TheATL
58 posts
Oct 11, 2013
11:51 AM
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Anyone tried taking a harp amp as carry-on luggage? Can it be done? Would hate to get to security and then find out I had to check it (without a crate).
Brad
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Rick Davis
2541 posts
Oct 11, 2013
11:59 AM
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If it fits under the seat or in the overhead bin then you are good. There should be a compartment near where you check in to test the size.
But to answer your question, no I have not taken an amp as a carry-on item.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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HarveyHarp
529 posts
Oct 11, 2013
12:02 PM
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Brad, I can't see why not, as long as it will either fit under your seat, or in the overhead bin, but do expect to have it screened. I would contact TSA to be sure, though.
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HarveyHarp
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5F6H
1677 posts
Oct 11, 2013
1:28 PM
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I looked into this when designing a *theoretically* overhead stowable amp. Best policy - smile sweetly at airline staff & hope for the best. Exposed glassware may not look good.
Different airlines have different dimensions for carry on luggage, some have a specific height/depth/width...others have a total cubic measurement expressed as ##cubic inches, some have a weight limit....
Neither I, nor the customer have put this to the test.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
http://www.facebook.com/markburness
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LSC
516 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:05 PM
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Having traveled internationally several times with up to two guitars I can tell you the principle of asking for forgiveness rather than permission applies. If you ask them if it's okay they will almost always say no. Walk it through security and on the plane like you own the place. Having said that I would check with TSA since I don't know how they feel about such a thing. They can be inconsistent so if they tell you it's okay I would note when and to whom you spoke or find the clause. Best to be able to quote chapter and verse. I've taken guitars, pedals, and solid state recording gear without problem but nothing with tubes.
First of all is the size of the amp. A Bassman may cause questions. A Champ will not provided it has a cover so they can't see the tubes.
Second is the size and type of aircraft. Often the smaller intercity flights simply don't have overheads big enough.
My system is to first reserve a seat at the back of the aircraft when you book the flight. They usually board from the back forward with the exception of 1st class or some premium fare. You want to get on as soon as you can so that you can grab whatever space is available. This includes being sure to be at the head of the line at the gate and move first when called. I once came aboard with two guitars which the attendant put in the closet in first class. I hadn't noticed but the guy right behind me was carrying a guitar. He asked the same question but I had taken the last space so he had to gate check.
Once inside the door of the aircraft try and quickly determine if the amp is likely to fit in the overhead. If in doubt ask the attendant. If they say they don't think so ask if there is room in the closet. There usually is.
If this strategy fails, usually to crowded or too small aircraft, you will be forced to gate check. You leave the amp at the door of the aircraft with the strollers and such and they issue you a claim check, usually red. The amp will then be hand carried to the belly of the aircraft and placed aboard. On arrival it will be hand carried to the gate and be waiting for you at the door when you disembark. Gate checking is way better than putting it through the baggage handling system but you still have the danger of things moving about in the hold during flight.
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LSC
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LSC
Last Edited by LSC on Oct 11, 2013 2:09 PM
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HawkeyeKane
2108 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:16 PM
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"A Champ will not provided it has a cover so they can't see the tubes."
Why would their seeing the tubes make a difference? Breakable glass object?
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Hawkeye Kane
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LSC
517 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:30 PM
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Yes. I don't know if it is technically a violation but you don't want to give them an excuse. Thinking about it I might pull the tubes and put them in the checked luggage.
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tmf714
2090 posts
Oct 11, 2013
2:46 PM
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Never,ever gate check your amp. Take a look at how the loading procedure takes place under the plane and you will understand why.
If anything,check it with a road case only. Without a roadcase,it becomes just another piece of luggage to be tossed about and you don't want to know what happens when the aircraft banks out on takeoff-all that luggage shifting about-and your amp ends up underneath 1500 lbs of luggage.
Last Edited by tmf714 on Oct 11, 2013 2:49 PM
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TheATL
59 posts
Oct 11, 2013
3:00 PM
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Thanks everyone - the amp will definitely fit in the overhead, and it is not that big. My main concern is whether I can get it past the TSA. Guess I will see if I can find someone to call.
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Chinn
100 posts
Oct 11, 2013
3:00 PM
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I traveled this summer with a Hohner 8 harp wallet, a chromatic, a mic and a cigar box amp which I like to play through.
Got stopped at the first TSA stop. Not a quick look, but a 'pull everything out and check it all' stop. The problem was my amp in my carry-on. They had me open it. They swabbed it and ran it through their detector. Finally, they put it through the x-ray machine again.
Funny enough, I carried my harps in my briefcase/back with my work laptop. They stopped that bag too briefly. The tech looked at the screen, then at me, back at the screen, then back at me and mouthed 'harmonica?' to me. I knodded and they let it on through.
All in all, everything made it to MPLS without further issue.
Don't plan on putting an amp in the overhead or under seat on either an Embraer or Canadair ERJ/CRJ. They always gate check your bigger item. Most Airbus's have enough room overhead for a Champ or small amp and they rarely gatecheck on those.
I've gotta say that I really enjoyed having my harps to play on the trip... Somehow I felt more comfortable playing them on the trip than I do with the travel mandolin I normally carry.
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TheATL
60 posts
Oct 11, 2013
3:13 PM
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@Chinn
Had similar situation several times with my harp case. Looks at the screen, looks at me, asks, "do you play harmonica?", and that's it. But..
Once leaving Geneva this happened, but the agent then said "play it." To which I responded, "here? now?" He said "yes - now". So I whipped it out in public and lay down some blues. People started smiling as did the agent. When I finished I got a standing ovation (what else - no chairs ;-). He said "very nice - you can go." Zipped it back up and went on my way.
(Very strange to see smiling people in a security line though.)
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Chinn
101 posts
Oct 11, 2013
7:07 PM
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ATL, I had a similar situation at security in Tokyo, but I only had to belt out a quick chord on it. Listening to the Japanese security agent say 'hahmawneeka' was fun too.
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kudzurunner
4303 posts
Oct 11, 2013
8:58 PM
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I've flown with my harp amp as carry-on luggage many times over the past five years. I just took an amp to London and back. I've flown with a HarpGear 2 and a Kay 703. The Kay has become my default go-to carryon amp. Sometimes they pass it right through security. At least half the time they flag it and swab it. Coming home from London, the airport folks there x-rayed it several times and squinted hard at me. In Memphis, they've seen lots of amps and just don't worry too much.
Both amps will fit in most overheard compartments, but in the puddle-jumper planes, the HG2 is too big. Still, both amps will fit under the seat ahead of me, so there's never a real problem.
Never, ever, ever gate-check your amp. tmf is absolutely right about this. Don't do it.
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gmacleod15
213 posts
Oct 12, 2013
5:25 AM
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about travelling with guitars...probably applies to amps
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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TheATL
61 posts
Oct 13, 2013
2:07 PM
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This YouTube video made me cry :=(
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