I had a mysterious crack in my cello after I used a BAM flight cover. may have been an unrelated issue, but I no longer use the flight case out of paranoia. Instead, I use the David Gage cello flight case. It’s unweildy, but it’s usually under the weight limit (~40 lbs) and just under the 90 linear inches that would make it ‘Oversize’. It has airbags and is built like a tank, but can still roll smoothly. In the US, I choose Continental Airlines to fly. If you make their check-in people measure and weigh it, Continental will accept the cello as another piece of regular luggage. If you check that as your main luggage and take a carry-on, you don’t pay a luggage fee at all, or at least a nominal one. With other airlines, it’s a case-by-case basis and it’s good to have a print-out of their luggage policies on-hand before stepping up to the gate, as I have sometimes had to dispute that my travel case falls within the weight/size criteria set by them by directing the check-in people to rules printed out from their website.Whatever happens, make sure whatever gig you’re taking on definitely covers for the potential for cello luggage fare. Even if you do everything right, the airline may ding you hundreds (upon hundreds) of dollars for oversize and overweight fees, even if you can prove that your cello case meets their requirements. All it takes is one cranky check-in helper.
Zoe Keating says:
- This is such a great post!I’ve recently had a couple of issues with the BAM flight cover while checking the instrument. I am a penny-pinching student and really cant afford buying seats everywhere I go with my cello.The issue with the BAM is that it’s light enough for most baggage attendants to give a potentially fatal ‘heave-ho’ and toss it around like a clam bake.It was recently suggested to me by a non-musician friend that I attach a ‘Thank You For Taking Care With My Instrument’ sign on my flight case. I think anyone who has checked a cello understands that when you do so, you put a lot of faith in the baggage handlers.On my most recent flight I actually witnessed some of the baggage attendants standing around the flight case outside on the tarmac pointing at the sign and smiling. I watched the cello gently go onto the conveyor belt into the plane. It was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been travelling with my cello.
Zoe Keating says:
Really great article, thank you!I have to fly a lot with my cello and fragile electronic gear (including a laptop for stage). I dare not check my gear. (Ironically, even though my cello is worth more than I care to think about, when it gets temporarily lost by an airline, its far easier for me to find a cello than it is to get the exact same electronics)I find that getting around airports, and on and off planes, with both cello and gear is too difficult for me. So, knock on wood, the last 4 years I’ve been flying regularly around the world with my cello case in a BAM flight cover. I feel pretty confident about it, but I realize that there is always a risk.
NoGut
Registered User
Posts: 5
(5/31/01 7:18:11 pm)
Reply Re: Traveling with a cello
I use the David Gage case (http://www.davidgage.com)/ and it's hasn't let me down....(knock on wood.)
I don't tune down, remove bridge, etc. You risk losing your sound post placement (and your sound post!). Then you have to find and pay a luthier to set your sound post. I also prefer the cello to maintain the structural integrity it was built to have; pressure down from the strings, up from the arch in the top and support from the soundpost.
Bringing the cello onboard is very safe but can be an amazing headache--especially on American carriers. First you absolutely need to book it a bulkhead window seat. Some planes only have bulkheads in firstclass. I did have a stewardess tell me that i'd have to upgrade in order to fly!
Second, most airplane staff aren't really ready for a cello on board and there always some level of panic or discomfort which is definitely possible to overcome but a hassle. As everyone has said it's the safest way to travel with your instrument but not always the most stress free.
For more info on travel: www.erikfriedlander.com/travel.htm
Good luck.
NoGut
Registered User
Posts: 5
(5/31/01 7:18:11 pm)
Reply Re: Traveling with a cello
I use the David Gage case (http://www.davidgage.com)/ and it's hasn't let me down....(knock on wood.)
I don't tune down, remove bridge, etc. You risk losing your sound post placement (and your sound post!). Then you have to find and pay a luthier to set your sound post. I also prefer the cello to maintain the structural integrity it was built to have; pressure down from the strings, up from the arch in the top and support from the soundpost.
Bringing the cello onboard is very safe but can be an amazing headache--especially on American carriers. First you absolutely need to book it a bulkhead window seat. Some planes only have bulkheads in firstclass. I did have a stewardess tell me that i'd have to upgrade in order to fly!
Second, most airplane staff aren't really ready for a cello on board and there always some level of panic or discomfort which is definitely possible to overcome but a hassle. As everyone has said it's the safest way to travel with your instrument but not always the most stress free.
For more info on travel: www.erikfriedlander.com/travel.htm
Good luck.
