traveling by air

[ira]

i know this has been covered to some degree, but just wondering, do i need a letter from the airline outlining their specs/allowances? can you bring another carryon as well?

[iampeterfonda]

I do keep that letter that you can find on the front page archives in my case but I've never had to show it. I usually take my mandolin in a travellite case plus a good sized carry on. I've never had a problem. When I came back from Japan last week, I was planning on doing the same but also wanted to bring my teens Gibson A so packed that into a hocky bag with lots of clothes around it. The person at the check-in counter asked if there was anything valuable in that bag, and when she found out that there was a mandolin she checked with her supervisor and they suggested I take it as carry-on. So, two mandos and a good size bag as carry on and no problems there or for my connecting flight which was one of those smaller commuter flights out of detroit. BTW this was all on North West.

[John Flynn]

I agree. I have the letter, but no one has ever asked to see it. Nearly every time I take mine on an airplane, a TSA person asks me, "What's in the case?" I found out the right answer is "a mandolin," not the less precise "a musical instrument." Also nearly everytime, I have had to open the case and they have inspected everything in it.

I always offer to play it for them. They always decline and it seems to hurry them up! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Steve L]

Ira, you might want to de-tune your instrument a bit before you board.

[eclctcjp]

Unfortunately, most airlines DO have the right to refuse to allow you to bring 2 carryon bags. But, I have seldom seen it enforced. To get around the problem, I bought a backpack that contains most of the mandolin (the neck sticks out at the top), but has enough space to have some urgent items. I can usually get a book, a change of clothes and a few other things in there. It's a good idea to take the mandolin case with you when you go backpack shopping.

[Moose]

Ditto to all the above. Never been a problem for me, and I've flown numerous times - commercially. One funny(!?) story.. ; on one of my flights I shoved the mando + hard case thru the security "thingy"..- went right thru- didn' have to open it. when I got to my destination I opened the case - and to my great chagrin - and suprise - I discovered that I had left my PLIARS(for string-changing) in the small compartment of the said case!- Don't know how THAT/THEY got by 'em!!..., but it/they evidently were not "tripped-up - or "noticed'.!!??. Happy flying. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[John Zimm]

I had a problem once travelling with my classical guitar in a hardshell case. I was told on the first leg of the journey that it would not be a problem. On the way back security tried to make me check the guitar, which I was very unwilling to do. After making some calls I was allowed to take it as a carry-on, but it would be best to have the letter with you.

-John.

[Mandovt]

would someone be kind enough to share the link for this letter you all mention.
thanks

[toddjoles]

Try this
Sorry the link didn't work.www.local1000.com/pdf/carryon.pdfLetter (http://www.local1000.com/pdf/carryon.pdf)

[Jim Garber]

Last summer I flew to oregon and had as my carryon my double tennis bag. The mandolin fit nicely in one side and the erst of my essentials in the other. I did have to open it for the guards at one airport, but with no hassles otherwise.

Jim

[John Bertotti]

I fly quite a bit but am reluctant to take my Vega with me. I have the rockbag to carry it in but doubt it would fit under the seat. I am hesitant to put it up top the way the computer hauling frequent flyers are just jamming everything up there regardless of what's in the way. I also get bumped to puddle jumpers sometimes and then I'm usually forced to gate check everything. In that vain, and without a hard case that is very durable, I do without. What am I trying to say here? No clue, I just don't trust the airlines. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[ira]

ok, so take my kentucky (beater type) or my kennaquhair (my baby). would love to have the latter, but worried. also, the case is quite heavy, as opposed to the cse for the ky for which i also have the backaxe.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

I just flew to Kentucky and back with my mando. They allow one carry on item (the mando) and one personal item. The personal item can be a purse or other similar bag. I carry a small Eagle Creek travel pouch similar to this (http://www.eaglecreek.com/40242.html). I was able to carry a 1000 page book and 3 bottles of Kentucky Bourbon onto the plane in that pouch.

