Flight case choice (Walt Johnson vs. Accord)

[joh_tuba]

I really should stop interjecting in this thread but apparently I can't help myself..

It's my humble opinion that one of the pros(as long as it's not so heavy that the airlines won't take it at all) of the Walt Johnson case *is* the weight. They are not easy to throw long distances. I once watched out the window as a luggage gorilla reared up and made a valiant effort to see how far he could toss my horn.. it moved about two inches.. at which point he gingerly lifted it by the handle and rolled it to its destination like a decent human being.

That said, a large cardboard box by nature of the size, shape, and lack of handles doesn't invite tossing either.

joh 'still not helping' tuba

[joh_tuba]

Yeah.... My PT6 in the WJ case is 75lbs.

You have to watch it. The smaller WJ cases don't push so close to that weight limit.

[Donn]

Speaking of limits, probably worth mentioning the size limits. The no-charge limit for checked baggage seems to be typically 62", length+width+height, which is not going to get you much tuba. Past that, I'm having to dig a little for details, but Delta gives you an extended special case limit because it's a musical instrument, so 115" rather than 80" -- but I think still with a $200 extra charge, and it goes `space available', ideally on your flight but maybe not. (This may actually be an advantage, if it means they wouldn't put it on first and pile everything else on top, but it can be a drag if it really goes on a later flight.) And I bet 115" will go pretty fast when you're trying to fit a tuba in it.

[joh_tuba]

No tuba will fit inside 62" unless you do the Baadsvik solution: http://www.lowbrassmusic.com/blog/traveltuba/

BUT! Even the largest tuba cases would have to work to exceed 115".

A 2'x2'x4' box would easily handle a very large tuba and would be 96".