Hmmm, well I suspect Mike has got it with the gate check.  I still wouldn't feel comfortable doing that unless I had a really tough case. 

We do it with video gear... it is never comfortable and it is always stressful.

What we often do is check the camera bag at the gate and take the camera and footage on board to stuff it in the overhead in blankets. Sometimes we have to disassemble the camera into lens, body, and viewfinder etc. It all has to happen fast and with flexibility to the situation at the moment.

We try hard to get to board the plane before it's filled up.

We also have loads of checked gear in travel cases getting slammed around but usually everything but the light bulbs will show up fine. Usually the light bulbs do too.



I used to casually take a guitar with me when I was a young guy... those days are gone.



I think it might be worth inquiring with other traveling violinists to see if there are any favorable policies on specific service providers.

Good luck.


best regards,
mike

Because of restrictions in the number of luggages I could take here w/ me, the only option I had was to take my cheaper guitar, unbolt the neck, and place it in my luggage, carefully wrapping in layers and layers of clothes. Not something I'd recommend doing with your best guitar or if you can avoid it, but this time, I had no alternative. And worst case scenario, I'd have bought a new one here if anything happened.

At any rate, there's just no way I'd take anything too precious w/ me, certainly not my main guitar.

I'm still trying to find a solution for our flight to Russia in January.

One of my buddies who plays gigs across Canada regularly told me he never had problems taking his electric w/ him onboard in a gig bag and passing it as his hand luggage, but I haven't tried that myself and non-domestic flights might have different policies.

 
"A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation.
 
The Manager responded: “Good luck with that one, pal.”
 
So he posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 6 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video.  Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal.”
 
Taylor Guitars sent the  musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders. Here’s the video, and it’s GREAT!  A Must Watch."  
 
 http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=5YGc4zOqozo
 

There should be no probem with a violin being carry-on. It isn't that big.Shemay have to get a large laptop bag and use it for double duty laptop/purse. Don't most airlines allow a purse or similar bag and a small carry-on bag?

J

I have seen once a guys trying to put overhead a contrabass, fly attendant told him: it won't fit, put it under the seat...

I've been told to stow my air guitar when travelling...