No more hand baggage, so...?

[andrewbowie]

In the light of events in London this week, 10/8/06, it seems that taking any sax (or anything else) as hand baggage will be forbidden in a lot of places. So what is the best solution in terms of a manageable (both in terms of weight, size, and price) case for soprano, alto, and tenor, which has to go in the hold? I'm sure the info is in some thread, but the threads on this are so long it seems worth highlighting it again now.

[gary]

I'm sure the info is in some thread...
...and you would be right. ;)

So let me summarise:
- have your instruments insured
- get a Hiscox case (or Johnson if you're not Randall)
- pray

[andrewbowie]

It's all very well always to say the info's already there, Gary, but can you tell me the answer for a straight soprano, which Hiscox don't make? I suspect people are underestimating how much hassle this is going to be.

[Teabag]

I seem to recall seeing on Aaron Santee's website his approach to sax protection which is/was (he is updating his web site and some information is no longer there): Hiscox or Berkley cases (I don't remember which) packed inside of an Anvil case. And yes, if i remember correctly, the Anvil case was large enough for all 3 horns. Extra baggage cost? Yes (at todays airlines weight req). Overkill? Probably. Will your horns arrive without damage? I can't think of a safer way to do it.
I have often thought about a big anvil keyboard case with foam cut just the right size for 2-3 horns and not using an internal case for the specific road trip or need. I have a buddy who was traveling in Japan with his bari. This is just what he needed. Is anyone using something like this?

[Dan Forshaw]

I'm flyin to turkey on Sunday I'm not going to take my tenor but use a Yamaha 62 when I'm over there (putting mpc and crook in heavy amounts of insulated packaging) but my Soprano is coming with me so the choice at the moment is clothes or my Soprano (as the sop will have to go in the suitcase and take my chances at least no one should nick it hope no dishonest baggage handler is on here).......so new clothes here we come!!

[gary]

...as the sop will have to go in the suitcase...That's what I'd do. If I was travelling only with a soprano, I'd get a really protective suitcase, put my soprano in a Bags case (http://www.saxophon-service.de/shop/bags00SH.html) and put that in the suitcase.

If possible, I would have someone make a video of me showing the sax in the suitcase just before putting it on the baggage conveyer belt and I would have good insurance.

[Dan Forshaw]

I've got good insurance and its going in a hard case the other alternative as its is mostly blues and soul is to just take my Alto and put it in the special hold although as a guitarist friend of mine found out that by no means ensures safety!!! (I'm blagging the MD as we speak)

[DukeCity]

When I did a lot of traveling with 3 horns (A,T,B), I had two anvil cases made: one held tenor and alto (horns in Reunion Blues gig bags) and one held bari (also in RB gig bag). The horns were loaded on and off a bus every day, and planes several times a year with no horn problems. I still have the cases, but haven't used them in years. If I dug them out again, my first move would be to have wheels installed on them.:)

[Merlin]

If possible, I would have someone make a video of me showing the sax in the suitcase just before putting it on the baggage conveyer belt and I would have good insurance.

One of the best ideas I've heard lately, Gary.

Only problem is, with the rules the way they are, you'd have to check your video camera too!

[andrewbowie]

Given that the Anvil seems completely unmanageable, the Hiscox not totally reliable, it strikes me there is a gap in the market for someone to make a really tough case that is not huge, and which you could check with confidence, with the only risk being you might have it stolen. Surely the technology must be there? The market certainly will be, given the new regulations for flying...

[Dr G]

There is already a lightweight suspension case available for guitars. It has a light outer shell and a foam inner suspension that cradles the instrument case. The technology might beat weight restrictions for a tenor (or lighter) horn.

[saxman01]

Put the sax in the most protective case you have. Then put the case in a large duffel bag full of bubble wrap and styrofoam S's ect. If somehow you find you are allowed to carry the instrument on the plane empty the duffel bag out and put it in one of the check on bags or leave it full and check it on it's own.

[davidk]

Hi

Putting my Hiscox tenor case into a custom made Anvil case sounds like the best option. However, I am in the UK and there are no Anvil dealers here I can find. Does anybody know a good UK based ATA-style case manufacturer?

Thanks

[gingerjen]

David,

try Gothard Flight Cases. based in yorkshire. google them for contact details, I can't remember where I wrote them down.... I'm trying to get a quote out of them for an Anvil type case to put the BAM (bari) case in. My bari got bashed coming back from Sax Congress in Slovenia, and I won't be checking it in again without better protection.

Jen

[Tim Price]

FWIW- just spoke to Ernie Watts last week in NyC.

He flew with his Walt Johnson as a take on. So....theres hope.

