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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | which would you take
VXT-S or Balladeer LX??
Is there a benifit of the smaller
case over the larger case?
I'm flying on US Air |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I guess that depends on whether or not you need an acoustic guitar when you get there.
Some airlines are more 'musician friendly' than others.
USAir's carry-on policy for musical instruments:
"Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height)." |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | I would go with the VXT for a number of reasons... easier for you to carry around, less space on the plane.
Just about every flight I've been on this year has been nearly or completely full. You might have to end up checking it when you get on the plane anyway... another reason to bring the VXT. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Less likily to get broken?? |
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Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | It's more difficult to crush a solidbody. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Regardless of which one you choose, if you can't get it on, gate check it.
If it were me, I'd take the electric for the reasons above. |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OR, you could go empty handed and buy a new Ovation when you get there. Then you only have to worry about getting it home. You could even ship it right before you leave to come home, depending on where you're going. |
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Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Check your flights to see if you are on a regional carrier. Even though your ticket says USAir, it could be subcontracted out. The smaller airplanes do not have room for a guitar in the overhead.
The regular 737/Airbus aircraft do fit a regular Ovation hard case in the overhead. We've done it many times.
Read the company policy online, including their liability for checked baggage musical instruments. Some companies limit $ or require that the instrument be detuned.
Finally, it IS LEGAL to seatbelt carryon items into seats. If the seat is not occupied, if it is the window seat, if it is not an exit row, and if one seat belt extension will be enough, you can do it. So if your flight is not full you can politely ask to seatbelt the guitar into an empty seat.
Ignore the TSA or the front counter agents if they give you trouble. Just politely say that you will gate check it if necessary. The front ticket counter people will sometimes be quite insistent that you cannot take the guitar out to the gate with you, but they have zero authority to prevent it.
Be polite with the gate agent and take a gate-check tag from them if they offer. But then go down to the aircraft and smile at the flight attendant. There's a very high likelihood that they'll work hard to get your guitar on the airplane. Flight crews tend to want to help out the nice passengers. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by FlySig:
Ignore the TSA or the front counter agents if they give you trouble. Just politely say that you will gate check it if necessary. The front ticket counter people will sometimes be quite insistent that you cannot take the guitar out to the gate with you, but they have zero authority to prevent it.
Be polite with the gate agent and take a gate-check tag from them if they offer. But then go down to the aircraft and smile at the flight attendant. There's a very high likelihood that they'll work hard to get your guitar on the airplane. Flight crews tend to want to help out the nice passengers. Yep. As I've related before, I've gone through all these steps and was very polite to the flight crew (who have final authority in this - if they say no, don't argue).
I've never been refused. In fact on one flight they already knew there wasn't enough room in the overheads. They asked me to wait until the plane was loaded... then completely unpacked the first class closet and repacked it to make room for my guitar. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Where are you going that you can't find an OFC'r to lend you a guitar while you're there? |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If you are going to Grandma's for Thanksgiving/Christmas you could Fed Ex the guitar there ahead of you...
(But that would mean FX'ing it back to yerself afterwards) |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by FlySig:
Check your flights to see if you are on a regional carrier. Even though your ticket says USAir, it could be subcontracted out. The smaller airplanes do not have room for a guitar in the overhead.
The regular 737/Airbus aircraft do fit a regular Ovation hard case in the overhead. We've done it many times.
Read the company policy online, including their liability for checked baggage musical instruments. Some companies limit $ or require that the instrument be detuned.
Finally, it IS LEGAL to seatbelt carryon items into seats. If the seat is not occupied, if it is the window seat, if it is not an exit row, and if one seat belt extension will be enough, you can do it. So if your flight is not full you can politely ask to seatbelt the guitar into an empty seat.
Ignore the TSA or the front counter agents if they give you trouble. Just politely say that you will gate check it if necessary. The front ticket counter people will sometimes be quite insistent that you cannot take the guitar out to the gate with you, but they have zero authority to prevent it.
