Cost of tuba-flying?

[Peach]

What's the very approx cost to take a tuba in a flight case transatlantic please?
Is it more dependant on size or weight?

Thanks!

[ahowle]

I don't know about trans-atlantic, but I flew to New York from Florida a few weeks ago and checked my F tuba in a flight case. The round-trip cost for that (in addition to the ticket I bought for myself and the one for my CC tuba) was about $450. Flying with tubas is never a fun experience. Good luck,

Austin

[MikeH]

I flew from San Francisco to Simferopol, Ukraine last May with a brand new VMI 3301 in a hard case. On the Virgin America flight from SFO to JFK there was a $25 charge to check the tuba. From JFK to Ukraine on Aerosvit Airlines there was no extra charge - the tuba was checked as a second piece of luggage - and it made the trip with no damage at all! Probably domestic rates have gone up since then and likely every airline has different costs.

Mike

[Tubainsauga]

My quintet flew SkyService to Italy and it didn't cost my anything extra for my tuba because they pooled our baggage allowances though I think they could've charged me almost 200 dollars in theory. On Air Canada 5 years ago, I wasn't charged anything extra to fly to the UK. Within Canada, I'm charged the overweight fee only about half the time and it was about $30 but is now $75-$100. It seems to be at the discretion of the agent in most cases.

[sloan]

What's the very approx cost to take a tuba in a flight case transatlantic please?
Is it more dependant on size or weight?

Thanks!

Depends on the size/weight. Check with the specific airline and be sure to drill down to find their policy on "musical instruments" - there are (more permissive) rules for musical instruments that are different from normal luggage.

In general, a tuba in a standard "hard case" will probably qualify as "1 bag". It is probably oversized (but perhaps not overweight) as a normal bag - but OK as a musical instrument.

If it's small enough, you can purchase a seat. Then the cost is the cost of another ticket - plus the hassle of convincing everyone along the way that you really *can* take it through security, and onto the plane, and belt it into the seat next to you. if you pass all the hurdles, and pay the price, perhaps this will work. I don't personally think it works for tubas. I'd be especially leery of trying this trans-Atlantic.

Checking it as baggage has it's perils, but can work. I flew my YBB-621S in it's standard case from BHM->ATL->SEA-ATL->BHM->ATL->DCA->ATL->BHM within the last month. At each stage, I was charged as if this were a normal suitcase (some flights were free, some were $15 for 1 bag, some were $40 for 2 bags - the tuba plus a suitcase). In all cases, it would have been the same charge for a normal suitcase. On the BHM->ATL->SEA flight, my case picked up a crack in the outer shell, easily repaired with Gorilla Glue and Gorilla Tape (not pretty - but effective). Going this route, you always risk catastrophic damage to the tuba. I think it's rare - but the price is high when it happens. DO NOT count on the airline covering your damage. Check with your insurance agent (BEFORE you travel), or bite the bullet and self-insure (and pray). Pack carefully. See the many threads on how to do this.

Domestically, consider using a service such as "SportsExpress" (now possibly called FirstLuggage, or something like that). They pick up and deliver, for a price.

Consider using a shipper like FedEx (see the many threads on this).

For trans-Atlantic, airline regulations are more complicated - you really need to ask the specific airline(s) (and keep digging until you get the *real* answer).

For me, the bottom line is: if it's for a week or less, I'll try to do this as "normal luggage" and take the risk. If it's for a month or more, I would look into a SHIPPING solution rather than a LUGGAGE solution. Find a shipper, and a shipping container, large enough to hold your tuba+case+padding and ship it separately from your flight.

Bottom line: a tuba hard case is at the very limits of "hand luggage" for air travel. If your tuba+case is VERY SMALL (like my YBB-621), then this is possible. If not, consider it to be
FREIGHT and talk to a shipper. The expense may be big - but not as big as replacing your tuba when you find out the limits of airline insurance for "baggage".

If you are going to fly around Europe after the trans-Atlantic hop, all bets are off - find an EXPERT in European travel (and consider the train).

[Tuba Guy]

If it's small enough, you can purchase a seat. Then the cost is the cost of another ticket - plus the hassle of convincing everyone along the way that you really *can* take it through security, and onto the plane, and belt it into the seat next to you. if you pass all the hurdles, and pay the price, perhaps this will work. I don't personally think it works for tubas. I'd be especially leery of trying this trans-Atlantic.

Ok...well, this does work. More or less...I went to some college auditions last year back on the East Coast and (duh), had to bring my tuba. All I had at that point was a little CB50. I packed it in the hard case but had a seat for it next to me (we had miles saved up). Anyway, my hard case did fit on the plane (it was a little tight, but it is a much bigger case than the horn). I know taht on Continental, they make musical instruments go in the bulkhead row next to the window (so a max of 2 horns on the plane...unless you want to send your tuba first class) and you have to sit next to it. You can also work this into a second meal if the food is good on that flight.
Going through security is going ot be a problem. Those pigheaded a**hole pieces of s**t don't believe that you have bought a ticket for the horn, and are quite bent on making you put it under the plane even though you clearly have a ticket saying "tuba musical instrument".
Course, they also found TNT residue in my case, but i swear that wasn't my fault (glances around nervously)

[sloan]

If it's small enough, you can purchase a seat. Then the cost is the cost of another ticket - plus the hassle of convincing everyone along the way that you really *can* take it through security, and onto the plane, and belt it into the seat next to you. if you pass all the hurdles, and pay the price, perhaps this will work. I don't personally think it works for tubas. I'd be especially leery of trying this trans-Atlantic.

