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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Airport Security with Gear - Carry-on VS. Check
Airport Security with Gear - Carry-on VS. Check
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gad wagon
12 posts
Jun 05, 2012
8:19 AM
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I will be flying a few times over the next couple of months and had some questions about travel. I've flown a lot but never with harp gear. I am not sure how the airports are in Memphis, Vermont, and Rome. First, I will be flying roundtrip from Memphis to Vermont. Later in August, I will be flying from Memphis to Rome.
Here's the gear I'll be taking:
a- Traynor portable PA, about 1.5'x10"x10"
b- 2 effects pedals
c- multiple harps
d- two mics
e- various cables: xlr and 1/4"
f- little screw-drivers, pliers
g- guitar, tuner, strings, string winder
1) Can I carry this stuff on the plane with me or will this stuff make the x-ray machine go bonkers?
2) If I should check the stuff, what do you recommend for security and protection?
3) Any other advice for flying and traveling?
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-- "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts" -- C.S. Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
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Tuckster
1049 posts
Jun 05, 2012
8:49 AM
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I carried on my harps with no problem. In fact,one X-ray guy knew they were harps and asked me if I was any good. I'd stow the screwdrivers and anything else that can be construed as a weapon in my cargo hold luggage.
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Chickenthief
231 posts
Jun 05, 2012
9:56 AM
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Yeah, I have just recently traveled multiple times with nearly the same, or what amounts to about the same kind of stuff as carry on with no problems encountered.
Once I was pulled aside and made to watch while someone wiped each one of my harmonicas with a cloth which (I am guessing) is used to detect the presence of explosives. I've had my harp tools pass as carry on but I was prepared to abandon them and leave them behind if someone objected.
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shanester
534 posts
Jun 05, 2012
11:34 AM
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Last summer i went through Miami International with my harp case as carry on.
They opened my case and pulled out a harp mch to my annoyance as I was already late.
One of the officers asked if I would play something and being a ham I couldn't help it so I improvised 24 bars of blues.
The little multi-ethnic security crew of about 5 clapped, I shoved the harp into it's slot, said "I gotta go!" and sprinted to the gate, barely catching the plane in time!
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Shane,
"The Possum Whisperer"
Shane's Cloud
1shanester
Last Edited by on Jun 05, 2012 11:53 AM
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groyster1
1895 posts
Jun 05, 2012
11:44 AM
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I recently flew and security asked why I had so many harps in my carry on....different keys I answered and that was enough to convince
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LSC
221 posts
Jun 05, 2012
12:18 PM
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Traveled loads of times between UK and US. My advise:
International flights tend to be a bit more picky depending on what countries you're flying in/out of.
Put items such as screwdrivers, pliers, and anything else which could even remotely be imagined as weapon like in your checked luggage. Some of these security people can get quite silly and power mad. Mostly they're pretty cool.
Harps, pedals, amp, can be carried on but pack them in a way that they can be easily accessed if challenged. I carry a folding harp case with 12 harps which often gets pulled when x-rayed so I put it on top. Lately I just go ahead and take it out and unzip it so they can see straight away. You might want to pull any batteries out of the pedals. Batteries and wires spell, "detonator" to the uber-vigilant.
Since you're taking an amp, when booking your flight, if it is possible to reserve your seat in advance take a seat in the back of the plane, unless of course you're flying 1st class. When they begin to board coach they will start at the back of the plane. Be at the front of the line at the gate so when they do call your section you are one of the first aboard. The reason being, with all the luggage charges these days people are bringing steamer trunks to put in the overheads. The earlier you're on the plane the more likely to be able to stow your gear safely instead of it getting crammed by a weapons grade baby walker. This is particularly important on city hoppers which are smaller planes.
Also when booking, give yourself plenty of time between any connecting flights. I try and allow an absolute minimum of 1 hour, usually 1 1/2 or more, especially if my connecting flight is taking me out of the country. It's better to wait around and chill for a while rather than sprinting across a terminal or missing a flight.
Might sound obvious, but don't get hammered at the bar waiting for your flight. I see this all the time with guys getting pissed as rats, missing the flight or causing a rukus and getting booted out.
Flying used to be fun but it's now just to be endured. Go Zen and put a patience bubble around you to ward off stress vibes.
Before going to Rome get some Lira to have cash on hand when you arrive. You can use CC when you get there but be aware that though you gain in security and being able to track expenditure you lose in international transaction charges. Check your cards and see if you have one that doesn't have these charges or is cheaper than the rest.
Whatever you do, keep your passport and/or cash out of site and someplace where any thief is going to have to get real personal to grab it. Do not put your passport in a backpack. When my step-daughter and her friend went to Rome a couple of years ago I warned the friend, her Dad warned her, and my friend in London warned her when they stayed with him, but nooo. She put it in the little pocket of her backpack and it was stolen at an Internet cafe in Rome while she was wearing the pack! Big hassle and really expensive with re-booking missed flights, extra hotel nights, and young girl panic.
For the rest, just enjoy. I miss the travel and envy you.
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LSC
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isaacullah
1990 posts
Jun 05, 2012
2:56 PM
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Great advice from LSC! I'd add a couple of things however:
1) Be wary of the short commuter flights(like your Vermont to Memphis flight). Find out what type of plane it is, and what the overhead space is like. Very small planes often do not have enough overhead for typical "carry on" luggages, and so they REQUIRE you to "gate check" any luggage that is too large to fit under the seat. Don't get caught unawares, and have your precious amps and pedals and such in a less-than-adequately protected set of luggage!
2) Do what LSC recommends about about getting in line first, but figure out your specific airlines boarding strategy. They all do it differently (some do zones instead of row number, some do window seats first, some just make you line up first come first served), and do what you have to to ensure you get on early. Otherwise, you might be forced to check your otherwise valid carry on. I just saw this happen on my flight back to Phoenix yesterday, and this dude had to check is electric guitar that he only had in a soft "gig-bag"! He was NOT happy, but there was nothing else to do besides leave it behind!
Finally, don't worry too much about security and electronics, even internationally. I travel with electronics all the time, and just last summer carried a magnetic gradiometer (a largish hand-held machine that reads magnetic anomalies in soil) in my hand-luggage to Spain. Didn't get asked a single question about it by security! I also carry lot's of harps while flying. Just take them out of you main carry on luggage, and put them in a bin on their own. 90% of the time, they won't even ask you a question about it. Do that with your pedals too...
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Last Edited by on Jun 05, 2012 2:58 PM
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