Mar 25, 2015, 1:43 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
The final DOT ruling on traveling with musical instruments can be found here:
http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fil...nal%20rule.pdf
The language refers to small musical instruments as "carry-on baggage," and you'll find most US airlines have adopted that language in their baggage policies, including AA and US. One thing to note in the regs is that space must be available for the instrument and airlines are not required to move other carry-on luggage to make room for an instrument. But more importantly, the regs also state that airlines cannot move a stored musical instrument to make room for other passengers' baggage.
http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/fil...nal%20rule.pdf
The language refers to small musical instruments as "carry-on baggage," and you'll find most US airlines have adopted that language in their baggage policies, including AA and US. One thing to note in the regs is that space must be available for the instrument and airlines are not required to move other carry-on luggage to make room for an instrument. But more importantly, the regs also state that airlines cannot move a stored musical instrument to make room for other passengers' baggage.
does musical instrument (e.g. violin) count as a carry-on on AA?
Mar 24, 2015, 8:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
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does musical instrument (e.g. violin) count as a carry-on on AA?
does musical instrument(such as a violin) count as a carry-on on AA? if so, does that person get to bring a regular 21" carry-on case as well or will that have to be checked?
Mar 24, 2015, 9:09 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
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You are allowed one carry-on and a personal item. The violin would count as your personal item, so the other case should make it on (assuming it meets the size restrictions)
Mar 24, 2015, 9:16 am
#3
Join Date: May 2003
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A musical instrument may be taken onboard as your one carry-on bag, regardless of its size, as long as it can be safely stowed in an approved carry-on stowage location.
Mar 24, 2015, 10:27 am
#4
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AA has a very strong "no tolerance" policy about "violins in the workplace"... 
You'll be fine, but you won't be able to claim a third carry-on item; the violin, cased, will count as your carry-on, and you'll be allowed a personal item as well. I've seen pax with violins on AA.
You'll be fine, but you won't be able to claim a third carry-on item; the violin, cased, will count as your carry-on, and you'll be allowed a personal item as well. I've seen pax with violins on AA.
Mar 24, 2015, 11:55 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
AA has a very strong "no tolerance" policy about "violins in the workplace"...
You'll be fine, but you won't be able to claim a third carry-on item; the violin, cased, will count as your carry-on, and you'll be allowed a personal item as well. I've seen pax with violins on AA.
You'll be fine, but you won't be able to claim a third carry-on item; the violin, cased, will count as your carry-on, and you'll be allowed a personal item as well. I've seen pax with violins on AA.
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
Mar 24, 2015, 12:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Chicago
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Aren't those two conflicting answers?
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
Mar 24, 2015, 12:36 pm
#7
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Why would it not count as a carryon? If it doesn't fit under the seat in front of you, it is a carry on.
Mar 24, 2015, 12:39 pm
#8
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jridge gave an answer quoted from aa.com, which asserts that a musical instrument, regardless of size, is your one carryon item, meaning that you may still bring a personal item.
Redhead's answer is inconsistent with aa.com. Maybe you'll have a lucky day and be allowed to bring a violin plus a standard carryon bag, but I wouldn't count on it. Better (IMO) to bring a violin plus a personal item and then be prepared to argue in case an employee doesn't know the rules and tries to prevent you from bringing a personal item along with your violin. You'd be in the right, and you'd win the argument.
Bring a standard carryon item plus a violin and then try to argue in case an eagle-eyed employee stops you: you wouldn't have the facts or the law on your side, and you'd lose, and thus have to check one or the other.
Redhead's answer is inconsistent with aa.com. Maybe you'll have a lucky day and be allowed to bring a violin plus a standard carryon bag, but I wouldn't count on it. Better (IMO) to bring a violin plus a personal item and then be prepared to argue in case an employee doesn't know the rules and tries to prevent you from bringing a personal item along with your violin. You'd be in the right, and you'd win the argument.
Bring a standard carryon item plus a violin and then try to argue in case an eagle-eyed employee stops you: you wouldn't have the facts or the law on your side, and you'd lose, and thus have to check one or the other.
Mar 24, 2015, 1:02 pm
#9
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In your case, I would suggest (depending on your class of travel and aircraft type) considering purchasing a second seat for the instrument if you are able and avoid this entire hypothetical. I think those with larger instruments (violas, guitars, etc.) of value commonly do so.
For instance, if you get held up in traffic, are one of the last to board, and there's no overhead space for your instrument - what would you do?
Even if you are able to board on time, are you comfortable putting a half a million dollar instrument into an overhead bin with others shoving and pushing heavy rollaboards in there? I would fear damage were I in your shoes.
Now, if you are in J or F on a widebody you're probably okay, since the cabin crew will usually help you out...but given that AA has limited closet space on narrowbodies, even if you are in J/F on one of those, you may be out of luck.
But if you are unable to do so, I suggest (a) checking your rollaboard and (b) making sure you have lots of buffer time at the gate, just in case.
If you lack elite status (I cannot tell from your post), and are in Y, then selecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft maximizes your chance of finding overhead space at or near your seat, so you can keep an eye on things.
For instance, if you get held up in traffic, are one of the last to board, and there's no overhead space for your instrument - what would you do?
Even if you are able to board on time, are you comfortable putting a half a million dollar instrument into an overhead bin with others shoving and pushing heavy rollaboards in there? I would fear damage were I in your shoes.
