I’m considering studying abroad in Dublin next year for a semester, and while in the middle of piles of paperwork, the thought most prevalent in my mind is: how do I get my instruments over there safely? (I play fiddle and banjo). Should I consider taking only one, or trying to rent an instrument while I’m there? Of course, I’ll have loads of other things to drag as well…
might as well be honest. the prospect of music and sessions just MIGHT be a bigger influence than my academics in making this decision.
I just spent my holiday in Ireland with some friends. I had a fiddle and one other had their guitar which we both had them as one of our carry ons. If you really wanted to, you could probably take them both on the plane as carry ons. I don't think you would have any trouble.
I never had problems on the plane with a fiddle. Custom agent sometimes ask me to play but it was just for fun. And a pilot asked me if I could use the instruments if the automatic pilot goes off. Sometimes, I even pull it out in flight to practice pizzicatto or write down a song. I have a friend who carries his banjo in the check in and had no problems.
Just out of interest....... I've never been abroad by plane. Could you fit a piano accordion in the luggage rack? I might go to cuba for a month in the summer and whilst I don't know of any cuban sessions, I can't imagine not being able to play for a whole month!
There was a discussion about this on a fiddle forum I'm on. Do check with customs about regulations. Also lossen the strings on the fiddle (I'm not sure if you need to on a banjo) before you go. Differences in humidity and air pressure can affect a fiddle. You can re-tune upon arrival.
Personally I'd take my fiddle as a carry on. I wouldn't want any ham-fisted baggage handler touching my fiddle!
I recently flew from Belfast to Southampton with a fiddle as a 2nd piece of hand luggage (other was a laptop) with no problem. I had a run-in ith the check-in people (same airline - FlyBe) at Southampton flying on to France. They stated I could only take 1 piece of hand luggage. I had checked the status of musical instruments at british airports, and they had been approved as carry on in addition to another piece of hand luggage, after the fiasco in August. I suggested that the check in people check the BAA website to confirm this, but they wouldn't have it. I had to pay about 10 euros to check in an extra bag and took the fiddle as hand luggage (but also carried the laptop, caseless in my hand). On principle, I sent an email to the airline demanding my money back for the 2nd bag check-in, based on the BAA guidelines that a musical instrument was acceptable in addition to one piece of hand luggage. They refused, citing their own guidlines, which do not mention musical intruments and state only one piece. Still thinking of a petty way to get back at them.
Worth checking in advance, or going by boat/train....
I've travelled with my fiddle quite a few times, and have not had problems carrying it on the airplane with the exception of the bomb threat in London this summer. No carry on luggage was allowed, and I was forced to put in cargo. It survived with macho packing, but I was distressed anyhow. Anyways, my point is that unless there's national security issues, I've never had any problem. (However, I once saw a man who was allowed to carry his fiddle on as long as the case itself was checked... I myself was permitted my fiddle on the same flight. ???)
"Just out of interest....... I've never been abroad by plane. Could you fit a piano accordion in the luggage rack?"
My wife plays piano accordion and for the past 5 or so years when she flies she takes her small (60 bass) box in a gig bag. Never had a problem carrying it on on domestic or international flights. It fits even in the smaller overhead compartments. She used to, however, have a more elaborate system for hauling the bigger boxes around. She would remove the bass side (obviously the most vulnerable side) and carefully pack it into her carry-on suitcase and check the other half of the accordion packed securely as possible in it's hard case. Worked like a charm, but it was always an interesting moment when her carry-on bag went through the x-ray machine. "Uh... Hey Joe, look at this... Excuse me Ms, but what is this? It's half an accordion. Please step over here and open the bag..." Happened every time.
When I travel for pleasure I always take my parlor guitar in it's hard case. That guitar's been around the block and I've never had to check it on domestic or international flights. My gigging guitar travels in a Calton case. If I have to check it I don't really worry. Calton's are pricey, but extremely sturdy.
If you can fit your fiddle case in a not too large backpack you could probably get away with carrying them both on. I also have a banjo an it takes up less space than my Parlor guitar so you're good to go there. It's a crap shoot with both though, so my recommendation is if the fiddle fits make sure you arrive early and just casually check in like you carry the same stuff on all the time (don't ask the counter personnel if it's OK). Just go for it. Once you're at the boarding gate you're in--unless you're late and the flight is full. Arriving early is key.
Mags, if you're flying out of the US, you may want to oconsider carrying on the fiddle and getting a flight case for the banjo.
