Wow that’s amazing that you haven’t had any trouble flying the cello. I have heard too many horror stories to try but great that you are able to!! 👏🏼👏🏼😌
I read once that Paul Tortelier would travel with his cello in checked baggage. That was a different age! Of course this is only for modern instruments which can be insured and replaced. I live in Melbourne but have not heard you play live. Maybe I will get the chance one day.
lucky man!!! every time I checked my cello in, I can't help the anxiety throughout the entire flight time and before I open the case again I have to take a deep breath and pray...hahahaha hashtag cellist life,
I feel you! I had the same worry (and many hypothetical nightmares), but I also know it most likely will be ok. I did immediately check the cello every time right when I got it back.
great content, have you had any experience checking in using wooden box (instead of flight case)? i am just wondering if this will work well. We are flying in a week with my son's (recently purchased) cello. Thanks
Thanks! I had no experience flying with a wooden box and I don’t know how sturdy the box would be against drop. You could consider an option like this “cello foam case” www.gear4music.de/de/Holzblaser-Blechblaser-Streichinstrumente/Hidersine-Styrofoam-Cello-Case/25W3?srsltid=AfmBOop6lvwsU_ljjNbPVYOQXiFtGYBnabZjBNh-eHt1AxEl0heibaMVdKE. A friend travelled with a similar case internationally had no problem. Best of luck!
This video is so helpful! But how did you get your stickers and stuff to stick to the bam flight case? Whenever I tried putting duct tape or stickers on, they fell right off and it feels like it’s coated with a weird texture. I’m going on a tour in Europe and leaving this Thursday. So excited but also nervous! Thanks!
Hello, I have checked my cello as a luggage for 20 years without a problem. Always check with the airline you fly with to see if they charge any extra fees for oversized luggage.
Hi Andrea, There is always a risk, as no one knows how the airline handles the cello. BUT most reasonable airlines handle the cello quite well, normally carried by hand instead of carousel. I would also avoid well-known negligent airlines such as Southwest, United etc. My experience with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, American, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Asiana were all fine. At the end of the day, it’s about how we could best control the risk and how tolerant we are with risks. If checking it gives you too much worry, and the flight costs are affordable, then I would recommend buying a second seat. For example when I flew domestic in the US, I always bought a seat. But trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, I check the cello. Hope this helps!
Haha good eye! Basically “Please Handle with care and close the latches after inspection.” This is specifically for the US security and customs checks.
Which airline you usually fly with? Thanks. P.S. I have a cello senior who flied with Thai Airways before and I saw him final wrap his cello case with tonnes of plastic wrap that usually used for wrapping over the opening of food container. I was thinking why he dared to fly his cello by checking in of it but in the end it arrived at our performing destination safe and sound. Thank God the cargo staff never smash his beautiful cello. And that story happened in year 2006 late summer.
Thanks so much for sharing this story! It depends on which part of the world you are in. For Asia I find Cathay Pacific and Asiana pretty good. I would certainly avoid United, British Airways (see the many horror stories Steven Isserlis has shared) and any budget airlines (unless you are taking the cello on board, such as Eurowings who offers 50€ for an extra seat for the cello when I flew between Germany and UK). US customs almost always opened my cello case to check the content (they left a notice to let you know), and there were TWO incidents that they did not close the hard case properly! Luckily the flight case and the “stuffing” inside the hard case kept everything intact so my cello arrived unharmed.
@@AlvinWong By the way that flight we were flying from Penang International Airport (Malaysia) to Beijing (China), and in between the flights we transited at Bangkok (Thailand). I never fly with any instrument because I play double bass. That time in Beijing we borrowed from the Beijing secondary schools LOL It's a humongous instrument that often could be seen heart-shatteredly on double bass community forum smashed into horrible pieces and majority of the musicians on the forums suggest to rent at the destination. Anyway I heard many compliments about Singapore Airlines and so far I haven't seen any bad grudgy comment by any double bassist towards Singapore Airlines yet but one thing for sure they must check in cargo, no extra seat at all and Singapore Airlines never tolerate on the matter buying-seat-for-double-bass and they will just reject on the spot prior to flight if you insist to fly together on board. Anyway thanks for replying =)
Hi Marcus, usually the cello comes out from the oversized luggage counter/belt/carousel depending on airport/airline. When you check in, you would hand the cello to the airline at the check in counter as an oversized luggage, or in some cases the airline staff will direct you to drop the cello off at a specific oversized luggage counter. Most airlines don’t charge you extra for oversized bags, some do, somewhere between USD50-200. Thanks for watching!
Even buying a seat sometimes get you kicked off an airplane because of the bulky head. Have you ever tried buying a seat for a cello and using a cushy soft case. It looks smaller and it's easy to handle. Would the airline require you to use a hardcase?
