flying

[Matt Good]

Joe,

After packing the tuba up in this manner, would you planning on shipping it or checking it?

-Matt

[ginnboonmiller]

The one time I tried this, I was booted from the flight, forced to send my tuba cargo, at which point the cargo people assured me that it would be on the same flight that I was on. They didn't ship it at all. I literally had to steal the tuba back from New York when I returned from my trip, after playing a weekend of gigs on a borrowed tuba, and then lodge a complaint when the airline tried to bill me for shipping a tuba that sat in the corner of their warehouse for five days while they looked for it, even though it hadn't moved since when I dropped it off.

But you know, yeah, Joe. Do that.

[Donn]

The one time I tried this

What airline?

and add ADDITIONAL bubble-wrap (or other possibly-better materials...perhaps stiff foam rubber or something else...) inside the cardboard carton in strategic places.

I was thinking about insulation foam board, glued to the cardboard. The stuff that's pink or green depending on which big box store you get it at, comes in several thicknesses. The way I'd have done it would have increased the overall dimensions, but there might be a way to use it just in the corners and still get some benefit. It isn't the cushy kind of padding, more for absorbing some of the harsher impacts.

- The carton would be made of HIGH GRADE, NEW-ISH, and HEAVY GAUGE corrugated cardboard and NOT made of old or Chinese-recycled-materials corrugated cardboard.

For something a little more permanent, the "fluted polypropylene" material that's often used for yard signs etc. is light and extremely strong. It also resists any kind of cements, so about the best you can do is rubber-cement.

I never got to the point where I had a design that could easily be opened by TSA and reliably put back the way it was. I was looking at a small Eb tuba. Luckily it wasn't needed.

It seems to me that the energy transfer question is about "where." Assuming we're talking about a sufficiently violent impact that it isn't all absorbed and some force is applied to the contents, you want it to go to stronger points, and diffused as broadly as possible, rather than focused on some weaker part. Some kind of hard case has an important role in that, but it depends on the nature of the impact. I'm not an engineer, though I've had a job title with "Engineer" in it, somewhat akin to "sanitary engineer."

[Matt Good]

I'm not trying to be an obstructionist but I doubt this would work with TSA. TSA would want to go through that box and tear up your packaging materials and repack it any way they so desired. TSA will not allow you to be present while they rifle through your box.

If you would ship this via air cargo, I would make sure that you have the proper documentation to prove your ownership of the instrument. Years ago, the DSO was on a tour (pre-EU) and our instrument truck was stopped by Austrian Customs as they demanded a deposit for the ENTIRE truckload of instruments. I mention this as you have to be aware that your are subject to any capricious decisions that are beyond your control along the way.

I refuse to travel by air with a tuba. I will also not buy a seat for a tuba on the plane as it seems to be too much of a hassle (plus I don't want anybody to know I play the tuba). I am fortunate that I have the luxury that my Management will move my tubas to all of our out-of-town/overseas engagements. If my services are requested outside my symphony employment in North America, I'll either drive OR somebody has to furnish me with an instrument at my destination.

-Matt

[ginnboonmiller]

The one time I tried this

What airline?

Well, this was back in 2001, but I'm pretty sure it was US Airways. What I do remember is that it was the day after the counter people got new managers from the larger airline that had just merged with them, so everyone insisted on doing everything by the letter and taking no chances. I wouldn't say I had what would be a typical experience, but I would say that I haven't flown with my tuba since. Flight cases are expensive and boxes are impractical and it's just not worth it for me.

[Rick F]

I found using a hot glue gun works great in sealing cardboard flaps closed. Might be easier than Gorilla glue. Every year I box up two large boxes for our sons and 7 grand-kids. My sons always comment on how hard it was to open the boxes.

Also, remember Norm Pearson's post on packing a tuba. Has great instructions along with pictures.

Packing a tuba for shipping (lots of pitures)

[Donn]

I will also not buy a seat for a tuba on the plane as it seems to be too much of a hassle (plus I don't want anybody to know I play the tuba).

Me neither! I pretend I'm homeless and this is just my accommodations, makes a better impression.

[bort]

The one time I flew internationally for music stuff, my tuba stayed home, and I rented one locally. It was actually a better tuba than I owned at the time, so that was pretty sweet. Unless I were someone who would regularly fly with a tuba, there's no way I would try it. And if I were someone who regularly flies with a tuba, then I would 1) travel with something that is not irreplaceable (does the CSO York fly?), 2) insure the full replacement value of it, and 3) probably end up spending the $2,000 for the fancy case, gritting my teeth, and hoping for the best.

I can imagine this scenario is a lot different for people who play for a career, though.

[Three Valves]

Don't you mean Constantinople??

[Donn]

Open water travel case?

[pjv]

Really,
just bring a fiberglass sousaphone and be done with it. And if you play your cards right you can sell it and make a profit.
If the organization one plays with doesn't agree then let THEM pay for an extra seat.

[hup_d_dup]

Don't you mean Constantinople??

No, Byzantium. It was better in the old days.

Hup

[TubaSteve]

The one time I flew to Germany and a tour of Europe, we had a case made for the Meinl Weston, but I ended up taking a Holton fiberglass Sousaphone instead. It was packed with a lot of my clothes in the hard case to help cushion the horn and give me extra room in my suit case. At the airport, I was looking out at the baggage folks tossing the horns from the hold of the DC-10 to the bins of the baggage train 20 feet below. I was so glad that the Meinl Weston was not along on that trip.

Steve