T R A V E L  P A G E On the road with the cello

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I now travel using my Brack cello case. I go to the airport with the hope of "gate checking" my cello. This has proven to be a 90/10 probability for me. I rarely am able to gate check. The only option left, other than refusing to fly, is to allow the cello to be checked and hand delivered to the baggage area (no belts.) So far, so good. I use foam to cushion the inside of the Brack case and then secure it using an elastic band with Velco around the neck in case they search the case don't close the latches properly. I also put a not in with the cello asking the TSA to be very gentle if they search. Please note that this is what I do and not a recommendation for anyone to try. This case, while very well made, is not designed for the baggage hold of an airplane. And in fact the Brack company has an additional cover that they suggest for airline travel. Check out the Brack at their website, I highly recommend it.

If I'm going to be performing in a louder environment I now bring my electric cello which I'm much less worried about. It fits nicely in most overhead baggage bins and I've also gate checked the cello with no problems. I'm currently using the Yamaha Silent Electric Cello.

Air Travel

Travel Cases

I used to use a Kolstein travel case and it worked fine for years. I didn't like the elastic straps with metal couplings that would swing and nick the instrument. I'm sure they've changed their model now as airbags rule the travel case world now. I live in downtown New York City where a guy named David Gage has a bass shop (David Gage String Instruments, 36 Walker St. New York, NY 10013 Phone: 212 274 1322 Fax : 212 274 9634). He designed a travel cello case and I bought one of the first ones. The case uses airbags and it worked great. The new one is lighter and has better wheels, plus the design is slightly altered to allow for easier closing. I've had no problems (knock on wood!) and the cello doesn't even go out of tune in transit, which I still find remarkable.

I always worry and still try hard to have the cello hand carried, or wheeled, in my case, to the baggage area instead of chucked onto the belt where it can get stuck (getting stuck is bad but as the belt keeps moving, the pounding of other bags is worse). 19 out of 20 times when you ask, the check-in person will show you where to put the cello and they will be pleased you didn't expect them to deal with it. Overseas you may be asked to wheel it to a separate check-in area for oversize luggage which is great as then you know it's been processed. If they do ask you to leave it near the check-in area stay around and make sure it gets picked up. Some airlines are less on the ball and it could still be sitting there while you are up in the air. I haven't found any airlines that will let you wheel the cello out to the plane. This used to be the way to insure gentle treatment, but it seems to be a thing of the past.

If you curb-side check-in you're are wasting your time as they will just bring it into the terminal and you will still have to stand on line. Don't waste your money with a major tip as these guys don't bring your cello to the baggage area they just bring it in the door and leave it. If you feel like tipping someone, wait for the guy who comes out to get the cello and give him the money with a little encouragement to keep an eye on your fragile baby. I used to tip and now I assume the case will do its job. I hang around not only to make sure the cello gets picked up but also to educate the baggage guy on how to roll the cello if it looks like he might be prone to an accident.

Getting Charged

On a recent tour I did get charged once. Stay away from young check-in clerks if you can. I've found an older man is the best. He's seen everything, he's not worried about his job security and he is more willing to bend the rules. A younger employee is worried about doing the "right" thing, following the rule book and learning new things (like how to charge someone for a cello!) A recent check-in lady exclaimed as I arrived at the counter, "Oh! I've never done one of these." My heart sank, I knew I was in trouble. She ignored my attempts as she paged through pages and pages of 'online' data about what to charge someone for various oversize and over-weight items. It's tricky. Here's what I do.

• I never check anything but the cello: I always say, "This is all I'm checking." The Gage case is not heavy and with the cello only weighs 38-40 pounds which is not over weight.
• If they do mention charging you don't jump to your defense, take some time, let it hang there. If you jump in their face they are likely to develope a strong dislike for you making it easier to charge you.
• Things you can say:
  • "This is the only thing I'm checking."
  • "I know it's oversize but it's not heavy, could you let me slide this time?"
  • "They didn't charge me on the way out." [I've found this rarely works...]
• Make some kind of personal connection as you arrive at the counter, their job is a drag and if you can show that you understand this by being friendly, without being phony, it helps.
• Try not to pile too many requests one on top of the other when you arrive at the check-in counter. Have your ID ready and your tickets out and wait until after you've made it through the cello problem and then deal with seat choice (aisle, window, etc.), meals, etc.

If they do insist on charging it should only be for the size or "dimensional inches" not the weight. Some international carriers will charge a per mile rate which can really add up make sure you understand it all before you whip out your charge card [this has never happened to me but I've heard about it].