You're supposed to be able to carry on an instrument, but it's hit and miss. I know too many folks who have ended up having to check istruments. A fiddle might pass the size test, but a banjo in a case might not. It might in a gig bag, but it will fly more or less unprotected if they make you check it .
Calton makes a great case but a very good and much less expensive flight case can be found at www.casextreme.com. Perhaps one of their cases can be adapted to a banjo.
If you do check an instrument, be sure to firmly pack something around the headstock in case the instrument is dropped or falls off a conveyor. Broken headstocks are one of the most common accidents that happen to checked instruments. More than one famous player uses socks to support the headstock of their guitar.
I've often travelled with instruments, usually guitars. I've never tried to take them as carry on on always checked them in. I always loosen the strings but then somebody told me that the neck is less likely to break if you keep the strings tensioned. So now I don't know what to think.
A good well-fitting case is a must. You can indeed make a not so well-fitting case well-fitting by the use of bubblewrap, socks and underwear. I had a rather embarrassing experience a couple of years ago returning from France and a security guy wanted to see inside the case. Well, of course, the socks and underwear were dirty and a bit smelly, and as I usually stuff extra clothes in the soundhole, there were a lot of them. But I did warn him in advance to stand back.
I have heard stories of intruments being damaged in transit. I think this probably happens more with bigger airports (where the baggage has further to go) and connecting flights. It's kinda cute seeing your instrument being handled with incredible care at, say, Alderney airstrip, the terminal building there being about the size of an average house.
kerry. Small claims court is the answer to the ostriches amongst us. In my experience it never fails-as Cpl. Jones used to say " They don't like it up 'em Mr. Mannering.
I play button box. Traveled with it twice last year. First to New York from Chicago, USA. Then Last summer to Galway, Donegal and Dublin from Chicago. Point of Entry Shannon.
Box was my carry on.
Had trouble getting out of New York on return to Chicago (domestic flight). TSA, the gorillas who handle US security, didn't know what it was, wouldn't accept my explanation it was a musical instrument, manhandled it and wouldn't listen to my requests that it was fragile. They then tested it-no kidding- for weapons debris and related incediary stuff. It is a wood box tw.
Getting it in/out Ireland was a piece of cake comparatively. Customs knew what it was. But did not like my explanation that I had a friend who was going to make some modifications to my box, so I thought I would bring my family along. When my wife followed customs he quietly apologized to my wife for being stern to me. He told her " The box is not 'me fav'rite instr'm'nt...."
I have travelled all over the place with all sizes of instruments, and I must recommend that you don't try to take both of your instruments as carry-ons. They will sure let you take one, especially on international flights where the planes are a bit bigger and have more space, but they will almost always make you check one at the gate if you get it by the check-in desk somehow. Better to just plan on checking the banjo. Get a good flight case and pack it up well. I have heard of a professional player who buys a seat for his banjo whenever he flys, but this is pretty extreme. I have taken a banjo on board without problems, but not with a fiddle as well. I even got away with carrying on a 22-string harp once! Let me just mention that didn't fit on the overhead compartment! I've never had problems with instruments at customs. Even walked right through 'nothing to declare' at Manchester airport with a giant Balafon, about 5 feet long and gourds hanging out all over the place! (I did have to check that.)
Oops! Forgot to mention...
If you have 'lots of other things to drag as well' you may want to think of mailing some of those other things. Navigating international airports with two instruments and loads of things is hell on earth, not to mention when you get to the public transportation portion of your journey. Clothes are not to heavy nor breakable, thus mail easily and leave your hands (and attention) free for those two instruments.
Just flying interstate in Australia on the Other airline (think of a blue colour) my fiddle came out in Adelaide on the main conveyor and three hefty cracks in the belly... On the return trip I argued the case with the check-in clerk and I was allowed to carry it on - but the damage had already been done
The repair took most of the profit form the two gigs I played there.
Just adding to that post - I have previously flown successfully with the instrument going in the 'fragile' section without mishap. The case has a very obvious violin shape and I expected better of that airline.
Going abroad with instruments
Going abroad with instruments
I’m considering studying abroad in Dublin next year for a semester, and while in the middle of piles of paperwork, the thought most prevalent in my mind is: how do I get my instruments over there safely? (I play fiddle and banjo). Should I consider taking only one, or trying to rent an instrument while I’m there? Of course, I’ll have loads of other things to drag as well…
might as well be honest. the prospect of music and sessions just MIGHT be a bigger influence than my academics in making this decision.
# Posted on January 30th 2007 by magstress
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Um, why not just fly there with them? you are allowed 1 carryon and 1 personal item so i don't see the problem; i travel with my fiddle all the time!
