Travel info

[BauerHaus]

There may have been some info about this before in this forum, but I can't find it.
I will be traveing from the States to Paris on a mission trip in November, and need some air travel info. I will be bringing my mando on the plane as a carry on. I have never traveled with an insturment before. Should I loosen the strings, and if so, how would you all suggest holding the bridge in place. Sorry if this sounds kinda dumb, but it's all new for me.
Thanks,
Steve http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Flynn]

You should have no problem, as long as you have it in a hard or semi-hard case and the case meets the carry-on baggage limits of the airline you are flying and the plane used. Contact the airline for that information. I see no need to slack the strings. Some people recommend that for shipping, but it is not necessary for carry-on.

[Jim M.]

I haven't flown overseas but have had no problem domestically. No need to slacken strings. Some items you may want to pack in your checked baggage, e.g., wire cutters for sure, but possibly tuner, strings, and on my last flight I was questioned about the truss rod wrench in my case. They let me keep it but you never know who might examine your baggage.

[Arto]

There has been earlier threads on this subject, and it seems the airline companies have differents policies. I don´t know about American standards, but the mandolin case is too long to fit in European carry-on standards. However, this seems not to be any problem here and I haven´t been asked any questions about a carry-on mandolin case. A friend of mine is a professional musician and he told he has been flying around Europe with two mandolins and an octave mandolin, all as carry-ons, with never a problem.

Sure it is wise to have a hard shell case. I hate those people who come late and crush their items on top of mine in the overhead luggage compartment. And it is wise to take away scissors, screwdrivers etc from your mandolin case.

[grandmainger]

Take a look at these past threads about air travel with a mandolin:

- Flying with my Flatiron (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=18565;hl=flying)
- Flying with my Mandolin, regulations (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=16589;hl=flying)
- Flying with mandolin (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=12833;hl=flying)

HTH

Germain

[frogbiscuit]

With guitars, I always tuned them down 1/2 step just to release the tension a bit - there's going to be a lot of humidity changes if not temperature.
Personal preference I guess.

[Scott Tichenor]

Another discussion not mentioned above:

Travelling by air (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=8&t=15543)

[fatt-dad]

I have travelled nationally and internationally with my mandolin as carry on (I carry an A-style in a shaped case, so the larger rectangular case may be more ackward) and also with my mandolin in my duffle bag (I have done this both with and without a case - i.e., take my beater and use socks, shirts, pants, etc as stuffing around the mandolin). Never had a problem, never tuned down the strings, never carried a mandolin worth more than $300.00). Every time, I was glad I did it.

fatt-dad

[Fred G]

I went to nashville recently with two mandos and a PC bag and they let me carry them all on. As soon as I mentioned I was carrying them the attendant siad to just take them on. I thought they might make me gate check one of them.
Normally (with one mando)I try to be first in line and get the mando into the overhead and if I have to put my PC bag under the seat.

[BauerHaus]

Thanks for all the great info. I really appreciate it.

Steve

[Rick Schmidlin]

I travel worldwide and this is my advice.

Loosen the strings.

Remove and wrap and any part that may come apart.

Wrap neck well.

Plan to have no problem to France and back.

Meet new friend in the airport and plane.Before I travel with a guitar but in the last six months more bluegrass and mando fans.

Rick