Case for Flying

[moosryan]

Hey all,
I know flying has been discussed quite a bit here, but if anyone will humor me for a quick question. I'll be flying overseas and back with my Loar 520 in a month or so (not an insanely valuable instrument, but I'd still be terribly upset if anything happened to it). I'm planning to stash my mando in the overhead bin, and as of now I only have the case it came with: http://www.folkmusician.com/F-model-...CG%2D010%2DMF/

Will this be adequate for an overhead bin or do I need to step it up to something a little tougher? I'm not looking to spend a ton on a fancy case but I'll shell out for a hard case if need be.

Thanks!
sam

[Sid Simpson]

What kind of luck has everyone had bringing a mandolin along as a carry on piece of luggage? I think the mandolin itself just barely fits into the "allowed" measurements, but goes over as soon as you add a case or bag. I did take along an old beater on my last trip, and it fit into the top of my regular carry on bag. I could technically say it met the measurement requirements, but it obviously offered little or no protection to the mandolin. I wouldn't do that with anything other than a real beater, though. How lenient are airlines, in your experience?

[moosryan]

If you run a search there's a lot of posting on that subject. I'm really more interested in this particular case and how it will hold up to the rigors of flying.

[Jim Garber]

The case will prob do fine assuming you can bring it on as a carry on. You might call the airlines and find out what would be the best approach.

I flew a few years ago across the US (things might have changes since then) and I put my shaped A case in one compartment of a double tennis bag. I am sure that a shaped f-case would fit also but not sure about a rectangular one. I used that whole thing as a carryon and my Flatiron was in its own case inside the bag, plus plenty of room for reading matter and anything necessary for the plane.

[Paul Kotapish]

That case should be fine in terms of protecting the mando from other bags in the overhead--it appears to be similar to the Travelite canvas-over-styrofoam design--but it is a tad bulkier than some other choices. In 35 years of flying with a mandolin I've only ever had to put it in the hold of the plane once--on a tiny prop puddle jumper. You really don't need a whole lot of protection in the overheads.

One touring musician I know manages to carry on both a mandolin and an mandola on every flight. He has them in shaped cases and puts them both in a duffle bag. He never gets asked whether it fits in the little "maximum size" box, and always gets them on board.

On a couple of coast-to-coast flights I took last week there were scads of musicians carrying on all manner of instruments, including full-sized guitars in hardshell cases. My mandolin didn't garner a bit of attention from the flight attendants or gate keepers, and went into the bin without comment or hassle.

One policy I would recommend is to book your seats in the rear of the plane whenever possible and board as soon as you are able. That way you can be sure that your hatchet will find a comfortable overhead spot for the flight.

[Sid Simpson]

I'm really more interested in this particular case and how it will hold up to the rigors of flying.

Yes, many postings on this subject. How well the case holds up and how suitable it is depends on whether you can carry it on or if you are forced to check it. A case suitable for an overhead compartment may not be suitable for a checked instrument. That's the risk you run.

That said, I'll be interested to hear what folks consider sufficient protection for an overhead compartment.

[robert.najlis]

I have a travelite case. I like it for carrying around the city. It's light but protective.

However, I don't like it for flying because it is just a little bit bigger than a regular shaped case, which makes it harder to fit in the overhead bin. It fits, but it does make the whole procedure a little bit more dicey (at least in my mind). Plus, if it does not fit in, it is definitely not a hard flight case that you would want to put with the rest of the luggage.

For flying I would love to have a Pegasus case. It is shaped, and so I presume smaller than the travelite, yet it seems strong enough if it gets sent down with the rest of the luggage. I have never seen a Pegasus case in person, that is just my assumption...

[robert.najlis]

Rereading the post I was a little off topic (but still quite helpful actually )
In terms of the case you are looking at, I would say the protection is okay, but the size is bigger than I would want.
For flying I prefer a shaped hardshell case. My only problem with most cases is space around the headstock for f-style mandos.

[mandroid]

I packed my old 22 A4 in the middle of a duffle bag with clothes on all sides,
OHS case, and to make the long airport to bus connections, on foot,
I had the duffle on a backpack frame ..

It went in as checked luggage.. PDX to SFO and back, no problems..
other than the flight was to attend a Funeral..

[almeriastrings]

For a compact, easy-to-carry case that offers very decent protection (without getting into Calton, Pegasus or Hoffee territory) I like these quite a bit:



They are stronger than the Eastman FG cases and if physical size is a limiting factor, are hard to beat. Compare profile to a Hiscox:



You do mention international flights...worth noting that the carry on size allowed does vary a lot depending on airlines, so check first. Even these cases are 'oversize' for certain airlines outside the US. In fact, a mandolin with no case is oversize for some...

[abdavis]

Get a case that looks as much like a violin case as possible. Anything that even looks like it could possibly be a violin gets special treatment by anyone who touches luggage for a living. Even the cheapest hardcase will be fine protection if you don't bang it around.

Flight attendants will usually let (or suggest that) you stow your instrument in the first class cabin's coat closet.

The only time that I ever stayed at a hotel with valet only parking and had my mandolin in my car, the bellboy very politely brought me back to the car from the reception desk because he refused to even take my "violin" out the trunk.

[moosryan]

Is the fiberglass case really worth the added price over a plain hard case?

[mandroid]

Is the fiberglass case really worth the added price over a plain hard case ?

Eastman's and some similar, FG cases are not too dear in price, lighter,
have D rings for a back pack strap set,

and are compact enough, for a carry on , to be stowed into the OHC,

since they are not the multi layer layups,
that take on the luggage gorillas handling, better..

[moosryan]

Thanks for the advice then! I think I'll be taking a good look at that Golden Gate case

[hank]

Almeriastrings what is the brand of the fiberglass case you suggest in your thread? For those considering a Hoffee or Pegasus the weights of my two are very close to the same with the Pegasus slightly over a half lb heavier. The Pegasus is smaller in size by more than just the shaped case style but also the underside of the instrument or bottom of the case is shaped as well reducing it's size even more. The Hoffee sitting beside it looks swollen like a blimp in comparison. I flew a few years back with a rectangular case that wouldn't fit in the overhead compartment so I sat it vertical on the floor in front of my knees against the back of the seat in front of me. Luckily no one complained or suggested I put it in the checked baggage but a lot has changed since then especially on an international flight.

[almeriastrings]

Those are 'Golden Gate' / 'Superior' cases.

I picked some up for $140 each, but they have gone up a bit since. They are not as tough (or as heavy) as a Calton or Pegasus, but tough enough to keep the instrument safe from anything but a very major 'incident'. The edge seal is particularly good on these. I presently have two red ones and two white ones. They also do them in black.

http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/pro...D=3&BrandID=70

[moosryan]

Looks like they're only $155 on folk musician - unless that's not the same case?

http://www.folkmusician.com/Fibergla...fo/CF%2D1520B/

[almeriastrings]

Same case.