[Trombone-l] Union/Airline Baggage Policy

[Doug Rowe]

>From what I've read recently, however, the major airlines, being strapped
for revenue, are beginning to really kick in enforcement of the "oversized
baggage" charges for checked luggage.

Just like they're charging extra for meals, aisle seats, and bulkhead seats.

I personally haven't flown with a horn for a couple of years now, but, if
what I've read is true, wouldn't be surprised if folks saw an increase in
charges.

Doug




> Bill,
> >
> > Personally, I haven't had much trouble traveling
> > with my horn (2 fairly
> > minor crinkles in 6-8 years).  I don't believe the
> > situation is ideal,
> > but it works.
> >
> > Yearly, I fly 6-8 times here in the US and across to
> > Melbourne,
> > Australia.  Not a ton, but normal for a student.
> > Normally I fly on
> > Southwest, United, Continental, Qantas, American.  I
> > play a Shires Bass,
> > and now use a BAM gig w/ backpack straps.  I've
> > heard that some symphony
> > players will check their bam cases straight off
> > (!#%), but I'm not brave
> > enough for that.  I put mine into a hard golf case
> > which is surely
> > larger than 72 linear inches.  Although I don't
> > bother with bubble wrap,
> > I do pack in towels, jeans, and shoes along the
> > sides (to keep the case
> > from moving around).
> >
> > I've only been charged extra once - on the way back
> > from Hawaii.  That
> > was because I packed in a lot of souvenirs, and the
> > inter-island weight
> > load on Hawaiian stinks. :)  It's Hawaii, though, so
> > $25 was worth it.
> >
> > Again, I don't think my situation is ideal.  I've
> > had my bell crinkled
> > twice, but not with the current travel setup.
> > Previously I tried using
> > a hard case (checked it the horn in the case w/
> > bubble wrap, yada yada.
> > Crinkled it real nice on the first time out ... I
> > was 19, whaddya
> > expect?), and my Edwards bass in its leather gig
> > inside of a golf case
> > (that got my bell just once over a few years). 5
> > years of travel sure
> > beats the hell out of a golf case.  Time for a new
> > one of those, but
> > they're cheap compared to new horns :)
> >
> > I'm interested in hearing how other guys cope,
> > especially bass
> > trombonists?  I'm really afraid to carry-on my horn,
> > even in the BAM,
> > because I don't want to see it get 'gate-checked'
> > all the way to my
> > destination.  I have an inappropriate 10.5" bell - I
> > know it would fit
> > in the overhead on the Qantas trans-Pacific flights,
> > but that doesn't
> > help when I travel domestically here or there.  I
> > heard that Weismann
> > was going to be making some cool bass bone gigs, but
> > they hadn't started
> > production when I inquired (last October).
> >
> > Great question, Bill.  Hope to hear what more people
> > have to say.
> > Thanks for the run-down on the AFM materials, too.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Denton Thomas
> >
> > --
> > DentonLT at usa.net / dentonlt.com
> > +1.512.680.7395
> > Entering DMA: Performance, Trombone
> > The University of Texas at Austin
> >
> >
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