On the way out I kept my sheet music, magazines, book, maps, travel guide etc. in that pouch. On the way back I jsut put all the printed material in my checked luggage so I could carry my "goodies" in the travel pouch. So this way I have a great way to carry on what I need for the flight and still keep my mando with me.

For what it's worth I have rarely had a problem even with my guitar on a plane. I only had one flight tell me I couldn't carry it on. But my mandolin and Martin backpacker guitar have never been a problem. BTW, I'm carrying my instrument in this case (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Cases/Mandolin_LiteCase.html). It has a great shoulder strap that makes it easy to get around in airports and other crowded places.

[levin4now]

i'm interested in this as I am travelling to the kaufman kamp this summer. I will be flying in through Charlotte, using smaller jets, the 25 seater kind where you walk out on the tarmac leave your luggage at the side of the plane. I sure want to carry it on teh plane with me, and I sure want to have it in my hands during my 3 hour Charlotte layover!

[ira]

thanks for all of the input, but once again calling for your help.
the beater or the sweeter???

[mandroid]

The thought about picking enroute comes to mind.
Busking in a 747, talk about a captive audience!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Dru Lee Parsec]

If you are carrying it on the plane then bring the sweet mandolin. #The only issue I ran into on my vacation last week (My gosh Kentucky is beautiful this time of year) was that I had to leave the mando in the car. #I can take it on the plane, but I didn't want to take it down into Mammoth cave or hiking in Natural Bridge State Park. #So my problem was what to do with it during the day when I was "between hotels". #That's the only reason I can think of why you may want to bring the beater.

[Ken Sager]

America West Airline will give you trouble saying it's too big. The TSA letter mentioned previously will get the instrument through TSA's security, but the airline may have different rules and size restrictions. I've been accosted by America West gate agents on every flight who said I can't carry on a guitar. I explained it's a mandolin and it fits their size restrictions. I even pointed to several bags going past me onto the plane that were larger than my mando case. They finally relented when I showed them their size restrictions and explained the measurements of my mando and how it fit their guidelines.

No other airline has blinked at carrying on a mando. I've flown Southwest, Delta, American, Continental, and United without incident.

Take the mando you want to play when you get there, sweet or beat, just don't fly America West.

Joy to all,
Ken

[John Bertotti]

Didn't I see a silver colored case bag on a thread last year sometime. It was supposed to protect against temperature. Maybe that would be good for those times the mando is in the car. Anyone have a link for this bag. John

[Igor The Cat]

if you have a mondo worth unofe buy a Calton Dulexe for you mando and dont carry it on. but that does cost about $575!!

[wah]

Southwest has never been a problem. Several times stewardesses have asked if I was going to play for them. Last time the pilot was greeting people as we walked onto the plane. He asked the guy ahead of me about his guitar, then started talking about his own guitar before asking if I had a violin or a mandolin. There seemed to be alot of instruments on that flight. They could just as well hung out a sign, "musical instruments welcome." http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[twombo]

Last couple of flights I have taken with America West have yielded the same issues!! They are not budging an inch from the two carry on rule. I had to calculate the "cube" of my Calton to show that it took up less space that their posted size examples. The letter will get you past TSA. But, AW don't care about no "steenking" letter!! Jerks had a huge attitude to boot!!!

Fortunately when I take all the extra crap out of my laptop bag, two pairs of light slacks and shirts fit. I guess I will have to skip socks on trips!!!!

[levin4now]

The flight I'm coming into Knoxville for the Kaufman Kamp will be from Charlotte (a main hub) on a smaller plane. I will be arriving during the peak time for shuttles from airport to camp. I am assuming I will not be the only stringed instrument carrier on the plane as well.