Be polite with the gate agent and take a gate-check tag from them if they offer. But then go down to the aircraft and smile at the flight attendant. There's a very high likelihood that they'll work hard to get your guitar on the airplane. Flight crews tend to want to help out the nice passengers. I never heard of these planes
Hartford to DC Aircraft: Embraer 190
DC to New Orleans Aircraft: Embraer 175
Back
New Orleans Charlotte, NC Embraer 175
Charlotte, NC to Philadelphia, PA Boeing 767
Philadelphia, Pa to Hartford Boeing 737-300 |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by darkbarguitar:
Where are you going that you can't find an OFC'r to lend you a guitar while you're there? New Orleans La.
I got A low end Takimine I can use there.
I'm kinda spoiled |
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Posts: 379
Location: Alagoas, Brazil | It will not fit overhead. The Embraers are small planes. We have one here at the department, travelled in it a couple of times. Luggage was really limited, due to the plane size.
Maybe you should, after all, use FedEx.
Good Luck!
Miguel |
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Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Google New Orleans music stores and you should find one that will rent you a fine guitar during your stay. I have done this and it's much better than dragging your nice guitars around the country. |
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Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Or buy a Traveler guitar . I have an Escape MkII steel string and it's a wonderful compromise for travelling. Easy to lug around, built in pre-amp so you can listen to yourself on headphones or plug into an amp, or just practice your fingering.
If there is no one in the seat next to you, you could even play it on the plane. My only complaint was that the socket was a bit wobbly, which led to crackly sound (they replaced this with a new on). It doesn't get much air time at home (look what it's competing with), but for those occasional trips away, it's a winner. Even on car trips with limited space, you can find a spot for it.
Mine's been from the US to Australia, to Europe and around Australia. Comes with a useful gig bag and can be carried on to a plane with no fuss. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Well my Love Birds just took a dump on my VXT-s.
I'm taking that as a sign from God!
I'll take that.
If I have to check it i'll risk it.
Textured enamal solid Poplar body |
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May 2008
Posts: 1567
Location: Indiana | Originally posted by PEZ:
I never heard of these planes
Hartford to DC Aircraft: Embraer 190
DC to New Orleans Aircraft: Embraer 175
Back
New Orleans Charlotte, NC Embraer 175
Charlotte, NC to Philadelphia, PA Boeing 767
Philadelphia, Pa to Hartford Boeing 737-300 Embraer are smallish (Cessna pilots rolling eyes now) regional jets. They will definitely "gate check" your guitar. That's still a good thing though because it doesn't go through the baggage system. They'll take it from you on the jetway, hand carry it to a cargo hold, and you'll get it back on the jetway at your destination.
I checked my guitar for years... tore up a lot of cases, never a guitar. Always carry it now days. Not a problem domestically. In fact, they often let me pre-board. International is a different flip of the coin. |
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Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | My Ovation has flown with me to Canada, Italy, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Moldova and probably some others I've forgotten. But never in the cabin, always checked. Some airlines treat it with special handing, some don't. But it's an O, for goodness sake, in an O hardcase. So just slacken off the strings and take the one you want to play!
PS: I have no experience of domestic US carriers, your mileage may vary... |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I am back .................
The VXT will fit in the Overhead in Embraer 175 and 190. It did ride there that way till Charlotte. A regular O case would not have fit.
All were US Air Express
In the 737-400 and US Air (Not US Air Express)
had an attitude. Its was a no before I said a word and was still 3 steps from the counter. (there was over head bins with enough space for it to fit in at least 5 bins) The guitar
was gate checked. One of the last people board
said "they not being too gental with sith some guys guitar" The case was scuffed when I got it back. The guitar is OK
NOLA
what city
sodom and gomorrah with their sisters and cousin!!
I had a blast!
My liver is throbbing
Stayed with my buddy Mark at 638 Royal street.
(if you saw the movie Angel Heart the court yard
were Mickey Rourk murders the guy is where I was staying) Willie Nelson was a regular visitor here.
A friend of his who recently passed away lived there for 40 years. The walls are 2 feet thick to resist cannon fire.
Sat in at the Little Tropical Isle.
Saw and met Ellis Marchellis.
Smooth Jazz amazing stuff.
Power went out, No big just kept playing for 20 more minutes. Not a lick missed. I thought it was part of the show at first.
Birmingham I stayed at the Redmond Hotel.
Gorgious 1925 Hotel. It was also the last place
Hank Williams SR slept before uncompleted trip.