Wisdom from the Web (My comments are in "[ ]")

New Flight Case Models

SrPilha Global user (10/16/99 11:22:36 am) - Reply - Re: Flight cases

Hi there. The BAM case together with its "cover" for flights (a.k.a. "Blue Whale"?) has been really reliable so far (the case appears every time bridge-side down with the rest of the luggage, and the cello was a-ok). It was cheaper than 1000$, but then I bought that in France, where they make it. I believe it would still be at a fair price in the US. And you get to use the case (without the outer cover) as a regular one. All the best, Guilherme

cellowingnut Global user (10/16/99 3:19:50 pm) - Reply - Re: Flight cases

I have the Bam flight case, it is called voyager. I really love the regular case. I intend to buy the big squishy case that goes over the regular one for flying. The regular case was about $650 here and the squishy case is about $350 (i think). I haven't tried it out on actual travel yet, but it seems very protective.

AHamric Global user (10/17/99 8:59:56 am) - Reply - Kostein, etc.

When you take cost into account, think about how much it would cost to buy a seat for your cello every time you fly. A good flight case may be worth the investment. I have a Kolstein case, which ran about $1600 and though I've only flown with it once, I've been very happy with it. I believe Paul Tseng can vouch for it also, as he posted recently about his. I've seen the "Jet-Away" case and though it looks comparable to the Kolstein in a magazine, it is really a lot smaller and more flimsy. It looks like your standard case. The kolstein is a tank... be warned, it is heavy. I took mine to Japan and it was a pain to haul up and down stairs in the rail stations.

Andy Paul Tseng ICS Staff Global user (10/19/99 6:59:00 pm) - Reply - Re: Flight cases

I own a Kolstein case and feel that it is the best protection money can buy. It is also the best musical equipment for body-building if you want to look like Ahnold Schwarzeneger. It is so heavy! I watched my cello bounce around (boucing about 3 feet up and down) in the flatbed of a truck speeding down a pothole ridden road in Cairo, Egypt while on a concert tour in 1993. It came out without a scratch and perfectly in tune. The problem is that the case is extremely unwieldy because of its poor design (wheels are too close to the center causing the 40 lb case and cello to wobble and sometimes tip over while in motion). If you travel with it try to pack a soft-case in the Kolstien by lying it on top of your cello before packing it up. When you arrive you can carry the cello in the soft case and leave your Kolstien in the Hotel room. Best wishes!

Paul Tseng, ICS Staff My Website Stefan79 Global user (10/19/99 8:11:08 pm) - Reply - Re: Flight cases

I'm thinking of bying myself and my cello the BAM flightcase, but I'm not really sure...the great thing with it is that it goes over the regular one, that way you don't have to carry it around. Well....I'll probably buy one because it's among the cheapest and among the most reliable ones, a friend of mine just went to Canada with her cello in one of the BAM cases and it arrived just fine.

Travel Advice

Posted by Matthew Tifford on March 31, 1998 at 11:36 pm:

Better make sure it's insured, there are no guarantees [Excellent advice!!]. When I was in high school, we went on a few trips, and what I was told was to tune the strings down a few notes to lessen the tension, then use foam or clothing to pack it in the case, particularly around the bridge and neck/scroll area. Then I put fragile stickers all over the place. This worked out fine. [very risky, you could end up with kindling] Also, I don't think any of the airlines allow you to put it on the plane yourself anymore. They've gotten really strict about that kind of thing. American Airlines won't let you check a cello, period [not true, I just checked my cello in its travel case on three AA flights..maybe without a travel case they draw the line?]. Assuming it is a student level instrument ($1000-5000), I would just pack it like I described, get insurance for it, and take your chances.

Posted by Jennifer on April 01, 1998 at 2:14 am:

Tune the strings down half a step (any more and the bridge and soundpost may collapse). Pad the cello lightly (towels work well, or large bubble wrap) around the bridge and under the fingerboard and tailpiece (the pressure has been known to seriously tweak some fingerboards). [I don't tune down or remove bridge/soundpost, the theory posed below is plausible but I still don't feel the need to go this far. Lining up a luthier to put everything back in the right position is too much, especially if you're on a busy tour schedule]

