I have to fly up to edinburgh in a months time. Bearing in mind the current security restrictions/budget airlines being difficult in the uk my fiddle wil have to go in the hold so I am going to have to get a new case for my fiddle.
My budget stops at about £180 and I have had a good look around at what is on the market in the uk. The question is what is best - a decent wooden case with suspension for about £180 (I have seen a few) or an ABS case like the Hiscox (to be honest I don't like the look of the padding in the hiscox) and the case does seem basic.
Have people had much luck with flying with a wooden case?
Hi flying is always a worry. I had a hiscox but was always able to take it on the flight in overhead luggage. Now I am very pleased with my Bam case that is so light and shaped they don't even question it!
Pricy though the bam are they will take care of your instrument. You need to have the instrument suspended for the best shock resistance and then the outside is what takes the brunt of the damage. Wood will only travel so many times whereas pay a little more and you right for a decade.
I fly a lot with my fiddle. I would never dream of putting it in the hold, and have never been asked to do so, and I've tried several different airlines. In case you're wondering, I've tried within the last few weeks.
Carry it on with you. Apart from anything else, the Musicians' Union (so I'm told) hammered out a deal with the airlines here in the UK, not just for their own members but for musicians generally, which meant that, even at the height of the restrictions, when everybody else was only permitted to carry on one item of hand luggage, musicians with 'small' instruments, which specifically included fiddles, were allowed to take on one item PLUS their fiddle.
So, my suggestion is stop worrying and just get on with it. Literally.
I use a stock standard "hard" guitar case for my Maton. It, and I have flown around the world at least 10 times in the past 7 or 8 years without any mishap coming to it whatsoever. (Mostly Aus to UK but other trips to Asia, NZ and within Aus too) But I have always been aware that it could happen. I think you risk more by making your package attractive and therefore a target for getting stolen. Make sure you have it fully insured. If it's irreplaceable - leave it at home and buy another for traveling.
A few weeks ago we drove to Killarney via the Pembroke-Rosslare ferry. The fiddle remained in the car boot surrounded by other luggage throughout the journey. The weather was cold, but I didn't realise how cold it had been on the ferry's vehicle deck #5 until I thought to open the fiddle case when we stopped off at a B&B in Rosslare. All the pegs had slipped and only the basic tension was keeping the bridge up. It was easy enough to fix, but if that can happen on board a ferry at normal air pressure and a temperature a few degrees above freezing think what could happen in an aircraft hold at a much reduced pressure and a temperature well below freezing. It wouldn't just be pegs slipping, the glued joints could spring as well - as happened to Julian Lloyd Webber's cello when he flew to Ireland a few years ago for a series of concerts (he had to borrow an instrument at very short notice while his own was re-assembled).
Before Christmas I travelled with two fiddles in two cases on Qantas from The Alice to Canberra, two connecting flights through Melbourne, and I thought one fiddle would have to travel in the baggage hold. To my amazement, I was allowed to take both fiddles in the cabin. It was lucky because we ran into a severe electrical storm in Melbourne, and apart from eventually arriving in Canberra over two hours late, all the Alice to Canberra luggage was lost for over 24 hours (presumably in the chaos at Melbourne Airport) - and that would have been the fate of one of the fiddles too, if it had had to travel in the hold. I would have been beside myself. As is was it was only the laptop!!! and my clothes that were at issue.
In all honesty, I think the baggage holds must be pressurised (but I might be wrong) because there is the facility for people to take their dogs or cats with them in the baggage holds on flights.
PS: I had contemplated taking the dog with me as well! It doesn't cost much extra to do this. Lucky I didn't, because that could have been totally disasterous if she had been lost along with the luggage!
jamascc - they put 'em in portable cages in da plane - durgh! ... and if they'd left her out on the runway in an electrical storm she'd have probably died of apoplexi.
I phoned musicians union today and they said that they did not know anything about a deal with the airlines and it was up to the airline - flybe who i am going with take the opinion that the fiddle is not allowed in the cabin, so....back to square one and my original question. Does anyone know a decent case for flying with the fiddle in the hold?
... sorry if I've misled ... I was originally led to believe the Musicians' union story from something posted on this site. So, having believed it, I quoted it on the one and only occasion when anybody *ever* questioned me taking not only my hand luggage, but also my fiddle onto the plane, when, otherwise there was a ban on more than one piece of hand luggage. The check-in staff phoned someone and then told me that it was true. So I've believed it ever since ...
At any rate, it worked. And I'm still never going to out my fiddle in the hold.
What are you saying to these airlines, Jim? I just don't get it. I've flown EasyJet, RyanAir and Aer Lingus - ooh, and once British Airways - with my fiddle and haven't had a problem at all. (Apart from the - momentary - delay mentioned above.)
