Just wondering if anyone here has flown with a double gig bag carrying 2 basses . Do they fit in the overhead or where do they store them on the airplane.
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Dominick C.
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That's a trick question: It depends on the size of the airplane.
More importantly, it depends on when you manage to board that airplane. Even if the bins are big enough, they may not be empty enough by the time you get to board the plane.
The coat closets are a better bet...but that also depends on when you board. And how much the flight attendants feel like helping you. As with all things related to commercial airl travel, it's a crapshoot no matter what you do.
Every airline has size restrictions on carry on luggage. Basses exceed this limit. Sometimes an understanding flight or gate attendant will accommodate you, but there is absolutely no guarantee of this. Worst case scenario, your gig bag is tossed into the cargo hold.
In post 9/11 travel environment the safest option is still checking an ATA approved flight case. Only thing safer is flying without your instruments, and renting on arrival.
In post 9/11 travel environment the safest option is still checking an ATA approved flight case. Only thing safer is flying without your instruments, and renting on arrival.
I just fly Southwest as they've almost never given me a hassle with any instruments I've taken onboard, up to a single bass guitar in a hardshell case.
BOARD AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! This will give you the greatest odds of finding an open overhead compartment, and I've found that if you don't have to make a quick connecting flight you're better off sitting towards the back of the plane with your bass(es) in an overhead nearby; people generally board front-to-back and once the back of the plane starts getting filled the flight attendants will more likely than not make someone who gets there right before the gate closes check their rolling bag rather than your instrument which was early on board. I don't know the exact date but there was a recent ruling that said musicians can take their instruments onboard an airline as long as they'll fit safely in an overhead or under the seat...might be good to have a printed copy of this on hand.
Smile and be nice to the flight attendants, you wouldn't believe how nice they can be when someone treats them respectfully in a plane full of cranky passengers and wailing babies.
BOARD AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! This will give you the greatest odds of finding an open overhead compartment, and I've found that if you don't have to make a quick connecting flight you're better off sitting towards the back of the plane with your bass(es) in an overhead nearby; people generally board front-to-back and once the back of the plane starts getting filled the flight attendants will more likely than not make someone who gets there right before the gate closes check their rolling bag rather than your instrument which was early on board. I don't know the exact date but there was a recent ruling that said musicians can take their instruments onboard an airline as long as they'll fit safely in an overhead or under the seat...might be good to have a printed copy of this on hand.
Smile and be nice to the flight attendants, you wouldn't believe how nice they can be when someone treats them respectfully in a plane full of cranky passengers and wailing babies.
- Jul 3, 2004
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Good luck - all opinions should be taken with a caveat -Big time- 1 person's experience good or bad will not be yours - I just posted a review of a flight case and checked my Sadowsky every time - you never know What kind of situation you'll hit - my advice is plan for the worst - but again - see my first sentence.
Are the basses in question bolt on nexk? Maybe you can break them down and fit them in an actual carry-on suitcase? The main issue i see with the gig bag is that if it ends up in the cargo bay , at the time of unload, it will wind up being the first thing unloaded, and everyone elses baggage is going to end up on rop of your gig bag.
I used to years ago, but I got tired of getting into arguments with flight attendants and ticket counter noodniks. Nowadays, I just bring one bass and put it in a padded gig bag and SKB Bass Safe, and I check it.
I could never do that. It wears out the neck holes eventually, and I can't think of anything I'd rather do less on a trip than disassemble, reassemble, and restring a bass.
^ This.
No guarantee a FA will help you board with your bass unless you bought a seat for it. They may, or they may not. From what I see - and this is from someone who flew every Monday, 50 weeks a year pre-9-11 - the likelihood of room in the overhead bin (if your bass fits at all) is slim to none. Just endured 18 hours of air travel a few days ago and my flights were sardine cans with just enough overhead bin space for my purse :-\ Checked my bass and she was fine upon arrival.
Gate checked items do not go in the main hold, nor do you claim them at baggage claim. You claim them at the gate/jetway. Basically they do not go through 90% of the baggage handler routine.
- Apr 5, 2007
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I agree with everything said by @TheBear. Southwest is the nicest about it-I've never ever had trouble with flight crew or finding a spot. One time I boarded late and they found a spot for it behind the last row of seats-I still can't figure out how we got it in there. My mono bag is one of the slimmer brands of double bags out there, I think.
That said, if you're flying another airline, you never know what size plane you are gonna get or what their policy will be. You kinda have to be prepared to gate check.
