Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject:
Er ... I thought the Clinic was this coming weekend, i.e., May 28.
There have got to be some good guitar air-travel stories out there. In the meantime, for anyone driving up to Ojai via Santa Paula (e.g., coming in Highway 126 from the Golden State, I-5), Highway 150 from Santa Paula to Ojai is NOW OPEN! (Whew.) There are four short one-lane sections controlled by signals, but they add 5 minutes or less to the drive time.
Will be looking for lots of great Clinic reports next week. _________________ - BlueRunner
Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 886 Location: SF Bay Area
Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject:
There have been a few threads here and over at TheGearPage. The upshot is that it's entirely up to the airline, and the personal directly responsible for a particular aircraft (the flight crew) whether to allow a guitar as a carry on. Even if it fits the size/volume requirements. And things keep getting tougher. Delta was mentioned as being one airline that is particularly resistant to letting folks carry guitars on the planes.
The best method seems to be shipping it in advance. This means packing it carefully and putting it with some shipper (probably not UPS ) and picking it up in LA. This avoids the Samsonite baggage handlers (graduates of UPS training? the other way round?) at the airport. Or paying outrageous oversize charges for checking a well packaged instrument. It does add quite a bit of logistic headaches to a trip like this though.
I'd recommend taking some solid Tele or Strat, putting it in a gig bag and working with the airline personnel as best you can to get it on the plane as a carry on, but having the person who takes you to the airport standing by with a good hardcase (or better yet ATA case) in the event you are foiled by the gate attendents. Once you've gotten it there, you should have an easier time convincing the folks on the return trip that it must NOT be against that airlines policy, because that's how you flew out with it.
Best of luck. Looking forward to the clinic reports. Two gigs this weekend plus the Santa Cruz blues festival to see, or I'd be down there with you all. _________________ There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:36 pm Post subject:
First of all, I must apologize for not writing a review of the 3/5 clinic. I was getting ready to, then the hacker hit. And, after that, one thing after another, mainly (not the best) timing and the lack of time, and then feeling that it was just too anti-climatic...
Anyway, the airline issue. Like Aeolian said, bring a solid guitar. I only brought my Baker to have Robben sign it, which he gladly did, and with great care (like blowing on the ink to make sure it dried before it could smudge!). And, use a "gig bag", because there ain't no way you're getting it onboard with a hard (larger) case. I suggest to call your airline's customer service and ask about bringing a guitar onboard. If I recall, the United Airlines rep I spoke with pretty much said that I would be taking a chance getting my guitar onboard depending on the size of the plane and how full it would get. And, wouldn't you know, my business-person commuter plane from Manchester, NH to Chicago was small, and full. But, it happened to be the only point during my entire trip where I had the hardest time bringing on my guitar. The nice grumpy lady with a fake smile at the gate taking the boarding tickets actually stopped me saying that I couldn't carry-on my guitar and that I'd have to check it in. Asking why, and saying that Customer Service told me (little white lie here) that I could board without problem. But she insisted that there's absolutely no room for my guitar, and that most likely, I'll have to get off the plane and check it into luggage/cargo, and most likely miss the flight (thank you nice grumpy lady!). Anyway, I got onboard, and asked the nice steward/ess/'s if there was a safe place to store my very expensive guitar. Being a smallish plane, they could only recommend finding an overhead compartment. And, sure enough, being a business commuter, there was plenty of overhead space because most travel light!
Ok, to make this long story short, the rest of the trip- from Chicago to LA, on a much bigger plane, was easy. No problem getting onboard, and asking for a safe haven for my Baker, it was carefully placed in a 1st class clothes closet! And, going back home- same thing- closets, carefully placed. It definitely pays to be an anal-retentive must-protect-my-guitar-at-all-costs pretend-musician...
Switching gears now...
Ojai is absolutely beautiful. So is the surrounding area.
Best breakfast in Ojai- I think it's called Annie's Place. If I'm wrong about the name, then just look for this little place near the end of the Ojai downtown "shopping district" closest to the clinic. I also recommend this place for lunch for a great burger and fries. Then, directly across the street is an awesome coffee shop (for a double espresso!)...
About the clinic itself... Robben is awesome. I was "star-struck" at first, but then, I became relaxed, and focused. Robben just started in- a little keyboard theory for understanding "notes", then some basic chord progressions for playing the Blues, no matter what level you are. After that, I just took it all in, whether I understood or not- it didn't matter- I was watching the Master. I was inspired!
Some things I want to mention to people going to the clinic. Please do not sit there and "plink" away on your guitar while Robben is speaking or playing. Even though he seems not to hear it, I'm pretty sure he does. And, others in the class definitely do. I wouldn't say this unless I did- and I was very annoyed at times. It's like going to a show, and people are talking while your trying to listen and enjoy (ask elizabeth!). Also, some people are recording the clinic, and, if you're behind someone who's plinking away, your recording is useless (unless you enjoy the person's plinking)... Anyway, just sit there, take it all in, and plink away when you get back home...
