Joe Strouzer
4 posts
Feb 28, 2013
4:46 PM
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Hey folks,
I've got some gigs coming up where I will be travelling by plane, does anyone have any advice for harps in the sky?
I'm thinking a good flight case will be the ticket but I was wondering if anyone had experienced any trouble with flying? i.e harps out of tune or perhaps difficulty getting through security? hand luggage or hold?
thanks
Joe
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www.josephstrouzer.com
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dougharps
357 posts
Feb 28, 2013
5:19 PM
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I would recommend that if you are going to bring harps with you carry-on, when you go through security have the case open and visible so they see what it is going down the belt to x-ray. In Minneapolis 2010 I was flying out to return to Illinois and forgot to lay them out. My chromatics apparently looked like ammo magazines. I was told to step aside, and my harps were examined closely, with a chemical strip test on the case. I still made the flight, but it was a hassle. At the same time another harp player David Naditch also was asked to step aside and had his harps examined. I don't know how it goes if you check your luggage.
Even if you lay them out, I recommend arriving with plenty of time in case this happens to you.
I don't think there are any tuning issues with air travel.
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Doug S.
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RyanMortos
1427 posts
Feb 28, 2013
5:23 PM
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Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfucking harmonicas on this motherfucking plane!
But in all seriousness, I brought my harmonica case as carry on during my flight to and from DFW (fort worth, Dallas airport) from and to PHL (philadelphia, pennsylvania airport) for SPAH last year no questions asked, no eyes batted, no tuning change. If you want to be 100% sure your harmonicas arrive with you I'd go carry on if possible. They always tell ya to pack extra clothes and such in your carry on just in case your luggage below somehow gets (hopefully temporarily) dis/mis-placed.
I seen one or two guitars brought on a flight, that looked like more of a pain.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by RyanMortos on Feb 28, 2013 5:25 PM
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garry
359 posts
Feb 28, 2013
5:24 PM
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dougharps has it exactly right: make it obvious they're harps, even mention it if there's somewhere to listen. once they see something suspicious it's more effort to assuage their fears than to present something as innocuous in the first place.
i have also had security people tell me they look like ammo or worse, particularly when all neatly lined up in a case.
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walterharp
1048 posts
Feb 28, 2013
5:50 PM
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got to play mine in the Frankfort airport security line, got a standing ovation.... hey they were all standing anyway! but they clapped
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Jehosaphat
451 posts
Feb 28, 2013
6:06 PM
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Having cut myself a few times on Harp covers while dismantling them it has occured to me how easy it would be to turn them into a box cutter type weapon.
Emery paper those edges razor sharp,leave a bolt on one end just finger tight so you can take it out on the plane and you can have an instant weapon.
I hope no one from airport security is a list member.;-0
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1847
571 posts
Feb 28, 2013
6:59 PM
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tipjar
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nacoran
6545 posts
Feb 28, 2013
9:11 PM
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I got stopped at security once at the state capitol for having a harp in my pocket (they've expanded the original authority of keeping the politicians safe to keeping noise down). No problem on planes though.
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Nate
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STME58
367 posts
Feb 28, 2013
9:40 PM
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I have had similar problems with harps in my briefcase. On TSA agent told me they looked like ammo clips and recommended I put them in a clear plastic bag and send them through outside my briefcase. Even though each harp is in it's owm case I have had no problems since using the plastic bag method.
I once played at security in Shanghi for a guard who's english was not so good and he had no idea what the harp was. After I played it he smiled and waved me on!
I have also discovered on 15 hour flights to China, that the plane is noisy enough that if you find the rear galley unoccupied, you can practice quietly there without disturbing anyone.
Last Edited by STME58 on Mar 01, 2013 9:06 AM
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Miles Dewar
1454 posts
Mar 01, 2013
5:25 AM
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@STME58, I can understand how they might appear that way.
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I've only flown once, and I never landed.
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---Go Chicago Bears!!!---
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Monk
5 posts
Mar 01, 2013
6:14 AM
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I took mine to Antigua and then from there to Montserrat. The Atlanta airport didn't give me any trouble. The guys in Antigua and Montserrat were very suspicious. They were holding them up to the light and looking them over closely. I had them in a hard shell hohner case.
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The Iceman
765 posts
Mar 01, 2013
6:41 AM
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yes, as walterharp said, it's a good idea to ask if you can play the harmonica for the inspectors....it changes the vibe in the air immediately from suspicion to smiley acceptance.
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The Iceman
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Zadozica
249 posts
Mar 01, 2013
2:41 PM
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I fly a lot and bring a harp with me and have never had an issue going through security.
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harmonicanick
1825 posts
Mar 01, 2013
2:48 PM
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I bought a didgeredoo through Calcutta in India and they thought it was a missile launcher!
Trouble was I could not play it then and when asked I just made a loud fart noise, very embarrasing..
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belfast_harper
349 posts
Mar 01, 2013
4:09 PM
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There are no issues bring the harps on as hand luggage. Any airport security staff worth their salt will search a bag with a case full of harmonicas in it as it does look suspicious (especially if you have digital devices with batteries in there as well).
Take the case out of your bag and open it fully before you send it through the scanner.
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