My flying cello experience. posted 11/29/00 by yellocello at the CelloChat Forum

I flew a short flight, Houston to Atlanta, this Monday morning on Delta Airlines. I was extremely worried, but my brand new cello made the flight in perfect condition. My father constructed this 'thing' (I'm not sure what you could call it) out of 1" thick styrofoam sheathing, and taped the pieces around my Carrylite Featherweight case to absorb some of the shock in case it were to be dropped or thrown (yikes). We also packed the inside with soft things to make sure the cello wouldn't wiggle or knock around too much inside the case. At the suggestion of my orchestra teacher, we also put soft support under the fingerboard, bridge area, and tailpiece, and loosened the strings a step and a half. The supports I used were actually some of my clothes (strategic packing) and some small stuffed animals. Kind of bizarre, but it seems to have worked. It seems that Delta was very nice to my cello, and they automatically insure for $2500 with the price of your ticket. This won't cover more expensive cellos entirely, but they can be insured for more for a fee [I didn't know this. Good instrument insurance is not expensive and worth having 24/7. You can find information from your local AFofM (musicians' union) or on the web: AFofM]. I did not check my instrument at the gate, but they asked me what it was, and seemed to really take into consideration that it was a cello, and they put fragile tags on it. There was even a special baggage claim area with other musical instruments and some golf clubs, etc, and I was not charged any extra. The styrofoam sheathing was even still in place and in good condition. I was very nervous about making my sweet innocent cello ride under the plane, but my experience was a pleasant one. I think I will be flying Delta again the next time I need to fly somewhere with my cello.

Posted by dgee on March 31, 1998 at 5:27 pm:

Sounds like an interesting question and one that deserves to be answered by a professional luthier or someone who is really well versed in this stuff. As for my cello, if it goes underneath I will take the strings and bridge off and pop out the sound post. If the bridge and sound post are left on and the top of the cello receives a shock then the shock can pass through the post to the back and crack it. He can carefully mark the case "fragile" and place stickers or taped papers that state which side should be up and that the cello should not be thrown. Of course, an airline worker might drop a cello six inches or more and believe that he has handled it carefully. I used to walk right down to the loading area of the jet at major airports and hand it to the guys loading the plane. I haven't done that in a few years and wonder if one can still do it. Then I would pick up the cello from the door of the airplane upon arrival, someone having brought it to me from the cargo area. Lots of extra hassle but the instrument was never damaged.

Posted by anon. on March 31, 1998 at 11:46 pm

Unless the cello is really, really expensive, I wouldn't worry about it. I went to Germany from America on Delta. When I left the flight attendant put FRAGILE stickers all over my case, assured me that it was insured for $15,000 [I'm not so sure about this, in fact most times they make you sign a release eliminating any possible claim against the airline], and then carried it directly out to the plane. When I arrived in Germany it came back the same way it left. The only time I worried was when we changed planes. I would just make sure there is nothing lose in the case and then maybe add a little padding if the cello doesn't fit snugly.

For more Cello Chat.

Train Travel

When touring in Europe train travel is often the way you'll get around. Eurail Passes and the amazing efficiency of the European train system make this one of the cheapest ways of criss-crossing all the many countries. If you have a cello you'll be OK if you follow just a few bits of advice.

Try to fly in and our from the same airport. When you arrive check your cello travel case at the "Left Baggage" counter. It will cost between 5-8 dollars a day depending on how they classify the cello case. Well worth it not lugging the beast around Europe. I travel with my David Gage and check it. My cello is in a soft padded case that I then do the rest of my touring with. I use this around New York so I'm used to it. Yes, you must be extra careful with a soft case. I find the hardest part is at gigs where I've now gotten in the habit of returning the cello to its case any time I leave the stage for a long time other than in between sets. I will take it to dinner, hotel, everywhere as it's so light now without a hard case.

If you can't fly in and out of the same city check your itinerary for some city that you pass through near the beginning and end of the tour where you might be able to store the case. Some of the major train stations have "Left Baggage" counters or the club you play in might help out. Careful here as often the person who will tell you it's OK isn't the one who will have to bring the case to the train station. Those people down on the totem pole are often over worked or have three different jobs and will over sleep, forget, not care, etc. Leave time for a major problem.

If you have cart the travel case with you don't worry it will fit in most of the baggage racks on the trains. It's a real hassle just having to deal with it and a suitcase or backpack. In my case the new David Gage case is wider than the old ones and wheeling it down the aisle of an old train is impossible and in the new trains, where the aisle is much bigger, where it's like threading a needle. So, basically the wheels become non-functioning once you're on the train. A careful look at the "Train Composition" charts (a chart which indicates where the train stops on the platform; showing first class and second class cars as well as the locomotive) found on 99% of the train platforms across Europe will insure that you will be standing very near to your compartment when the train pulls in.

When you can't put it up then look for a couple of free seats (if you are traveling using a Eurail Pass then you will be in first class and besides being better all around it's generally less crowded) or bring a 'bungee' cord with you to anchor into some corner of the train. I've never had problems but keep an alert eye out always as there are thieves whose M.O. it is to cruise trains during the 5 or 10 minutes there might be at a major city stop looking for things to swipe. A forty pound load (my case and cello) might be a little too much for most but I never take anything for granted. Keep an eye on walkmans, cd players, drum stick bags, laptop computers, etc.