Flying with a guitar: 2011

[Pietro]

I have to fly to an interview/audition... and darnit, I want a guitar of my own for this. What's new in 2011, guys? I have heard everything from ship the guitar ahead (I can't afford that, 100 bucks each way!) to nothing but a flight case will do, to just bring the guitar in a gig bag and hope for the best (eek!).

here's my scenario. I can put the guitar in a semi-hard-sided lightweight gig bag (It's one of the Godin ones... VERY good) AND then put that gig bag in a very lightweight calzone bag designed for the purpose which, although technically a bag, is actually hard sided on every side, and about the size of an acoustic guitar case...

I'm thinking of doing that, being super-friendly, and if they check it, asking them very very nicely to put it in the "pet space", or maybe they'll let me carry it to the plane, and at worst there it will be gate checked.

I will not be traveling with my preferred Crowdster. That's too scary. I'll be traveling with my Hollow Cobra or PRS.

Thoughts?

[chriswhite]

I flew from California to Colorado a couple years ago and I was able to carry the guitar on the plane and asked the attendants if they could put it in the closet with the First Classes coats. They had no problem with that and neither did I.

[Suriel Zayas]

Just flew back from doing the North Sea Jazz Festival in Amsterdam and my preferred case for air travel is this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAm8Te0FXzA) Fits well in the overhead compartment of most planes and if it has to be checked in.....well, you be the judge.

[Suriel Zayas]

More. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYxtCqp76sE&feature=related)

[Pietro]

Just flew back from doing the North Sea Jazz Festival in Amsterdam and my preferred case for air travel is this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAm8Te0FXzA) Fits well in the overhead compartment of most planes and if it has to be checked in.....well, you be the judge.

Great demo.

However, no money. no time... So I'm not buying anything additional...

That said... the Godin Gig Bag is pretty freakin' serious. you ever seen it? I liked it so much I bough an (inferior) case when I sold the guitar it came in because I wanted to keep the bag. Put that in the other bag I have (a rectangular keyboard case from Calzone from 18 years ago) and I have 2 inches of high impact foam (or more) on all sides of the guitar.

Thanks for the help so far, everyone!

[dannopelli]

I have to go to NYC tomorrow. If you want to meet me in the general area where I78/I81 intersect, (there is a rest stop at exit 90 off I 81 which could work), I can lend you my incase gig bag. It is bullet proof. Used to belong to Suriel. But you'll need to be available with last minute notice to return it next time I head to NYC which will be sometime next week. You can either meet me around 8:30 AM or around 3:30-4:00 PM. Let me know and I'll toss it in the car tonight. Comes pre - loaded with a capo, Elixir 10's, and Cool Juratex Jazz extra heavy picks.

[mdrs]

Just flew back from doing the North Sea Jazz Festival in Amsterdam and my preferred case for air travel is this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAm8Te0FXzA) Fits well in the overhead compartment of most planes and if it has to be checked in.....well, you be the judge.

Impressed.

[Pietro]

I have to go to NYC tomorrow. If you want to meet me in the general area where I78/I81 intersect, (there is a rest stop at exit 90 off I 81 which could work), I can lend you my incase gig bag. It is bullet proof. Used to belong to Suriel. But you'll need to be available with last minute notice to return it next time I head to NYC which will be sometime next week. You can either meet me around 8:30 AM or around 3:30-4:00 PM. Let me know and I'll toss it in the car tonight. Comes pre - loaded with a capo, Elixir 10's, and Cool Juratex Jazz extra heavy picks.

What a swell offer... Thanks, obviously I didn't get this message till too late... have a great trip. I think I'm going to chance it with my Godin gig bag, and I think I'm going to to ahead and travel with the Crowdster. Life's too short to leave it at home.

[Suriel Zayas]

. you ever seen it?

Don't recall ever seeing it, but if it does the job by all means.

[Briggs]

I have to fly to an interview/audition...

Prayers your way!! Good luck!

[Pietro]

Prayers your way!! Good luck!

Thanks for that! Needed!

[tom]

Crowdys are tough, she won't let you down.

[Pietro]

Crowdys are tough, she won't let you down.

That's my thinking, too.

[Chris Lieder]

When is the audition/interview? I'd love to hear how things go. Best wishes!

[Pietro]

When is the audition/interview? I'd love to hear how things go. Best wishes!

Next weekend.

I'll ley you know.

[octatonic]

Pop the neck off.
Put it in a suitcase.

Reassemble when you land.

[Pietro]

I think it'll be better in a gig bag in the gate-checked pile... I'm just not into disassembling my guitar. But thanks for the suggestion. I'll report on how it goes.

[mdrs]

Good Luck Pietro

[Pietro]

Thanks so much! I've been out of work 4 months now... the money will run out before too long, it'd be nice to have a position at least lined up before things start to get real tight. I'm nervous about a move all the way across the country...

...but excited, too, that maybe the next phase in my life will be way different than the first "more than half" has been.

[Pietro]

Hi, guys.

So... on the first flight from Pitt to Denver, I was able to put the guitar in the closet, and on the second leg, from Denver to my final destination in Washington State, I had to gate-check it (VERY small jet) but they put it in a pressurized compartment... Everything arrived just fine, and I suspect I'll have a similar experience going home.

Also, the interview/audition stuff is going really really well.

[dannopelli]

Hi, guys.

So... on the first flight from Pitt to Denver, I was able to put the guitar in the closet, and on the second leg, from Denver to my final destination in Washington State, I had to gate-check it (VERY small jet) but they put it in a pressurized compartment... Everything arrived just fine, and I suspect I'll have a similar experience going home.

Also, the interview/audition stuff is going really really well.

COOL! Good luck!

[Briggs]

Awesome! Keep us posted!

[Pietro]

Interview went splendidly, but I will not be getting the job (nor do I want to, now that I've visited the church and the area).

On the flight home, I had to gate-check the guitar on the first leg, but they didn't put it in the hold anyway, found a place on the plane.

Put it in the closet on the second leg, no problems.

I will, in the future, not hesitate to fly with this guitar in a gig bag. It was smooth going all the way.

Thanks all!

[Ray K.]

Glad the flying with guitar part went better than you expected.

I'd say I'm sorry you didn't get the job, but obviously it was not meant to be. The right one is yet to come, hang in there.

Ray K.

[ckofahl]

Sounds like you were looking for a worship leaders position? I'm a pastor in NM (Albuquerque) and have a friend that's a pastor at a fairly large church (1200-1400) that is looking for a worship pastor. If you want to pm me I could share more of the details with you.

thanks
chuck

[Pietro]

Sounds like you were looking for a worship leaders position? I'm a pastor in NM (Albuquerque) and have a friend that's a pastor at a fairly large church (1200-1400) that is looking for a worship pastor. If you want to pm me I could share more of the details with you.

thanks
chuck

Thanks... PM sent...