[honeytenor]

I'm traveling to Australia this fall, and I'm wondering what experiences people have had taking their Bari sax onboard airlines as a carry-on (I'm currently using the Pro Tec contoured case). I've only had to travel with tenor/alto before, so this is new territitory.
Obviously, I'm very concerned about showing up with my horn and having to check it underneath. I can borrow a huge flight case, but then I have to travel in-country with it as well. The other possibility is having a horn provided there, but I'll still need to take it with us on local flights.
Are there different size/policy regulations for international and local Australian flights (I believe all our travel is on Quantas)? Any way to get clearance in advance?
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated.

-Jim

 

[Bernards20040]

All i can say is that no way are you going to get a Bari sax on a plane as carry on (International or domestic)the thing won't even fit in the overhead stowage.
Even a tenor is only a maybe:shock:

 

[littlemanbighorn]

All i can say is that no way are you going to get a Bari sax on a plane as carry on (International or domestic)the thing won't even fit in the overhead stowage.
Even a tenor is only a maybe:shock:

Baris will fit in the overheads. They'll often try to tell you otherwise, but don't believe them.

 

[awholley]

Some cases may fit in some overheads, but when I went to France with a bari, it was quite clear that my friend's tenor barely fit. There was no way the bari would have fit. If I had to do it again, I'd pack my bari for shipping (case inside a box with insulation) and plan on storing or discarding the packing at the destination. My bari was sent in the cargo hold in the much-maligned Walt Johnson case. I had no issues with its condition at arrival, though it was a day late returning after being mis-routed in US Customs.

 

[littlemanbighorn]

A lot of it depends on how charming you are, but I've always found it preferable to bring the horn in a case (preferably a high quality one and NOT a rectangular one). At the gate, do your best to (very politely) insist on carrying it on and tell them that it WILL fit in the overheads. Once on the plane, if the horn doesn't fit in the overheads you'll generally find airline stewards more accomodating for check-in staff in terms of finding somewhere safe to put the horn.
Mats Gustafsson flies back and forth from Europe with his SBA Baritone in a Reunion Blues canvas gig bag. He said that that way he knows that it'll fit in the overhead compartments and gives him a strong point for telling them why he can't check it. He's much more confident in his ability to charm the checkin staff than I am.
If I can't get my horn on the plane, I gate-check it (walk it to the end of the walkway and have the baggage handlers only handle it the dozen metres or so from the walkway to the plane and again back to the walkway on the other end.) That way it's not sliding down any luggage carousels or being tossed onto some luggage trailer.

 

[curly]

I flew Qantas to the US this year with an alto. There was no way a bari in a pro tec case ( I have one ), would have fitted in the overhead compartment.

good luck

 

[gary]

Jim. You need to be talking to Quantas.

 

[Pinnman]

gary is absolutely right. Some airlines will now allow saxes, but forward planning is the key.

 

[honeytenor]

"So I guess the answer is no?"

If anyone is curious...

Quantas was not going to say yes up front, so no help there. I was fortunate enough to track down a friend who just moved back to Sydney and was glad to loan me her Yani bari for our Oz dates. Since the backline (drums, upright bass and amps) will travel by van between cities, it looks like it all works out ok.

Of course, that doesn't provide any answers for traveling bari players. The only solution seems to be investing in a good-quality flight case, premium instrument insurance and a gym membership.

-Jim

 

[Bernards20040]

It's not QUANTAS It's QANTAS and stands for Queensland And Northern Teritory Air Service

Sheesh

 

[trane in training]

i've heard from a lot of bari players that they simply buy an extra ticket and put it in the seat next to them. And don't upfront listen to the gate people...I had Delta tell me I needed to check my tenor, but it fit in the overhead, and even one time where I barely made the flight and the overheads were full, the flight attendant let me put it in the closet on board...just do your best to remain polite at all times....it's not their fault if they don't realize how important our instruments are to us...