Plus- it was LA to NyC...and he's keepin me posted so I'll keep ya'll posted.
Its always sumthing,,,,,,:x :| :shock: :!:

[whaler]

Maybe this is just for international flights. I'm going down to the Virgin Islands (U.S.) in November so I guess I'll have to call before I leave. I'll have to pull out my crappy Yanagisawa to play otherwise. There's no way I'd trust them with my good horn no matter what kind of case I had. I have to fly through O'Hare and they are notorious for losing your luggage there. I'm afraid if I check my horn, I'll be at the gig with nothing to play. Maybe I could ship it there with UPS and have it there waiting for me. At least you can insure it that way. If the airlines lose it they have a maximum payout of $100, don't they?

[Michael Ward]

Gingergen I'd be really interested to hear how much the flight case for the Bam bari costs and the details. thanks

[CircaRevival]

I was in Europe two weeks ago (I left from Rome) and the only place that doesn't allow carry-ons PERIOD is the UK. So if you're not flying through through there, you're OK.

[gingerjen]

Michael,

the flight case (to take the bari in it's BAM) has been quoted me at around £320. I'm taking the BAM over to him tomorrow, and he reckons I'll have the lot back in about 2 weeks. Check his website out - Gothard Flight Cases - for pics of previous stuff. Looks pretty sturdy. I'm going for Full Flight Spec, in red astroboard, with recessed handles, something to put a padlock on, and recessed drag-wheels at one end. It might seem a bit pricey, but I'll have it for the rest of my playing days, it can be modified to fit other cases/saxes, and it'll put my mind at ease when flying the bari again. I'll post some pics when I have it.

Jen

[Michael Ward]

Sounds perfect thanks for the info..cheers

[Scott Tringali]

320GBP? Call these guys. They built a huge case for our keyboard player, way bigger than a bari, for 150USD. It was impressive. Excellent hardware.

http://stores.ebay.com/CrazyCaseStore

[gingerjen]

yeah, but how much would it cost me to have it shipped to the uk? no doubting that these guys make impressive hardware, it's just getting hold of it in the uk....
Jen

[andrewbowie]

What bothers me is that one gets one and then the sax gets stolen or lost anyway, which is the other reason for not checking it.

[Scott Tringali]

I don't know, but we shipped a lot of stuff cargo-class for our UK trip. Mixers, amps, everything in full ATA cases. I can tell you no single piece of equipment cost the difference between the two:

http://www.google.com/search?q=320GBP+-+150USD+in+dollars&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

(Mind you, the cases were full, too!)

[Jaared]

As of today, 09/20/06, European flights such as British Airways are loosening up their carry on policy. Whereas you can only still take on ONE carry on, their size limitations are getting larger. Now, you can at least take on an alto case the size of a Walt Johnson or Hiscox. I still think that the best solution has already been mentioned here. Put your instruments in the hardest case you have, then have a special "anvil style" case made with dense foam cut outs of your sax case sizes. I really can't see any other way for we sax players who play more than just one sax on a gig.

Just my opinion....

[Flat Al]

From the BAA web-site is appears that they will start to allow musical instruments as carry-on baggage from tomorrow...



http://www.baa.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?CiID=566cefdec403d010VgnVCM10000036 821c0a____&CtID=a22889d8759a0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____&Ct=B2C_CT_PRESS_RELEASE&ChPath=Corporate^Media%20Centre^News%20Releases^Re sults

The Department for Transport has today announced a further relaxation in the security restrictions at UK airports, which will be implemented at all BAA airports from the start of business on Friday, 22 September 2006.

The revised security measures allow for:

*
an increase in the size of the hand baggage permitted onboard and
* musical instruments to be taken onboard.

In addition, BAA will now be allowing passengers to take solid cosmetics in hand luggage.

This easing of restrictions is not a return to normal as the revised regulations will continue to have an impact on our airports' operations. All passengers will be subject to hand baggage restrictions and are asked to be patient while these additional security measures are in place. Passengers are asked to allow extra time for their journey and to arrive at the airport prepared.

NOTE: If you are travelling today, 21 September, you will be subject to the current restrictions. For further information.

Hand baggage restrictions
Passengers are permitted to carry ONE item of hand baggage, no larger than the specified size, through the airport security search point. The dimensions* are as follows:

*
56 centimetres long (approximately 22 inches)
*
45 centimetres high (approximately 17.5 inches)
*
25 centimetres deep (approximately 9.85 inches).

* This is the maximum bag size allowed through security. Smaller bag sizes may apply depending on which airline you travel with. We therefore advise you to contact your airline.

[rogerb40uk]

Ooops , duplicated FlatAl's post info!