Plane travel with guitars?

Question

I will be going abroad for a year and I am trying to decide which guitar to take with me and how to pack it... First of all, the airline I am traveling on has no policy for guitars and they told me that there are several things that could happen...

# allow you to check in your hockey stick or guitar & not charge you for an extra bag.

# allow you to check it in, but charge you for an extra piece of luggage

# allow you to take it on the plane with you, but count that as your carry-on.

# allow you to take it on the plane with you in addition to your carry-on.

# allow you to take it until the plane & then they will take it from you and check it in with the luggage.

So, now that I know all the options, Im not sure what to do. I could pack my guitar in a hard case and check it but then it might cost me extra and it might be damaged being thrown around with the other luggage (the airline was sure to tell me that they are not responsible for damage). Or I could pack my guitar in a soft case and hope they let me carry it onto the plane (the safest option) but if they don't then I will have to check it in a soft case and then I will really be screwed. Also, would traveling with an acoustic vs. acoustic-electric guitar make a difference? (Would they be less likely to allow an acoustic-electric guitar on a plane because of all the wires and stuff inside?) If you have any experience at all traveling with guitars, please help me! Im leaving in 2 weeks and I dont know what to do!

Answer 1

I have traveled via air several times with instruments (guitar and violin) and have always carried my instruments on the flight with me. Airlines have always counted it as one of my carry-on bags, but it is well worth the security of having your instrument with you (as opposed to letting the airlines throw it around with the rest of your luggage). I have only traveled with electric guitars and acoustic violins, but the one recommendation I have for any stringed instrument is to loosen the strings so the change in pressure will not break them. No matter what way you go, a hard shell case is the best way to protect your instrument. I hope this helps - have a great trip!

Answer 2

I think , since they're gonna make you pay to check it anyway . . . don't think for a minute they won't  . . . you should box it up and send it via ups, fed ex, or dhl . . . at least you can insure it through them . . . and you wont have to spend so mucch energy lugging it around and stressing about it. You can always take it to the shipping place and prepay for the shipping, and have a friend or family member ship it when you arrive at your first destination . . . if your hopping on a plane to someplace different every day, then i guess i wasted my time writing this. either way go directly to the shipper (UPS), not to "the UPS Store" as you will not have to worry about playing the guitar because they will be in possession of your arm, they charge an arm and a leg, upon your departure.

Answer 3

gate check it