| Author |
Subject |
phesketh
Registered User
(7/26/00 2:58:42 pm)
Reply |
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
Ok I have heard the best way to get
a cello somewhere is to buy it it's own seat in the plane ...
Do you have to ask for some specific seat ?
How do you
secure it ?
Hard Case or Soft Case ?
I have gotten lucky
in the past about checking my cello but I cannot get a direct flight
and I have concerns about the luggage transfer ... also the second
plane is a small one (30-80 passengers max depending on which
airline I choose) and I am concerned about luggage space.
Any other tips for travelling with a cello (e.g. where to
get the 3rd arm required when carrying cello and luggage and trying
to get around an airport and rent a car).
Paula
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Stefan79
Registered User
(7/26/00 9:33:51 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
Hi
Paula!
When I flew to London last December we discovered
that the cello wouldn't fit in between the seats if we didn't place
it in the back of the plane, you should check this with the airline.
You usually get an extra strap for the cello, so that you'll be
able to secure it with that.
I use my hard case when I fly with
my cello, because I want to use that when I arrive and I really
don't see any point in sending just the hard case in the luggage.
The hard case is heavy, but it also provides protection for your
cello.
Oh, that thing with the extra arm...I know the feelin'... I carry my
cello on my back, I really haven't tried to carry it in any other
way....and I guess that I won't be trying it...
Good
Luck!
- Stefan
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zambocello
Registered User
(7/28/00 3:40:37 am)
Reply |
Buy a
seat for your cello!!!
I fly a number of times each year
with my cello. Hate it every time but the other choice is to resign
yourself to damage sometime soon! You've seen how they handle your
luggage, no? Keep in mind that a sound post crack in the back of the
cello reduces the value of the instrument by over 1/3. You can buy a
lot of tickets for that money, not to mention the cost of the
repair, lost time from the instrument, possible loss of tonal
qualities, mental anguish, etc.
Generally, the cello must go
in a bulkhead, window seat. FAA regulations. Unless you're a
prefered customer of the airline you probably can't reserve bulkhead
seats, even if you tell them it's a cello and the requirements of
the regulations. The answer is to go early. Be one of the first ones
at the gate so they can rearrange your seat assignment. It's a pain,
but I've never had a terrible problem. (I've only once heard of a
cellist being denied passage because of the cello.) Just go early,
be patient, and be friendly.
Good luck!
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jekerry
Registered User
(7/28/00 8:53:51 am)
Reply |
bring
chocolate
I know lots of dog people that fly
with their show dogs regularly. They found a great solution to
getting extra special care for their dogs either in luggage or when
they are on the plane (small dogs under the seat). Bring chocolate
for the staff -- lots of it, in pretty boxes. Hand it with lots of
smiles and thanks for all the special care they are taking. If you
are a good cook -- chocolate chip cookies will win lots of smiles
and extra care.
Bribes go a long way in this
world.
Jane
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SlavaBilly
Registered User
(7/28/00 10:12:30 am)
Reply |
Forget
chocolate, bring donuts!
|
Lissey
Registered
User
(7/28/00 12:02:32 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
Hi everyone! Okay, I just got back
today from my first experience flying with my cello. Before I say
anything else though, I have to say that I had the most fantastic
time playing with a youth orchestra and I'm not complaining about
anything!
Had some problems with airport staff though. It
started when I wanted to declare my cello going so they wouldn't
accuse me of having bought it abroad and expect me to pay duty taxes
coming back. This idiot at the airport just kept insisting that I
cannot declare my 'guitar' because I didn't have a receipt or serial
number. What serial number? It's not a computer!!
Then came
the X-ray machine for hand luggage . The guy in charge insisted that
I must pass it through, and in the process of just passing it
throught the machine managed to bang the cello against the metal
frame and give me the fright of my life!
There were some
problems at check-in both going and coming back. It seems none of
the airport staff have ever seen a cello - it took me over 15
minutes both times at check-in till they figured out how I could
take it with me on board (event though it had a ticket). Then once I
was on board, the staff had no idea about the ticket and came to
tell me I couldn't keep my luggage on board! Aaaagh!
Last
problem was just manouvering through the crowds at the airport with
a cello in one hand and a suitcase in the other. To make matters
worse, there was some problem with the luggage conveyer belt at the
airport and there were massive queues and crowds.
Last
disappointment was the window seat. I always bag a window seat
usually but for security reasons you can't have bulky baggage
blocking your path in case of emergency. So Mr. Violoncello got the
nice views! Still, good reasons- never know what might happen.
