How to pack your pedal board for Air Travel

[paologregorio]

As some of you may remember, my group travelled to Chicago for a whirlwind weekend gig. While we had a backline of amps, drums, and sound system, we had to bring our own stompboxes. I snapped some photos while packing mine for future reference when the need arises again, which I am about to share with you, my fellow forum members.

Packing one's pedal board:

Remove the lid from the pedal board, then remove any pedals that are superfluous to the gig.
Follow with a layer of plastic wrap of about eight turns or so across the width of the pedal board:

Follow this with eight or so more turns of plastic wrap around the board front to back, finished off with duct tape at the edges of the pedal board and any stress points in the plastic:

[paologregorio]

Next, replace the lid on the pedal board, and snap down the latches.Run two bands of duct tape of about eight to ten turns, running one towards each end, making sure to leave the latches accessible for the TSA, should they think the package warrants opening for inspection, notice the taped off edges of plastic wrap to avert snags of the wrap:

The packing is complete and one can rest assured that only a determined effort by TSA officials with cutting knives will be able to unsheath the pedal board from its packing!

[paologregorio]

Evidently the weight of the pedal board was sufficient enough for the officials at United to deem the package over weight, subject to both a cautionary note to the baggage handlers, and an additional charge to me as well!

[jps]

They were referring to your music!

[qwezirider]

Evidently the weight of the pedal board was sufficient enough for the officials at United to deem the package over weight, subject to both a cautionary note to the baggage handlers, and an additional charge to me as well!

heavy item tag.JPG

There is no friggin way on this Earth that pedal board weighed more than most of the suitcases they handle. No way!

[paologregorio]

Yeah, I carried it through the airport all by myself, along with my bag (on wheels), a backpack, and a guitar.

It still cost me an extra $25 each way.