# Posted on January 30th 2007 by BE
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I just spent my holiday in Ireland with some friends. I had a fiddle and one other had their guitar which we both had them as one of our carry ons. If you really wanted to, you could probably take them both on the plane as carry ons. I don't think you would have any trouble.
# Posted on January 30th 2007 by *Misha*
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I never had problems on the plane with a fiddle. Custom agent sometimes ask me to play but it was just for fun. And a pilot asked me if I could use the instruments if the automatic pilot goes off. Sometimes, I even pull it out in flight to practice pizzicatto or write down a song. I have a friend who carries his banjo in the check in and had no problems.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Dr.Carabus
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Just out of interest....... I've never been abroad by plane. Could you fit a piano accordion in the luggage rack? I might go to cuba for a month in the summer and whilst I don't know of any cuban sessions, I can't imagine not being able to play for a whole month!
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Daniel Gott
Re: Going abroad with instruments
There was a discussion about this on a fiddle forum I'm on. Do check with customs about regulations. Also lossen the strings on the fiddle (I'm not sure if you need to on a banjo) before you go. Differences in humidity and air pressure can affect a fiddle. You can re-tune upon arrival.
Personally I'd take my fiddle as a carry on. I wouldn't want any ham-fisted baggage handler touching my fiddle!
Good luck!
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Pirate-Fiddler
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I recently flew from Belfast to Southampton with a fiddle as a 2nd piece of hand luggage (other was a laptop) with no problem. I had a run-in ith the check-in people (same airline - FlyBe) at Southampton flying on to France. They stated I could only take 1 piece of hand luggage. I had checked the status of musical instruments at british airports, and they had been approved as carry on in addition to another piece of hand luggage, after the fiasco in August. I suggested that the check in people check the BAA website to confirm this, but they wouldn't have it. I had to pay about 10 euros to check in an extra bag and took the fiddle as hand luggage (but also carried the laptop, caseless in my hand). On principle, I sent an email to the airline demanding my money back for the 2nd bag check-in, based on the BAA guidelines that a musical instrument was acceptable in addition to one piece of hand luggage. They refused, citing their own guidlines, which do not mention musical intruments and state only one piece. Still thinking of a petty way to get back at them.
Worth checking in advance, or going by boat/train....
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by kerry
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I've travelled with my fiddle quite a few times, and have not had problems carrying it on the airplane with the exception of the bomb threat in London this summer. No carry on luggage was allowed, and I was forced to put in cargo. It survived with macho packing, but I was distressed anyhow. Anyways, my point is that unless there's national security issues, I've never had any problem. (However, I once saw a man who was allowed to carry his fiddle on as long as the case itself was checked... I myself was permitted my fiddle on the same flight. ???)
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Paper Star
Re: Going abroad with instruments
"Just out of interest....... I've never been abroad by plane. Could you fit a piano accordion in the luggage rack?"
My wife plays piano accordion and for the past 5 or so years when she flies she takes her small (60 bass) box in a gig bag. Never had a problem carrying it on on domestic or international flights. It fits even in the smaller overhead compartments. She used to, however, have a more elaborate system for hauling the bigger boxes around. She would remove the bass side (obviously the most vulnerable side) and carefully pack it into her carry-on suitcase and check the other half of the accordion packed securely as possible in it's hard case. Worked like a charm, but it was always an interesting moment when her carry-on bag went through the x-ray machine. "Uh... Hey Joe, look at this... Excuse me Ms, but what is this? It's half an accordion. Please step over here and open the bag..." Happened every time.
When I travel for pleasure I always take my parlor guitar in it's hard case. That guitar's been around the block and I've never had to check it on domestic or international flights. My gigging guitar travels in a Calton case. If I have to check it I don't really worry. Calton's are pricey, but extremely sturdy.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by GDub
Re: Going abroad with instruments
my main concern is trying to get TWO instruments in hard cases through carry on...anybody tried that before?
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by magstress
Re: Going abroad with instruments
If you can fit your fiddle case in a not too large backpack you could probably get away with carrying them both on. I also have a banjo an it takes up less space than my Parlor guitar so you're good to go there. It's a crap shoot with both though, so my recommendation is if the fiddle fits make sure you arrive early and just casually check in like you carry the same stuff on all the time (don't ask the counter personnel if it's OK). Just go for it. Once you're at the boarding gate you're in--unless you're late and the flight is full. Arriving early is key.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by GDub
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Mags, if you're flying out of the US, you may want to oconsider carrying on the fiddle and getting a flight case for the banjo.
