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Winter Break . . .

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:30 pm
by bobcat
Okay, I have a small question that I feel peopl here may know the answer to . . .

My exams will be done on Tuesday, and then I go home to Georgia on Thursday, just in time for Christmas. While I can't bring my amp all the way back home, I would like to bring my Ric with me, so that I can practice, and also just so that I feel safe knowing where it is. However, I am taking a plane back to Georgia. Would I be allowed to have my Ric (in the Vintage Tolex Case) as a carry-on? Or do I have to check it? I'm concerned because, considering you're not allowed to lock checked luggage, I wouldn't be able to lock my case and then it might pop open or someone might open it or it might just generally get destroyed en route. I want to bring it on the plane with me. Can I do that?

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:35 pm
by dswp
UPS it before you go....

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 2:34 pm
by jingle_jangle
My experience is that if it won't fit into the overhead (and it won't), yer outta luck. Why not call the airline in question and ask?

Considering the craziness of the Christmas travel situation, I would never chance sending it baggage. Dave's idea is excellent.

Why not ask for a second Rick as a Christmas present? Then you'd have another great reason to go home.

I guess that was facetious.

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 2:34 pm
by incubus2432
You may be able to buy it a ticket and put it in the seat next to you but I agree with Dave......FedEx or UPS it......

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 2:51 pm
by rickfan63
They will not let you take it on the passenger section of the plane. I know. I flew my basses around the country when I was on the road. You can not lock the case either. The baggage inspectors will break the locks open. They thought I was carrying a shotgun case,until I opened it for them.

The best thing I've found to do is mark the case:FRAGILE- HANDLE WITH CARE- MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. I did that and never had a problem. But do what you feel comfortable with.

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 3:03 pm
by s4001
Fedex is usually a safer way to go.

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:19 pm
by bobcat
I think I'll just ship it. I can lock the case that way, correct?

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:34 pm
by beatlefan
FedEX it.

If you have a problem , it is MUCH easier to do a claim with them than with the other people(brown).

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:44 pm
by bobcat
Okay. Can I like, just walk in with the bass and say "Can I get this packaged and shipped to Savannah, Georgia?" or do I need to package it myself or what? I have no experience with shipping anything larger than an envelope.

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:47 pm
by jnbass
Yes Uuuups did many a number on me.

Checked baggage is limited to $600 (depending on airline) per domestic bag. If you mark Fragile (Yes) on it you may have to sign a waiver-then you get cr_p.

Having said all that, FedEx would be safer as you get to insure it for what its worth, not what the airlines think its worth...

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:59 pm
by bobcat
Wait, how much does it cost to insure a $1300 bass? I'm shipping it home so that I can play it for the month and a half that I'll be home, before I go back to school, preferably with the bass. Will the cost of shipping even be worth it?

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 7:37 pm
by jps
It won't be very expensive, probably something like $15.00-20.00 insured with Fedex Ground.

Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 9:19 pm
by bobcat
You got it pretty much spot-on. I got a price quote on the Fedex website, and with ground shipping, it was like $20.36. Not bad at all. I'll definitely be shipping it then.