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I'm considering flying to the US Army Tuba-euph Conference this year so inquired about AirTran's policy. Here's the response...not really sure I want to do this, but it's still under consideration.

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Thank you for your interest in future travel with AirTran Airways. Customers are permitted to purchase an additional seat for the transport of articles that are not suitable for acceptance as checked or carry-on baggage. You may travel with your tuba in the main cabin; however, you must purchase an additional seat for the instrument at the full applicable fare plus a 6.25% cargo tax. Customers who wish to travel with ticketed baggage must contact the airline directly to ensure the itinerary is properly documented.

Articles accepted as cabin baggage occupying a seat must meet the following requirements:

(1) Weight may not exceed 150 pounds

(2) Size must not exceed 160 inches in total outside linear dimensions. No one (1) side may exceed 72 inches.

(3) Must go through airport security check point

(4) Must be of a shape and size that it will fit in an aircraft seat and be secured with the seatbelt, including a seatbelt extension, if necessary

(5) Must not occupy an emergency exit seat and in no way obstruct the movement of any person onboard the aircraft. The recommended seat assignment for the ticketed baggage is in a window seat in any row other than an emergency exit row.

(6) Must be packaged or covered in a manner to avoid possible injury to customers

Any customer traveling with cabin seat baggage will be offered pre-boarding to ensure proper placement of the ticketed baggage.

If I have failed to address all of your concerns, please contact me directly in a reply to this message. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you on a future AirTran Airways flight.
Sincerely,

LeAnne Fawcett
Customer Relations Department
AirTran Airways

I've flown from BHM->DCA with my tuba as *checked* baggage - but that was on Delta, which has a tuba-friendly published policy on
size and weight limits FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. I have never paid an over-weight/over-sized fee on Delta. I have flown both my Yamaha 621 (very small) in its original equipment case (minor damage to the case, none to the tuba) and my King 2341 (moderate size) in its original equipment case (not a scratch). The key (on Delta) is to utter the magic incantation "musical instrument" when checking in. (and...carrying a printed copy of Delta's policy)

But, this year I am taking the train from BHM. With a roomette, it's a bit more expensive than flying and takes 18 hours - but I can work and sleep and can keep all my luggage (including a tuba) near at hand. I may bring the 36J in a gig bag if Joe finishes it in time; otherwise, I'll bring the King in a gig bag.

These days, when I drive to DC I do it in two days, with a stop-over almost exactly halfway in-between. That takes as long as the train (longer, if I sleep in) and costs nearly as much as flying.

I played a job for a major airline INSIDE the terminal. TSA (Thousands Standing Around) was so brutal with the euphoniums that I would not let them handle my $9000 tuba without help from me. That was unsatisfactory to them.

A supervisor was called, a high level conference was held and thirty minutes later I hadn't moved an inch when someone from the airline came and raised a ruckus and TSA let me through just in time for the gig.

If you are considering taking your tuba on the airplane to avoid mishandling, you will still have to deal with TSA and the new attitude they have adopted. I'd take Bloke's advice instead.

I flew with tuba last month on AirTran. I went online, bought two tickets, both in my name(one Sr. one Jr.) With gig bag went thru security. I got on plane and sat next to tuba. No problems. Nobody mentioned a 6% charge, I've never heard of that. I've done this many times. You should have no problem. If anyone tells you it needs to be checked tell them you bought a seat for it.

I've flown Air Tran a few times, and they have always offered gate check for my horn, where I bring my hard case through security and the airline staff loads it on the plane from the gate, right before takeoff. So far -- no damage.

Dylan,

When you reach your destination do they offload for you at the gate, or does it still go through regular baggage handling?

GC wrote:Dylan,

When you reach your destination do they offload for you at the gate, or does it still go through regular baggage handling?

At the destination the horn came through regular baggage each time.

Another precaution I take is to label the case on all sides as FRAGILE - MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, and I also have an instructional card clear-taped by the latches that tells TSA/whomever how to inspect and handle my horn, and how to properly place it back in the case.

I like bloke’s suggestion, but sister Helen (as far as I know) still is an active military musician of some sort. I don’t suggest she be fetched in a military Hercules, but that mostly is because she unlike some other former WAC’s will fit in a smaller plane. I guess a big deal of Helen’s joy would be joining whatever ensembles open to her.

