 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2016-05-11 06:39
Anyone have suggestions regarding the best way to travel with a bulky instrument.... specifically flying with a bass clarinet. I'm not sure it will fit in the overhead bin nor under a seat. Moreover, will TSA have a field day thinking it could be a pipe bomb or something. Checking it as luggage doesn't seem like a smart idea. Thoughts?
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Author: frenchbow44
Date: 2016-05-11 15:30
Here's an entire article on it.
Hope this helps!
http://www.earspasm.com/omega/traveling-with-a-bass-clarinet-on-airplanes/
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2016-05-12 20:46
I have not had to check it in larger aircraft. The problem is the smaller regional planes who just do not have overhead spaces long enough. So plan your trip accordingly.
Since one is never sure what will happen, I added a web belt around the outside that I can tie shut, but is still untie-able if people need to check inside.
When boarding, I announce to the TSA what they are seeing, and try to board early to get first shot at overhead spaces (SWA was good). I hope your Eb bass is separable and not one long body, as there is a better chance to find space if it is not too long.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-05-12 22:42
Phil,
Although I keep my low Eb bass in a one-piece case to eliminate assembly problems with the two bridge keys, I kept the old, beat-up 5 piece case that the Selmer came in. Maybe you know someone with a 5-piece case that you could swap for when you travel. Too bad we are not closer.
However, an old hard-side piece of luggage or roller bag could work if you wrapped the two sections of your bass inside towels and then a lot of sponge rubber.
HRL
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Author: MichelleAnderson
Date: 2016-05-12 23:50
Michael Lowenstein's article is excellent. The BAM cases rarely get challenged, and fit in most overhead bins. I've had luck with simply showing it to the gate agent and asking to board earlier than my ticketed section (many won't go along with this, but some do) so that I can find an empty overhead bin. I've also upgraded to first class at the gate (which is way cheaper than buying it ahead of time) if I thought that they were likely to ask me to check it. This again allows early boarding. I have a full size bass, and it has fit on every airline that I have flown on in my Selmer light case, which is similar to the BAM. I've had friends fly with the Wiseman cases with no problems as well.
Michelle Anderson - www.clarinetmentors.com
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2016-05-15 23:53
I flew from San Francisco to New York City (and back) in October with my bass clarinet (a Bundy in the one-piece case). I wrapped a luggage strap around the case to make sure it didn't pop open in transit and printed out the relevant TSA guidelines with the appropriate sections highlighted. If I recall correctly, the general rule is that a musician can carry their instrument onboard as one of their two pieces of luggage as long as it is a similar size to a violin or an acoustic guitar in a case (their examples).
I never needed to pull out the TSA rules (though I was glad I had them) and was never questioned even once about my instrument going through security or boarding United and American Airlines flights. I showed up as early as possible to my gate and made sure that I was first in line in my boarding group, but, since I bought cheap tickets, boarded in the second-to-last and last group each time. In both cases, the flight attendants were very accommodating and helped me find a space for my instrument. On the flight out to New York, there were no passengers with walkers or wheelchairs and only one family with a stroller, so they offered to put my horn in one of the compartments they usually reserve for special carry-on like that.
The flight back wasn't a redeye, so those compartments were full, but the flight attendants helped me find a spot in the overhead compartment for the case.
I was pretty nervous about the whole experience and spent the train trips to both airports running through various scripts where I would politely assert my rights and pull out the TSA rulings, but all I ended up having to do was show my boarding pass, smile and say hello.
YMMV of course, but this is probably a situation where being polite and cooperative goes a long way!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2016-05-16 00:16
Max S-D wrote
but all I ended up having to do was show my boarding
> pass, smile and say hello.
>
> YMMV of course, but this is probably a situation where being
> polite and cooperative goes a long way!
I travel by air A LOT right now (147 flights last year) and I'll tell you that advice is spot on ... the attendants at the desk and on the plane are just as tired as you are. Be polite, say please and thank you, and almost always they'll accommodate your needs.
Mark C., home in Detroit since yesterday's 3 flights to get to Detroit from Palm Beach until Tuesday when he takes a couple of flights to get back to Palm Beach. Rough life, someone's got to do it.
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