Taylor Case/Checked Luggage

[ebick]

Anyone ever check their guitar using the standard Taylor case?  I am going on a short trip (Orlando->Atlanta and back) and want to bring my fairly new 814.  I know that the case can fit in the overhead, but in the event that they don't allow it and make me either ticket counter or gate check it, wondering how big of a risk this is.

[Steve]

If you gate check it you'll be fine.

I used to check guitars (at the ticket counter) in cases that were nowhere near as good as Taylor cases, and I never, ever had a problem...

[roadbiker]

I'd be more nervouos about the case getting beat than the guitar.

I took my Epi in a gigbag on a plane with me from Atlanta to Richmond last Saturday and had no problem getting it on board. I'll be doing the same on the way back to Atlanta on Friday.

Jim



edited for language

[ebick]

I'd be more nervouos about the case getting beat to 541t than the guitar.

I took my Epi in a gigbag on a plane with me from Atlanta to Richmond last Saturday and had no problem getting it on board. I'll be doing the same on the way back to Atlanta on Friday.

Jim

Full size guitar?  Are you saying that if you have a gig bag they are more likely to let you carry it on?

[Steve]

I'd be more nervouos about the case getting beat to 541t than the guitar.

What do you believe the purpose of a hardhsell case is?

I've had cases beaten up it'd make ya' cry. They got that way because they were keeping my guitars from getting beaten up. If I didn't want a case to get beaten up, I wouldn't have cases...

[Herb Hunter]

Dave Carroll has a lot to say about checking a Taylor guitar in the deluxe case at the ticket counter. I have gate checked Taylors in deluxe cases without any problems but I would never check them curbside or at the ticket counter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo


Incidentally, on one flight where I had stowed my Big Baby in the overhead compartment, it started raining before we left the ramp and the airport shutdown for fear of baggage handlers being struck by lightning. Luggage carts full of luggage were abandon on the tarmac and on top of one cart fully laden with luggage was a Martin in a hard shell case completely exposed to the rain which lasted approximately 20 minutes.

[roadbiker]

I'd be more nervouos about the case getting beat than the guitar.

I took my Epi in a gigbag on a plane with me from Atlanta to Richmond last Saturday and had no problem getting it on board. I'll be doing the same on the way back to Atlanta on Friday.

Jim

Full size guitar?  Are you saying that if you have a gig bag they are more likely to let you carry it on?

It is a full size guitar. I don't know if they are any more or less likely to let you on with a gig bag, but it worked for me.

Jim

[DennisG]

What is the difference in how an airline treats your guitar depending on whether you check it in at the ticket counter or the gate?

[Herb Hunter]

What is the difference in how an airline treats your guitar depending on whether you check it in at the ticket counter or the gate?

Check your guitar at the ticket counter and the guitar gets tossed around from staging area to baggage carts to the airplane. Check it at the gate and it is carried directly from the aircrafts door, or jetway, to it's cargo hold. Checking at the ticket means more opportunities for the guitar to be damaged, lost or left out in the rain.

[forhim]

I'd advise against that.  Get there early, and talk with the folks that allow boarding.  I've found some crews are very gracious and allow a pre board.  The full size case will fit in the overhead, you just need to be somewhere near the front.

Apart from that...say you get on the plane and realize there is no room.  From the entrance to the plane, you may need to check it and when that happens it will go straight from the plane and into the cargo area...no skycaps, no trailor transport.  You could even ask that they bring it to you just like they do wheelchairs.

[CJAZ]

A friend and i both checked our 614's on the following trip:

By plane San Francisco to DC to Brussels

By train Brussels to Mechlan to Paris to Barcelona to Milan to Florence to Venice to Milan

By plane Milan to DC to SF

Not a problem at all with either one.  This was however pre Sept 11 and we taped around the cases at the latches. 

[Terry]

If you are flying SOUTHWEST just pay the extra 10 bucks each way to get an A boarding number and you'll be in fine shape carrying on. I've flown many, many times with guitars on Southwest and have always been able to carry on to the plane.
Terry

[roadbiker]

When I flew back from Richmond to Atlanta last Friday, I carried my guitar on the plane with me and the put it in the coat closet for me. On the way there the flight was a little light and I put it in the overhead bin. Full size guitar in gigbag.

Jim

[dkoloff]

Anyone ever check their guitar using the standard Taylor case?  I am going on a short trip (Orlando->Atlanta and back) and want to bring my fairly new 814.  I know that the case can fit in the overhead, but in the event that they don't allow it and make me either ticket counter or gate check it, wondering how big of a risk this is.

Take a copy of the new FAA guidelines just signed into law.....guitars are now allowed on all flights as long as there is room to fit in overhead compartment or under seat properly>

[ebick]

Anyone ever check their guitar using the standard Taylor case?  I am going on a short trip (Orlando->Atlanta and back) and want to bring my fairly new 814.  I know that the case can fit in the overhead, but in the event that they don't allow it and make me either ticket counter or gate check it, wondering how big of a risk this is.

Take a copy of the new FAA guidelines just signed into law.....guitars are now allowed on all flights as long as there is room to fit in overhead compartment or under seat properly>

There's the rub, right?  " as long as there is room to fit in overhead compartment "

I know the case would fit in the compartment, but I can't predict how full the flight will be.  I do know that I will be one of the first to board, so I know I can get it up there, but if the flight is full and I get a stubborn Flight Attendent who's not familiar with these new guidelines......