When I had a violin shop 20 years ago a customer from Australia called me because the airline had THROWN her cello onto the baggage cart, sending the soundpost right through the top of the expensive cello inside, then the airlines didn't want to pay for its repair. Since then I have traveled with my own cello, but at GREAT RISK, and at GREAT expense also; even with an electric cello the airlines does not help very much! Right after "911" I flew with my electric cello, and the airlines let me walk with it to the airplane door, then took it from me and stored it where strollers are stored, beneath the pilot's cabin. THAT location was a success!
She should have bought herself an instrument insurance ahead before the flight... Ah this is really bad when you being caught this disastrous condition =(
Another reason to avoid checking any wooden instrument is the baggage compartment is not pressurized. The extremely low pressures during flight will adversely affect the joints/glues, and finish/sealing of the instrument. (A friend of mine checked a 5gal bucket of honey that burst open in the baggage compartment, spewing honey all over everything in there! That's a lot of low pressure)
@@WendyLaw I'm definitely too bad to be a professional cellist, I'm more of an amateur. I already have a pilots license. But I'm afraid about not being able to practice when I am flying around. When I can't bring my instrument with me.
China's equivalent of TSA straight up stole something from my parents one time, and there was nothing they could do about it. (Thankfully, it wasn't too valuable.) I have a generally negative opinion of airport security.
Used to travel with my violin/viola (1990-2006); thank goodness, I never had any issues but I always was in virtual anguished and tore myself up emotionally for the poor cellists because I knew that traveling with one of those was (a) a major headache 'anyway', and (b) 'much' more than me, they would face, not only the 'game' [sic] of ''New Rules-!!'' when they got to the check-in desk, but they would also (c) run the 'much' bigger risk of damage to a much more fragile instrument [in my opinion] than a violin/viola when they decided, once out of sight, to toss it into 'Cargo Class'; grrr. ~ I really don't know how cellists do it; ...I know emotionally that I couldn't do it, ...{ ha-!, and I am a professionally trained psychologist}. {8~)
I'm a pretty relaxed guy on planes. I couldn't imagine the stress of hauling around a large, awkward, and fragile pice of priceless history.. Even in the best case scenario I see myself being kicked off the flight for erratic and paranoid behavior.. lol. Is it worth looking into a private jet when flying with your crew?
Southwest is also really good. When I was in college when flying back to school I was forced to door check my cello (I was a poor student so I did not have a ticket for the cello). Luckily the cello was fine but I swore I would never check the cello again.
I live in Canada and yes, Air Canada is the worst when it comes to traveling with instruments. I would never fly with them again. I find that WestJet is more accommodating. Best thing to do is check with the airlines, call them ahead of time and if you can buy a ticket for it, do so, DO NOT LET IT GO THROUGH BAGGAGE. Do not let anyone else handle it. If they ask you to open the case so that they see what's in it, comply. If they start to fuss about it, request, not ask, to speak with the supervisor. Best to always get there early, chances are you will get a better seat in the first row against the bulkhead, because you get more room.
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@Leighton Watson Definitely, been watching on Kaldrostream for since november myself :D
whenever I have to travel with my cello, i always look at it for a few seconds and think, god dammit, i should've stuck with violin.
When I had a violin shop 20 years ago a customer from Australia called me because the airline had THROWN her cello onto the baggage cart, sending the soundpost right through the top of the expensive cello inside, then the airlines didn't want to pay for its repair. Since then I have traveled with my own cello, but at GREAT RISK, and at GREAT expense also; even with an electric cello the airlines does not help very much! Right after "911" I flew with my electric cello, and the airlines let me walk with it to the airplane door, then took it from me and stored it where strollers are stored, beneath the pilot's cabin. THAT location was a success!
She couldn’t file a lawsuit or anything?
She should have bought herself an instrument insurance ahead before the flight...
Ah this is really bad when you being caught this disastrous condition =(
Great topic! Thank you for raising awareness about this crucial aspect of a performer's life!