I travel with the hiscox shaped (£55 ish), the case is small and very robust, but I still have had no problem taking it on board. Ryanair website says you can't take them on but no one I know has been stopped from taking them in the cabin.
benhall - I don't think you've misled there seems to be a fair amount of confusion- to be honest the MU were prettty vague when I called them so I am calling the Department of Transport to find out what they say.
When I was returning from Brussels to Bristol on a BA flight just before Christmas there were two musicians travelling with full size guitars. They had no problems in stowing them in the overhead lockers.
A tip: if asked by some jobsworth, say it's a violin (NOT a fiddle!). It might also help if you have the score of a classical violin sonata or concerto stowed in clear view in the case as well.
I carry, in my passport, the embossed document ( as agreed with HM government Department of Transport) sent out by the MU to all members. The American Federation of Musicians has a similar agreement wifh the Transport Security Administration and I carry that as well. It doesn't really affect me as I play the cello, which always has to have a seat bought for it in any case, but the the band I play with regularly with has two violins and a viola, as well as horn, trumpet, bass trombone etc. and flashing one or more of these documents at a jobsworth has always worked, even in the days of tightest security, and even with airlines like Ryanair.
It's worth pointing out that these documents state that the policy of their governments is that suitably-sized musical instruments may be taken on board in addition to hand luggage. Individual airlines may have their own policy and, ultimately, if the Captain says no, it's no!
fiddle case for flying
fiddle case for flying
I have to fly up to edinburgh in a months time. Bearing in mind the current security restrictions/budget airlines being difficult in the uk my fiddle wil have to go in the hold so I am going to have to get a new case for my fiddle.
My budget stops at about £180 and I have had a good look around at what is on the market in the uk. The question is what is best - a decent wooden case with suspension for about £180 (I have seen a few) or an ABS case like the Hiscox (to be honest I don't like the look of the padding in the hiscox) and the case does seem basic.
Have people had much luck with flying with a wooden case?
thanks
tobes
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by tobes
Re: fiddle case for flying
Hi flying is always a worry. I had a hiscox but was always able to take it on the flight in overhead luggage. Now I am very pleased with my Bam case that is so light and shaped they don't even question it!
Pricy though the bam are they will take care of your instrument. You need to have the instrument suspended for the best shock resistance and then the outside is what takes the brunt of the damage. Wood will only travel so many times whereas pay a little more and you right for a decade.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by EmmaRodda
Re: fiddle case for flying
Get a good Flight case - Mine took me from, Larne Co,antrim
to edinburgh and back no overhead luggage Allowed,,
But all was ok-
jim,,
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by FIDDLE4
Re: fiddle case for flying
I fly a lot with my fiddle. I would never dream of putting it in the hold, and have never been asked to do so, and I've tried several different airlines. In case you're wondering, I've tried within the last few weeks.
Carry it on with you. Apart from anything else, the Musicians' Union (so I'm told) hammered out a deal with the airlines here in the UK, not just for their own members but for musicians generally, which meant that, even at the height of the restrictions, when everybody else was only permitted to carry on one item of hand luggage, musicians with 'small' instruments, which specifically included fiddles, were allowed to take on one item PLUS their fiddle.
So, my suggestion is stop worrying and just get on with it. Literally.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: fiddle case for flying
emmarodda, which bam case do you have that you like? i like mine, but it's boxy. you have a shaped one?
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by full measure
Re: fiddle case for flying
I use a stock standard "hard" guitar case for my Maton. It, and I have flown around the world at least 10 times in the past 7 or 8 years without any mishap coming to it whatsoever. (Mostly Aus to UK but other trips to Asia, NZ and within Aus too) But I have always been aware that it could happen. I think you risk more by making your package attractive and therefore a target for getting stolen. Make sure you have it fully insured. If it's irreplaceable - leave it at home and buy another for traveling.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by jamascc
Re: fiddle case for flying
A few weeks ago we drove to Killarney via the Pembroke-Rosslare ferry. The fiddle remained in the car boot surrounded by other luggage throughout the journey. The weather was cold, but I didn't realise how cold it had been on the ferry's vehicle deck #5 until I thought to open the fiddle case when we stopped off at a B&B in Rosslare. All the pegs had slipped and only the basic tension was keeping the bridge up. It was easy enough to fix, but if that can happen on board a ferry at normal air pressure and a temperature a few degrees above freezing think what could happen in an aircraft hold at a much reduced pressure and a temperature well below freezing. It wouldn't just be pegs slipping, the glued joints could spring as well - as happened to Julian Lloyd Webber's cello when he flew to Ireland a few years ago for a series of concerts (he had to borrow an instrument at very short notice while his own was re-assembled).
