Flying with a Banjo
Apr 10, 2009 | 6:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Flying with a Banjo
Just started playing and have a few flights ahead. I want to be able to practice on the road but am not sure of the best way to travel with it. I have a hard case for general carriage. Is this good enough for checking? Do you try and carry on?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
Apr 10, 2009 | 7:10 pm
#2
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My wife "talked me into" letting her buy a travel banjo............ We did get the real banjo back to Australia in one piece as cabin baggage a couple of years ago.
Theoretically musical instruments of reasonable size are permitted as cabin baggage - though the CRs and similar such size planes may be a bit of a challenge.... And security may require "a note" from the check-in agent (especially HKG)
I just leave my string bass at home
Happy wandering
Fred
Theoretically musical instruments of reasonable size are permitted as cabin baggage - though the CRs and similar such size planes may be a bit of a challenge.... And security may require "a note" from the check-in agent (especially HKG)
I just leave my string bass at home
Happy wandering
Fred
Apr 10, 2009 | 7:33 pm
#4
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Apr 10, 2009 | 10:14 pm
#6
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I've had no trouble with my violin, in fact people are embarrassingly considerate about it. I would not want to check it in though.
When you say you want to practise on the road, I am assuming you don't
mean actually on the flight?
When you say you want to practise on the road, I am assuming you don't
mean actually on the flight?
Apr 11, 2009 | 3:07 am
#7
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Your are correct. I'm heading to a lake and figure I have time, while there, to practice.
I have enough trouble annoying my family in my basement during practice. A planeload would probably turn murderous...
I have enough trouble annoying my family in my basement during practice. A planeload would probably turn murderous...
Apr 11, 2009 | 4:40 am
#8
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I was about to say something snarky about banjos but refrained.
There is a letter from Lee Longmire of the TSA dated 3 Nov 05 that
elucidates government policy about carrying musical instruments on:
it doesn't speak, of course, to the safety of the instruments, nor to
individual airline policies. If you would like a copy of this letter, which
states, in pertinent part, Oh, crap, I'm late, I'll just quote the whole
thing, please e-mail me, and I'll send a pdf.
There is a letter from Lee Longmire of the TSA dated 3 Nov 05 that
elucidates government policy about carrying musical instruments on:
it doesn't speak, of course, to the safety of the instruments, nor to
individual airline policies. If you would like a copy of this letter, which
states, in pertinent part, Oh, crap, I'm late, I'll just quote the whole
thing, please e-mail me, and I'll send a pdf.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Arlington, VA 22202
November 3rd, 2005
Mr. Thomas Lee
President
American Federation of Musicians
1501 Broadway Street, Suite 600
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Lee:
On December 20, 2002, TSA modified its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to allow for the carriage of one musical instrument through security screening checkpoints in addition to the standard allotment of one carry-on and one personal item. There has been some confusion regarding this modification and I am writing to clarify the Transportation Security Administrations (TSA) policy regarding the screening and carriage of a musical instrument as a carry-on item.
The TSA policy only covers procedures at the security checkpoint, and does not apply to restrictions imposed by individual airlines. TSA will screen one musical instrument per passenger. However, even though TSA allows the instrument to pass through the screening checkpoint, passengers may still be prevented from bringing the instrument onboard an aircraft by airline representatives as they each impose their own restrictions. These restrictions vary from airline to airline, so we recommend that musicians check with their individual air carrier prior to arrival at the airport to ascertain specific restrictions that will be enforced by the air carrier at the boarding gate.
Should your membership experience problems at the security screening checkpoints, please advise them to request to speak to a screening supervisor for resolution. However, if a passenger is prevented from carrying the instrument onboard the aircraft at the gate by airline personnel, TSA has no authority to alter the airlines policies.
For the most current information on the security screening of musical instruments, please visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov, and click on Travelers & Consumers, then Air Travel, then Transporting Special Items.
I hope this letter clarifies TSAs policy concerning the screening of musical instruments and clears up any confusion.
