 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: srattle
Date: 2012-01-12 04:34
I just had a horrible experience that I just want to vent about. I hope nobody minds.
I just had a terrible flight, I'll save the details, but at the end of it they had also lost my luggage.
Anyway, I had my sheet music in the front pocket of the suitcase (save the music I absolutely needed for the first week I am here). It came today and when I took the music out it is completely saturated with water. . .must have been left sitting in a puddle face down. So, all completely ruined, now I have to buy all new sheet music (about 10 pieces)
Warning, don't let this happen to you. Keep your music in the clarinet case, or packed inside the suitcase.
Ok, vent over. Thanks for listening!
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-01-12 05:38
At least your luggage will most likely be found eventually. I've had baggage handlers open my bags and steal things on multiple occasions. As a result I try not to pack anything other than clothing in my checked baggage.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-01-12 06:22
That totally sucks. I have a double case, so all of my music is in the double case. (Buffet) I always carry the case with me.
What a stinky situation with your music getting soaked. I'm really sorry to hear this and I'm glad you posted it for others.
I don't know if you have a double case, if not maybe look into it.
I have a decent collection of music. Perhaps if I have it I can copy it for you.
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Author: TianL
Date: 2012-01-12 16:15
good thing you didn't have the clarinet in the baggage!!
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-01-12 16:54
I won't ask what airline......but not having traveled by air for a few years, can anyone recommend which airline to take if necessary? Are there still airlines that require instruments to be checked--or do they all allow them as carry-ons these days?
After 9/11 things got pretty difficult for touring musicians...
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2012-01-14 17:04
I'm adding this precaution (to protect your music carefully when travelling) to my musician travel tips article...this also goes even if you're travelling by bus.
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-01-15 04:02
Eric,
I've not had much issue traveling with instruments either. On my audition at Miami, I flew down with oboe, clarinets and flute. I, unfortunately, had to check my oboe and flute at the gate on the way back from MIA to NC, but everything was okay (which made me really wish I had a Wiseman quad case!). I just had to make sure that I stowed my reed making materials in my checked my luggage.
I've had my violin, flute (and my hard rubber Eb) with me to when I flew to perform in NY. No problems there. I checked the Eb in my luggage. It's not one that I'd be too upset about if something happened, and wasn't a viable part of the performance.
I always suggest calling the airline though, and checking with their policies.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Chefmao
Date: 2012-01-15 15:54
I can't say whether or not TSA will decide that an instrument is a weapon, and therefore tell you that it can't go on the flight, but in general, I can say that most airlines these days will allow you two carry on items. One item can be as large as a roller bag (as long as it is not a regional jet with mini overhead bins) and the other is what they call a "personal item" like a purse, back pack, or tote bag...in my experience, if the plane is large enough for a regular roller bag, then you can probably manage a small ensemble in your carry ons...
The airlines tend to see this as number of things you are carrying...so for things like a clarinet or oboe case, you can likely fit both into a single canvas tote bag like an LL Bean tote. Two instruments, one carry on...depending on your cases, you might even be able to fit three into a roller bag. I think you can also easily fit two small instrument cases into a back pack. The fact that the backpack won't fit under the seat with both is not necessarily an issue. Once you are at your seat, pull one out, slide it under the seat, and then put the back pack in the over head. Just don't let the flight attendant watch you too carefully...but odds are they won't complain...people often have things that won't fit under the seat, and if you look appropriately confused by what to do, the flight attendant will want to help...and if you tell them it's a musical instrument they will probably work extra hard to make sure it doesn't get crushed. They are accustomed to people carrying laptops and other things that can't be crushed.
I'm not a professional musician so I don't travel with my clarinet, but I fly a ton. I'm lucky that flying a lot means I get to board first. So I always have ample overhead bin space. If you have a roller bag that you have put instruments into, then do what you can to get on the plane early. With check bag fees, people are taking on more and more to avoid the fees. If I are unfortunate to be the last one the plane, you may find that a roller bag has no where to go, and as such, they will want to gate check it. That means putting it into the normal baggage hold in the cold.
Remember that TSA is screening for dangerous stuff and the flight attendants are watching for too much stuff. TSA often will not notice or care if you have lots of stuff as long as it doesn't look like a threat to them--it is the flight attendants who will give you trouble.
One last tip...you can often carry a third item with you if it is in the bag that came from a store in the concourse...if it looks like you have a roller, a backpack, plus a bag that is carrying something you just bought to bring home to your kids or something, they don't seem to notice that much either...even better, if it is a bag from a food vendor, then the assumption is that the bag contains nothing at won't disappear soon down your throat. I wouldn't plan to bring three, but sometimes it happens.
Hope this helps!
Jeff
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