Robben Ford Discussion

[JohnnyZ]

I just received an email from America West Airlines stating that, if the instrument is greater than 45 inches in diameter, it would not be allowed as carry-on. Their definition of diameter is length + width + height. It would be allowed onboard, however, by purchasing an extra seat at a discount.

Has anyone dealt with this issue before? Any advice? I was hoping to bring my Baker to the RF clinic at the end of the month...

Thanks,
~JohnnyZ~
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Soul on Eleven

[Aeolian]

Things are getting tougher recently with all the additional security. Last Sept I traveled to Singapore with my Squire Tele in a gig bag with no problems. Like this, it fit in an overhead. Friends who routinely travel have still managed to get the attendants to find someplace in the plane to stick their axes.
I think the trick is to be polite and let them help you out. Don't have a ton of other "carry on" stuff and put yourself at the mercy of the attendents with your nice toy. I think you either need an ATA case to check it or if it's in a bag, they understand that putting it below isn't really an option and can usually find a coat closet to put it in. A regular hard case looks like it could be checked but we all know that this isn't safe.
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[FordFan]

Got to this link: http://www.local1000.com/carryon.php and print out the pdf file. Any problems show them this and you should be good to go. I've had minor problems until I show them the paper work. Good luck.

[Buffaloe]

I have a MusicYo Steinberger I carry on with no problems as it will fit in any overhead. I had a custom road case made for my Hamer Artist, and I've sent it through as checked baggage a couple of times. Makes me very nervous though as you're not allowed to lock anything, even after it's been inspected. I know a pro who regularly travels with his guitar in a gig bag and says he's never had a problem getting it into the passenger cabin. I'd hate to have to miss a flight because I showed up with my Hamer in a gig bag and they insisted it had to go in the hold. Scairy.
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Ham Fisted Bloozer

[Aeolian]

[JohnnyZ]

That's what I was thinking, that the letter only addresses a security issue. It would be just my luck that an alert gate attendant would think the same thing.

I've also had several people mention having no problem getting on with a gig bag, but the thought of my Baker not being protected in it's hard-shell case makes me uneasy.

Thanks for all of the input so far. Would like to hear more...

~JohnnyZ~
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Soul on Eleven

[BlueRunner]

It may not be practical, either money wise, or timing and delivery wise, but what about shipping the Baker ahead via FedEx (and setting up repackaging and return shipment), carefully packaged, insured, etc.?

When I saw the foregoing posts, I thought back on a Wall Street Journal story from a few years back. A reporter flying from NYC to Paris spotted a famouns designer in the First Class Section of the airplane, and was astounded that the designer stepped of the plane with a small shoulder bag, bypassed the baggage claim area, and stepped directly out of the terminal to signal a taxi. The Reporter called the designer's company, tracked him to his Paris hotel, and learned that the designer's trick was to always send all of his clothes, files, and other stuff ahead via air freight, so the hotel could unpack it and hang it in the closet in his room or put in in drawers just before he arrived.

The cost for this sort of thing is beyond mortals like ourselves, but one of my daughters used a variation a few years ago when she pre-shipped expedition gear to Central America, then made a series of connections out of the U.S. with carry-on luggage only.
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- BlueRunner