[Dixielandjazz] flying with your instrument

[jazzfact]

Hi Elazar and All,

I have travelled many times with my sousaphone both domestic and
internationally. My instrument has travelled thousands of kilometres in
baggage. I built a case with plywood and high impact foam which I have
witnessed baggage handlers standing on with no damage. It is covered =
with
fragile stickers. I can send some pictures if you like. I have only the
instrument in the case and pack lead pipes, mouth pieces, and other bits
like valve oil in my suitcase (also in Baggage). (I once spent a nervous
half hour in customs in Indonesia with a music lyre as the point of
conversation!) I also found it's best to travel with a band as the =
baggage
weights get averaged out if you travel together. Have all required =
papers
ready and get a letter beforehand from anyone at the airline about your
special risks.  NEVER make jokes to airline or security staff about
ANYTHING. There have been people jailed in Australia for doing just =
that.
Get to the check in counter early and be first in any queue, be polite =
but
firm about your needs. Treat everyone you see in or around the airport =
with
respect. It always works for me!

regards,
Richard Stevens
www.thejazzfactory.net

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Elazar =
Brandt
Sent: Sunday, 19 October 2003 6:49 AM
To: Dixie Jazz Mail List
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] flying with your instrument=20

Shalom Jazz Fans,

Anyone had any success invoking this AVO 6100-19 rule to get a tuba on =
board
a
flight? If anyone has commented on flying with a tuba, I've missed it. =
My
only
experience is bringing mine back to Israel after buying them in Prague, =
and
Czech Air has been very cooperative, but they've traveled as baggage, =
not on
board.

Now that I'm playing more and still traveling a lot, I'm tempted to try =
to
bring
a tuba along. I'm willing to travel with less baggage, i.e., one =
moderate
suitcase instead of two. But I can't think of anyplace they would put a =
tuba
on
board, even on a jumbo jet, if they did let you bring it. One of mine is =
a
concert horn, about an 18" bell, that is not completely unreasonable in
size. I
don't have any hard cases that would stand up to baggage handling, and =
it is
likely that buying one would cost more than the (used) horns did.

Also, is this rule applicable internationally or only within the US?

Thanks for any help,

Elazar
Ministry of Jazz
Doctor Jazz Band
Jerusalem, Israel
<www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz>
Tel: +972-2-679-2537



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