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< Music Gear ~ Carrying guitars on planes |
| Miotal Trom |
 Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:40 am |
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 2737
Location: Massacre on the Frontline
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I know there was a thread about carrying guitars onboard Ryanair flights but this is a more general question - not Ryanair-specific. It's probably been covered in a thread somewhere before so forgive me for covering old ground but this wasn't an issue for me until now.
I'm flying to London tomorrow and have paid for a checked-in instrument with Aer Lingus as they told me there's no way they'd allow a guitar (or bass in this case) onboard as hand luggage. So the bass will be in the hold. I think I remember reading somewhere before - or hearing from someone - that you should completely detune your strings if bringing a guitar/bass on a plane - something about the standard tension of the strings in a pressurised container tending to snap the neck. I'd rather not detune if it's not necessary - but needless to say if a snapped neck is the outcome of not doing so then I'd rather detune. Any truth to this rumour?
If there's any other helpful hints it'd be appreciated too. Cheers folks. |
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| Roche1798 |
| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:13 pm |
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Joined: 10 Aug 2007
Posts: 348
Location: At The Bar
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Yeah, detune the strings for sure, esp for a bass. If you can get your hands on those wee silicone bags, the type you find in a box of new shoes, throw a few of those in the case too.
If the hard case has clasps with locks on them ie you need a key to open it, do NOT lock it. If customs want a look-see inside your case and its locked, and you happen not to be around to open it
THEY WILL SMASH IT OPEN.
Then fuck the damaged case into the hold anyway. And then when the baggage handlers see the case is damaged anyway, its open season on your case and your beloved bass inside it. Trust me on this one. |
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| Miotal Trom |
| Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:23 pm |
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 2737
Location: Massacre on the Frontline
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Shiiiiiiiittttt.
Sorry to hear that Brendan, sounds gut-wrenching. Duly noted anyway, as my case does indeed have a lock on it, which I was planning on using - won't now. Cheers for the other tips also - what's the purpose of the silicone bags, do you mind me asking? |
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| Locks |
| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:59 am |
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Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 929
Location: Dublin
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| ask when you're checking in if they'll store it at the back of the plane,there's a space behind the last row of seats, tell them its quite expensive and don't want it damaged! if you get someone decent they'll sort it out for you, i got a really nice person on the desk and they sorted it out for me. |
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| Slit Your Guts |
| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 2:18 pm |
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Joined: 26 Mar 2009
Posts: 198
Location: Ireland
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| Detune the strings and make sure they put on fragile stickers on the case. |
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| Tezcatlipoca |
| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 4:39 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 1510
Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands
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Miotal Trom wrote: Shiiiiiiiittttt.
Sorry to hear that Brendan, sounds gut-wrenching. Duly noted anyway, as my case does indeed have a lock on it, which I was planning on using - won't now. Cheers for the other tips also - what's the purpose of the silicone bags, do you mind me asking?
It's good to use silicagel packets because it prevents moisture in the air from affecting your guitar. I usually keep my guitars (or, well, the one that I have at the moment) in gig bags with a few packets in the pockets just in case. |
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| Steve SARCOSIS |
| Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 4:43 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 1667
Location: www.myspace.com/abaddonincarnate
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| I have never de-tuned, what's that about? You should put a belt around the case going under the handle to keep the case closed, the locks can get battered, they don't seem to pay much attention to the fragile stickers. |
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| daniel |
| Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:23 pm |
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Joined: 13 Jun 2005
Posts: 1816
Location: galway
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Steve SARCOSIS wrote: I have never de-tuned, what's that about?
When flying through the clouds angels sometimes rob instruments from planes. By de-tuning them they think they are made for divils music and leave em alone. |
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| Steve SARCOSIS |
| Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 6:32 pm |
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Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 1667
Location: www.myspace.com/abaddonincarnate
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| spoderman01 |
| Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:20 pm |
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Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 1876
Location: Limerick
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Rang em up the other day about this as I've 2 that need re-locating back home. Apparently, tis no problem to bring more than one as long as they've different names while booking.
Edit: though it was dawned on me that the answer I receive from the customer service may not match the actions of the staff at the check-in/gate. Wouldn't put it past Ryanir to try and catch people out especially when they now have vultures hanging around the gates measuring and weighing peoples hand luggage.
To be continued..... |
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