I don't think I have the nerve to do what Schnaufer did. I sweated when forced to gate check my guitar, and it was in a case designed for airline use, even down to TSA approved locks. What would he have done if they called his bluff, put it in the hold, and handed him a bunch of shattered splintered wood at his destination? "Sorry, Sir, but You threw the case away." When they break an instrument that was in a strong case, it's a nightmare to get a claim through. Just ask a few people who have had to file claims.

For the current time, most dulcimers will fit into the overhead bins of most aircraft, even in a good case. Most acoustic guitars are going to have a problem on most airplanes. Once baggage fees are charged for carry on bags, the issue with overhead space may actually ease up. If it costs the same to carry on as to check, most people will only hand carry fragile or valuable items. A lot of people are using carry on bags to limit the cost of checked bags. And they stuff the daylights out of the carry on bags, with no weight limit.

Paul

I always stick my Lee Felt double-dulcimer bag in the overhead. Especially if I only take one dulcimer, I can fit clothes and product into the other side. I like that my bag looks like something my grandma made me. I've also used the compact looking McSpadden soft cases. Sometimes I hide the top of the second instrument by covering it with a shirt or something. I don't want them to think I'm over doing it. Here's my routine:

• I do my best to get to the gate early. I want to board as soon as possible.
• Before they start boarding, I wait as close as I can to the gate door with my bag unzipped. I want everyone including passengers to know I don't have golf clubs. I also want the gate workers to see I'm not trying to sneak an oversize item on board.
• I keep the instrument in plain site as I hand over my boarding pass. If offered, I always take the baggage claim ticket. As soon as I'm in the tunnel, I put it in my pocket.
• I smile at everyone and make eye contact. I don't want them to sense I'm going to be trouble. I keep the open bag in front of me as I board. (I really think they hate it when you try to trick them.)
• When they ask me what I have I often say, "miniature guitars called dulcimers." I want them to think SPECIAL and SMALL. I get them talking right away. I ask, "ever seen one before," or "do you play music?" I really need the stewardesses in particular to be on my side.
• If anyone says, "You'll have to check that. It won't fit in the overhead," I say, "I promise to cooperate either way but may I please try? I've never had a problem in the past. Most of this bag is filled with air. These instruments are very narrow."
• I pick the first overhead that's available incase there's none in the back of the plane.

I've never had to check an instrument on what's got to be at least 100 flights. If I ever have to, I'm likely to do what David Schnaufer did after they wouldn't let him fly with an antique dulcimer he'd acquired at a gig. He took the dulcimer out of it's case, put the case in the trash, and handed them the naked instrument. He said they all treated it like a baby the whole way.

I'm sure it was your sweeter-than-blueberry-honey smile.

Whatever the reason, I'm glad things worked out for Rainbow.

Jeannie in Paradise said:

I just want to add my May 2012 experience here. I had decided to buy a Clemmer "Sweetie" church style dulcimer to take to Wisconsin, so I could play at a private memorial for my mom. It has a well-fitting soft bag. When time came to fly with it, for each flight I made certain to board early... sometimes claiming to belong in the group of "people who need extra help," sometimes just being sure I was at the head of the line. Each time I carefully positioned my Sweetie into the overhead bin right above me, and then halfway stood right there, keeping track of what else was about to go into that overhead bin. I found passengers and flight attendants to be very respectful and cooperative, and Sweetie made it safely through five separate plane rides. (Maybe my nearly white hair and occasionally limping a bit helped, too!)

Jeannie

Lois;

Practicing? Sure. First you could get something like Harpmaker's Travel Dulcimer where the top flips over and stores the fretboard inside, and the result looks sorta like a wooden flute case. Fits in overheads. Great instrument.

Second you could make, or have made, a hinged solid body practice dulcimer that folded down to two lengths of 1x4 plank. Extend an lock the two pieces, tighten the strings, and play. Such a device would easily fit inside a standard suitcase. Drop me a PM if you're interested.

O.k. other things I've heard + this discussion convince me: I'd need to be gone for a long time in a location beyond possible driving to it before I'd try to take a breakable musical instrument on a plane.

