One of the most frequent questions that I seem to get from resonator guitar players is, "What is the best way to fly with my guitar?" This month we are going to cover several options that will make the "airline experience" a good one for you.

The very best way to fly a resonator guitar is to actually carry it onboard the aircraft with you. This isn't always possible, but here are some suggestions that might better your chances of carrying your guitar onboard:

1. If possible, contact the airlines a few weeks before your departure about your desire to carry your instrument onboard. Let them know the value of the instrument, and explain to them about how fragile these guitars are. Have the dimensions of your guitar case on hand before you call. Providing the actual size of the instrument can make a huge difference.

2. Speaking of cases, I recommend using a small "gig bag" for your carry-on case. By small, I' referring to a bag without a lot of extra pockets or excessive padding. The trick is to present your instrument at check-in without it appearing excessively large. Everything about a plane's interior is meticulously compact. A smaller case will allow the instrument to more easily fit in the overheard compartments or a compact closet.

3. Once onboard, ask one of the flight attendants to suggest where you might place your instrument, such as a closet. Usually, they will accommodate your request. If you do have to place it an overhead bin, be certain that your guitar is one of the very LAST items placed in the compartment. This will prevent items from being stacked on top of your guitar, possibly causing damage.

4. Due to post-September 11 regulations, make sure you have not stowed any wire cutters, screwdrivers, or sharp objects in your case. It's best to leave these items at home because they will be confiscated. I have had several good pairs of wire cutters tossed in the trash by security personnel because I forget they were in my case. With a little planning ahead, this needn't happen to you.

The most dreaded option is to have to check your guitar to be loaded in the belly of the plane by baggage handlers. This is what most guitar players hate to see, but it sometimes happens. That's why I suggest calling the airline well in advance of your flight. You don't want to get caught at the terminal with a guitar in a gig bag, and then have to check it- as the guitar won't have a chance. Here are some suggestions to help ensure survival should you have to check your guitar:

1. If possible, place your guitar in a flight case (or flight-approved case). These are heavy-duty sturdy cases that offer lots of protection. Companies such as Calton and Anvil make great flight cases. They are expensive, but they are a "must" if you fly often. If you don't have a flight case, then a very sturdy hardshell case will work just fine. I have seen guitars get damaged in flight cases as well as in plain hardshell cases. It just depends on the baggage handlers. You run the risk of damage anytime you have to check your guitar with the standard luggage. Make sure you apply "fragile" decals to your case prior to checking it. Such measures will increase your guitar's chances of survival.

2. What damages a resonator guitar most often is not actually "getting crushed", but "deceleration". Deceleration occurs when your instrument gets tossed or dropped during the baggage handling process. If your case is dropped, it stops abruptly when it strikes pavement, the floor, etc. The guitar inside the case is still traveling forward or downward and is damaged by the sudden stop inside the case itself. Broken headstocks or collapsed resonators are the most common result.

Two of the most important things you can do to prevent deceleration damage are: (1) to release the string tension prior to check-in. Releasing the tension means to tune the instrument down a few intervals. This takes a lot of tension off the resonator. Be careful not to loosen the strings too much as you can cause the resonator to become unseated. This will cause your guitar to "buzz" when you try to tune it later.

(2) Pack a hand towel or other padding around the headstock inside of the case. Pack in front, and behind the headstock. This might take several minutes to do properly, but it will keep the headstock from being snapped off. The padding will restrict the movement of the headstock during possible deceleration. I have had several headstocks get broken in the past, but not since I learned how to properly pad them prior to flying. You should also pack (or pad) any open areas within the case. Any areas where the guitar may not properly fit in the case should be filled with some type of packing.

Do not lock your case because since September 11, airport security is required to search any checked items that may look suspicious. If it happens to be your guitar and the case is locked, they will break the locks in order to gain entry. It is a good idea to tape your case locks with duct tape (or some other type of sturdy tape) to prevent them from being caught on the conveyor belt during loading, or to keep them from accidentally being opened due to vibration during the flight.

Once you get to your destination and locate your guitar in the baggage claim area, you should immediately open the case and check for damage. If you discover any damage, you should report it at once to the baggage claims officer on duty. If you leave the airport with a damaged item, it may be too late to make a claim. Some airlines will have you sign a waiver saying they are not responsible for damage to a musical instrument. I have found in many cases (even with a signed waiver) that many airlines will compensate you for damage they have caused.

There is no set formula to totally eliminate the possibility of having a guitar damaged during a flight. I've tried to present just a few ideas that will help to minimize the chances of that happening. Remember, it is always best to actually carry your instrument onboard yourself. I hope these suggestions help should you have to check your guitar along with your baggage.

See you next month!

Phil