I've been doing some work on a little 24 bass Hohner for a friend. He was wondering about using it as a carry-on travel instrument but the angle of the keyboard puts it way outside budget airline 20cm cabin baggage dimension.
Airlines generally give dimensions on their websites as to the dimensions allowed on board, though these restrictions in my experience are not very strictly inforced by most staff, particularly on Ryanair.
There have been previous discussions on this before. I play the PA but have never flown with one. Had gigs in Poland and south of France this year (I'm in London) and chose to get the bus or train instead. If this is a possibility, I'd definitely recommend it as it can be a lot more pleasant and economical depending on your destination. You can pack the instrument yourself, knowing its secure and you have no worries about insurance or anything.
As for travelling with hand luggage, I've heard a suggestion of taking the pins out of the bellows, wrapping the three sections in bubble wrap and having them in hand luggage that way. could you get away with a 30 key then?
Whatever happens, I can't see it been worth the risk putting it in the hold. I don't think anyone gives insurance for items in the hold and even if you pay the extra charge to have them stowed away by hand, airlines will usually only cover items up to the value of £500 (I think).
Maybe you could borrow or hire from someone once you reach your destination? I've also heard of people doing this with various instruments before....
If you're with a budget airline like RyanAir, the safest (and usually cheapest) option is to buy an extra seat for any instrument that does not comply with cabin baggage regulations.
but i would be more worried about getting through security... An accordion, as a complex piece of mechanical machinery has many complex metal parts that may be cornfused for a bomb...
Accordions on planes
Accordions on planes
What's the biggest size piano accordion you can get away with as hand luggage on a plane? 34 key? Or maybe 30?
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by melodica
Re: Accordions on planes
I've been doing some work on a little 24 bass Hohner for a friend. He was wondering about using it as a carry-on travel instrument but the angle of the keyboard puts it way outside budget airline 20cm cabin baggage dimension.
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by TomB-R
Re: Accordions on planes
Airlines generally give dimensions on their websites as to the dimensions allowed on board, though these restrictions in my experience are not very strictly inforced by most staff, particularly on Ryanair.
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by dlunney
Re: Accordions on planes
Ryanair check everything these days, after all it's a 30 euro guaranteed sale for every bag that doesn't fit in the frame!
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by TomB-R
Re: Accordions on planes
Now there's a good reason to leave the pa at home !
Have you thought of playing the concertina instead ?
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Accordions on planes
There have been previous discussions on this before. I play the PA but have never flown with one. Had gigs in Poland and south of France this year (I'm in London) and chose to get the bus or train instead. If this is a possibility, I'd definitely recommend it as it can be a lot more pleasant and economical depending on your destination. You can pack the instrument yourself, knowing its secure and you have no worries about insurance or anything.
As for travelling with hand luggage, I've heard a suggestion of taking the pins out of the bellows, wrapping the three sections in bubble wrap and having them in hand luggage that way. could you get away with a 30 key then?
Whatever happens, I can't see it been worth the risk putting it in the hold. I don't think anyone gives insurance for items in the hold and even if you pay the extra charge to have them stowed away by hand, airlines will usually only cover items up to the value of £500 (I think).
Maybe you could borrow or hire from someone once you reach your destination? I've also heard of people doing this with various instruments before....
All the best,
Dan
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by Daniel Gott
Re: Accordions on planes
"I've had it up to here with these mf'in accordians on this mf'in plane!"
Samuel L. Jackson, some movie
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by HK
Re: Accordions on planes
HK - so I wasn't the only one hoping a sequel had been announced..
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by Mike Floorstand
Re: Accordions on planes
If you're with a budget airline like RyanAir, the safest (and usually cheapest) option is to buy an extra seat for any instrument that does not comply with cabin baggage regulations.
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by DaveL35
Re: Accordions on planes
attach a tube to your neck ,
pump earnestly,
anyone asks its the latest in Romanian life support technology..
# Posted on December 9th 2009 by Miss Mulligan
Re: Accordions on planes
genious!
but i would be more worried about getting through security... An accordion, as a complex piece of mechanical machinery has many complex metal parts that may be cornfused for a bomb...
# Posted on December 9th 2009 by scordion
Re: Accordions on planes
Like I have related several times...
My boxes have been bomb tested at LaGuardia in New York regularly
TSA people are such philistines!
# Posted on December 10th 2009 by zippydw
Re: Accordions on planes
Once I had to convince a security person at the airport that my Cairdin wasn't a typewriter!
# Posted on December 12th 2009 by nfldbox