That said, is there a way to do any kind of practicing without a dulcimer available?

Yeah, I was bummed that I wasn't able to meet you too.

and it was my dealings with Ryanair that almost got me kicked out of the country: never, ever again will I fly Ryanair.

That's great advice Butch - thanks for sharing your extensive experience of this issue. And I'm really sorry to have missed your visit to the UK last year

The UK airports are very strict about hand baggage and security in general, and we don't have a government regulation on the carrage of instruments as hand baggage. But, luckily, some of our airlines are very understanding and spell out very clearly in their terms and conditions what you can carry as additional handbaggage. Even EasyJet will allow any musicalinstrument up to the size of 30cm x 120cm x 38cm(easily a full size Mc Spadden dulcimer case) to go in an overhead. But stay away from RyanAir !!!!!!!!

One final point - make sure that you don't have anything in the dulcimer case pocket that is a restricted item such as a multi-tool for fitting your strings - orthat will get you into trouble at security

Long post, so get a cup of Joe:

I want to start by saying that Paul and Robin have offered you some great advice, and I agree with just about everything they've said.

I have flown with two to three dulcimers (the third would be a Griebhaus electric, which is very thin) in a standard TKL double-gigbag oneverythingfrom a Canada Regional Air (CRJ-700 and 900 but not 200) which means that it'll also get on the Embraer E series (E170 and E175 but not the 125 and probably not the ERJ145)and definitely the MD88 MD90or larger (those are the regional jets that I've had experience with). A general rule of thumb, look at the layout when your picking your seats. if the seat layout is 2 and 2 or larger, you're golden (tho' I have gotten it on planes with a 1 and 2 seat arrangement...but just barely)...if it's a turbo prop, yr screwed.

Because I do this for a living I HAVE to get the cheapest flights possible, which generally means the back of the plane. Fine with me, 'cuz I'm first on last off too, and I can fill up the overheads before everyone else. Being a man of average height, I'm also quick to "help" other passengers stowing stuff in my overhead (note the possessive) if they resist (usuallybecausethey're men and they "got this") I point out that that is a musical instrument and that I'D HATE TO SEE IT UNINTENTIONALLY GET DAMAGED (I'm never rude, angry or impolite, but you can imagine that the language i use is a quite bit stronger than that)

Here's what I used on the last trip....

That's a single TKL bag with two dulcimers in it (one in a cloth bag made by Mary Rockwell) I DO NOT recommend this, but i didn't have my double bag and was in a bind.

From the moment I get out of the car, the dulcimer is in it's straps and on my back (except for security of course). This makes it seem smaller, and is lessnoticeable...in fact they generally don't see how big it is until I've passed, and by then it's too late. If I get grief at the gate or the ticket counter (usually the ticket counter) I do three things:

1. remain unfailingly pleasant and polite
2. talk as slowly and loquaciously as I can
3. I am quick to gate check it

Pleasant and polite should be obvious, your beloved instrument iscompletelyin their hands and they have the power to do everything from charge you extra, force you to check it, to kick you out of the country (I have been threatened with all three). But, I once got to take three carry on bags to England because the woman at the counter took pity on me (and anyway, she said she wouldn't see any of that $200 extra baggage charge she could've hit me with. YOU READ THAT RIGHT $200).

Speak slowly....especially if you are on early, there are a lot of people behind you and the staff don't have much time to process the flight, so if you're nicebut slowthey may make an exception for you... I once flew from Philly to Nashville with my guitar under my seat (with my feet on top 'cuz it was WAAAAAY too big to be under there) because they didn't have the time to hold the flight to make me go to the ticket booth and get a gate check tag.

IF I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO, I will gate check, even with gate checking yourinstrumentis doomed if it goes into the hold in just a gig bag. So I have been known to ask for the gate check and then remove the tag. I did this once on a flight back from England. It means that someone has to come onto the plane and then remove it from the overhead ...in front of everyone, making them the jerk that took it and put it in the hold. That's right, if i can i'll use peer pressure

If that seems harsh, listen to this. I own a flight case, a very expensive case (intended for keyboards) that I bought SPECIFICALLY for flying with my dulcimers. In 2008 on my way to my first UK tour, I was told at baggage claim that the case was oversized and that i would have to pay an additional $175 each way to fly with it. In other words, cough up, or don't fly (the lady literally said "well you can leave it here but since it's an unintended bag, it'll be destroyed") In addition, when I got to England I had to bang the thing back into shape with a hammer to undo the damage that it had suffered in transit. So I got the message loud and clear: it's us verses them, and we don't have much leverage.