Hi Yellow Stone, i usually call the airline beforehand and ask them to prep the crew about me bringing the cello on board when i buy a seat for the cello. honestly i never had a problem when buying a seat. But then i also choose airlines very carefully. Soft case just doesn’t provide enough protection for the cello so I wouldn’t recommend a soft case even for everyday use. A little bump on the soft case hurts the cello directly-too risky and painful!
You are very lucky. The sides are most vulnerable parts of the cello. The thickness of the sides usually are 1.5mm to 1.8mm. I may put thick, flat and tall cardboards--wrapped with T-shirt--against the cello top edges and back edges, . Making sure the cardboards are tall enough, and they wont move around during the transporting. This way the sides of the cello are untouched with anything.
Hello, I have the inner dimensions of the flight cases included at 1:08 in the video. From what I found online the Gewa case measurements are 135 x 55 x 35 cm. The only issue is the width, which is 2cm wider than internal dimension of the flight case. But the flight case is padded with foam which gives some room of flexibility. If you can find a local music shop that has the flight case in stock you can try it out. Best wishes!
Hi! The manufacturer of the cello case is Musilia. They have the S (for “Strad”) and M (for Montagnana) models. M model don’t fit the flight case. S does. You can check them out on their website or one of the dealers.
Hi Sheva, so far no, the airlines usually just accept it as a normal oversized luggage. They usually ask you to sign a waiver on liability due to the fragile nature of the instrument (hence one should really have insurance at all times).
Wow that’s amazing that you haven’t had any trouble flying the cello. I have heard too many horror stories to try but great that you are able to!! 👏🏼👏🏼😌
Hey Wendy, indeed I heard many too. I was lucky. That said, if I had an old nice cello, I may find other solutions.
I read once that Paul Tortelier would travel with his cello in checked baggage. That was a different age! Of course this is only for modern instruments which can be insured and replaced.
I live in Melbourne but have not heard you play live. Maybe I will get the chance one day.
lucky man!!! every time I checked my cello in, I can't help the anxiety throughout the entire flight time and before I open the case again I have to take a deep breath and pray...hahahaha hashtag cellist life,
I feel you! I had the same worry (and many hypothetical nightmares), but I also know it most likely will be ok. I did immediately check the cello every time right when I got it back.
👍 thank you for this video
thank you for this precious video, will save me a lot of hassle next time i fly
glad it helps!
great content, have you had any experience checking in using wooden box (instead of flight case)? i am just wondering if this will work well. We are flying in a week with my son's (recently purchased) cello. Thanks
Thanks! I had no experience flying with a wooden box and I don’t know how sturdy the box would be against drop. You could consider an option like this “cello foam case” www.gear4music.de/de/Holzblaser-Blechblaser-Streichinstrumente/Hidersine-Styrofoam-Cello-Case/25W3?srsltid=AfmBOop6lvwsU_ljjNbPVYOQXiFtGYBnabZjBNh-eHt1AxEl0heibaMVdKE. A friend travelled with a similar case internationally had no problem. Best of luck!
@@AlvinWong Thank you so much... will check on that :)
This video is so helpful! But how did you get your stickers and stuff to stick to the bam flight case? Whenever I tried putting duct tape or stickers on, they fell right off and it feels like it’s coated with a weird texture. I’m going on a tour in Europe and leaving this Thursday. So excited but also nervous! Thanks!
Awesome! So, after you do all that, is that safe to check in the cello or you have to buy an extra ticket,thank you sir
Hello, I have checked my cello as a luggage for 20 years without a problem. Always check with the airline you fly with to see if they charge any extra fees for oversized luggage.
Also the sturdy flight case, any link that I can buy one? I didn't find on amazon...
You can google BAM cello flight case cover. In Europe I recommend ordering from Thomann. Looks like in the US GoStrings.com may have it.
@AlvinWong thank u!
Hi! I have a question, even with all this cushion and an extra case, is always a chance for it to break?
Hi Andrea,
There is always a risk, as no one knows how the airline handles the cello. BUT most reasonable airlines handle the cello quite well, normally carried by hand instead of carousel. I would also avoid well-known negligent airlines such as Southwest, United etc. My experience with Cathay Pacific, Qantas, American, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Asiana were all fine. At the end of the day, it’s about how we could best control the risk and how tolerant we are with risks. If checking it gives you too much worry, and the flight costs are affordable, then I would recommend buying a second seat. For example when I flew domestic in the US, I always bought a seat. But trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific flights, I check the cello. Hope this helps!
thanks for the info, what does the sign taped onto your cello case say?
