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Momi
Lokahi
402 Posts |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2015 : 11:46:22 AM
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Yes - BUT... (and the BUTTS have it) 
There is a strong Caveat:
2) The Instrument has to fit in the overhead bins OR UNDER THE SEAT.
This will be as judged by the Flight Attendants who still will retain absolute authority on such matters. I have been on several flights where the attendants insisted that there was no room in the overhead bins, even AFTER I had placed my guitar in the bin to prove otherwise (they actually made me remove it).
(Note that "under the seat" means the instrument MUST be less than 22 inches in length) per current policies, if the bins are "judged" to be full (or too small) by the flight attendants.
I fear that, NET NET, it will be a little easier to get your guitar into the passenger cabin but there will still be significant risk of having to "gate-check" it, especially if you do not board early.
P.S. - Here is the news article you linked to:
Musicians Get Approval To Carry On Instruments When Flying
By Jennifer Kraus. CREATED Dec 31, 2014
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Good news for Nashville's music industry. Beginning March 1, all U.S. airlines must allow musicians to carry on their instruments when they fly.
Last month, NewsChannel 5 Investigates exposed how musicians have been routinely forced by airlines to check their guitars, violins, and banjos, and how these instruments often wind up damaged or even destroyed during flights.
Congress passed a law nearly three years ago to allow musicians to carry on smaller instruments. But as our investigation found, that law never took effect because the U.S. Department of Transportation failed to come up with the required guidelines for the airlines by the February deadline this year.
The D.O.T. finally issued those rules Tuesday which said as long as there's space either in an overhead bin or under a seat when a passenger boards, he or she may bring their instrument with them on the plane.
The new rules take effect in 60 days.
Two men who worked to get the law passed were both quite happy to hear this. Congressman Jim Cooper told NewsChannel 5 Investigates, "I've been pushing hard for the federal government to protect our musicians and instruments," while Dave Pomeroy, President of Nashville Musicians Association, called it "a huge step forward for musicians who need to be able to travel safely with the tools of their trade."
Congressman Jim Cooper's full statement:
"I've been pushing hard for the federal government to protect our musicians and our musical instruments. Finally, the FAA is allowing guitars in overhead bins on airlines. You won't have to check your instrument underneath the plane. You'll be able to carry onboard and keep it safe."
Full statement provided by Dave Pomeroy.
“On behalf of the AFM and the Nashville Musicians Association, we are very glad to see that the DOT has followed up with the final rules for carrying instruments on planes, so that the FAA Modernization Act that was passed almost 3 years ago can finally be enforced in a consistent fashion. No doubt there will be a bump or two as airlines, and especially their employees, learn to comply with the FAA rules, but this is a huge step forward for musicians who need to be able to travel safely with the tools of their trade. I am very pleased to have been a part of this important process, and appreciate everyone involved for their efforts on this important issue for musicians.”
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 01/08/2015 11:56:18 AM |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2015 : 10:45:16 AM
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And it doesn't hurt to be polite to gate agents, and flight attendants, and others-- whether you have a guitar or not.
I know a flight attendant who when an irrate passenger with an oversize bag was made to check his obese bag called them a bad, bad word, and when the attendants sent it down, they tagged it for Australia! He probably got his bag by now, but probably still uses cutting, sexist language, and doesn't have a clue! Be nice! |
Edited by - Kapila Kane on 01/11/2015 10:45:52 AM |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2015 : 10:49:42 AM
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One question on guitar stuff:
do airlines still allow you to check,
"The Clam", guitar case. It's the coffin-shaped one you put your regular guitar case inside.
Well, I suppose everything is checkable, at a price! |
Edited by - Kapila Kane on 01/11/2015 10:50:31 AM |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2015 : 07:05:47 AM
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quote:
"The Clam", guitar case.
Of course you can still check it, but you will pay oversize charge of $80 (with most airlines - each way) to do so.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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neeej
`Olu`olu
USA
643 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2015 : 04:20:25 AM
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| All of which is why a take a 'won't break my heart if something happens, but plays well enough for now' guitar, in a regular hard case, covered by a quilted over-case. Then just check da buggah! So far so good (probably jinxing self). |
--Jean S |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2015 : 1:13:16 PM
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after looking at the link from carry ons in old days, I'd say you might want to dress like a super-model...
and one more side-light, since I'm really good at side-lights...
The instruments that might appear to be a guitar but isn't...
the Bazooki, (kinda like a guitar sized octave mandolin.
songwriter Tim O'Brien likes to use it almost as much as guitar for solo nights.
He recommends...
IF you dare take one through security,
When they ask, "What is this?"
DON'T say "It's a Bazooki!"
Just Say, "it's a special guitar"!
(And dress like a 1950's Felini star.
which leaves a few of us out of luck. |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2015 : 1:57:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Kapila Kane
The instruments that might appear to be a guitar but isn't...
the Bazooki, (kinda like a guitar sized octave mandolin.
songwriter Tim O'Brien likes to use it almost as much as guitar for solo nights.
He recommends...
IF you dare take one through security,
When they ask, "What is this?"
DON'T say "It's a Bazooki!"
