen wrenches, etc.etc..)on board the plane, so make sure to leave them out of the case.
Instument carry-on letter
[This message was edited by Alvin Blaine on 17 April 2003 at 08:15 AM.] |
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Alvin Blaine
From:
Picture Rocks, Arizona, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2003 7:25 am
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| Here is the story from USA Today on the sax player vrs. Alaska Airlines. Maybe you should print this one out and carry it also, if your flying on Alaska Airlines. |
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Aaron Balano
From:
San Anselmo, Ca
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Posted 17 Apr 2003 8:02 am
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| Go to this link at Bob Brozman's web site: http://www.bobbrozman.com/tip_packfly.html He has a lot of info on traveling with a guitar. What I have done in the past is to pack the guitar as Brozman suggests and take it with me to the gate. Make sure you get there early, so you can be one of the first on the plane, assuring that there is still adequate storage space on the plane. If they absolutely refuse to let you take it onto the plane, they will have to hand carry it to the baggage area...last on will be first off. Tell them you want it to be hand carried back to you, like they do with strollers and wheelchairs. If the guitar is worth anything, make sure it is insured. I have insured all my guitars through my homeowners insurance.It is very cheap. If nothing else, it gives me peace of mind knowing that it can financially be replaced. |
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Mike Cass
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Posted 19 Apr 2003 4:46 am
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My experience has taught me to hope for the best & to plan for the worst when flying a resophonic guitar.
The best thing Ive found is to use a long wire-plastic garbage tie in the 2 large rectangular (or lyre shaped) coverplate holes located at either end of the handrest. When properly installed,the ties will help maintain correct intonation & prevent cone collapse. Remember, even though you may get to bring it in the cabin with you,you'll probably have to lay it face up in the overhead bin. When you land, the inevitable "thump" can cause severe damage to a fully tuned guitar with an unprotected cone & spider assembly. And just tuning it down wont guarantee that the thing will work when you get to your destination, trust me on this!
So....starting with the treble end of the handrest,form a hook on one end of a tie, pass it thru one hole & run it under the spider leg. Then bring the hook end up thru the next hole & twist-tie both ends over the top. Repeat on the bass side & detune the strings some. Keep twisting the wire ties as you detune till the strings are fully slacked. When the strings are slack & the ties are tight, youre ready to roll. Also, I usually put a small piece of masking tape over the nut to keep the strings in the slots. Upon arrival at the gig, tune the strings up some & gradually release the ties. Then tune to G or whatever you tune to & your pretty much guaranteed to be back in business. This method is especially great for when you have to check your dobro or its being shipped via UPS etc.
The tone will quickly return if you bang on the now tuned strings some with a stiff thumbpick for a few minutes. Ive had great success with this trick & i hope it works for you should you decide to try it.
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