Still I'm not saying all this to discourage you. Just be
prepared to meet a lot of idiots who have never laid eyes on a cello
before! As I said, I'm not complaining though - this has been one of
the best weeks of my life - I've met great people, made loads of new
friends, played some fantastic music... I just can't wait for
October when I get to do it all again! Have a good time!
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Ernie
Registered User
(7/28/00 5:26:37 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
Once a year I've been buying a seat
for my cello when going to CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians, at
Lake MacDonald in the Laurentians[Canada]). Two or three times have
done this on Air Canada. It's all too true that the airline people
often act as though they had never have this happen before. On
recent flight from Montreal back to Washington, the flight attendant
said that in 13 years he'd never had this experience. Then he dug ot
a 3" thick rule book, which told him that a) the cello had to be
secured with a safety net and b) this had to be done by ground crew!
So two or three burly ground crew men came on board and it took them
10 or 12 minutes to figure out how to strap one cello to the seat.
The flight took off 10 minutes late because of this. By then I was
becoming very popular with the other passengers. My advice: if
possible use a different airline. But of course one can't be sure
it'll be any different.
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Arco
Registered User
(9/11/00 8:52:41 am)
Reply |
Travel
with cello
Buying a seat is sometimes not as
foolproof as one might think. If you fly coach certain planes do not
have bulkheads in coach which is where the cello is required to fly.
I've had stewardesses say that in order for me to fly with the cello
I will have to upgrade my ticket (!!!)...I think the 767 or the
Airbus don't have coach bulkheads. The Airbus does have a very
spacious overhead baggage compartment which if you can successfully
negotiate getting on the plane (even with a ticket somtimes tough,
but without one, yikes!) there's actually room up there for a cello
in a soft case. You'll have to stand guard while people board and
start jamming there laptops, hard little suitcases, etc. into your
precious cello.
Much more advice at my website: www.erikfriedlander.com/travel.htm
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David
Sanders 
Registered User
(9/11/00 10:54:06 am)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
I haven't tried flying with my cello
on a plane for awhile now, but I think the last time they wanted me
to upgrade to business class.
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Paul
Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(9/11/00 7:51:54 pm)
Reply
 |
Leonard
Rose
Is it true that when they asked him
what he had in the case, Leonard Rose said to the young lady "This,
my dear, is an oboe" and the let him board?
I wonder if that
trick could still work today?
I think a good travel case is a
good solution. I use a Kolstein case but it's very unwieldy. Anyone
like Steveneson cases or toher types of travel cases?
Paul Tseng, Cello Chat Administrator
Today's Quote
My Website
MP3!
The San Diego Cello Society
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zambocello
Registered User
(9/11/00 7:55:58 pm)
Reply |
Shipping cases
I used to have a Kolstein case and
observed that because it was heavier it got heaved even harder.
That's when I sold the trunk and decided to always buy a
seat.
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Paul
Tseng ICS Staff
Administrator
(9/11/00 8:00:23 pm)
Reply
|
Re:
Shipping cases
Yes, but it really is good
protection. I had it bouncing around in the flatbed of a truck on a
poorly paved road in Cairo. It bounced almost 2 feet in the air for
about 10 minutes. I got to my rehearsal and it was perfectly in tune
and undisturbed. That really convinced me. BUT...what a pain to lug
around! The wheel base is so narrow that it keeps tipping over from
side to side. (Major design flaw). Try to get it up a flight of
stairs? Fuhgettaboutit!
Paul Tseng, Cello Chat Administrator
Today's Quote
My Website
MP3!
The San Diego Cello Society
|
DWThomas
Registered User
(9/11/00 10:54:30 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Shipping cases
To avoid the old heave-ho, you have
to go heavier yet. Only once in my years of travel have I seen an
object that was picked up and placed gently on an airline cargo
conveyor. It was a large steel machine part strapped to a wooden
pallet and it took five guys to carry it!
Dave
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Joe
S
Registered
User
(9/11/00 11:55:07 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
Hey, I just bought a new tuba, it
weights 30 lbs all by itself. ( Old 6/4 York for those who care.)
I'm just worrying about getting around town with it.
|
me4cello
Registered User
(9/12/00 6:48:08 am)
Reply |
Re:
Specifics about taking cello on a plane ?
It is possible with some airlines to
take the cello in it's hard case to the aircraft and supervise
loading yourself, you then collect it on the tarmac the other end,
this stops the problem of rough bagage handling, I think most
accidents to luggage etc don't happen on the plane itself, but only
when it's being handled. Check with the individual airline..
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