<p>Okay, So I am participating in band at my school and I need to bring my tenor saxophone and my clarinet. I already know that I am bringing my clarinet in my carry-on backpack. </p>
<p>The issue: My tenor is too big to bring as a carry-on, and wont fit in a seat so I can not buy an extra seat for it. My only choice is to make it one of my checked bags.</p>
<p>It is a fairly expensive saxophone (a Cannonball) and I am EXTREMELY worried about it getting dented/broken/etc. </p>
<p>The question: Any experience with sending an instrument as a checked bag? (I am flying Southwest)</p>
<p>When I was in band in school, the people with larger instruments always checked them when we flew, and they never had a problem. That’s just my experience though.</p>
<p>Thanks. I just worry because I have heard the horror stories about instruments being damaged</p>
<p>Contact SWA about additional insurance to cover your sax, if u want to check it as luggage. The airlines also have separate air freight services. There’s also UPS.</p>
<p>When my S started school, we used a moving company to pack and airfreight his bulky stuff, including his bike.</p>
<p>Make sure you have a fly-safe case. If not, buy one just in case, or put your sax in bubble wrap and tape the case shut.</p>
<p>I often carry my guitars when I travel, and I absolutely refuse to check them. Usually airlines will let me count it as a carry-on if I only have one other personal item. It depends on the airline, how large the instrument/case is, how close you can get to the front of the line when boarding, how well you can convince them that it’s fragile, expensive, and sensitive to draft/moisture, and how well you can fake a small panic attack at the gate if they still try to check it. </p>
<p>My experience with Airlines: US is usually the worst about this. American isn’t too bad unless it’s a small plane. They’ll usually try to take it at check-in or gate, but will let it slide after a little convincing. There’s usually enough room on the plane, especially if there’s a coat closet.</p>
<p>Anything bigger than an acoustic guitar or an electric bass will definitely have to be checked though.</p>