The people who work for the airline, in my experience, are overworked andunderpaidand forced by some corporate bean counter to adhere to rules thattheylikely think are BS too. Be considerate, and friendly but resolute.

finally a BIG caveat... Most of my issues have been in ATL and leaving the Uk. Usually for me, the first leg is out of Nashville, and there probably isn't a better airport in the world to fly out of with an instrument. All that to say YMMV.

That said, you never know. Philly is astraightup hostile airport in some ways. Yet the only conversation I've ever had about myinstrumentswentlike this. Them: "what are those" Me:{briefexplanationof the dulcimer and how it works} Them: Cool!

Also, I don't recommend Apple Creek dulcimers for the most part...but if you can get this one for $64 it's worth it just for the case. http://www.amazon.com/Applecreek-PKACD150K-Hourglass-Shaped-Dulcimer/dp/B001AV3OZG/ref=sr_1_11?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1357598580&sr=1-11&keywords=apple+creek

anything that fits in a McSpadden bag should be fine.

Good Luck!!

The post that I have had pop up very quickly and then disappear mentioned Aaron O'Rourke. I've missed the bottom half of the comment every time. Was that the one you deleted??

It's just me and my elusive ways. I like to keep you guessing.

Actually, folkfan, there was an earlier comment that I deleted, but my most recent comment in this discussion just preceding your post is still there, as far as I can see.

folkfan said:

Dusty, Every time I try to read your reply, it disappears and never comes back. Weird

Paul, Thanks for confirming what I was going by. The law doesn't guarantee that you can carry an instrument aboard, just that instruments are allowed as in cabin carry-on, if they fit the compartment space and if that space is available when boarding. And that you won't have to render up your firstborn as payment. But as the article points out, since many people are carrying everything they can on board, the over-head space quickly fills up.

The last flight I was on had so much stuck into bins, that people boarding after me had to have their bags either gate checked or crammed in bins. And I mean crammed. Attendants were pushing and shoving and slamming bags in and out of bins trying to get them closed. Made me shudder, but thankful that my carry on bag had nothing fragile in it.

Having your carry-on gate checked isn't uncommon. Having the entire last section to board gate check their luggage has been known to happen. So it's a good idea to make sure that your instrument is prepared for the belly of the beast, along with anything that won't fit under the seat in front of you.

This is the newest info: http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/skies-are-now-guitar-friendly-congress-orders-airlines-let-you-carry-your-musical-instrument

As Congress has made it's move, it will take a 10 Million Man March to make them revise it again. Don't expect any further changes in this law, unless the changes favor the Airlines.

Whether an instrument fits is dependent upon the size of the case and the size of the bins or underseat area. A Mt. Dulcimer is usually fairly small, compared to guitars, banjos and cellos, etc. I wouldn't worry about a 100 lb suitcase being placed on top of your dulcimer, the weight limit for checked luggage is 50 lbs and the overweight fees are downright scary. This is the reason so many people have large carry on bags. My dulcimer fit in the overhead bin of every aircraft I have boarded with it, but there may be some puddle jumpers it won't fit into. If you are concerned, my suggestion is a small dulcimer for traveling, such as Ron Ewing's Dulcimette, or David Beede's Edee Beedee. There is also Sweetwoods instruments travel model, and a number of other makers build small models. I lean towards Sweetwoods Travel Model, as it protects the fretboard. Plus, one can stash a couple sandwiches inside it. Most airlines don't provide meals any more. They will sell you food, but order early as they don't carry a lot. On a long flight, it can run out.

You may want to look at dimensions of the small models and see how much smaller they actually are. Try a few at a festival if possible. The short scale length may be to your liking, but if you have Grizzle Bear sized paws, you may be less impressed.

