Flying with a tuba

[braedenheld]

Hello all,

I am flying in about a month for an audition, and I do not own a flight case for my bass tuba. If you have any tips for packaging a horn so that is is safe(er) for flight, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Braeden Hled

[braedenheld]

Package it in an automobile.

Unfortunately I do not have my own car to make that trip

[Bnich93]

The tuba repair will likely cost as much as the car would have. A flight case costs less than either and still doesn't guarantee the horn's safety.

[MaryAnn]

Depending on how big it is, there was one fellow years ago who got a wheeled large garbage can and used spray foam to fill in the blanks. But how about taking the bus? Yourself and the tuba.

[bort]

How far is the flight? It might be cheaper to rent a car. Or, make friends with someone in the audition city, and buy them a whole lot of beer to borrow their tuba?

[bort]

#7 is how to get things done right.

[tubajoe]

If you cant find a tuba case, you can always build one... but chances are it's going to be heavier than you can now get away with.

I know some folks who have successfully toured with their tuba in a cardboard box.... with tons of bubble wrap / straw etc. It's possible. Look into how manufacturers ship brand new tubas (bought without cases), I know a guy who would buy boxes/packaging from tuba manufacturers. He'd change boxes every few trips.

Avoid american-based legacy airlines. They are the bottom of the barrel. I can't emphasize this enough.

You can try to walk your horn through screening, you legally have the right to... however not all airports are set up for this and they have the right also (I think) to simply say no you cant fly. For instance, if I fly from LaGuardia, the TSA station is right there and walking it through is easy. If I fly through JFK (depending on terminal) screening is on a different floor and in a secured area where the public cant go.

Be super nice to the counter agents. Super duper nice. Your tuba's fate is in their hands.

DON'T CHECK ANY OTHER BAGS. This is CRUCIAL. If you check a second bag, with many airlines, this activates a loophole for them to charge you up the wazoo. Don't even try it. Your tuba has to be your only checked bag.

Get to the airport EARLY. 2+ hours for domestic flights, 3-4 hours for international. You want your tuba to possibly be the first thing on the plane.... and to be loaded before the rush happens.

Make sure every layover is at least 2, preferably 3 hours. Otherwise, your horn may not make it. It will always be moved last...

Inside whatever case you use, include instructions AND A PHOTO on how to repack it. (again, I can't stress this enough...I've had TSA agents thank me for this!!!!)

Try to get your horn package under 50 lbs. Not only will this help in avoiding overage fees, some airline unions have things about carrying heavier things... and this is a common cutoff that will activate other procedures if over (like forklifts etc).
Also, be conscious on the "appearance" of it's weight... If it's lighter than they expect, they will often be: "Oh wow! this isn't as bad as I thought, you can go on through"

If you can afford it, you can try going the extra seat route. But that too is PITA, but you might get an extra meal.

TSA in smaller, inner airports is much more difficult than in larger high volume airports.

Pray.

Insure your horn. I use MusicPro.

[Alex C]

My tuba was packed to resist a nuclear explosion... but not the idiot of a TSA bag inspecting agent who decided the horn need a thorough inspection, dis assembling it, dropping it, not RE-assembling it and RE-packing it incorrectly. About $2000 damage and the airline refused to make amends. I advise people to drive wherever they want to take their tuba unless you don't care about it.