|
|
Joined:
November 2009
Posts: 11
| Anybody here using a case for air travel other than the Ovation molded case? Anybody using a custom flight case or is it just not necessary? Thanks for the input. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 379
Location: Alagoas, Brazil | I think the OHSC is enough for air travel, but I've always carried the guitar as carry-on. Last time I came from NYC through Panamá and Copa Airlines had a big sign saying that musical instruments should be checked, but I literally fought my way to the airplane carrying the guitar.
I'll never fly Copa again, but I got to Brazil ok. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2010
Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | Back in '89 when I purchased my Ovation case, I seem to recall the sales staff claim that the Ovation hardshell case could withstand a vehicle driving over it without harming the guitar inside. I have not personally tested that claim - however if true, then it would certainly withstand the rigors of flying.
Mine has a lockable center clasp - But I would be more concerned about theft of a checked case than damage. Typically when I travel the Flight attendants are accomodating for "special" items of which a $1000 Ovation would qualify in my view. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 1565
Location: Indiana | Locks, hinges are vulnerable. Those little metal feet are goners. Either pushed in or knocked off. They occasionally manage to take chunks out of the hide. Lost the whole bottom side on this one. Down to the foam. I made a road repair out of nylon screen and epoxy before the return flight.
Hand carry anytime you can...
I would love to see the Gator ATA line fitted out for roundbacks. Great flight cases for travelers. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2793
Location: Atlanta, GA. | The cargo holds in airliners get real cold at 30,000 ft or more. I think the cases become very brittle at those temps, then they get tossed around during handling... ergo cracked and chipped plastic. JMHO |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | I have flown several times with my '78 1617 and checked it in the baggage. Case is a little bent and dented but it protected the guitar fine. Of course this was before 911 and that song about the airlines breaking guitars. Today I wouldn't take it without a flight case or taking on board - had good look last few years with a jazz bass in a gig bag as carry-on. They tell you at the counters that it won't fit but there has always been room in with smaller bags in the overhead.
SKb is making an awesome flight case in their premium line. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2010
Posts: 5
| Many airlines are avoiding the risk associated by checking guitars in two ways. The less credible airlines want you to check it but make you sign a special paper limiting your recourse should they damage the guitar. The better airlines are allowing you to carry them on but asking that you have the attendant stow it in the "wardrobe closet". This is a spare storage compartment within the cabin where business people often have their suits and/or fragile equipment stowed upon entering the plane. This is Delta's policy. The only caveat is there is some kind of stipulation that if there is no room, you have to check it and checked baggage fees apply. I figure I will fly with only a gig bag so they will find room for it in the cabin. I would never check one without a proper case. I hope to bring a new O back to my 2nd home after a visit home in the spring.....I've been checking airline policies.
Does anyone have any experience with "check-ability" of a guitar in the Zero Gravity cases?
Regards,
Steve |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Not to repeat myself, but since this topic has been discussed before...
When flying with a guitar the flight crew are your friends. Treat them NICE.
Nobody else can make you give it up. They will try to. The ticket counter will want you to check it - say no, I'll carry it to the gate. The gate crew will want you to gate check it (I've even been told the flight crew insists on it) - say no, I'll ask them.
Once at the door, VERY politely explain that your guitar is precious to you - may you please put it in an overhead?
I've found this will most often get you great cooperation. The last time I flew with a guitar (bringing the LAVKoa back from AI) both the ticket and gate crew got very upset with me because I insisted on asking the flight crew. The flight crew told me, "Sorry, the flight is full, so the overheads are going to be full." Then they proceeded to totally empty the 1st class closet and repack it so they could make room for the guitar. I had to wait until all the other passengers had boarded... but the guitar rode home in more comfort than I did. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | That, and having an open bag of dark Chocolates can help! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I read Alaska Airlines policy recently and it basically leaves it up to the airline. Musical instruments are listed with a bunch of other items that they don't want to take any responsibility for. I decided that I didn't want to take a chance that the crew, especially on the return from Seattle, would decide I couldn't carry it on and I'd be forced to check it. Since Ovation will have plenty of new guitars to show off at the Roadshow, I'll use theirs. I guess I should have just driven to the one in Portland. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands | I use an Eastman case I buy in Holland for 180 Euros. link . I've seen it advertised in the US as well, maybe under another name.
I needed to take out a piece of foam at the base end of the case. It fits my Adamas 2008-5 Collectors (with the new contour deep bowl) perfectly. It's like a second skin and the case has many clasps all around (including along the back) making it practically impossible to accidentally snap open and giving it great rigidity. I fly internationally and I have a musician friend who does the same. We both use 2008-5s. Between us we've racked up tens of thousands of flight miles from Europe and N.America to East Asia, HK and India. I even took a Martin HD28 back and forth to Australia in the same case (for the Martin I reinsert the foam pad at the bottom if the case). We've had no problems at all. The case is very light which helps with check in (nowadays they have a tendency to charge for overweight, i.e. anything over 25 kg). Price wise it's a deal compared to custom cases like the Carlton which is much more rugged but also weighs a lot more. Finally, it comes with a set of very practical shoulder straps -great for on the bicycle (I live in Amsterdam) and to carry around when you have other luggage.
One caveat: my 1687 reissue, which has the original non-contoured deep bowl does not fit. The bowl is too fat (deep). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2009
Posts: 10
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Oh, BTW, be sure to tape up all the locks (clasps) with good quality duct tape (photo gaffer tape is best).
One last word: sending the case checked luggage saves me a LOT of grief at airports. Otherwise it can often be a lot of hassle from the check in to security to the gate and to then finding space on the overhead lockers. It also goes without saying that on smaller aircrafts (Delhi to Jaipur for example) there is absolutely no room and they will check it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Waskel... you must be one hell of a persuasive guy!!
Air Canada are notorius for treating their passengers like sh-t... and ones trying to fly with their guitars EVEN WORSE!!
Back in the day when I had to fly with my guitars AC managed to rebreak a previous headstock repair on my Rich Koa Eagle and one time when coming back from Toronto with my Adamas 1688 (12 string), I saw one baggage handler (standing straight up) on top of the luggage cart end supports throw the Adamas down to another handler about six feet from the cart... so the distance travelled was something like 8 or 10 feet. He caught it as I stared in disbelief through the window just about passing out I was so furious!! When I got it home it was intact, but they had managed to blow the trap door off completely. Anyone that owns an Adamas knows how much of a shock that would take.
To anyone flying... save yourself a lot of grief, use a transport-grade flight case. If it can be broken... THEY WILL!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I flew many times in the 90's to Belarus with my original Elite 1758-6 and once with my 1868-5...I flew Delta and Swiss Air and both let me check it to the flight crew's locker...later I flew with a baby Taylor because it would fit nicely in the overhead bin, and I wasn't doing concerts that trip...When I flew to the '07 Factory Tour with my 1758-1 I had to check it in its factory case zipped inside a padded case cover(detuned)...and back with the repaired Snake TBolt the same way...both times I checked it at the plane and recovered it at the plane...fortunately, no problems...
Flight cases are the way to go if you can afford them...
One of my previous Adamas 1867's traveled many miles with it's previous owner as attested by the many airline stickers from the late 70's attached...you do what you have to do... |
|
| |
Flight case for O?