Flash photography. It's well known in this forum that Robben hates being blinded while he's performing. Well, same thing goes for his clinic. Save it for the end, after he's finished...
Most of all, just enjoy the experience. I'm sure you'll walk out of there with the same big smile on your face as you've had the whole time you were there. I know I did...
One last comment. If you are staying in the area and have time on Sunday, go to the beach at Santa Barbara and see the memorial for our soldiers who've sacrificed their lives in Iraq. It's a very sobering experience seeing all of those white wooden crosses in the sand...
Enjoy the clinic, and I hope to read some great reviews!
~JZ~ _________________ Soul on Eleven
Last edited by JohnnyZ on Mon May 23, 2005 6:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 762 Location: Southern California
Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 9:05 pm Post subject:
JohnnyZ wrote:
Aeolian wrote:
... Two gigs this weekend...
A., will either of these gigs be recorded? Would like to hear...
I've been to two and recorded both of them. But I've since lost my connection to a friend with one of those little handheld recorders. Any idea how much those things are? It might be worth just picking one up if its not too expensive. If I can hook myself up with one of those I'll be recording it.
Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 916 Location: Fairhope, AL
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 6:23 am Post subject: Traveling
There is a letter from the TSA stating that musicians are allowed to carry their instruments on board aircraft. I can't remember the link, but I think someone on this board had it on a previous thread. I printed and made copies of it for my next trip. It may help. If there are cheap upgrades to first class offered, try to get one if you can, because they will work with you better in first class. I remember Daved saying he and Robben carry Robben's guitars on in gig bags. Larger airports that have more experience with musicians may be easier. New Orleans and Memphis were easy; Pensacola FLA was a nightmare. Check what plane you are flying on when you make your reservation. If possible stick with the larger planes that have overhead space. Also, the Fender hard shell cases that are form fit, willfit in the overhead compartments, and provide some protection if you have to check it at the door.
Frank
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 6:34 am Post subject: clinic
I am not going to the clinic this weekend,but my husband (bluenote) is.
I think he found a flightcase to take. I called southwest airlines and they said no way could he bring his guitar on board (unless he bought a ticket for it) in a gig bag even.
now of course he is having second thoughts on which guitar to take!!
It shouldnt be this hard to take a guitar somewhere!!
Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 886 Location: SF Bay Area
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling
frank0936 wrote:
There is a letter from the TSA stating that musicians are allowed to carry their instruments on board aircraft. I can't remember the link, but I think someone on this board had it on a previous thread. I printed and made copies of it for my next trip. It may help.
Frank, the thread on TGP pointed out that that letter was only to the security personnel. And is not binding on the airlines. It may impress a recalcitrant gate attendant, but it's not assurance that they'll let you take it on.
I think it's a pendulum thing. If you look at some of the things people try to "carry on" to avoid the baggage claim, you can see where the gate folks and flight crews get frustrated. It seems some folks think anything with rollers and a pop up handle is "carry on". So the airlines have used the security tighting to swing things the other way and clamp down on anything more than a purse.
I had no problems taking my Tele with me to Singapore on United last year. But it seems like on the TGP thread, some airlines were worse than others. Delta and Southwest among them. Maybe folks could chime in with their experiences and we'd get a feel for who is hospitable to musicians. Then speak with our wallets. _________________ There are no such things as wrong notes, there's only the look on your face.
My Stuff: www.stevekirbymusic.com
Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 916 Location: Fairhope, AL
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject: the money vote
I agree, Steve. I was flying to a gig in New Jersey earlier this year and got a nothing but a hassle from Delta in Pensacola about everything. I have never gotten that from Delta in New Orleans. I had a stop in Atlanta, and there was no problem with Delta there. I flew back on small commuter planes and one of them said I could strap it into the seat next to me if the flight wasn't full. It depends on the airport and the personnel. I know our attitude can influence it, too, but sometimes even the most polite attitude gets nowhere. I told the Delta ticket counter in P'cola that I'd never set foot on another Delta flight.
Frank
Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 916 Location: Fairhope, AL
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 1:09 pm Post subject: TSA letter
I'm looking at the letter right now. It says that TSA has instructed aircraft operators that they are to allow musical instruments as carry-on baggage in addition to the limit of one bag and one personal item per person. That's not addressed to TSA personnel but to aircraft operators. It still may not get your guitar on board, but it may. The link is:
www.local100.com/carryon.php
You can read it for yourself and see it will help.
Frank
Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 34 Location: New Jersey
Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject:
I believe I posted that link a while back. I've had trouble with bringing my guitar on planes, and upon showing the paperwork, they had nothing to say but let me and my guitar on. It does work.
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Er ... I thought the Clinic was this coming weekend, i.e., May 28.
) and picking it up in LA. This avoids the Samsonite baggage handlers (graduates of UPS training? the other way round?) at the airport. Or paying outrageous oversize charges for checking a well packaged instrument. It does add quite a bit of logistic headaches to a trip like this though.
