Bass aboard a plane - new ruling!

[ilan]

http://www.bassplayer.com/basses/1165/the-department-of-transportation-issues-instrument-carry-on-ruling/50086

[Dave W]

That's good news, if everyone down the line gets the message.

[Granny Gremlin]

I'm not sure a bass (electric even) qualifies as a small instrument.  I know at least some of my hard cases won't fit in the overhead bin.  Even some guitars might not fit.  And if it don't fit it's not safe (legal) unless you buy an additional seat or gate check. 

Mostly, this is good news for larger brass, ukelele and violin players. .... though I wouldn't mind a few dozen more ukes getting smashed per year.

[gearHed289]

I've flown with a Jazz Bass in a gig bag in the overhead just FYI.

[Granny Gremlin]

You have balls, I wouldn't risk being forced to cabin check with a gigbag. 

[Pilgrim]

The ongoing problem with carry-on has been that every airline, and every gate attendant, interpreted the rules differently. You were really at the mercy of the people at the gate, and any of them could require checking the instrument.

If the definition of a "small instrument" is not well stated, I'm not sure this will be much of an improvement.

[Highlander]

She-it... no prob with the private jet...

Never gigged anywhere I couldn't drive to... don't intend to start now...

[gearHed289]

You have balls, I wouldn't risk being forced to cabin check with a gigbag.

That's why I brought the Fender. 

[OldManC]

That's why I brought the Fender. 

It's times like this that I wish we had that smilley where the head rolls back and forth.

[Granny Gremlin]

I unbolted the neck of a tele once to fit it in my carry on.  No case.

[Dave W]

The ongoing problem with carry-on has been that every airline, and every gate attendant, interpreted the rules differently. You were really at the mercy of the people at the gate, and any of them could require checking the instrument.

If the definition of a "small instrument" is not well stated, I'm not sure this will be much of an improvement.

Here's the DOT statement: http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-issues-final-rule-regarding-air-travel-musical

It's not 100% cut and dried but it does include guitar as a small instrument. And they're now required to allow it if there's space.

[Pilgrim]

That's good.  it definitely names a guitar specifically as included!  Encouraging.

[Aussie Mark]

Beware that if it won't fit in the overhead locker, and the vertical cabin closets are full, your bass will still have to fly as checked in baggage.   

[Granny Gremlin]

They have vertical cabin closets?

[Aussie Mark]

They have vertical cabin closets?

Yes - for hanging suit jackets etc - the vertical closets are usually located at the front of business class