I use pelican cases for my AMT mics and while they're strong, I'd be a bit concerned about how truly crush proof they are at those dimensions. In addition, the tear foam inside is not firm at all -- saxes should be held tightly in their case. I'd recommend a calzone tenor sax case, but from what I can tell, they're not made anymore, and they were really heavy.

Maybe check out Cabine cases ? I had one on my alto and it was super sturdy and not too heavy. I didn't like it, though as it had no storage room at all, but for a flight it might be what you're looking for.

Edit: Seems like Cabine also goes by BAM? In any case, here's a link to their (expensive!) alto flight case, but if you're gigging you can write it off on your taxes

 

Alto Saxophone Flightcase

Saxophone case with routed foam insert

www.swanflight.com

 

There's no question that the pictured case would keep the alto from getting crushed. However, that looks like an extremely loose fit. I'd be more worried about the mechanism getting bent from jostling in such a case.

 

You need a firm inner padding next to the horn and then a soft outer padding between that and the case shell. All soft can still let inertial forces bend stuff, and all hard makes the instrument decelerate too fast if it's dropped. There are basically no cases that are like this.

 

True, but I know of a foam store here where I could probably do it myself with multiple layers of foam. But this is a great tip, and you may have just found the answer to the Pelican case or something similar....design the foam insert yourself.

 

Check your other stuff and put your sax in the overhead, especially since you had a bad experience.

 

The OP is travelling with both a tenor and an alto and needs to check the alto to be able to put the tenor in the overhead.

 

I would try and bring on board, keep the tenor on your back (backpack straps) so it's not visible and carry the alto. You might get hassled but ultimately it's up to the flight attendants. I usually ask when entering the plane if there is closet space for at least one horn. If you have to gate check it, it's usually much better than going through the whole baggage system.

 

I've had some airlines refuse to ticket me unless I check, or accept a gate check for one of the instruments...before I even get to TSA. I'm hoping that checking the horn in a reliable case will be the answer to all this hassle.

 

Roadie cases are well made and protective, the most reasonably priced -ATA cases I’ve found, don’t even consider checking a horn not in an ATA approved flight case!

 

Found this online -- seems promising, as it looks like the Calzone cases I refer to above, but you'd need to ask about the foam. The price is extremely reasonable as well ($300 shipped)

Alto Saxophone ATA ~Airliner~ Case with Wheels - Road Cases

 

Yeah, I've been looking at that as well. It would probably work...it's just a little big with that extra compartment. The bottom end of the instrument also sits a little close to the edge. Interesting, it actually weighs less than the Pelican air with foam....might be a better option overall.

 

I remember a cellist who got an extra seat for their instrument.

 

For one gig...maybe not a bad option. For many gigs...you start losing money! Lol!

 

If you have the $:

Wiseman London | Tenor and Alto Saxophone Carbon Fibre Double Case

wisemanlondon.com

 

Yikes! Yeah, those are amazing cases......but that price tag....

 

Rent an alto at your destination, may not be to your liking but I have done it a few times. You call local shops and see what they have for sale, they usually are willing to rent high-end used horns they are retailing, Explain what it is for, ask to have two horns to audition, and swing by the shop to play test. Most shops are very helpful and will make sure the horns are set up correctly Cheaper than buying a case and check-in charges and still the possibility of damage..
Because....

 

I would get a BAM case for it. It may be the only case I would trust my horns as checked baggage.

 

Yeah, my tenor is in a BAM cabine, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable checking that. If a Walt Johnson isn’t sturdy enough, the Bam probably isn’t either.

 

Also, remember that your luggage may not make it even if you do.

Amid the Summer Flying ‘Meltdown,’ Add Lost Luggage

Surging air travel demand and airport staffing shortages have made this a bedeviling season when it comes to missing luggage. Here’s what to know if your bag doesn’t arrive when you do.

www.nytimes.com

 

Well, I have an update here folks. I decided to go for it, and I used a Pelican case to "build" my own case. I've used it a handful of times now with no damage at all. Thankfully, I had some input from a friend who has designed cases and recommended I include some crumple zones. A little ambitious, a little time consuming, but at the end of it all I feel pretty confident that this is a solid solution. While I could have taken advantage of the extra space to include a spot for my flute, I wanted the maximum amount of distance from the horn to the sides of the case. I could still create space for it if I want. I used a Pelican Air case, which is plenty durable, small enough NOT to be considered oversized, and with the horn and the case combined it is underweight as well.

 

Well, I have an update here folks. I decided to go for it, and I used a Pelican case to "build" my own case. I've used it a handful of times now with no damage at all. Thankfully, I had some input from a friend who has designed cases and recommended I include some crumple zones. A little ambitious, a little time consuming, but at the end of it all I feel pretty confident that this is a solid solution. While I could have taken advantage of the extra space to include a spot for my flute, I wanted the maximum amount of distance from the horn to the sides of the case. I could still create space for it if I want. I used a Pelican Air case, which is plenty durable, small enough NOT to be considered oversized, and with the horn and the case combined it is underweight as well.
View attachment 139983

Would a Pelican case like that fit an alto already inside a molded case like Protec? and just the cut foam to fit the Protec case?

 

Sorry for the modest necrobump, but I am, for the first time in my life, considering a case to check my tenor. My airport has moved entirely to the awful "Analogic" security machines at TSA which can't fit tenors or larger so always have to be hand-inspected. It is... an enormous pain... and I'm flying for gigs extremely frequently. I'm wondering if anyone ended up trying those options from "roadcases.com" that were linked a couple years ago. They frankly look pretty decent and reasonably priced. Not worried about a loose fit, I can find a variety of solutions for that.

 

Anvil, pelican and battle cases is what I have used to check horns. In the cabin with me as carryon (almost always) I use bam cabines for alto and tenor. And a manning for bari. Lately the bari has to be gate checked or a nice flight attendant will store it in their closet. (HAPPENED TWICE THIS YEAR, PURE LUCK I DONT COUNT ON THIS HAPPENING EVER AGAIN)
Best wishes everyone.

 

The problem with that case is it’s made of 1/4” plywood. You can punch through that. You need at least 3/8”. I’m convinced that custom is the only way to go.

 

Just testing out my alto in the Protec ABS case. I can put more foam around if needed. I'll be putting clothes in here as well. Never had a problem with my soprano. I also have TSA locked latches I purchased (aftermarket).

 

Just one last thought...make sure there is no wiggle room inside of the protec. If so, use some bubble wrap, or thin towels...whatever eliminates any movement inside the case. A hard slam against the case can still be absorbed by the instrument if it slams against the interior of the contoured case. I'm probably stating the obvious, but I just want to make sure your instrument is as protected as possible. Doing it the way I did, into the foam without a case, eliminates this possibility. Cheers!