continental airlines

[emabee]

I'll be traveling with continental airlines from canada to colombia in a few weeks and i'm planning on bringing my mandolin as a carry-on. based on their website it meets the size restrictions, but i'm aware that there has been a history of issues flying with instruments. Has anyone had any experience taking their mandolins with continental? did they give you a lot of hassle?

[Mo Soar]

On March 3, the merger between Continental and United is supposed to be completed, and Continental will will adopt United's policy, which is to allow a small music case, even if it's over the 45 linear inch dimension. The allowance is for one carry on and one small instrument, so keep in mind that you'll only get one other bag, which is supposed to be stowed under the seat in front of you. BUT you need to check your itinerary all the way through and make sure that the flights are all United/Continental flights, and not codeshares with another airline that has different policies - because it is the airline physically running the plane that sets the rules.

Plane size also matters, some of the smaller planes have severely restricted carry on space which changes the allowances. I assume by Columbia you mean, say, Bogota - you'll have to check that airport's policies as well for the way back. In the US, what is allowed on a plane is set first by the TSA security inspections, second by the FAA's rules and third by the individual airline's policies. That may not be true elsewhere.

There are a couple of threads here on the Cafe about this:
Flying with a mandolin
New bill allows musicians to carry on instruments

[Mike Bunting]

My only experience with US based carriers has been with Delta and with nary a whiff of hassle. In a Calton or Pegasus case, they have ridden in the overhead. To make it easier, I minimize my carry on with just my mando and the iPad for my viewing, reading and musical needs with me. Buon viaggio.

[emabee]

thanks everyone. Mike that's exactly how I plan on traveling. my mando and my purse with my ipad in it. Mo Soar, good advise on checking the return rules. I'll be flying from colombia to mexico with a colombian airline, hopefully they have similar rules!

[Mo Soar]

And, lol, my advice is not to fly United OR Continental on March 3 or 4, because that is the day they merge their computer systems. I expect havoc and a lot of really testy people.

[emabee]

oh gawd... i hope they have it worked out by the 6th, cause that's when i'm flying!

[Mark Robertson-Tessi]

Best policy is to keep quiet and not fuss over the instrument at all. Act as if you've carried hundreds of times and expect to do so again. For example, do NOT try to fit the case into the frame box they have for checking carry-on size. Do not ask a gate agent if it's small enough or allowed on the flight. Nothing. If you draw attention to it, you run a higher risk of someone deciding they will make hassle for you. Just go about boarding as if you were carrying a small bag in your hand. Even better, strap it on your back as you go through boarding and the agents won't even see the case!

Also, if you can get on an earlier boarding group (checking in early, choosing a seat further back, etc.), that can help with finding overhead space once you're on.

Cheers
MRT

[retroman]

I recently flew from Miami - Houston - Vancouver via Continental/United and carried my mandolin on. No questions, no issues whatsoever, as it easily fit in the overhead compartment. I also had a medium/small carry-on bag under the seat in front.

[emabee]

awesome! thanks everyone this is great advice and definitely settles the nerves!

[BBarton]

I've flown all over on many airlines with my mando, including United and Continental, as carry-on and never had a problem. I flew from Ottawa to Shannon, Ireland, via Newark on Continental in 2010 with my mando in a Calton case -- not an issue as carry-on, so I don't think you'll have a problem.