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 Another travel question 
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Post Another travel question
"Flying with Stick to Interlochen" question:

I can pay to board earlier and believe I can get the instrument into an overhead bin on a full sized airliner; I flew with a guitar a year ago and it was pretty straightforward. As for the shorter Chicago to Traverse City leg in a commuter jet (RJ145), though, I am not confident that it would fit into the overhead bin, even if I were the first to board.

Does anyone have any experience with gate checking a Stick on a puddle jumper/commuter jet?

Perhaps I'll get lucky and a flight attendant will stow it in a closet, but I figure I'll likely need to gate check it on the smaller plane, then pick it up on the tarmac when exiting the plane. Assuming I wrap my Stick in bubble wrap inside my soft case, and perhaps remove the belt hook, how worried should I be?

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Victor Bruhn
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Sun Feb 26, 2017 10:22 pm
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Post Re: Another travel question
always a gamble

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Mon Feb 27, 2017 1:05 am
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Post Re: Another travel question
Hey Victor.
Most gate checked items are put into the cargo hold by hand and aren't loaded on a belt loader.....so less chance of taking a tumble off. Bubble wrap, and lots of it is your friend. If I lived close to you, Id lend my hard case,,,,alas.

Try and get it on board at all costs if you can though.

cheers,
Ace McCool

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Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:27 pm
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Post Re: Another travel question
This concern comes up all the time... totally understandable...

It's FAA (I'm assuming you are in the USA) regulation that you can bring the instrument on the plane. HOWEVER, at the end of the day it's up to the captain. If there is space they should allow it.

Here are things I do...
- I pay extra to get on the plane early... Overhead bins are first come first served... so it's totally worth it...
- Be cool. Don't be a dick. If the check-in (ticket counter) agent tells you need to check it, let them know you want to take it to the gate. If they push... then let them know it's FAA regulation that says you can take it with you. (Take a copy of the regulation with you) I've never had this issue but be prepared.
- Be one of those guys trying to get on the plane first. Even if you have the early check in you should be up and center to get on the plane. More importantly, don't be late getting to the gate...
- If there is an issue finding a spot for the Stick, talk with the flight attendant. They may have a closet to put it in. If they say they have to check it, ask them if they can talk with the pilot. I hear many pilots are also musicians... (some are even Stickists...)
- If none of this works out... then you may have to check it...

Be prepared for the worst case scenario and pack it well with extra bubble wrap or your socks or dirty clothes... I've never had an issue carrying onto the plane but always ready for the worst case...

Some links about this...
http://flyingwithguitars.com/2013/08/faa-music-instruments/
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-issues-final-rule-regarding-air-travel-musical
https://cms.dot.gov/airconsumer/final-rule-musical-instruments

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Mon Feb 27, 2017 7:28 pm
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Post Re: Another travel question
kevin-c wrote:
Most gate checked items are put into the cargo hold by hand and aren't loaded on a belt loader.....so less chance of taking a tumble off.
Thanks, Kevin...that's exactly the information I was looking for.

Hey, Dean, thanks for the summary man. Pretty much mirrors my plans- I've read advice here and elsewhere, and paying the extra fee to board early has worked well for me traveling with a guitar as I mentioned, so I can verify that works. The puddle-jumper gate check question was something I couldn't dig up, though.

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Victor Bruhn
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Mon Feb 27, 2017 8:24 pm
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Post Re: Another travel question
Puddle jumpers can have smaller overheads. An option is lying it down behind the last row of seats. Two times I was fortunate to have my Stick fly in the cockpit. Always be super nice to the crew. They will reciprocate and help you out in your mission.

SA


Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:25 am
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