I need to take a rather large (tuba) musical instrument with me on a flight later this week. I only have a padded case for this instrument (It's a cordura bag, not a hard case) and was wondering any tips people might have for getting my instrument safely there in one piece. I'm flying ComAir for the trip there and Delta for the trip back. My current packing plans are to bubble wrap the horn, put it inside a sleeping bag and then in the cordura case. The cordura case has about an inch think padding, the sleeping bag will add another inch and the bublle wrap should add some more impact protection. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get this horn on the plane without it being too badly abused?
(It's way too big to fit in an overhead bin.)

I've seen people carry on cellos before and strap them into seats. I always wondered if they had to buy a ticket for their instrument. I'm assuming if there's room on the plane they let you do this for free. Anyone know?

If you do have to check your instrument write fragile - glass - all over the packaging.

DougC, I would call any or all of the following with your specific concerns:
[*]The two airlines you are flying for their policies on musical instruments, especially tubas[*]Any Tuba Instructor that has flown with a tuba[*]A music school that offers tuba instruction[*]Any Performing Arts Center, speaking with persons responsible for travel logistics[*]Your local travel professional[*]The Music Department of any university, college or high school, etc.[*]Any music store that sells tubas[*]Any performer of the tuba that has flown with a tuba
Hopefully, you'll get a solid solution to your fragile situation. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 08-30-1999).]

Yo-Yo Ma's cello gets frequent flier miles (and I am not making this up).

Insure it, fer shure.

I have a clipped article "How to Fly with Almost Anything." It has a picture of a woman belted in with a cello strapped in next to her. The article is from a AAA World Magazine circa 1993.

Basic tips are:

Call ahead
Contact Your Insurance Agent
Pack the Item Securely
Choose an Uncrowded Flight
Request Special Handling
Board as Early as Possible
Inspect for Damage Before Leaving the Airport

Email me and I'll fax it to you.

Jim

Great Tips, and I also heard that Yo Yo Ma's Cello earns miles, which is a great thing.

I would also explain to the airlines that your instrument is needed for your work and must travel safely (it's just as important as laptop or a bag of beer steins... if you want an explaination on that one, let me know.)

And hey! if Yo Yo Ma can do it, maybe you can get an ff account for your tuba!

Unfortunately it's not worth a ton of money (if I bought now a seat it would probably cost more than the horn...)

Is it worth hauling the thing to the gate and seeing if they have an empty seat I could sit it or gate checking it? Does anyone know Delta's or ComAir's policy on gate checking? I'm going between two smaller city airports so I don't expect packed flights (Huntsville, AL and Allentown, PA)

One other thing... jimquan mentioned "special handling", what does that mean?

Special handling = gate dispatch according to the AAA article. It may also cost extra since they carry it from the counter to the plane.

After rereading your post: the Comair flight should be a cinch if you can get the thing through security. Comair flys Embraers and RJs. Since the planes are smaller they are very good about accepting your carry on 'at the wing tip' and tenderly
returning it to you as you deplane.

Now about the Delta segment ...

Jim

[This message has been edited by jimquan (edited 08-30-1999).]

I once flew next to one of the original Inkspots who carried on a guitar. He had gotten special permission, in form of a letter, to violate normal carry on requirements. It might be worth a try especially if it could be a part of your livelihood.

On a flight from Denver to Dulles this spring, there must have been a small orchestra: there were three cellos in one side's three bulk seats! The musicians (proud parents?) flew in the next row back.

By the way, the cellos flew upside down, with their necks where our knees and feet would be, and their bodies upside down in the seat. And, yes, they were all securely seatbelted!

There is a current UAL ad which shows an entire orchestra of musical packing cases emerging from carousel hell. I believe there is even a Tuba among them.

The logo: UAL keeping in tune with you. Maybe they're angling for the musician traffic.

Jim

I was able to gate check the horn all the way and had no problems (both the ComAir and Delta flights). Everybody in secutiry at both places watched it go through the X-ray because they had never "seen one up close before" Thanks for the tips y'all!