[batman]

Alan, if you want, i'll loan you my Calton case for the trip, just in case. My son came home from nashville and carried his dobro on the nashville to charlotte leg but had to stow it on the small comuter flight.
Don Batten

[levin4now]

Wow Don. #Thanks. #I'll certainly consider it! #( of course, would it be right for that case to travel anywhere without it's usual mandolin inside? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #ha ha)

Alan

[strumNgrin]

I fly out of LaCrosse, WI or Rochester MN on every flight which are only commuter airlines that connect in Chicago or Minneapolis to the majors. I fly with my Weber Fern and have never had a problem with TSA, the airlines (NWA, American, United, or Continental) or with the space in the commuter overheads with my hardshell case.

[ira]

flew from boston to fla and back, not one question about my mando. beautiful!

[BauerHaus]

Hey y'all. Thanks for all the info.
Steve http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jim M.]

The silver colored case cover is from Colorado Case Covers:
http://www.coloradocase.com/content/MandolinMaster.htm

I've used mine in both desert and snow and non-beater mando has come out fine.

[Asha]

Here's the link to the info on the TSA site. #I am flying to Phoenix on America West soon from Oregon so I thought it prudent to check this out! #TSA: Transporting Musical Instruments (http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1235.xml)

[Salty Dog]

I just flew from upstate NY to St. Louis and back. #The security checkpoint in Binghamton, NY asked to see inside the (Calton) case. #I informed her that it was an expensive musical instrument that could be damaged if improperly removed from the case and asked if I could remove the mandolin. #She agreed and it turned out that what got their attention and the item she wanted to see was a string winder and nipper combination tool. #I explained what it was to her and she was satisfied and allowed me to proceed.
# # The only other incident was while waiting for the instrument to cruise through the scanner (after it had come out), the TSA screener asked me if it was a mandolin - to which I replied that it is a mandolin and that I was very appreciative that he didn't ask if it was a ba*jo. #He got a big kick out of that.

[mandroid]

anecdotal update:
An aquaintence said they took his string changing mini cutter pliars ,and showed him where to start climbing the mountain of paperwork to get them back, needless to say 'nevermind' was his response.
wonder if stringwinders are suspect too?
If in doubt, it goes in the checked luggage.
the way the luggage carrousel resembles a roulette wheel comes to mind in function at least. #do I put my bag on black or red, to see it at the other end ?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[AeroJoe]

Back in March, I purchased two violins from Gruhn's...I hopped a Southwest flight out of RDU in Raleigh one morning and was in Nashville in about an hour or so...went to Gruhn's, got the instruments, went back to the Nashville BNA that afternoon...I was allowed to carry on the two violins in their cases, I had no other luggage, but was told rather firmly, that I could only put one in the overhead storage bin, and the other had to be placed under my seat...

Something about that did not seem right, but as soon as she went on with her duties and forgot about me, I simply got up and placed it along side the other violin in the overhead...like I wanted to leave it under the seat for someone to kick if I went to the restroom or something...

Southwest is usually pretty accomodating...this was the only time I've had a problem with them.

[bjc]

Just flew to Ft. Lauderdale and had no problems on TED (United offspring)...did get a few questions about the tiny guitar...tee hee

[Nathan Sanders]

I've flown several times with my Warwick bass in a Rock Bag, carrying it on of course. I've never had any problem. It fits in the overhead usually. Once or twice when I got on a "puddle jumper" they had to store it below, but so far it has been handled nicely.

I will relate a story about traveling with my Martin guitar though. I was going to Africa and taking my Martin with me. I had the guitar in a borrowed flight case, very sturdy. Of course they opened it up and did their sniff test when I checked it in. Something in the case or on the guitar set off an alarm. They had to ask questions, fill out paperwork of course. Afterwards things were fine. In fact, I took the same guitar and flight case on another trip soon afterward and the TSA folks did not even bother opening it this time. It still had stickers on the case from before, but still I began to open it for them and they told me not bother.

Traveling with a mandolin should be a piece of cake. I would use a hard case and carry it on. Loosen the strings of course. About 11 years ago I carried a cheapy, beater mandolin on board in a carry-on bag with the neck sticking out. Got several questions and looks but no big deal. Of course this was 11 years ago and security was quite different then.