Now, if you are in J or F on a widebody you're probably okay, since the cabin crew will usually help you out...but given that AA has limited closet space on narrowbodies, even if you are in J/F on one of those, you may be out of luck.
But if you are unable to do so, I suggest (a) checking your rollaboard and (b) making sure you have lots of buffer time at the gate, just in case.
If you lack elite status (I cannot tell from your post), and are in Y, then selecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft maximizes your chance of finding overhead space at or near your seat, so you can keep an eye on things.
Mar 24, 2015, 1:26 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 355
In your case, I would suggest (depending on your class of travel and aircraft type) considering purchasing a second seat for the instrument if you are able and avoid this entire hypothetical. I think those with larger instruments (violas, guitars, etc.) of value commonly do so.
For instance, if you get held up in traffic, are one of the last to board, and there's no overhead space for your instrument - what would you do?
Even if you are able to board on time, are you comfortable putting a half a million dollar instrument into an overhead bin with others shoving and pushing heavy rollaboards in there? I would fear damage were I in your shoes.
Now, if you are in J or F on a widebody you're probably okay, since the cabin crew will usually help you out...but given that AA has limited closet space on narrowbodies, even if you are in J/F on one of those, you may be out of luck.
But if you are unable to do so, I suggest (a) checking your rollaboard and (b) making sure you have lots of buffer time at the gate, just in case.
If you lack elite status (I cannot tell from your post), and are in Y, then selecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft maximizes your chance of finding overhead space at or near your seat, so you can keep an eye on things.
For instance, if you get held up in traffic, are one of the last to board, and there's no overhead space for your instrument - what would you do?
Even if you are able to board on time, are you comfortable putting a half a million dollar instrument into an overhead bin with others shoving and pushing heavy rollaboards in there? I would fear damage were I in your shoes.
Now, if you are in J or F on a widebody you're probably okay, since the cabin crew will usually help you out...but given that AA has limited closet space on narrowbodies, even if you are in J/F on one of those, you may be out of luck.
But if you are unable to do so, I suggest (a) checking your rollaboard and (b) making sure you have lots of buffer time at the gate, just in case.
If you lack elite status (I cannot tell from your post), and are in Y, then selecting a seat at the rear of the aircraft maximizes your chance of finding overhead space at or near your seat, so you can keep an eye on things.
I've flown with a violin and a carry-on on US Airways for many years(probably two dozen flights on A320/A321s) without any issues. Have not flown American for many years. Do they enforce rules differently than US Airways? I've also not had problems on United, Virgin America, US Airways Express, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Delta, and Lufthansa. AA's website is what got me concerned. It's not the cost to check a carry-on bag, but the value of the contents.(electronic recording equipment, irreplaceable historical sheet musics, etc)
Mar 24, 2015, 2:11 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,558
does musical instrument (e.g. violin) count as a carry-on on AA?
IME Both airlines are starting to adhere to the actual policy. The violin is your carry-on and you are allowed a personal item in addition to that.
Mar 24, 2015, 3:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
Electronics in a checked bag are not covered, irreplaceable documents obviously should not be checked either.
A $450,000 violin deserves its own seat and then there would be no debate about the carry-on.
Anything else would seem like utter folly in the circumstances you describe.
Mar 24, 2015, 5:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
How about this--Plan on that wonderful violin being your carry-on. Assume the suitcase is going below. But pack the precious other things in a flexible tote that can be your personal item if necessary -- or can be stowed inside the suitcase in the unlikely event that you can get the suitcase onboard..
Last edited by dia1; Mar 24, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Mar 24, 2015, 6:09 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
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I've flown with a violin and a carry-on on US Airways for many years(probably two dozen flights on A320/A321s) without any issues. Have not flown American for many years. Do they enforce rules differently than US Airways? I've also not had problems on United, Virgin America, US Airways Express, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Delta, and Lufthansa. AA's website is what got me concerned. It's not the cost to check a carry-on bag, but the value of the contents.(electronic recording equipment, irreplaceable historical sheet musics, etc)
You are setting yourself up for an expensive failure.
Electronics in a checked bag are not covered, irreplaceable documents obviously should not be checked either.
A $450,000 violin deserves its own seat and then there would be no debate about the carry-on.
Anything else would seem like utter folly in the circumstances you describe.
Electronics in a checked bag are not covered, irreplaceable documents obviously should not be checked either.
A $450,000 violin deserves its own seat and then there would be no debate about the carry-on.
Anything else would seem like utter folly in the circumstances you describe.
Mar 24, 2015, 7:43 pm
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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Aren't those two conflicting answers?
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
In fact, that's the kind of conflicting answers I've gotten after speaking with three AA agents on the phone.
(1) violin + 21" carry-on, not allowed, because both are counted as carry-ons
(2) violin + 21" carry-on, allowed, because violin is a personal item and the 21" carry is carry-on
Actually, the third agent(who took position 1) suggested that it was up to the airport agent and flight attendants because they have the discretion.
Under no circumstance can I check a $450,000 violin.... so I guess I'll have to check the 21" carry-on.
The violin case is just a standard one-violin case measuring appx 29" x 9" x 5" in size.
XTRASEAT might not be such a bad idea. An FA on an AF Concorde (F-BVFF) told me Mr. Rostropovich always did that for his cello, perhaps twice monthly.
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 24, 2015 at 7:49 pm