Flying with tuba in the cabin

[Wyvern]

I will be flying to a gig next week (my first international engagement! ) and the orchestra are booking the seat beside me on the air flights for my tuba (will be my Melton Eb for Brahms German Requiem).

My question is - in that situation, will it be safe enough to travel with the tuba in its gig bag, or would it still be advisable to use the hard case?

Appreciate feedback from those more experienced at flying with tuba.

[rocksanddirt]

second the gig bag. a full size hard case might not fit within the seat area.

[MaryAnn]

Not to freak you out but I have read of one instance where the tuba seat was paid for, the airline was overbooked, and the tuba had to relinquish its seat to a person and ride down with the luggage. Not a pretty thought. Were it I...I'd have a contingency plan (but that is, literally, what I do for a living, make contingency plans.)

MA

[windshieldbug]

Not to freak you out but I have read of one instance where the tuba seat was paid for, the airline was overbooked, and the tuba had to relinquish its seat to a person and ride down with the luggage. Not a pretty thought. Were it I...I'd have a contingency plan (but that is, literally, what I do for a living, make contingency plans.)

MA

Split the difference, carry the tuba in a dentbag, and check the empty case (just in case... )

[Rick Denney]

Split the difference, carry the tuba in a dentbag, and check the empty case (just in case... )

If that happens, the case will already be aboard the plane and absolutely inaccessible if they reject the tuba. Keep thinking, though.

The contingency plan for me would be to refuse to board, and choose a flight early in the day so that other flights would be available to be moved to. The airline will move you to another flight if part of your "party" is bumped, and then you become their victim and they often treat you more nicely. (As long as you act like a victim and not like a combatant.)

Rick "noting that with the new security, there is no access to checked baggage--at all--after it goes through the security check at the ticket counter" Denney

[thebaz67]

Also, if the gate staff will let you preboard since some airlines require you to place the tuba behind the bulkhead.

thebaz67

[MartyNeilan]

When you check in insist on a second boarding card that says "Tuba" on it. It will save a lot of hassle at the gate(from experience of people who think you're pulling a fast one!)
Mike

I would like to see the photo ID for that one!

[windshieldbug]

When you check in insist on a second boarding card that says "Tuba" on it. It will save a lot of hassle at the gate(from experience of people who think you're pulling a fast one!)
Mike

I would like to see the photo ID for that one!

(and what would it's orientation be!?)

[bud]

On some flights, the flight attendants made me sit in the front row, the seats with a wall in front of you. There is more space there and I was able to have it stand up, bow on the floor. Ask for a seat belt extension when you're getting seated.

[Wyvern]

Well, I made my outward flight without too much issue. I was sorry that the boarding card was labeled EXST (whatever that means?) rather than tuba, but I was given two seats together.

Security at Heathrow airport did not really know what to do about my tuba, as it was too big to go through their X-Ray machines, so the supervisor was called who got me to take it out of its gig bag and although I offered to play, all they did was wave a wand over it (what that detects, I cannot say), X-Ray the empty bag and let me through.

On the flight the cabin staff had never seen a tuba before, so it created some interest, but I got a seatbelt extension, strapped my Melton Eb in its window seat beside me where it had a trouble free flight.

At my destination, I was stopped by security who asked what it was, asked to see invitation letter from orchestra, but were most interested in the tuba stand inside my suitcase.

Concert this evening, then will see how my return flight goes tomorrow.

[Getzeng50s]

Not to freak you out but I have read of one instance where the tuba seat was paid for, the airline was overbooked, and the tuba had to relinquish its seat to a person and ride down with the luggage. Not a pretty thought. Were it I...I'd have a contingency plan (but that is, literally, what I do for a living, make contingency plans.)

MA

I would never have stood for this. I would milk the airlines for everything I could if they did this to me. free tickets probably.