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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
 Posted - 03/22/2007 : 1:32:17 PM
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Aloha & happy Spring!
Was thinking about just bringing a Baby Taylor to AMC in June, but after seeing all those pictures of people with their full-size guitars from the February camp, doing some rethinking.
Searched and found plenty of info on how to pack guitars for checking (ended up getting a Gator flight case) but have this question: With two connections, should I be even remotely concerned that my wife and I end up on Maui and the guitar ends up, say, in Des Moines? 
Inquiring minds want to know. And so do I, for that matter.
Mahalo & peace,
Davey
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JeffC
Lokahi
USA
189 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2007 : 2:12:58 PM
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Seems like there is always that possibility. My guitar arrived 24 hours after I did when I went (so did the rest of our luggage, but I was only really concerned about the guitar). I don't have a travel guitar, but I would want an instrument that is comfortable to play at camp.
JC |
Jeff
Making Trout Country safe for Slack Key! |
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Davey
Akahai
USA
53 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2007 : 09:51:37 AM
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JC:
I know what you mean about the guitar vs. luggage question upon arrival. I'll be fine with the shorts, aloha shirt and sandals I'll have on. But would be bummed not to see the guitar coming around on that luggage carousel!  |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2007 : 11:04:30 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Davey
and the guitar ends up, say, in Des Moines?
Then Menpachi Man gets to care for it, perhaps? |
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Menpachi Man
Lokahi
274 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2007 : 6:02:39 PM
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| Purdy funny Retro. I am actually 4 hrs away from Des Moines, in Bettendorf. Another 4 hrs away from Haole Boy. |
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`Ilio Nui
`Olu`olu
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - 03/24/2007 : 07:23:36 AM
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After 6 AMCs and countless trips to the islands with everything from Taylors to Goodalls, this is what I've learned.
If there is an exposed handle on the case, this is an excuse to pick it up and sling it as far as they can. Buy a "case cover". One that allows you to open a small zipper to get at the handle, then stow it when you check it in. Wrap the shoulder strap (if it has one) tightly around the cover. Two things happen when you do this. One, it is less likely that the powers that be will want to open it up. Two, baggage handlers have to cradle your case and can't sling it. I've seen Calton Cases thrown a long way.
Loosen the srings.
Pad under the head and any others areas in the case to prevent the guitar from moving around. The most likely damage comes from a neck that is broken at the spot where the neck rests near the head.
As soon as you pick up your guitar at baggage claim, open it up and check it out.
On Molokai, they take the baggage off the plane and place it on a long table. If it's not claimed in a couple minutes, they put whatever is left back on the plane and leave. This may include you guitar. Pay attention.
If it doesn't arrive on Molokai, more than likely, the large carrier you flew to the Islands with didn't get it to Island Air or whoever in time. File a report immediately.
I've been known to FedEx my guitars to Hilo and Kahului (Case finely padded in a guitar shipping box). Everything worked fine, but I think the airlines did a better job, plus there's less chance of having a forklift skewer your case with the airline.
Don't put your electronics gadgets in your guitar case. Carry tuners, stomp boxes, DI, etc., in separate luggage. The less that shows up on Xray, the less likely that the case will be opened.
Keola and John don't take "beaters" on tour with them. Take a look at how they do it. (All of the above). If the instrument is that important to you, leave it home or insure the heck out of it.
Humidity, schumidity!!! By the end of the week your guitar will probably swell up like a pregnant cow. Just play it and enjoy it. There's a greater chance that you will trip at Kaupoa and break something on your guitar than there is something happening to it by the airline.
Me ke aloha,
Dog |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2007 : 05:00:48 AM
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| A friend had this small incident happen several years ago: He uses the kind of capo that has a spring type handle to open it. He opened the capo, clamped it on his brass slide, and stuck the whole thing in his guitar case. When they xrayed his luggage, they paged him and asked why he was carrying a handgun in his guitar case. After he opened his case and they saw what it was, all was fine. Now that you can't lock your luggage, they may not page you, but it's not worth the extra walk through some monster airport to get to the security office. Separate your slide & capo. |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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Larry Goldstein
Lokahi
267 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2007 : 07:00:00 AM
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Mahalo Dog, for good advice on both ends of travelling.
I've found it's a toss-up where my guitar is off-loaded; sometimes on the carousel, sometimes at the "over-size" door. I try to stake out a position where I can watch both.
Last week I flew from Seattle to San Diego with my nylon string, and TSA left their calling card. Someone had to unzip the Colorado Case and then open up the guitar case and then take out the foam rubber inserts. What I don't get is why, given the Xray machines, a guitar needs to be examined anyway? The only metal in that package were the tuners.
In the end, we can only do so much. As one professional slacker succinctly said, "(life) happens." Nevertheless, in the future I plan on taping the handle of my Clam overpack, just in case.
Larry |
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