Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

hey all, what about airline travel? I am going to a Jazz camp in Louisville from California in June. I have my original hard case for the 4003 which can check as regular baggage. I prefer to take my well padded gig bag for mobility once I am there. American Airlines says the bass in the gig bag wouuld be too big for carry on, it would have to be checked unless I want to buy it a seat. What are your experiences with this issue?

I have quite often taken acoustic guitars on planes. If you check in early, some airlines will let you put "fragile" guitars in the push chair (stroller) cupboard in the cabin. It just depends how stroppy the checking in staff are! The more pleasant that you are to them the better your chances are of getting it on board!

Just saw on MF a heavy-duty bass case w/wheels, that you put your bass in it's gig bag. Then when you get where you're going you leave the big case at the hotel,etc.

This is a pretty informative article about flying with guitars:
http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2088
I design and sell custom cases and I get asked about this a lot. It's gotten really bad since they dropped the allowable weight to 50 pounds before hitting you with a giant extra charge.

Getting an ATA case is mandatory for all flight travel if you really value your instrument. A&S cases out of Hollywood, Ca do a custom Ric bass case that is perfect.

I fly back and forth to Lima Perú a lot with one or two Rics, I use the regular cases and plaster them with fragile stickers and also tape them shut (which usually gets opened), they fly with the baggage but are kept separate. The only mishap I ever had was that one went to Brasil instead of Lima but it was found within a week and was going to get paid for if they didn't find it. This was Lan Perú BTW who are much nicer and easier to deal with than most american airlines, in my experience anyway. I've used the old style cases with no problems. I actually prefer them as they are form fitting to the bass.
I do not bring expensive collector basses though (not that I own a million of them anyway). A few years ago I bought a ROTM 96 jetglo 4003 as a beater for about $550 to fly with, it needed the treble pickup rewound which Sérgio did, it sounds great and I don't worry about it too much although it would highly irritate me if I lost it as it plays and sounds so good.

That case that Ronn mentions is the SKB Bass Safe, one of the cases I would recommend using. I've had no trouble with this case. I do get more concerned looks when I get to the airport since I guess airport personnel are not that aquainted with these yet. After you put your bass in a good gig bag, you put it in the bass safe. Then you lock it with one or two very good locks of your choice.
The skateboard type wheels help get it around easier.

If you fly international they are likely open it whether it has locks on it or not and they don't use keys.

In that case Bob, I would walk the bass all the way to the plane where someone would take it from me there. That way it would be fully inspected with me present. I've had to do that on domestic flights. Yeah, it's a pain, but at least it travels safe which is most important.

thanks Joey, the Bass Safe looks like the way to go, not too pricey either.

thanks Joey, the Bass Safe looks like the way to go, not too pricey either.

If your interested, I have a Anvil (brand) ATA case for a Rickenbacker Bass. Black. Butterfly locks with a black interior. It's a professional series case I bought back in 1985. I've used it very little and have been meaning to put it on Ebay.
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You're welcome, Saxon. I'm sure Kenneth's Anvil case would be a great one also.

having had to deal with airlines from varied points of view, I'd say its better to ship FedEx and then have them insure it. US domestic airlines rarely offer flight damage insurance unless you are a premium flyer or full-fare first class. The post 9/11 limit is usually $600 US/bag for coach seating.

There is a carry-on size limitation at some airports, that limitation is inversely related to how well the TSA agent did in the lottery.

Having ample cabin room also is dependent upon the equipment configuration. A wide body stretch cabin like a 777-300 has more overhead than an a Fokker D7.

The "I did it that way the last time" is NOT a good strategy...

My ATA case sounds similar to the one Ken has for sale and fitted perfectly in the overhead bin on the 777 from London to Miami last year. This is a big heavy case that weighed in at over 30lbs.
The key is getting the airline to allow you to take it on the plane.
I,ve only had one instance where this was not possible and the bass stayed in London, was picked up and taken home!