Ok...well, this does work. More or less...I went to some college auditions last year back on the East Coast and (duh), had to bring my tuba. All I had at that point was a little CB50. I packed it in the hard case but had a seat for it next to me (we had miles saved up). Anyway, my hard case did fit on the plane (it was a little tight, but it is a much bigger case than the horn). I know taht on Continental, they make musical instruments go in the bulkhead row next to the window (so a max of 2 horns on the plane...unless you want to send your tuba first class) and you have to sit next to it. You can also work this into a second meal if the food is good on that flight.
Going through security is going ot be a problem. Those pigheaded a**hole pieces of s**t don't believe that you have bought a ticket for the horn, and are quite bent on making you put it under the plane even though you clearly have a ticket saying "tuba musical instrument".
Course, they also found TNT residue in my case, but i swear that wasn't my fault (glances around nervously)

The point is: for that horn, you would probably have had an easier time, for much less $$ (so you used miles - they have value, too) by simply checking it. Yes, you may pick up some damage to the case - and eventually to the tuba - but I'll bet that you come out ahead in the long run by checking a tuba rather than buying airplane tickets for it.

For example - my travels in the last month cost me $40 total for baggage fees. Purchasing a ticket for the tuba would have been more than the price of COMPLETELY REPLACING the case. I did suffer some damage to the case - but nothing that couldn't be fixed by a $20 visit to Home Depot.

It's basically an actuarial computation - how many tickets add up to one brand new tuba, or just a new case?

So...let's hear testimony on the real world data. For people who check tubas - how many flights have you taken, what's the total cost of your tickets, and what's the total cost of damages to case/tuba?

My data: $600 in tickets, $20 in damage - that's a very small sample, but it's a start.

[TUbajohn20J]

It cost me 400$ round trip when i flew to New York this summer. 100$ for oversize charge, and another 100 for overweight charge. $200 there and another 200 on the way home. (American Airlines)..and I had one of the big grey Uni-tec flight cases.

[sloan]

What's the very approx cost to take a tuba in a flight case transatlantic please?
Is it more dependant on size or weight?

Thanks!

Should be simple. Keep your hardcase and tuba under 50 pounds. Expect damage about 10% of the time. If you're flying into JFK like me expect damage about 30% of the time. Usually it's dents in the bell that can be rolled out with a drumstick or by a repairman for $20. Fly an airline that allows 2 pieces of luggage. 1 piece as your tuba and another piece as suitcase with your clothes. I always pack as light as possible. But... If you need to take more stuff pack another small suitcase as a carry-on. Something that fits in the overhead. If you need more you can usually have a small backpack in addition to all of this. Somtimes you have to pass off extra carry-ons to a friend if necessary. If you fly an airline that only allows 1 bag have it be your tuba. If you can cram eveything into an overhead suitcase do that. Out of hundreds of flights I have only been charged overweight twice. Both times it cost me an extra $100. Both were domestic flights in the US. I have never had a problem outside the US with the exception of some slight damage. The Europeans are definitely more receptive to musicians then Americans. Save your reciepts. If some organization is paying for your flight pass the extra costs off to them. Also, scope out the person you are going to drop your bags off with. If you can maneuver to a counter with a happy looking attendant go there. If you go to the old crodgity looking broad chances are you will get charged. Both times I was charged were by 2 older crodgity women that looked like they hadn't been laid in years. You shouldn't have to pay a lot of money to fly that tuba if you follow these basic guidelines. Be sure to take your weed out before you fly.
Rock on...

Again - CHECK the special rules for "musical instruments". These may vary from airline to airline. When I checked with Delta, I found that the weight limit was 100lb and the SIZE requirements were similarly generous (compared to normal baggage).

find the rules, print them out and carry them with you. Click on the "special" button at the automaatic kiosk (if it's there), and say the magic words "it's a musical instrument" (even if you think it should be obvious) so that the agent knows that you know the rules that apply.

Even then, the practical traveller will BE PREPARED for the ignorant agent. Be prepared to pay for overweight/oversized even if you know it's not. The agent standing in front of you holds all the cards AT THAT MOMENT - so pay the $50 and get on the plane. it's *still* cheaper than a seat!

[sloan]

Exactly. That's why you stay away from the old crodgidy agent!!! They hold all the cards and it changes from agent to agent.

And, you know...for some travelers is varies from ZERO to the correct charge - and for others it varies from the correct charge to a ridiculous overcharge...

[MaryMacK]

Flew to the Dominican once using American Airlines. Didn't get charged a cent on the way there and got charged $174 on the way back..... go figure.

[LoyalTubist]

Flew to the Dominican once using American Airlines. Didn't get charged a cent on the way there and got charged $174 on the way back..... go figure.

Very simple... You weren't in the United States! Rules are different.

Here in the Philippines, no domestic airline will fly any piece of luggage weighing more than 15 kg (about 32 lbs.) without a surcharge. If you plan to go to Boracay, the allowance is half that amount. If you plan to take it with you into the cabin, forget it. Even if you pay for a ticket, someone from the airline is going to find a way to make you check the tuba on underneath the plane (with no refund for an unused ticket!)

Your best bet, when traveling here in the Philippines, is to take the ship if you ever plan to see me here in Northern MIndanao. You can ride the ship from Manila to either Cagayan de Oro (where I am working and living now) or Iligan (which neighbors the metropolis of Lugait) for about $24.00. Airfare is about $100 each way and they charge for meals. The ship takes three days but it's comfortable and quiet, even though you are in a room with thousands of other passengers (it's air conditioned!) Meals are included, except that you have to pay for one of them as you leave Manila (it's usually after dinnertime.)

[LoyalTubist]

Here are the two best (and safest) ship lines that have runs between Manila and Northern Mindanao...

Negros Navigation

SuperFerry

SuperFerry is cheaper but Negros tends to be friendlier. Either will let you take as much luggage as you can possibly fit on your bunk.