Do you take your best mandolin everywhere?

[Richard Moore]

I regard my two mandolins as both being very good but quite different. My National is the one I take out everywhere (together with my Vega tenor banjo). My Nava is a wonderful instrument but much more lightly-built with a French polish finish that's more easily damaged (it already was by a long-nailed friend and I had to have the top refinished) so I tend to play that most days for relaxation and experimentation at home.

[mildini mandolini]

I always take my best with me - it's my only one

[Gregory Tidwell]

Before booking with an airline, check their baggage policies - some state upfront that a musical instrument of any size either has its own seat or it is checked as (non-insured) cargo. Some of them will allow instruments up to a certain size in the cabin without a seat purchase BUT have other restrictions, such as you may only have ONE personal item other than the instrument. So if you want to carry your laptop bag and a carry on AND a musical instrument, you may well be out of luck.

I've had good luck with domestic United flights, even some of the small planes. (Despite the United Breaks Guitars video.....)

I was on an Alaska flight from Seattle to Sacramento once, and a girl in the front row of first class had a bass that was about a foot taller than her riding in 1F.

[Tom Sanderson]

Yes

[Bluegrassrules]

The answer is Yes, my Gibson goes everywhere with me, I would not have bought it if i did not intend to play it. To make a slightly left turn point, last September at Bean Blossom Danny Roberts (very nice guy) was kind enough to play my mandolin for a half hour or so...I do not think he would have played my beater...nor would I have offered it to him.
Cheers, Brian

[Philphool]

Generally, yes: best mando everywhere.

But ... I'll be honest and say I don't take it on a fishing trip. And I might not take it to an outdoor jam in bad weather.
But generally, yes.