Hi, I know there have been a lot of discussions on here about travelling with instruments, and the TSA letter to the American Federation of Musicians. But on TSA's website, they say that the letter pertains only to the airport security -- individual airlines may have their own policies.
So, my question is if anyone knows about Boeing 777's if there is room on board for a standard Martin dreadnought case (it's an HD-28, if it matters). I've heard that the overhead bins are short, but are the coat closets big enough? It's about 45/46 inches long... Has someone actually gotten one on?
I know most airline websites say guitars must be checked, but forgetting their policies, would the thing actually fit?
Sorry, I can't answer the question about 777's. However, you might want to consider the fact that (at least in North America) airlines will sometimes change the aircraft used on the day to a smaller one because they didn't sell as many seats as expected.
Also, I'm the sort that would get too stressed out carrying a valuable instrument and worrying that I shouldn't be "forgetting their policies" because maybe they won't...
And, in case you need anything else to worry about, there's always the situation where the bins are completely full by the time you get on board, and the airline crew are "happy to check any bags that you can't find space for."
What you can do if you have the cash and the instrument is huge, is to accompany it. Two of my friends on separate occasions got cheaper air tickets than normal because they were travelling as the companion to a cello.
The cello gets its own seat, (but you do not pay for 2 seats- gak!)because the airline feels they are too delicate to check- even in a hard case. Call the airline and speak with a human. You can probably work something out- policy or no. It helps if you sound like a professional on the phone.
I am sure that when my first friend went a few years ago accomanying a statavarius, the cello's seat was free, and his seat was cheaper than an ordinary ticket because he was the companion to the cello.
More recently, another friend travelling with a cello also had an African Grey parrot with him ( imagine!), so I am not sure about cost.
I know that in neither case did they pay for the second seat. The carrier was Air Canada.
777's and Martins
777's and Martins
Hi, I know there have been a lot of discussions on here about travelling with instruments, and the TSA letter to the American Federation of Musicians. But on TSA's website, they say that the letter pertains only to the airport security -- individual airlines may have their own policies.
So, my question is if anyone knows about Boeing 777's if there is room on board for a standard Martin dreadnought case (it's an HD-28, if it matters). I've heard that the overhead bins are short, but are the coat closets big enough? It's about 45/46 inches long... Has someone actually gotten one on?
I know most airline websites say guitars must be checked, but forgetting their policies, would the thing actually fit?
Thanks a million!
Margaret Ryland
# Posted on June 22nd 2005 by r86
Re: 777's and Martins
Sorry, I can't answer the question about 777's. However, you might want to consider the fact that (at least in North America) airlines will sometimes change the aircraft used on the day to a smaller one because they didn't sell as many seats as expected.
Also, I'm the sort that would get too stressed out carrying a valuable instrument and worrying that I shouldn't be "forgetting their policies" because maybe they won't...
And, in case you need anything else to worry about, there's always the situation where the bins are completely full by the time you get on board, and the airline crew are "happy to check any bags that you can't find space for."
# Posted on June 22nd 2005 by grego
Re: 777's and Martins
What you can do if you have the cash and the instrument is huge, is to accompany it. Two of my friends on separate occasions got cheaper air tickets than normal because they were travelling as the companion to a cello.
The cello gets its own seat, (but you do not pay for 2 seats- gak!)because the airline feels they are too delicate to check- even in a hard case. Call the airline and speak with a human. You can probably work something out- policy or no. It helps if you sound like a professional on the phone.
# Posted on June 22nd 2005 by Alias Handle
Re: 777's and Martins
Do you mean you can actually pay less for two seats than for one?? Or just less than two seats would normally cost?
# Posted on June 22nd 2005 by Bob himself
Re: 777's and Martins
I am sure that when my first friend went a few years ago accomanying a statavarius, the cello's seat was free, and his seat was cheaper than an ordinary ticket because he was the companion to the cello.
More recently, another friend travelling with a cello also had an African Grey parrot with him ( imagine!), so I am not sure about cost.
I know that in neither case did they pay for the second seat. The carrier was Air Canada.
Good Luck
# Posted on June 24th 2005 by Alias Handle