The food fest gig for my friend was a mess.
The guy he was supposed to play with was drunk and beligerant. Oh well. The belly dancers ran late
Mark ended up playing 20 minutes.
He still got his 500 bucks plus free hotel rooms
and free booze and food for both of us.
We had diner at Cosmos then We ended up playing pass the guitar at J Clydes.
Birmingham was nice but kinda dead on Sundays.
A white knuckle 600 mile mile ride back through
server thunderstorms. Cars spinning out, Wall Clouds. Ick
The party was back when we got to NOLA.
I had a great time.
Kinda didn't want to leave. |
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Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | PEZ !!
STOP make me Envy Ya .. !!
Vic |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Damn
I left out the a lot
like the parade with 40 Elvi |
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October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Originally posted by PEZ:
NOLA
what city
sodom and gomorrah with their sisters and cousin!!
I had a blast!
My liver is throbbing
.
.
I had a great time.
Kinda didn't want to leave. Which explains why our NOLA overnights are very short (8 hrs) and far away from downtown! One of these days I like to see more than the airport and the hotel room. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Nothing in Kenner
The Quarter rocks
Some picts here
http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc285/pezcleo/
You must see the Big Easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUMMMMMM.....
OFC event on Bourbon Street??
gears turning
smoke rising |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by FlySig:
Originally posted by PEZ:
NOLA
what city
sodom and gomorrah with their sisters and cousin!!
I had a blast!
My liver is throbbing
.
.
I had a great time.
Kinda didn't want to leave. Which explains why our NOLA overnights are very short (8 hrs) and far away from downtown! One of these days I like to see more than the airport and the hotel room.
http://www.originaldungeon.com/
Johnny White's Hole in the Wall 720 Bourbon Street
Best dive bar in the world. Never closed during Katrina
http://reason.com/archives/2006/12/14/never-closed
Where we saw Ellis Marcellis
http://www.snugjazz.com/site/
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/nightlife/frenchmenstree...
"traditional" jazz at Frizels
http://fritzels.tripod.com/
Buffa
http://guides.travelchannel.com/new-orleans/nightlife/bars-pubs/bar...
381410.html
The Vampire Shop
http://www.feelthebite.com/
http://www.feelthebite.com/customfangs.html
Mark Bought fangs
Vintage Gun Shop
http://www.cohenantiques.com/index/index2.php
Lafittes Blacksmith Shop
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafitte%27s_Blacksmith_Shop
Yo Mammas
http://yomamasbarandgrill.com/
CHICKIE WAH WAH
2828 CANAL ST 282
http://www.chickiewahwah.com/8
saw Phil Lee
got there on a Street car
http://www.norta.com/
River Boat
http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/
the Cabildo
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/cabildo/cabildo.htm
Starlight By the Park
when at the circus see the show
Its a tranny bar
Tropical Isle
http://www.tropicalisle.com/funky_pirate.html
http://www.nola.com/bar-guide/index.ssf/2009/07/
tropical_isle_bourbon.html
Pirates Ally
http://www.piratesalleycafe.com/home.html
Here movie I mentioned
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1095217/
World-Famous Love Acts
http://everythingandbutnothing.blogspot.com/2004/09/world-famous-lo...
acts.html
http://www.pjchmiel.com/feat/miss_river04/pictures/166-6646_img.htm...
Hit a couple strip joints.
Thinly vieled brothels at best
http://www.clustershot.com/thomashawk/photo234973
Nicolas Cage Buys Haunted Mansion in New Orleans French Quarter
he appeared to be hone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_LaLaurie
http://www.prairieghosts.com/lalaurie.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzgX4wiffGo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW3immRJ9SA
Brangelina
not home
http://www.theradreport.com/2007/01/23/the-new-orleans-monster-brad...
http://www.bittenandbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/brad-pitt-...
Here the Hotel in Birmingham
http://www.theredmont.com/
Redmont Hotel, loaded with historic stories, such as the fact that
Hank Williams Sr. spend the last night of his young life there.
J Clydes
http://jclyde.com/
Cosmos
http://www.birminghammenus.com/cosmos/
Here the food fest
http://www.birminghamoriginals.org/
I know we hit a few more but can't remember the names
What a week |
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flying with Ovation