One tip: don't let the ticket-counter people force you into checking it. The final decision is with the gate agent and crew. If the ticket counter people give you crap, just tell them you will gate check if you have to, and then just try boarding. Often the gate agent and crew won't even care.
That said, if you're flying another airline, you never know what size plane you are gonna get or what their policy will be. You kinda have to be prepared to gate check.
One tip: don't let the ticket-counter people force you into checking it. The final decision is with the gate agent and crew. If the ticket counter people give you crap, just tell them you will gate check if you have to, and then just try boarding. Often the gate agent and crew won't even care.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
I haven't needed to fly with a bass in a number of years, but the high end leather Reunion Blues and Glenn Chronkite designed bags had an ATA approved hook attached securely with a metal ring to the bag. Makes it hang perfectly upright in the coat closet. Never had problem one - not once was I refused space in the coat or "hanging bag" closet, there was always plenty of room there. This is my well worn bag, you can see the chain and hook. There is a zipper pouch right below it to hold the hook when not in use.
I also have the same Reunion Blues leather double bag but much newer in chestnut brown with the same ATA approved hook.
I used it several times as well without a problem, but not nearly as much as the original bag pictured above.
YMMV
I also have the same Reunion Blues leather double bag but much newer in chestnut brown with the same ATA approved hook.
I used it several times as well without a problem, but not nearly as much as the original bag pictured above.
YMMV
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Somewhere there is a TSA letter stating the recent affirmation that musicians may bring their instruments on a plane. That said airline staff can be just awful.
I had a fly in gig last year and bought a first class ticket (very affordable from NYC to Chicago) to ensure I had access to the first class coat closet. On the way in it was easy peasy.
In the way back, the stewardess was a total biznatch. She tried everything not to let me do it until I had to remind her about the TSA letter and tell her that her airline ensured me access to the closet with the first class ticket. The net was she wouldn't touch it so I had to move it in and out of the closet which is fine.
Long gone are the days of friendly air travel. That said, I deliberately did not bring a double bag because I put odds on such problems and wanted my bass in a safer case in the event of a gate check. My Congego was the carry on and I shipped my other bass to my drummers house in the chi town area.
If there is a really tough double bag you might be ok but you also might get flack from grumpy flight attendants because it will be bulky and heavy. If so be sure to get their names and file complaints.
I had a fly in gig last year and bought a first class ticket (very affordable from NYC to Chicago) to ensure I had access to the first class coat closet. On the way in it was easy peasy.
In the way back, the stewardess was a total biznatch. She tried everything not to let me do it until I had to remind her about the TSA letter and tell her that her airline ensured me access to the closet with the first class ticket. The net was she wouldn't touch it so I had to move it in and out of the closet which is fine.
Long gone are the days of friendly air travel. That said, I deliberately did not bring a double bag because I put odds on such problems and wanted my bass in a safer case in the event of a gate check. My Congego was the carry on and I shipped my other bass to my drummers house in the chi town area.
If there is a really tough double bag you might be ok but you also might get flack from grumpy flight attendants because it will be bulky and heavy. If so be sure to get their names and file complaints.
My Precious was safe as checked baggage in my Reunion Blues Continental, should any find themselves obliged to check. Mine flew with me for the long term. If I were doing regular fly gigs, I'd be looking at a Steinberger.
Speaking as a former baggage handler supervisor, if it was me travelling I'd either get a high quality hard case and check it (there's quite a few musicians working on the ramp and they tend to be extra careful of band gear) OR buy a seat for the bass ( which is the only guaranteed way to get it in the cabin with you ).
It'd also be no harm looking into insurance just in case...
Safe travels to both you and your bass!
It'd also be no harm looking into insurance just in case...
Safe travels to both you and your bass!
Here is what the TSA says about instruments on planes: The TSA Blog: TSA Travel Tips: Traveling With Musical Instruments
That said, the TSA doesn't own the airplanes, the airlines do, and they all have their own policies.
That said, the TSA doesn't own the airplanes, the airlines do, and they all have their own policies.
I always stick it in a hard case and check it. Dozens of times, all the airlines, never had an issue.
I was on 4 different planes last week and 3 of them had no problem putting a Mono double bag in a closet or empty seat. 2 Delta flights and one United. Most of the time though I'm with JimmyM, I just take one in a TSA Fender case to avoid the hassle and holding up the people behind me.
I want to hear what happened on the 4th flight
