Traveling with Two Tubas

TubaRay · Post by **TubaRay** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:31 pm

I took an Amtrak a little over a year ago. I didn't attempt to take two tubas, however. I just took my Miraphone in a gig bag along with me in the car. It was allowed as a carryon. I don't remember the exact rules, but this is a much more pleasant way to travel than on a plane. If you have the time, this is the way to go.

KiwiTuba · Post by **KiwiTuba** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:31 pm

I managed to get my F tuba in a gig bag on the Amtrak to Kalamazoo, but the train wasn't particularily crowded. You could buy another seat for one of the tubas and check the other one in it's hard case. Best bet is to call Amtrak and ask.

tubajoe · Post by **tubajoe** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:58 pm

I travel by train with my horn all the time... have gone cross country numerous times and have done it both as carryon and as checked. I travel up and down the east coast by train constantly, with my horn in tow.

Sometimes it is easier than others... usually it depends on how full the train is and / or the humilty and attitude of the conductor.

I'd check your horn in the case (it should be ok in a plywood case, you dont need a flightworthy case for Amtrak) and carry on your other one in the gigbag. Amtrak trains usually have extra space here and there, and the seats are large enough to keep it right with you if need be. (I went from Denver to Chicago once with it in front of me... in my legroom, it was ok)

The NYC-Philly jaunt is a short commuter trip, so dont sweat it. A student of mine has done this trip multiple times recently (carrying on a hard case I think) to come take lessons with no problems.

One thing... AVOID rush hour times at all cost. The less full the train, the better... and friendlier you will find conductors. Be cool with them and do your best to be inconspicuous and out of their way. (whatever you do, dont be a diva!)

And... keep in mind that in this situation (and I cant emphasize this enough) -- it is ALWAYS easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. I'm serious.
...meaning that if you ask if you can bring your tuba on, the answer will of course be "NO". But if you bring it on, be cool and as incognito as you can (with a tuba, ha ha) and stay out of peoples' way, you should be fine. If they hassle you, just say you are sorry and you'll know better next time.

Tell em you are just a musician, makin your way.

Good luck, rock that audition.

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:42 pm

tubajoe wrote:And... keep in mind that in this situation (and I cant emphasize this enough) -- it is ALWAYS easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. I'm serious.

Absolutely. Treat your tuba as it really is: one of your family. If you were traveling with a small child, you'd do the same things. Traveling with my son when he was younger and traveling with my tuba now is very similar. You go forth anyway, look out for its best interests, excuse yourself where you must, always looking ahead for possible obstacles and working around them, and getting on with it.

Of course, this is a metaphor, but it still has validity. Go for it!

Dylan King · Post by **Dylan King** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:03 am

I flew from Los Angeles to NYC one time with my Yorkbrunner (in it's Walt Johnson flight case) and my Rudy F (in the bag).

I checked the Yorkbrunner at the curb both ways with a brand new $50.00 bill to the attendent each time. I bought an extra seat for the Rudy, which was fine. I even got an extra bag of peanuts.

The toughest thing when I got to NYC was finding a cab that would fit that HUGE flight case. I had to call special for a station wagon cab all over town. Not to mention the weird feeling of walking around Broadway with two tubas and all my luggage in the snow, which wasn't exactly an easy time.

On the way back the wheels on the Walt Johnson case were badly damaged, and broke off soon after. I never had them fixed, and that fight case sits in my garage these days. I hope I never have to do that again.

I think that's why I got my little Yami 621 F. In the Dollybag I can practically pass it off as a man-purse, and the horn can play anything, high to low.

Stefan Kac · Post by **Stefan Kac** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:19 am

iiipopes wrote:Treat your tuba as it really is: one of your family. If you were traveling with a small child, you'd do the same things.

The one time I bought a ticket for my horn, the guy at the station gave me a break on the price by only charging a kid's fare for the horn. The ticket said "Tuba Kac" on it. It was cute.

Also, I believe that Amtrak's official policy is that they will not check musical instruments (or anything valued over some absurdly low amount, like $500). That is the reason I found myself in the afore mentioned situation in the first place. Having said that, our collective experiences with Amtrak seem to be waaaaay better than with the airlines.

The next time congress tries to kill Amtrak, get on them about it.

Thomas Maurice Booth · Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:33 am

I just traveled to NYC from Philly and back via the NJ Transit and the SEPTA(connection in Trenton). I had no trouble with having both of my horns. My recommendation would be to not travel at a peak transit time. I sat in the rows of three seats and had my CC taking up two seats next to me and my F standing up on the floor. None of the train conductors had anything to say to me. However, I noticed on the amtrak they had a box (like at an airport) showing the size a "legal" carryon.

If I were you I would take the NJ Transit Train from 30th St. Station in NYC to Trenton, NJ then connecting with the SEPTA to Penn Station in Philly. From there several possibilities will await you and your horns for the final leg to Curtis.

Good Luck!

TMB

Jonathan Fowler · Post by **Jonathan Fowler** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:15 pm

I'll second the idea of taking NJ transit/SEPTA. It will take a little longer, but will also save you money.

You have to take NJ transit (NE corridor) to Trenton (that's the last stop), and then buy a ticket to take the SEPTA R7 into Philly.

Avoid peak times and you will have no problems at all.

This should cost around $20.

Thomas Maurice Booth · Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:16 pm

If you time it right you'll be able to catch an NJ Transit Express train and miss a handful of local stops you would others stop at. However, with the SEPTA no such route exists. You can plan on it taking about 2.5 hrs one-way(NYC<=>Philly).

pierre · Post by **pierre** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:57 pm

Definitely do not take the Acela. The overhead luggage racks are more like those found on airplanes. Not tuba friendly.

Stefan Kac · Post by **Stefan Kac** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:00 am

For those who may be unaware, Amtrak was created by and receives annual funding from the U.S. government. As with the military, public broadacasting, etc., their budget must be approved every so often by congress through an appropriations bill. From the Amtrak website:

Amtrak wrote:Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 to take over the passenger rail services previously required to be operated by private freight railroad companies in the United States. Those companies reported they had operated the services without profit for a decade or more.

And further down the page:

Amtrak wrote:No country in the world operates a passenger rail system without some form of public support for capital costs and/or operating expenses.

RTWT at http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentSe ... &c=am2Copy