Durability of an MTS case

[circusboy]

I know the original poster is now driving, but I thought this might be helpful (from the TSA website):

You may bring musical instruments as carry-on or as checked baggage. To help passengers who are traveling with instruments, we partnered with musical organizations around the country to understand the challenges of transporting musical instruments, and we recommend the following.

Check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the size requirements for their aircraft.

Pack brass instruments in your checked baggage.

Bring your stringed instruments, within carrier size limitations, as carry-on items.

If you have an instrument in your checked baggage, include short written instructions, where a security officer will notice them, for handling and repacking your instrument. Make sure these instructions are very clear and understandable to someone with no musical background.

Carrying Instruments Through Screening Checkpoints
You may carry one (1) musical instrument in addition to 1 carry-on and 1 personal item through the screening checkpoint. This is a TSA Screening Policy. Airlines may or may not allow the additional carry-on item on their aircraft. Please check with your airline before you arrive at the airport.

Security officers must x-ray or physically screen your instrument before it can be transported on an aircraft.

Security officers will handle musical instruments very carefully and will allow you to be as involved as possible in any physical screening.

If security officers cannot clear the instrument through the security checkpoint as a carry-on item, you should transport the instrument and checked baggage instead.

Instruments as Checked Baggage
You may bring musical instruments as checked baggage as long as they fit within the size and weight limitations of the airline you are taking.

We encourage you to stay with your instrument while security officers screen it to make sure it is repacked properly.

Owners should be present when an instrument is removed from its case for screening. For this reason, musicians are advised to add at least 30 minutes to the airline's recommended arrival window when checking their instrument.

The important thing in there, it seems to me, is that you're allowed to be present during inspection.


Other makers of flight cases:

http://www.accordcase.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coldstreamcases/

Contact that last one at coldstream.cases@hotmail.co.uk


On another note:

bloke wrote:

I hate to be so contrary, . . .

[MaryMacK]

I've actually never heard of flight cases made by Accord or Coldstream. They look good in pictures but can't really tell if they're heavy-duty enough for flying. Anybody have any experiences with these cases?

[sloan]

Not to be a "second mother" to you on this, but give yourself at least two hours extra on long trips because of the possibilities of construction and accidents.

As you cross state lines, you will come to Welcome Stations. these are pretty much worth the stop when you are outbound and on a deadline and need information. Factor in time for these stops. They have bathrooms, sometimes free Coca-Cola, and up-to-date information about stuff like construction on your route, along with free official state road maps. ...

Let me echo this sentiment. It took me a LONG time to learn this - but I now think that a cardinal rule of long-range driving is: STOP EVERY 2 HOURS - whether you need to...or not.

Welcome Stations are a must - hit them all. In between, truck stops are excellent (but often hard to spot). These days, nearly every Interstate gas station is attached to a food mart or fast food joint. Use the restroom, buy a cup of coffee, stretch your legs....and back on the road again.

Stop TWICE for every tank of gas: once for the gas tank, and once for you.

Another tried and true trick: get started at o-dark-hundred, and stop for breakfast (Waffle House is your friend) after 2 hours.

[mTaUrBkA]

Yeah...we split it up pretty well for the trip there. 6 hours to NY and stay with some family for the night, then the rest of the way to illinois is split up between two days....so only about 7 hours of actual driving time....but it will be longer with breaks. No rush for the way home though, so we are just gunna take our time and stop and do some touristy stuff.

I am definately investing in a flight case after this trip though for all of my college auditions. I realize I can send recordings as an audition, but I feel strongly that I should actually show up for an audition. Some colleges will definately be of driving distance, but I will need to do a decent amount of flying for other schools. I may also need it depending where I end up at school. No matter where I end up, I am sure I will use it from time to time anyways.

[Tubaryan12]

Another tried and true trick: get started at o-dark-hundred

For trips as short as yours I would suggest just the opposite. I would leave right after rush hour and stop before 5 p.m.. I have never liked driving in the dark (deer, drunks, and sleepy drivers are my main fears) and it disturbs your natural sleep cycle. It's also easier to find gas during the day, and if you should have a break down it's easier to find help. Break up the trip and take breaks like Sloan said, but I would leave in the daytime.

[jmerring]

I just completed a trip from West Palm Beach to Newark, NJ, with my 186 in it's MTS case. The horn escaped with no further damage than already existed and the case only had a couple of small scuffs (I'll clean them off). The lining on the lid did pull loose in one section, but is easily repaired. It pulled loose from all the extra padding I had put inside.

All in all, a suprisingly good outcome.

[MomX4]

Stay with your instrument while TSA inspects it. Have them put their sticker over the latches when they are done.

Also, we took photos of how the tuba looked in the case (extra foam, ball in bell, extra pillows etc.) and included a printed photo in the case so that if someone else opened the case they can see how to put it back together.

[Z-Tuba Dude]

For those of you who have recently flown: Do you think that the TSA would allow you to repack your horn, yourself, once it has been inspected?

[jmerring]

I meant to say, in my previous post, that I had flown from West Palm Beach to Newark. There was a change of planes in Atlanta. The people at Delta did not charge extra for the instrument as checked baggage and took it on a cart, seperately to security and back to me when I was in baggage claim in Newark. TSA put most of the padding back just as I had it. An unusual success story, wouldn't you agree?

[MomX4]

They would not let us cross the line into their area. We asked if we could do it or help but they would not let us. Some may be different, but most likely they will not let you help. They do not want you to possibly put something in the case after they look at it.

[sloan]

For those of you who have recently flown: Do you think that the TSA would allow you to repack your horn, yourself, once it has been inspected?

You can watch - but I don't think you can touch.

My son has flown several times with his euph. The euph is in the original equipment Yamaha case, and his clothes go in the gig bag as a carry-on (or checked). When he arrives at the other end, he has the gig bag for local trnasportation.

He always asks (politely!) the TSA folk to allow him to watch as they check the case, and then LOCKS the case once they pass it. I don't believe he's allowed to touch anything INSIDE the case once he hands it over to TSA.

As an aside...if that's NOT the TSA policy, it SHOULD BE!
(both policies - allowing you to watch and NOT allowing you to help repack it).

He has never had any problem with being allowed to watch the inspection AND locking the case afterwards. Not even so much as a comment. Just "follow me, sir".

[UTTuba_09]

The trick is to make sure you have a big, heavy case that can/will NOT get thrown around.



That case got my thin-metaled St. Pete all around Europe without a single problem.

I actually traveled to Arizona with my horn in this case, yet the airline company still managed to put a $100 crease in the bell. My article about flying with tubas might be able to help you. It illustrates the "inflatable ball" technique to the best of my knowledge. Hope this helps!
http://hammytuba.com/mysite1280x1024/Ar ... 0Horns.pdf