Flying with a guitar revisited

[BadgerDave]

What are the current opinions on flying with a solid body guitar? Assume that it's too big to go in an overhead bin. Flight case? Lighter weight rigid foam case? Leave it at home?

I used to be successful at fanagling the flight crew into letting me stash a guitar onboard in the crew "coat closet". I've heard that doesn't work anymore- either because of stricter regulations or downsizing storage space on newer planes.

WWYD?

[MCChris]

If it's a guitar you absolutely have to take with you I could be talked into picking it up and transporting it in the car. Assuming I can actually make the trip, of course.

[mudshark]

Of course it won't work with a neck through or set-neck, but the easiest way is to remove the neck from a bolt-on guitar and put it in your luggage.

[Len]

I fly with my Guitar all the time ... Just hang on to it real tight ...

[django49]

I found an old imported guitar with a "Steinberger" licensed headless system. Installed better pickups and switching to get all the sounds I needed. Use a cutdown gigbag and it fits in the overhead easily.....30" overall length, but a full size scale.

Also good for a gag...Someone always wants to know why there is no headstock.......I tell them I got it on special-----20% off.

Or, "Yes, I DO play a little guitar!"

[hamer4ever]

I own an 80's USA Steinberger 25.5" scale w/trem, and the Steinberger gig bag is exactly 32.5". Skip the toys and find a real guitar lurking in someones closet; they are out there. The carbon/graphite neck makes it less worrisome when traveling as it seems pretty indestructable.

[Tres Aardvarks]

I was just asking a friend (who travels extensively as a pro guitarist) about this. I have a trip to Huntsville, AL which will involve a lot of small planes, and want to bring a guitar. Hadn't thought about taking the neck off one of my bolt-ons!! Don't think I'll do it to a Cali, but I do have an old Washburn I leave under my desk at work!

[diablo175]

What are the current opinions on flying with a solid body guitar? Assume that it's too big to go in an overhead bin. Flight case? Lighter weight rigid foam case? Leave it at home?

I used to be successful at fanagling the flight crew into letting me stash a guitar onboard in the crew "coat closet". I've heard that doesn't work anymore- either because of stricter regulations or downsizing storage space on newer planes.

WWYD?

My trip to Chicago for the Hamer Gathering presented me w/ the same issue. Wanted to bring my solid maple Cali custom so, I brought it on as carry on, got to the jetway where they tagged it as plane side check. I watched them load it (reasonably careful) just before I went thru the plane door. At my destination, the freakin' flight captain no less, went down the stairs and brought it to me in the jetway just outside of the plane's door. If you're okay with it being out of your hands for that length of time, it's pretty easy and fast.

[Scottcrud]

What are the current opinions on flying with a solid body guitar? Assume that it's too big to go in an overhead bin. Flight case? Lighter weight rigid foam case? Leave it at home?

I used to be successful at fanagling the flight crew into letting me stash a guitar onboard in the crew "coat closet". I've heard that doesn't work anymore- either because of stricter regulations or downsizing storage space on newer planes.

WWYD?

My trip to Chicago for the Hamer Gathering presented me w/ the same issue. Wanted to bring my solid maple Cali custom so, I brought it on as carry on, got to the jetway where they tagged it as plane side check. I watched them load it (reasonably careful) just before I went thru the plane door. At my destination, the freakin' flight captain no less, went down the stairs and brought it to me in the jetway just outside of the plane's door. If you're okay with it being out of your hands for that length of time, it's pretty easy and fast.

That's what I've heard too. If it's a big plane, goin oversees they may still let you stow it up front by the cockpit.