How to travel with your guitar? With a gig bag? Is it absolutely safe to check it putting in a hard case? The answer is in the video.
This video goes viral on the Internet, news media cover it as well. The luggage handlers and their supervisor were fired later, however, the way they treated baggage is not absolutely unusual. Try search on YouTube using the keywords ” throw baggage” and you can find quite a list of videos alike.
Yes, not every luggage handler works like those in the video. Those who treat the luggage carelessly do not do it because of fun or hatred to your baggage. Bigger, more weight and harder the case is, harder they can carry it. Therefore, throwing it seems like an option.
No 100% safety guarantee even you put your guitar in a hard case. A guitar of the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s member got smashed on the trip from Scotland to Milan, case broken, the Fender Telecaster damaged.
So, how to make sure the “luggage transportation technician” treat your guitar carefully? ( Some say it is better to carry on, never check it in. We will talk about here.)
1. Put on the “FRAGILE” sticker. Sometimes it is difficult for the luggage workers to know it is a delicate musical instrument inside a case. Put caution stickers on the case and ask for handle it as a oversize baggage, such as a surf board, not through the conveyor.
2. Leave a handle or something easy to grab on the hard case, bag, or box. A gig bag normally has many handle for workers to carry, when a case usually has only one handle. The best thing you can do is to add a baggage band or tie a rope with some nods or loops, thus they don’t have to throw it by accidence or not.
3. Fill the space inside with clothe, paper, bubble wrap or an inflatable air-cushion to avoid guitar from swinging and pumping. Loosen the strings a little bit.
A singer once took his guitar with him to a tour. from Taiwan to China, checked it onto the flight with an Aircushion Gig Bag. However, he emphasizes not encourage others to do the same. In case you have luggage handlers work like those in the video, no protection can protect your instruments.