Alternatives: A cardboard dulcimer, or inexpensive beginner model, shipped to a friend near your destination, and held for your arrival. This can work if you visit fairly regularly, but if you have no friend in the area, it may not be workable.The cardboard ones are repairable with glue and brown grocery bag paper as long as the fret board isn't damaged. I suspect the fret board alone could be brought along, and attached to a small kitchen roasting pan for casual playing. You can buy the pan at home, or at your destination. I suspect a salad bowl might sound better than the roaster. If you try this, and start selling them, let me know. I might just buy one.

Paul

http://www.fretboardjournal.com/blog/skies-are-now-guitar-friendly-congress-orders-airlines-let-you-carry-your-musical-instrument

The gentleman who had a cardboard case was lucky that there was room in the storage closet. If the attendant hadn't stored it there, it would have had to fit in the overhead storage bin, and there would have to be enough bin space available for it to be a carry on.

Does anyone have any more up to date info on the current regs. in place?

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/vintage-gibson-guitar-delta-baggage-leevees-214634001.html

This hurts. Whatever the law says about carrying on an instrument, just don't assume it will be followed. Airlines break guitars.

I haven't carried a dulcimer on an airplane for the past three years, as I have been carrying guitars on those trips. The times I did take a dulcimer, I had no problems at all. They fit into the overhead of every plane I got on, and no crew member ever said a word about it. One or two asked if there would be music during the flight, that was it. Full size dreadnought guitars in plywood or molded plastic cases will not fit the overheads of any except the largest aircraft, but that is off topic. My dulcimer has flown from Cleveland to Oklahoma city by way of Houston, and twice to Hawai`i by way of Chicago. Never a problem. I use a card board case, and that's fine in the overheads. The new law says you are allowed to carry an instrument on board "As long as it fits either under the seat, or in the overhead bin." If there isn't room for it, the attendant may be able to place it in a closet at the front of the plane. My guitars have been placed in closets at on least 5 flights over the past 3 years. This is a good option, and I highly recommend it when possible. If you are in the last few groups boarding, and the closet is full, the overheads are still an option, but if it won't fit, the attendant has no choice but to gate check it for you. Gate checking means it ends up in the cargo hold with the checked baggage, but it goes in on top, because you carry it to the airplane yourself, and hand it over to a flight attendant, after trying the closet/overhead possibilities. It probably ends up on top of the luggage, and it is supposed to be handed back to you as you leave the plane. This avoids the 2 most likely damaging parts of the whole experience: Baggage Handlers and the conveyor/carousel situation. Some airlines will not return the instrument to you at the plane, instead sending it to the carousel. Ask the flight attendant to have it returned to you at the plane with the baby strollers. Those are getting special handling, and will be given to the parents at the door of the jetway, just off the airplane. I never ask about boarding with an instrument, I just carry it to the plane, usually in some type of backpack harness. I use this for guitar/banjo cases: http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/BACK.htm They make a smaller sized one that might work for a dulcimer case. When I reach the plane, I ask if there is closet space,if not, I put the dulcimer in the overhead. Done. I don't advise using a soft case. If the dulcimer has to go in the cargo hold, it could be damaged. Bing had this problem, there is a YouTube about the incident. No case is completely immune to baggage handler lunacy, but an aluminum gun case is probably as close to immunity as can be gotten. Don't buy a used one in a yard sale or thrift store, if it has had a fired gun in it, gun powder residue will make the bomb sniffing equipment go crazy! Buy a new one and don't use it for your Tommy Guns, keep it strictly for dulcimers or camera stuff. When you buy these cases, you cut the foam lining to fit the gun you are using it with. In your case, you cut it to fit your dulcimer. It's the best protection you can get for a dulcimer. There are very fine flight cases for guitars, but not enough market for a dulcimer version to be made. I don't like a gig bag in the back of my car, let alone in an airplane. You never know who will get on after you, and try to shove "who knows what" into a full bin. Cardboard cases have been OK so far, but it only takes once. It may be worth looking into a smaller sized dulcimer, or an inexpensive travel or beginner dulcimer, if you are still concerned. If you are playing gigs, this may not be an option. You may want your favorite with you.