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: fiddle case for flying
Before Christmas I travelled with two fiddles in two cases on Qantas from The Alice to Canberra, two connecting flights through Melbourne, and I thought one fiddle would have to travel in the baggage hold. To my amazement, I was allowed to take both fiddles in the cabin. It was lucky because we ran into a severe electrical storm in Melbourne, and apart from eventually arriving in Canberra over two hours late, all the Alice to Canberra luggage was lost for over 24 hours (presumably in the chaos at Melbourne Airport) - and that would have been the fate of one of the fiddles too, if it had had to travel in the hold. I would have been beside myself. As is was it was only the laptop!!! and my clothes that were at issue.
In all honesty, I think the baggage holds must be pressurised (but I might be wrong) because there is the facility for people to take their dogs or cats with them in the baggage holds on flights.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: fiddle case for flying
PS: I had contemplated taking the dog with me as well! It doesn't cost much extra to do this. Lucky I didn't, because that could have been totally disasterous if she had been lost along with the luggage!
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: fiddle case for flying
Nah ... dogs are easy to find - you just whistle ... as long as the dog's in the same part of the country ..
on 2nd thoughts .. yeah .. could have been ..
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by jamascc
Re: fiddle case for flying
jamascc - they put 'em in portable cages in da plane - durgh! ... and if they'd left her out on the runway in an electrical storm she'd have probably died of apoplexi.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by Clear Drops
Re: fiddle case for flying
benhall.1
Apart from anything else, the Musicians' Union (so I'm told) hammered out a deal with the airlines here in the UK,>
Great to know abuot this- Easy Jet did not,, last time I was over.
THANKS - Again - jim,,,,
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by FIDDLE4
Re: fiddle case for flying
I phoned musicians union today and they said that they did not know anything about a deal with the airlines and it was up to the airline - flybe who i am going with take the opinion that the fiddle is not allowed in the cabin, so....back to square one and my original question. Does anyone know a decent case for flying with the fiddle in the hold?
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by tobes
Re: fiddle case for flying
... sorry if I've misled ... I was originally led to believe the Musicians' union story from something posted on this site. So, having believed it, I quoted it on the one and only occasion when anybody *ever* questioned me taking not only my hand luggage, but also my fiddle onto the plane, when, otherwise there was a ban on more than one piece of hand luggage. The check-in staff phoned someone and then told me that it was true. So I've believed it ever since ...
At any rate, it worked. And I'm still never going to out my fiddle in the hold.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: fiddle case for flying
What are you saying to these airlines, Jim? I just don't get it. I've flown EasyJet, RyanAir and Aer Lingus - ooh, and once British Airways - with my fiddle and haven't had a problem at all. (Apart from the - momentary - delay mentioned above.)
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: fiddle case for flying
I travel with the hiscox shaped (£55 ish), the case is small and very robust, but I still have had no problem taking it on board. Ryanair website says you can't take them on but no one I know has been stopped from taking them in the cabin.
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by tlittlewazzock
Re: fiddle case for flying
Bam case. Do it now.
http://www.finecases.com/browse/bam/cases/violin-family.html
# Posted on March 18th 2008 by Farr
Re: fiddle case for flying
benhall - I don't think you've misled there seems to be a fair amount of confusion- to be honest the MU were prettty vague when I called them so I am calling the Department of Transport to find out what they say.
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by tobes
Re: fiddle case for flying
Ah. Well, I'd be interested to know.
Meanwhile - TAKE IT ON THE PLANE! An air of confidence helps I think ...
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by benhall.1
Re: fiddle case for flying
When I was returning from Brussels to Bristol on a BA flight just before Christmas there were two musicians travelling with full size guitars. They had no problems in stowing them in the overhead lockers.
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: fiddle case for flying
A tip: if asked by some jobsworth, say it's a violin (NOT a fiddle!). It might also help if you have the score of a classical violin sonata or concerto stowed in clear view in the case as well.
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: fiddle case for flying
I carry, in my passport, the embossed document ( as agreed with HM government Department of Transport) sent out by the MU to all members. The American Federation of Musicians has a similar agreement wifh the Transport Security Administration and I carry that as well. It doesn't really affect me as I play the cello, which always has to have a seat bought for it in any case, but the the band I play with regularly with has two violins and a viola, as well as horn, trumpet, bass trombone etc. and flashing one or more of these documents at a jobsworth has always worked, even in the days of tightest security, and even with airlines like Ryanair.
It's worth pointing out that these documents state that the policy of their governments is that suitably-sized musical instruments may be taken on board in addition to hand luggage. Individual airlines may have their own policy and, ultimately, if the Captain says no, it's no!
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by Chief Wanganui
Re: fiddle case for flying
More info can be found at the MU website, complete with downloadable PDF's - http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=653
# Posted on March 19th 2008 by Mike C