Just Say, "it's a special guitar"!
(And dress like a 1950's Felini star.
which leaves a few of us out of luck.
I just recently sold my bouzouki, but I woulda called it (inaccurately) a "tenor mandolin" for ease - TSA folks don't seem to like when something is "special." |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2015 : 09:31:34 AM
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| and I'll learn how to spell Bouzouki, and I'll learn the 10 Commandments, or at least my favorites. |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 04/09/2015 : 11:32:54 AM
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Gordo... You are not far from right.
There is the Bouzouki and there is the Bazooki.
The regular Bouzouki is a fine sounding instrument and one of my favorite Irish musicians (Donal Lunny) was fond of playing one.
The Bazooki, on the other hand, is a larger, louder instrument capable of producing a missile-like projection of sound capable of destroying a battlefield tank. I have seen them in action many times!
And, so you stand, only slightly corrected...
Hmmm... Something about bearing false witness...?
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 04/09/2015 11:37:14 AM |
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Kapila Kane
Ha`aha`a
USA
1051 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2015 : 1:58:03 PM
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Sorry if this seems Old, but,
It' aways better to do carry-on the hippy way, with NO CASE.
Then you can walk down the ailses like the nun in "Airplane"! Oops, Oops, Oops.
But you have to dress like a Nun, Walk like a Nun. And put up with the usual security checks.
Or None of the above.
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k0k0peli
Aloha
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/22/2015 : 11:37:40 AM
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One solution: Don't fly. I haven't since 2003. But I may be forced to in the near future, dash it all! I've made a deal with my wife that I'll only fly somewhere if I can bring back a local instrument. To Peru for a charango; to Italy for a Neapolitan bowlback mandolin; to Hawai'i for guess what? That way I'll only have to deal with carrying the instrument one-way.
BTW on my last flight (Milan to San Francisco) one nearby passenger had a violin case in the overhead. He managed to whack my head THREE TIMES on that flight. I contemplated revenge. |
The worst day strumming is better than the best day working. |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
524 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 12:27:54 PM
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Not travelling is the approach I've taken. I went from flying 60,000 plus business and personal miles every year for a couple of decades to MAYBE one airline trip per year - and not every year. The only exceptions are Hawaii (once in eight years this last April) and Alaska, where I still do some work. If I cannot *drive*, I just don't go. If it is work, I turn the job down if airline travel is required. If it is personal, I'm usually willing to pay their way to come see ME. Life is too short to put up with modern airline travel.
The only way to really fix this issue is to change the airline tariff rules and make them fully responsible for the damage they cause. Right now, you are lucky if you get $0.15 on the dollar for lost / damaged goods like guitars, golf clubs, clothes, etc. Been there, done that.
I hate to be negative, but all these "rules" about carrying instruments onto the plane go out the window the first time a flight attendant is in a mood. They are judge, jury and executioner, and if you question them in the least, expect a TSA interview in a closed room without a lawyer.
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John
`Olu`olu
656 Posts |
Posted - 07/23/2015 : 2:55:11 PM
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Right on Earl. You pretty much nailed it. I haven't flown since '02 and I seriously doubt I'll fly even once more in my lifetime. Smaller seats, more weird rules, more expense, less bennies to flying.
So, if an air trip were to happen to the islands (not likely) at least Hawaiian Airlines people are the kindest, sweetest, and dedicated (to the passenger) airline crews in the sky. Any other airline, forget it.
Whatever the score, flying to Hawaii (Hawaiian Airlines) isn't as bad as a coast-to-coaster in the lower 48--or anywhere, hub to hub. Ugh.
Notice I didn't bring up the airport gestapo. Nobody needs that.
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Edited by - John on 07/23/2015 2:55:59 PM |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
524 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2015 : 06:06:44 AM
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| I agree John. Hawaiian Air is very good, and Alaska Airlines is the next best thing. Both of these airlines do a good job with the front cabin. Haven't flown coach in years. I'm a big NFL lineman sized guy and can only fit in First Class. And even those are not what they used to be either. |
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k0k0peli
Aloha
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2015 : 08:07:32 AM
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I haven't flown since 2003 -- I love being in the air, I just hate having to go through what it takes to get there! In those years we've driven from California to Yukon and Honduras and New York. I could maybe be bribed to fly outside North and Central America, so long as I could bring characteristic instruments home from the trip. So, 'ukes from Hawai'i, charangos from Peru, bowlback mandos from Italy, balalaikas from Ukraine, shamisens from Japan, bouzoukis from Ireland, etc.
Other possibilities: It's easy to travel with mouth organs and penny whistles. Easy, but not satisfying. I could acquire a soprapino / pocket 'uke but those are a mite small for my big hands. There's the folding 'uke option: http://www.instructables.com/id/Constructing-the-Laser-cut-folding-ukulele/ . There are also folding guitars at various price points: https://www.google.com/search?q=folding+guitar . And I can easily unbolt the neck from a Cümbüş o'ud and stuff the dismembered instrument into a carry-on bag, no hu-hu. Aloha! |
The worst day strumming is better than the best day working. |
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New law allow guitars as carry-ons