Sincerely yours,
Lee Longmire
Acting Assistant Administrator,
Office of Transportation Security Policy
Cc:
Mr. Hal Ponder
American Federation of Musicians
1741 K Street, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Arlington, VA 22202
November 3rd, 2005
Mr. Thomas Lee
President
American Federation of Musicians
1501 Broadway Street, Suite 600
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. Lee:
On December 20, 2002, TSA modified its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to allow for the carriage of one musical instrument through security screening checkpoints in addition to the standard allotment of one carry-on and one personal item. There has been some confusion regarding this modification and I am writing to clarify the Transportation Security Administrations (TSA) policy regarding the screening and carriage of a musical instrument as a carry-on item.
The TSA policy only covers procedures at the security checkpoint, and does not apply to restrictions imposed by individual airlines. TSA will screen one musical instrument per passenger. However, even though TSA allows the instrument to pass through the screening checkpoint, passengers may still be prevented from bringing the instrument onboard an aircraft by airline representatives as they each impose their own restrictions. These restrictions vary from airline to airline, so we recommend that musicians check with their individual air carrier prior to arrival at the airport to ascertain specific restrictions that will be enforced by the air carrier at the boarding gate.
Should your membership experience problems at the security screening checkpoints, please advise them to request to speak to a screening supervisor for resolution. However, if a passenger is prevented from carrying the instrument onboard the aircraft at the gate by airline personnel, TSA has no authority to alter the airlines policies.
For the most current information on the security screening of musical instruments, please visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov, and click on Travelers & Consumers, then Air Travel, then Transporting Special Items.
I hope this letter clarifies TSAs policy concerning the screening of musical instruments and clears up any confusion.
Sincerely yours,
Lee Longmire
Acting Assistant Administrator,
Office of Transportation Security Policy
Cc:
Mr. Hal Ponder
American Federation of Musicians
1741 K Street, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Apr 11, 2009 | 4:58 am
#9
Original Poster
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Violist,
Thank you much for that information.
No need to give me grief on my instrument of choice....I get enough of that at home. But as I am learning, this is a fun thing to play. My banjo, I mean.
I'm just more than a bit worried about putting it in the hard pack and checking it. I'm thinking duct tape is the way to go..
Dave
Thank you much for that information.
No need to give me grief on my instrument of choice....I get enough of that at home. But as I am learning, this is a fun thing to play. My banjo, I mean.
I'm just more than a bit worried about putting it in the hard pack and checking it. I'm thinking duct tape is the way to go..
Dave
Apr 11, 2009 | 11:54 am
#10
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But a locking nylon strap may be a better choice if the TSA needs to rifle through it.
Apr 11, 2009 | 2:48 pm
#11
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I was about to say something snarky about banjos but refrained.
There is a letter from Lee Longmire of the TSA dated 3 Nov 05 that
elucidates government policy about carrying musical instruments on:
it doesn't speak, of course, to the safety of the instruments, nor to
individual airline policies. If you would like a copy of this letter, which
states, in pertinent part, Oh, crap, I'm late, I'll just quote the whole
thing, please e-mail me, and I'll send a pdf.
There is a letter from Lee Longmire of the TSA dated 3 Nov 05 that
elucidates government policy about carrying musical instruments on:
it doesn't speak, of course, to the safety of the instruments, nor to
individual airline policies. If you would like a copy of this letter, which
states, in pertinent part, Oh, crap, I'm late, I'll just quote the whole
thing, please e-mail me, and I'll send a pdf.
Much better than my own first suggestion to the OP to simply carry it on your knee.
Apr 11, 2009 | 3:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Malibu, CA
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Posts: 168
Brought my violin on board UAL and AC many times without an issue. Smaller than a Banjo, but still larger than a regular carry-on (case is large). Interesting sight through the x-ray security machine!
would never, ever check an instrument of any value ($ or sentimental)
TT
would never, ever check an instrument of any value ($ or sentimental)
TT