Flying With A Bass, Guitar or Both?
I always take my instrument as a carry-on and in this Reunion Blues Gig Bag!. I literally pray asking God to grant me favor with flight attendants so that my instruments are never gate-checked.
I’m least likely to trust the baggage system or baggage handlers with my instrument even if I agreed to send it on as checked baggage in a hard-shelled case. There’s always the possibility that your checked baggage could be lost, stolen, misplaced, or sent to your destination on another flight long after you land!
Even though you could possibly rent an instrument, or be reimbursed by your credit card benefits in a few months, but who wants to do that eh? Your string action, nut, bridge, tone controls, pickups, are your sound! And, you need your instrument in hand before you walk out the plane.
Did you know that the US Department of Transportation issued a rule in 2014 that benefits us musicians who fly with instruments? See U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Final Rule Regarding Air Travel with Musical Instruments
Also see Overseas Travel For Musicians:
I printed copies of these documents and saved them to my phone and cloud storage. With a smile, I’ve calmly and politely pulled out the hard copy several times, and the gate attendants eventually backed down and allowed me to exercise my right to board.
The U.S. DOT ruling requires Aviation employees to allow me to walk on the plane first to see if there’s available space for my instrument. If there truly isn’t space, only then can they ask me to gate-check it.
It benefits us to :
- Stay polite
- Understand our rights
- Arrive at the gate 2hrs early
- And Be ready to board immediately when your group or seat is called
Airline Tips For Flying With Instruments
A. American Airlines
American Airlines has a weird way of grouping regular coach passengers to board..
And It benefits you to:
- Download their mobile app
- And Check-in via mobile app or online within the first 24 hours before your flight.
If you check in early, you’ll often be be assigned the earliest group of passengers boarding…regardless of whether your seat is front, or middle , or rear coach!
On a recent flight to Argentina, my wife and I tried this and it worked. Even though the plane had 10 seats across, the design of the overhead bins weren’t long enough to accomodate the length of my bass and guitar.
But God was gracious. I politely asked a flight attendant if I could place my Reunion Blues RBX gig bag in a wardrobe clothing rack, and they allowed me! Aint God good? Tell him Thank you! Because the first few groups of passengers boards the coach seating area first, I had first access to the overhead bin and clothing wardrobe storage.
B. Jet blue
JetBlue boards the coach passengers from the rear of the plane to the front. Because of this, my wife and I normally choose seats at the rear of the plane. Their overhead bins are very spacious and lengthy and accomodates my instruments and other passengers’ luggage comfortably without a hitch! We also check in online 24 hours before departure through their mobile app or website. And so far this has also worked well for us!
C. Also check out: www.seatguru.com to find out more about your aircraft or potential aircrafts when purchasing airline tickets for travel.
Flying with a bass or guitar doesn’t have to be stressful if you prepare well, know your rights, board early, and use the right travel gear. For me, a quality Reunion Blues RBX Gig Bag has made a huge difference in protecting my instrument while traveling.
Have you ever had to gate-check your instrument?
Which airlines have treated musicians best in your experience?
Drop your travel tips, questions, or horror stories in the comments below. I’d love to hear from fellow musicians.
If this article helped you, please share it with another bassist, guitarist, worship musician, or touring artist who flies often.