Paul

Not too much that I can add to this discussion. I haven't flown in many years now. However, when I used to fly about once or twice a year, I never had any problem, but that was a while ago.

I always stowed my dulcimer in the overhead bin and would keep an eye on things to make sure someone didn't try to jam things up against it. But now with tighter regulations and passengers attempting to carry all their gear by carry-ons, it certainly has become a different game.

On one flight I was seated in the mid section of a plane near the front (not first class) and there wasn't enough room, so the flight attendant stored it nearby in another section and showed me where it would be and she was very polite and asked if there was anything else I needed.

I think a major portion of the problem you'll have is on loading. Depending on which section you manage to get in on and how much others have carried on before you, there may or may not be much room left in the bins. And the space breaks up in to smaller and tighter spaces as those overhead bins fill up. There have been a couple of times I know of recently that the last loading section had all their carry on luggage gate checked. No ifs ands or maybes. There was not room in the bins for what they were carrying and it went to the belly of the beast.

If you are travelling on different airlines be sure that the size for a check in bag is the same size. Though as I remember Bing Futch got on one plane and discovered that the bins had all been cut down in size and his instrument didn't fit anymore. Here's part of that story.

http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2...

Hope your travels are better, and that you can find an overhead bin with enough space for your instrument, and don't have any other passenger force their bag in on top of yours. The last trip I took on American to England was a disaster with over crowding. One of the earlier flights had mechanical problems and half of that flight ended up traveling in the evening on mine. Not one seat was free. And bags were being shuffled up and down the plane trying to fit them in. It delayed departure. So be prepared.

I'm sure you will be fine. I've carried a travel guitar (baby Taylor size) and a dulcimer (McSpadden Ginger) on inter-continental flights to Asia and Central America from the UK - and we don't have the benefit of the new US regulations. I would suggest that you actuallyfly with the smallest, lightest case you can for the instrument - a fitted gig bag like the McSpadden one is great.That way itlooks like an instrument to airline staff and security will look certain to fit easily in an overhead. And place it yourself in the overhead bin - just keep an eye on other passengers loading that bin and offer to help them. I never ask permission to carry on - wait until you are challenged and then pull out the new US regs.

A Ginger has proved an excellent option for travelling - it's gig baglooks like a fiddle case and so airline staff are dead scared about its potential value and leave well alone!!!!

Here it is in Costa Rica

If you can try to get into a situation where you can board early and get your dulcimer in the overhead. Then pray that all other bags that will also be shoved into the same compartment don't over fill. I remember one attendant yelling down the length of the plane to a man who just put in the last suitcase in the bin that the bin had to close. She ended up coming down and taking it out. I don't know where she finally stuck that case. It's alright for the government to say that the airlines have to take the instruments but no one has quite figured out how they are going to get all the extra carry on bags in the plane. Several times now family members when traveling have been in boarding groups where their carry on bags weren't even taken into the plane as the plane's compartments were crammed full. Everything for that group of passengers had to be gate checked. Or you could always buy a seat for your instrument and have no problem.

Just a couple of months ago, Congress passed a law on this issue, mandating that all airlines allow passengers to carry on any musical instrument that will fit in the overhead. Check out the New York Times article: http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/flying-with-instruments-gets-easier-for-musicians/

Of course it would still be a good idea to garner the support of the flight attendants, but you now have the law on your side.

Whatever you do don't plan on putting your case under the seats. I've yet to see a plane that has a completely obstruction free area under the seats to begin with. Plus the person sitting next to you might seriously object to having what foot room the plane does proved for each seat taken up by your extra long under seat bag. Plus if the flight is of any length, your legs might protest the cramped spacing they'd get if you completely fill the space in front of you with a bag.

If I was going to carry a dulcimer with me, I'd get a gun case or golf club case and pay the extra for check in baggage. But trying to carry it on, nope. Sometimes passengers even end up having to check their carry on bags as there isn't enough room for all the luggage people carry on in the overhead bins. So you'd have to be prepared for that situation anyway.