Dear Arle,
I would recommend getting a simple SOFT case and BRINGING THE H.G. ONTO THE
PLANE. Call the airline in advance and ask them: remind them that you see
people bringing musical instruments onto the plane all the time. I flew to
Europe and back in Dec. 2006 and brought my HG right onto the plane with NO
problem (airline: Lufthansa). The point is:
"DO NOT LET YOUR INSTRUMENT EVER LEAVE YOUR CONTROL."
You will be able to go onto the plane with the FIRST passengers if you tell
them you will need "extra time" to get situated. Then carefully stow the H.G.
in the compartment above your seat and then WAIT THERE and MONITOR THE
SITUATION until you are certain that no other bags are going to crush your
instrument during the flight. BE ANNOYING if you have to be. Just remember: you
are insuring the safety of your instrument, and the only way to do that is:
"DO NOT LET YOUR INSTRUMENT EVER LEAVE YOUR CONTROL."
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Michael Laird
NOTE: if there is any spam below this line please ignore it. Thank you.
________________________________
> Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:25:14 -0700
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [HG] Transporting a HG as checked luggage
>
> Dear Arle,
> Marjy Fiddler and I have had good success checking our hurdy gurdies,
> flying both internationally and nationally. We bought the large size beer
> coolers, the ones with a handle on one end and wheels on the other. Then, we
> found a place that custom fits foam. We had them create a space inside for
> the gurdy. Then, we glued straps to the inside edges so that we could
> "velcro" the instruments in place. Once it's closed, we wrapped it with
> strapping tape.
> So far, no damage has ensued and we've had many fun conversations about
> the beer we're carrying around with us. Picture us trolling along with this
> beer cooler in airports, train stations, etc. Also, you can sit on the
> cooler and play, if need be. For future reference, the cooler plus foam plus
> instrument weigh in at just under 15 kilograms, which happens to be the limit
> for Ryan Air.
> Yes, it's slightly oversize, BUT we've both flown a number of times with
> no hassle ( and nary a dime in excess). If you need to pay a little extra
> for the oversize, this may be less than the UPS bill.
> If you would like more details, please write me off list and I'll do my
> best.
>
> Yours,
> Chris Wright
>
> On Thu, Jul 31, 2008 at 3:55 PM, Dana R Gregory <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Just a thought. Maybe you would be better off simply shipping via UPs or
> Fedex a few days before you fly. It will arrive at it's destination and you
> can insure it for full value. It you let the airline handle it, it may end up
> in Tahiti in pieces and it will be uninsured. At least with UPS or Fedex you
> will be able to track it and if it is damaged, you will have recourse, unlike
> with the airline.
>
>
> --- On Thu, 7/31/08, Arle Lommel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > From: Arle Lommel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Subject: [HG] Transporting a HG as checked luggage
> > To: [email protected]
> > Date: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 3:16 PM
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I know that the answer will be to NOT do what I need to do,
> > but
> > setting aside the "correct" answer, I need some
> > practical advice. I
> > may be transporting a severely damaged HG (the sound board
> > is in
> > several pieces) to Hungary for its owner when I go. It will
> > need to be
> > checked baggage in this case (no, I don't think
> > I'll be able to hand
> > carry it). I will be flying on KLM, so I'm subject to
> > Northwest's
> > luggage policy (
> > http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/checked.html ) and
> > they are the strictest of the airlines about luggage as far
> > as I can
> > tell. According to those restrictions, I will be limited to
> > a total of
> > 62 inches combined height, width, and length. I am
> > concerned about
> > whether the instrument can fit in those dimensions with
> > packing
> > materials. If it doesn't fit, I can't take it as
> > the over-size charges
> > are insane.
> >
> > Now, assuming I can make it fit, how would you pack a HG
> > knowing it
> > would go through the hell of the luggage processing system.
> > Is there
> > any way to be reasonably sure that it would make it? The
> > owner is
> > going to take it to the UPS store to see what they can do
> > within the
> > needed guidelines, but anything you could tell about the
> > best way to
> > pack it would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Arle
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