You're supposed to be able to carry on an instrument, but it's hit and miss. I know too many folks who have ended up having to check istruments. A fiddle might pass the size test, but a banjo in a case might not. It might in a gig bag, but it will fly more or less unprotected if they make you check it .
Calton makes a great case but a very good and much less expensive flight case can be found at www.casextreme.com. Perhaps one of their cases can be adapted to a banjo.
If you do check an instrument, be sure to firmly pack something around the headstock in case the instrument is dropped or falls off a conveyor. Broken headstocks are one of the most common accidents that happen to checked instruments. More than one famous player uses socks to support the headstock of their guitar.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Snakefingers
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I've often travelled with instruments, usually guitars. I've never tried to take them as carry on on always checked them in. I always loosen the strings but then somebody told me that the neck is less likely to break if you keep the strings tensioned. So now I don't know what to think.
A good well-fitting case is a must. You can indeed make a not so well-fitting case well-fitting by the use of bubblewrap, socks and underwear. I had a rather embarrassing experience a couple of years ago returning from France and a security guy wanted to see inside the case. Well, of course, the socks and underwear were dirty and a bit smelly, and as I usually stuff extra clothes in the soundhole, there were a lot of them. But I did warn him in advance to stand back.
I have heard stories of intruments being damaged in transit. I think this probably happens more with bigger airports (where the baggage has further to go) and connecting flights. It's kinda cute seeing your instrument being handled with incredible care at, say, Alderney airstrip, the terminal building there being about the size of an average house.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by DonaldK
Re: Going abroad with instruments
kerry. Small claims court is the answer to the ostriches amongst us. In my experience it never fails-as Cpl. Jones used to say " They don't like it up 'em Mr. Mannering.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by duffgen
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Kerry - report them to the Musicians Union. We may be a small percentage, but if we all boycott an institution they might think again.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I play button box. Traveled with it twice last year. First to New York from Chicago, USA. Then Last summer to Galway, Donegal and Dublin from Chicago. Point of Entry Shannon.
Box was my carry on.
Had trouble getting out of New York on return to Chicago (domestic flight). TSA, the gorillas who handle US security, didn't know what it was, wouldn't accept my explanation it was a musical instrument, manhandled it and wouldn't listen to my requests that it was fragile. They then tested it-no kidding- for weapons debris and related incediary stuff. It is a wood box tw.
Getting it in/out Ireland was a piece of cake comparatively. Customs knew what it was. But did not like my explanation that I had a friend who was going to make some modifications to my box, so I thought I would bring my family along. When my wife followed customs he quietly apologized to my wife for being stern to me. He told her " The box is not 'me fav'rite instr'm'nt...."
The joys of playing the accordion.
# Posted on January 31st 2007 by zippydw
Re: Going abroad with instruments
I have travelled all over the place with all sizes of instruments, and I must recommend that you don't try to take both of your instruments as carry-ons. They will sure let you take one, especially on international flights where the planes are a bit bigger and have more space, but they will almost always make you check one at the gate if you get it by the check-in desk somehow. Better to just plan on checking the banjo. Get a good flight case and pack it up well. I have heard of a professional player who buys a seat for his banjo whenever he flys, but this is pretty extreme. I have taken a banjo on board without problems, but not with a fiddle as well. I even got away with carrying on a 22-string harp once! Let me just mention that didn't fit on the overhead compartment! I've never had problems with instruments at customs. Even walked right through 'nothing to declare' at Manchester airport with a giant Balafon, about 5 feet long and gourds hanging out all over the place! (I did have to check that.)
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by nic's collection
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Oops! Forgot to mention...
If you have 'lots of other things to drag as well' you may want to think of mailing some of those other things. Navigating international airports with two instruments and loads of things is hell on earth, not to mention when you get to the public transportation portion of your journey. Clothes are not to heavy nor breakable, thus mail easily and leave your hands (and attention) free for those two instruments.
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by nic's collection
Re: Going abroad with instruments
thanks for the advice
# Posted on February 1st 2007 by magstress
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Just flying interstate in Australia on the Other airline (think of a blue colour) my fiddle came out in Adelaide on the main conveyor and three hefty cracks in the belly... On the return trip I argued the case with the check-in clerk and I was allowed to carry it on - but the damage had already been done
The repair took most of the profit form the two gigs I played there.
# Posted on February 4th 2008 by ijerry
Re: Going abroad with instruments
Just adding to that post - I have previously flown successfully with the instrument going in the 'fragile' section without mishap. The case has a very obvious violin shape and I expected better of that airline.
# Posted on February 4th 2008 by ijerry