American Airlines vs. Larrivee Parlor Update

[runner2002]

Hi,
Has anyone successfully carried a parlor in a hard case onto an American Airlines flight.  We are traveling from the east coast to the west coast on Sat.  I checked with the airline and they said musical instruments require a seat, or must be smaller than 45 combined length+width+height to travel in the overhead.  I wondered if anyone has any direct experience, or should I plan on leaving the parlor at home?

I suppose I could pack it  with bubble wrap, etc, in preparation for being checked in the hard case, and then gate check it if necessary.  Or is this a bad idea? 


Thanks,

Phil

[Ratishna]

I see plenty of small travel guitars in airports these days, so I don't think you'll have a problem.

E. Shoaf

[jwsamuel]

It depends on the flight crew and how crowded your flight is. If it were me, I'd try to carry it on but would be prepared to gate check the guitar.

Remember that gate checked baggage is often unloaded with the rest of the baggage and sent to baggage claim.

Jim

[fitness1]

it's definitely a crap shoot these days.....you will have better luck with a Parlor than a Jumbo for sure.  I would never take a guitar on a flight that you wouldn't be able to part with though......the gorilla's can certainly do some damage if it has to be checked.    I'd consider shipping it to someone on the other end first.....then it can be packed as you want it to be before it gets bounced off the pavement

[pigtown]

I've never had a problem with American.  And I've taken my parlor to Florida and the Caribbean several times.  Don't know if it's just luck.  I don't bat an eyelash like anything is different because I'm carrying a guitar.  Just take it like it's supposed to be with you.  I usually don't have another carry on, the rest of the family has those.  That way it's not like asking for too much.  In fact, last trip I was playing it at the gate a bit to tune up.  Flight attendants have offered to put it in a closet instead of an overhead.  Probably fly 2X a year on American.  Headed for the Caribbean this weekend, but I found a place I can rent a full size for $50 for the week.  Worth it rather than carrying all that way and through airports.

[guitarcrazy]

I was a pilot for Northwest Airlines in my prior life (727's, the Jurassic Jet!), and I always took my parlor with me on trips.  The parlor does fit in the overhead bin on even the smallest of regional jets.  I have never checked a guitar as I don't think it would fare too well without a flight case.  If the worst happens and the flight attendant says that you have to gate check it make sure the latches are all closed and that you put the claim tag on it at the gate.  They are supposed to bring those pieces to you at the gate when you arrive, and not send to the baggage claim area.  It is also worth a try to schmooz the Customer Service agent at the gate, and talk to the captain if he isn't too busy.  The Captain will be at the gate gathering his paperwork and checking the load info prior to takeoff, and if you ask him nicely if you can take the guitar on board he may let you.  I stored all kinds of stuff in the cockpit for passengers who asked nicely.  Good luck and have a nice trip.  J

[Fergy07]

I was a pilot for Northwest Airlines in my prior life (727's, the Jurassic Jet!), and I always took my parlor with me on trips.  The parlor does fit in the overhead bin on even the smallest of regional jets.  I have never checked a guitar as I don't think it would fare too well without a flight case.  If the worst happens and the flight attendant says that you have to gate check it make sure the latches are all closed and that you put the claim tag on it at the gate.  They are supposed to bring those pieces to you at the gate when you arrive, and not send to the baggage claim area.  It is also worth a try to schmooz the Customer Service agent at the gate, and talk to the captain if he isn't too busy.  The Captain will be at the gate gathering his paperwork and checking the load info prior to takeoff, and if you ask him nicely if you can take the guitar on board he may let you.  I stored all kinds of stuff in the cockpit for passengers who asked nicely.  Good luck and have a nice trip.  J

Well for me anyway, I'd probably have a hard time with the 'nice' part at the airport. I live in Jersey, and just getting my car parked at Avistar in Newark is enough to send me over the edge. Add the mile long line at the check in counter, and then security, and I'm usually fit to be tied. Especially if I am traveling with my family, which tends to add even more blood pressure raising points. I wuold think the being nice part would have to be repeated for any connecting flight and you could find youself in Denver or Dallas with a guitar that can no longer go on the plane with you. A good service the airlines could do is to rent guitars at the destination for all of us pickers. Or maybe a 'Hertz rent a Guitar' woul dbe more feasible...'I'll take the mid-sized 000 in maple please. Ohhh, I get a free upgrade...maybe I'll go for that Goodall then.' There problem solved.