Would it be an option for her to loan a DC military BBb?

Klaus

Thanks for the input guys. I’ll see you in Ft Myers. I’m 90% sure I’m a go for my second year in a row.

Responses:
1/ Drive your car. Leave Huntsville at 6:00 A.M. and arrive in Arlington at 8:00 P.M.
Yes. This is an option….and will probably ride with a tuba buddy.

2/ Fly. Leave your tuba at home.
No. This is not an option. I hope some folks wouldn't mind getting together and jamming.

3. Military affiliation (In response Klaus’ statement)
I am now retired. YAHOOOOOOOO!!!! However, I kinda miss it. I have no regrets…except, perhaps my last few years. If done over again I would have been a member of the 313th Army Reserve Band in Birmingham rather than the Public Affairs unit I joined in Nashville. (USA)

Not that anyone has asked, but tuba playing for me has become sort of a “Bucket List” thing. Ya know….the one who plays the most notes below middle C before they die wins.

bloke wrote:Last year, there was a severe snow storm (the first of several in the D.C. area last winter ) during the Conference that was bad enough to cancel the "grand finale" concert. However, by the next morning the major roads (as well as I-66 and I-81) were completely cleared off.

One might wonder why RD’s company hasn’t made a business out of covering the US road system with Gore-Tex?

K

Hey Bloke....

I was there last year. I drove. Oh, and I believe we met. You're quite tall..aren't you?

Yes. Big storm.

I fell in the snow while carrying my tuba on my back as I left the building. Not to worry....I had padding to land on and no tubas were harmed in transit.

sloan wrote:

But, this year I am taking the train from BHM. With a roomette, it's a bit more expensive than flying and takes 18 hours - but I can work and sleep and can keep all my luggage (including a tuba) near at hand. I may bring the 36J in a gig bag if Joe finishes it in time; otherwise, I'll bring the King in a gig bag.

Belay that!

AmTrak called. No service between Mississippi and Atlanta on my travel dates. Full refund in the works.
so, I'm flying on Delta instead - probably with my 621 (or perhaps imposing ...)

Interestingly, flying is cheaper - but a car from DCA is more expensive than a car from Union Station - so it balances out.

bloke wrote:fwiw,
My friend, Dr. Charles Schulz, had two different Yamaha 621 cases trashed (both in perfect condition prior to flights) on two different plane trips.

I know several people who have had automobiles totaled on city streets.

^&*%^&* happens.

sloan wrote:

bloke wrote:fwiw,
My friend, Dr. Charles Schulz, had two different Yamaha 621 cases trashed (both in perfect condition prior to flights) on two different plane trips.

I know several people who have had automobiles totaled on city streets.

^&*%^&* happens.

Well.... if you pay someone to ship your tuba you have an expectation of a minimal level of service which includes delivery and safety. They don't do it for free after all.

I loaned a case to a friend of mine flying out of the country, he didn't have a hard case. The airline managed to destroy the case and the horn BUT he got paid for the horn. Those were the good old days.

bloke wrote:

sloan wrote:

bloke wrote:fwiw,
My friend, Dr. Charles Schulz, had two different Yamaha 621 cases trashed (both in perfect condition prior to flights) on two different plane trips.

I know several people who have had automobiles totaled on city streets.

^&*%^&* happens.

Go for the gust...er...^&*%^&*, my friend. Chuck doesn't fly that often, and less often with a tuba.

You have recently seen the results of taking a tuba to (gasp!) REHEARSAL in the company of present and former BAND DIRECTORS. Should we stop doing that, too? Of course, the offending party was a trombone player...

"This is my tuba, there are many like it, but this one is mine..."

I recently ordered luggage by mail order. The bag arrived wrapped in plastic, bubble-wrap, and corrugated cardboard. When I travel, should I wrap it up just like that, to prevent bad things from happening to it?

There's a not-so-fine line between being careful and prudent....and mounting it in a museum display case.

Did everyone see Canadian Brass at TUSABTEC recently? Chuck's bell was horribly disfigured - no doubt courtesy of the airline gorillas. Somehow, he still managed to make music.