Rebecca?? Yes to music in May! ❤️❤️❤️
Another reason to avoid checking any wooden instrument is the baggage compartment is not pressurized. The extremely low pressures during flight will adversely affect the joints/glues, and finish/sealing of the instrument. (A friend of mine checked a 5gal bucket of honey that burst open in the baggage compartment, spewing honey all over everything in there! That's a lot of low pressure)
Oh boy!! That’s a lot of honey 🍯
My hard case was more expensive than my cello, which is saying a lot, so if it ever got damaged then you would know it wasn't taken care of.
Oh my! What kind of case?
United is always on everyone’s “terrible” list.
In afganistan they blame musicians and burn their instruments. I heard about that some days ago and it brakes my heart. 😔
Awww that’s sad 😔
I'm a cellist and I wanna become a pilot. I'm kinda scared now
Which one you wanna be? lol 😂
@@WendyLaw I'm definitely too bad to be a professional cellist, I'm more of an amateur. I already have a pilots license. But I'm afraid about not being able to practice when I am flying around. When I can't bring my instrument with me.
China's equivalent of TSA straight up stole something from my parents one time, and there was nothing they could do about it. (Thankfully, it wasn't too valuable.)
I have a generally negative opinion of airport security.
I bought a very good hard case for my violin; if something happened to it, it would be bad, even though it is insured
For the violin you can just bring it on board and put overhead most of the time. For the cello it’s a bit different
Used to travel with my violin/viola (1990-2006); thank goodness, I never had any issues but I always was in virtual anguished and tore myself up emotionally for the poor cellists because I knew that traveling with one of those was (a) a major headache 'anyway', and (b) 'much' more than me, they would face, not only the 'game' [sic] of ''New Rules-!!'' when they got to the check-in desk, but they would also (c) run the 'much' bigger risk of damage to a much more fragile instrument [in my opinion] than a violin/viola when they decided, once out of sight, to toss it into 'Cargo Class'; grrr. ~ I really don't know how cellists do it; ...I know emotionally that I couldn't do it, ...{ ha-!, and I am a professionally trained psychologist}. {8~)
Well just have to get an extra seat with the right airline. Thanks for sharing
Even harder with my double bass!
Is there any musical instrument insurance in the USA?
Yes
I'm a pretty relaxed guy on planes. I couldn't imagine the stress of hauling around a large, awkward, and fragile pice of priceless history.. Even in the best case scenario I see myself being kicked off the flight for erratic and paranoid behavior.. lol.
Is it worth looking into a private jet when flying with your crew?
Yeah it’s stressful. But it hasn’t been any traveling 😆
Southwest is also really good. When I was in college when flying back to school I was forced to door check my cello (I was a poor student so I did not have a ticket for the cello). Luckily the cello was fine but I swore I would never check the cello again.
Oh yeah it's horrible checking the cello. Thanks for stopping by!
do you have to loosen the cello string before flying with it??
Hi i have a question , is it okay to put the cello on its back (not on the bridge ) when it's in its case??
It’s ok but make sure no one steps on it!
Great to hear Delta is cello friendly! I'm retired from Delta
Great tips thank you Wendy
Amazing 5i55ies
Be glad you don't play bass violin!
Most double bassists would suggest to rent double bass and don't fly with your double bass or else it most probably would just be destroyed =(
I live in Canada and yes, Air Canada is the worst when it comes to traveling with instruments. I would never fly with them again. I find that WestJet is more accommodating. Best thing to do is check with the airlines, call them ahead of time and if you can buy a ticket for it, do so, DO NOT LET IT GO THROUGH BAGGAGE. Do not let anyone else handle it. If they ask you to open the case so that they see what's in it, comply. If they start to fuss about it, request, not ask, to speak with the supervisor. Best to always get there early, chances are you will get a better seat in the first row against the bulkhead, because you get more room.