Haha good eye! Basically “Please Handle with care and close the latches after inspection.” This is specifically for the US security and customs checks.
Can I use the dampit in the flight case? Need urgent answer🙇♂️🙇♂️🙏
I did and it was fine
Which airline you usually fly with?
Thanks.
P.S. I have a cello senior who flied with Thai Airways before and I saw him final wrap his cello case with tonnes of plastic wrap that usually used for wrapping over the opening of food container. I was thinking why he dared to fly his cello by checking in of it but in the end it arrived at our performing destination safe and sound. Thank God the cargo staff never smash his beautiful cello. And that story happened in year 2006 late summer.
Thanks so much for sharing this story! It depends on which part of the world you are in. For Asia I find Cathay Pacific and Asiana pretty good. I would certainly avoid United, British Airways (see the many horror stories Steven Isserlis has shared) and any budget airlines (unless you are taking the cello on board, such as Eurowings who offers 50€ for an extra seat for the cello when I flew between Germany and UK).
US customs almost always opened my cello case to check the content (they left a notice to let you know), and there were TWO incidents that they did not close the hard case properly! Luckily the flight case and the “stuffing” inside the hard case kept everything intact so my cello arrived unharmed.
@@AlvinWong By the way that flight we were flying from Penang International Airport (Malaysia) to Beijing (China), and in between the flights we transited at Bangkok (Thailand).
I never fly with any instrument because I play double bass. That time in Beijing we borrowed from the Beijing secondary schools LOL
It's a humongous instrument that often could be seen heart-shatteredly on double bass community forum smashed into horrible pieces and majority of the musicians on the forums suggest to rent at the destination. Anyway I heard many compliments about Singapore Airlines and so far I haven't seen any bad grudgy comment by any double bassist towards Singapore Airlines yet but one thing for sure they must check in cargo, no extra seat at all and Singapore Airlines never tolerate on the matter buying-seat-for-double-bass and they will just reject on the spot prior to flight if you insist to fly together on board.
Anyway thanks for replying =)
Omg I love this channel
um does the bam case fit the convey belt ? Also should i carry it with me or leave it to flight attendances
Hi Marcus, usually the cello comes out from the oversized luggage counter/belt/carousel depending on airport/airline. When you check in, you would hand the cello to the airline at the check in counter as an oversized luggage, or in some cases the airline staff will direct you to drop the cello off at a specific oversized luggage counter. Most airlines don’t charge you extra for oversized bags, some do, somewhere between USD50-200. Thanks for watching!
@@AlvinWong thx for the reply now I can go abroad much easier with the cello
Nice broo...
Even buying a seat sometimes get you kicked off an airplane because of the bulky head. Have you ever tried buying a seat for a cello and using a cushy soft case. It looks smaller and it's easy to handle. Would the airline require you to use a hardcase?
Hi Yellow Stone, i usually call the airline beforehand and ask them to prep the crew about me bringing the cello on board when i buy a seat for the cello. honestly i never had a problem when buying a seat. But then i also choose airlines very carefully. Soft case just doesn’t provide enough protection for the cello so I wouldn’t recommend a soft case even for everyday use. A little bump on the soft case hurts the cello directly-too risky and painful!
You are very lucky. The sides are most vulnerable parts of the cello. The thickness of the sides usually are 1.5mm to 1.8mm. I may put thick, flat and tall cardboards--wrapped with T-shirt--against the cello top edges and back edges, . Making sure the cardboards are tall enough, and they wont move around during the transporting. This way the sides of the cello are untouched with anything.
Why I watching this? I don’t even play a cello…
Does the flight case work with gewa pure cases?
Hello, I have the inner dimensions of the flight cases included at 1:08 in the video. From what I found online the Gewa case measurements are 135 x 55 x 35 cm. The only issue is the width, which is 2cm wider than internal dimension of the flight case. But the flight case is padded with foam which gives some room of flexibility. If you can find a local music shop that has the flight case in stock you can try it out. Best wishes!
What kind of cello case is that? I couldn’t quite understand the manufactures name, not a flight keeps the actual cello case. Thanks in advance
Hi! The manufacturer of the cello case is Musilia. They have the S (for “Strad”) and M (for Montagnana) models. M model don’t fit the flight case. S does. You can check them out on their website or one of the dealers.
@@AlvinWong bravo, thanks a lot!!
I enjoy your videos!
@@stevenj9970 always encouraging to hear! (Cliche: don’t forget to subscribe ;)
@@AlvinWong
Done!
Have you ever had a problem with an airline saying the case is too big to check?
Hi Sheva, so far no, the airlines usually just accept it as a normal oversized luggage. They usually ask you to sign a waiver on liability due to the fragile nature of the instrument (hence one should really have insurance at all times).