flying with a vintage mkVI case?

[Tenorsaxer]

is it safe to fly with a (tenor) mkVI in it's original case? I am saving for a more compact and sturdy one, but till then this is the safest thing I have got. Is it safe to fly carry-on? Is it safe to fly checked? :( thanks.

[super20dan]

dont even think of checking it! the airlines destroyed my first super20 tenor this way. get a skb and carry it on.

[gary]

I've participated in similar discussions on thie forum and generally am sharing experiences about various cases and travel circumstances, and would not travel without a case like Berkeley, Hiscox and the like.

But truth is that I once flew from Texas to Germany with several transfers and train trips before I eventually got to my destination, with my Conn 10 M in its original case, with it checked as normal baggage and had no problems, not even minor adjustments needed upon arrival.

[Tharruff]

I have posted this before but I will post it again...

I flew (Delta Airlines) with an entire big band from Dayton, Ohio to Dallas, Texas through Atlanta.

The airlines would NOT let me carry my Tenor on the plane in its normal Selmer rectangular case. (it was a 1940 B/A in a Mark VII case) However, they let the other Tenor player carry his on (Mark VI) because he had a gig bag.

When we got to Dallas, one of the trombone cases was crushed badly when it came out of the chute. The horn was unplayable and the airlines had to RENT this guy a horn for the gig then BUY him a new horn when we got home.

My case apparently was dropped from a fairly high elevation and the alt F# keyguard was broken off and the thumbrest was pushed up into the body of the horn.

Our Bari player's horn had the side Bb key broken off.

All in all a pretty dismal performance for the airlines...3 out of 16 horns were damaged.

They still WOULD NOT allow me to carry it on the plane fort the return flight. Good luck...

[Sigmund451]

As much as a pain it is go out and buy a good box. Pack it and pad it as though you were going to going to mail it to Singapore or something. That puppy aint replacable ....duh. Or buy it a seat :shock:

Airlines are no different than parcel services....they throw things and stuff lands on them..sometimes heavy stuff....get astrong oversixed box, some solid foam to support the sides, cushioning for the top and bottom and fill with packing peanuts in between.

Im assuming it is your prized posession as many of our horns are...Those old cases are crushable and the sax can move a lot inside of them so add lots of bubble wrap inside you case wrapping the horn...Id use wedges or key clamps to prevent the necessity for a lot of readjusting.

This may seem over the top but in comparison to a crushed loved one....its just an inconvienience....Damned annoying it has to come to this.