Andy

[guitarcrazy]

Traveling can be a pain, but I still fly quite a lot and it isn't that bad.  Gate checking is something that all airlines do, and you don't really have to be nice to get it (although it never hurts to be nice  :WNK>).  When you gate check they don't put your destination on the gate check tag, so they have to bring it up to the jet bridge after landing.  I have never had a problem doing that, but I would make sure the case is secure.  It may move around in the baggage compartment during flight.  Hertz rent a guitar, hmmm, I wonder if I could make that would work?  :GRN>

[ronmac]

I haven't been able to gate check a guitar in Canada since 9/11. The best any of the airlines will do is allow you to take it to "special services" where it is supposed to get "special attention". I have watched "special services" personell take my guitar down to the regular luggage conveyor and load it on! Thanks for making me feel special.  :<>

Whenever I take a guitar on a flight I assume it is going in the hold, and pack it accordingly. So far, so good.

[Cminor]

   I worked for American for 8 years. The best way to do this is talk nice to the check-in agent and tell him how fragile and valuable it is. If the flight is not full or close to full, you should have zero problem bringing it onboard and putting it in the closet (where they hang the suits) as you walk in. At least, you can convince the agent to bring it to the gate and doing a gate check (and getting it on the jetway when you disembark). At the gate, do look for the pilot and flight attendants (as mentionned above) whatever they say goes.....and they will be more inclined to help you then the gate agent who usually has his/her handsfull at boarding and will make the easiest decision available to him/her...gate checking it. Ask the check-in agent for an authorisation paper to pass it through security to bring it to the gate....to avoid a long, useless discussion at security. Buying a seat is for fulsized instruments and pro musicians do this quite regularly. A gate checked item does not go with the rest of the baggage....it depends on the aircraft model but most likely goes in the front belly where pets, strollers and that sort of things are located....it is pressurized and heated....a much better location than the rest where all the baggage is located

[Fredmando]

Be prepared to check your guitar as baggage and have it go al the way through the system to the regular claim area.
I took a lower end Walden on a trip last year and Delta wouldn't let me gate check it. So, it went through the entire conveyor system.
Guess who the most acomodating airline was on my trip? A British Airways crew that was flying under contract for Northwest. They put my guitar--a grand autiorium with hardshell case--in their closet in First Class while I road in the cheap seats.
Like someone else said, I see gig bags all over the place in airports. But, I wouldn't take that chance. I had to gate check a Gibson L in a gig bag once and it was kind of s stressful flight!
But, don't leave the guitar at home! :GRN>

[mazareth]

This is definitely the situation where it's good to have a sub-$300 but playable guitar. Go Seagull!

[Cowgirlie]

I fly at least two round trips a month.(Always multi stop flights) I have carried on my LS in a Calton case, and my 000-60 in it's Larrivee Case (Calton case has not arrived for it yet) Here are the guitar friendly airlines:
American
United
Southwest
Continental
Frontier

Here is the airline I will not fly because of their anti-guitar policies:
Delta

If I see a flight is full, I offer to gate check my guitar if it is in the Calton case. I do have to let them put it in the baggage hold on small craft, and I pick it up on my way off the plane. The KILLER is checking a guitar in baggage...even in the best flight cases, sometimes things happen, like some bonehead inspecting it and forgetting to re latch the case before putting it back on the cart.Most folks are careful, but some like to throw stuff.  And if you and your luggage get separated, you may not see your beloved guitar again.
I carry my guitar as one carry on, and briefcase as my personal item. And again, I offer to gate check, to allow more room. The 000 fits easily in overheads, except on shuttle flights, where even large brief cases must be gate checked. A confident demeanor and a friendly smile will take you far, grasshopper.
Signed, A touring musician

[eksjo]

Drop Little Brother an email    http://littlebrother.nlpd.com/main.htm     I know he has traveled a good bit with his parlor but not sure which airline.

[TommyMax]

If all else fails, buy a calton case and a small dog case cover. Expensive but well worth the invesment.

[runner2002]

UPDATE:


We're back and here's how it went.  From Hartford to Dallas, and from Dallas to Oakland it rode in the closet, after I nicely asked the flight crew whether there was room.  On the first leg back, from Oakland to Dallas, the flight attendant was a little short with me when I asked, but said it will fit in the overhead, which it easily did.  On the last leg, back in the forward closet again.  I'm glad I brought it.  It gave me a chance to play it a lot, which I don't do at home as I'm primarily a dred guy.  It's a great little guitar and it's going to get more playing time at home after this. 

Thanks for all the great advice.

Phil

[Randy_R]

Phil,

Glad it went well...

While its good to have an instrument to spend time with, airline travel is even less of an attractive passtime for me than it used to be.

[Fredmando]

Phil, thanks for reporting the results of your trip!
I love taking a guitar on trips and my wife is used to by now.
At first, she was kind of surprised.