[Trombone-l] Tips on how to fly

[Bill Dinwiddie]

Hi Nick,

I had very good luck recently by putting my horn in it's Protec soft case, 
wrapping it in tons of bubble wrap (also bubble wrap in the inside of the 
Protec), and putting the whole thing in a golf bag case, which I borrowed 
from a friend. Through the airplane window, I actually saw the airline 
baggage people, throw the horn about 6 feet onto a luggage cart and then 
throw a bunch of suitcases on top of my golf bag case. When I got to the 
hotel and opened it up, I expected the worst, but there was not a scratch or 
a dent or any misalignment. In retrospect, I probably could have gotten it 
aboard as carry-on luggage, but that is quite risky, because the flight 
attendants absolutely do NOT have to allow you to bring it on board. If they 
say no, then you are really screwed, because your soft case is going to go 
in the baggage hold with all those hard suitcases, or you are going to fly 
without your horn. The bass player, the trumpet player, the sax player and 
the guitar player got their axes on as carry-on. I was unwilling to take the 
risk, and I'm glad I went to the extra trouble. Good luck.

Bill Dinwiddie
billdin at comcast.net

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I'm flying to Calgary in a few days to play in the National Youth
Band (Canada).  Any tips on how to fly without damaging the trombone?

Thanks,
Nick Mahon