<p>Do any parents have experience and/or recommendations on best way to transport viola / violin to college? We will be flying and I'm wondering about being allowed to take this as carry-on due to shape of the instrument case. Anyone have experiences with either flying or shipping instruments and have any recommendations?</p>
<p>It's safest to take it as a carry-on, and you're definitely allowed to, as long as you stay within the carry-on limits. To be honest, you will almost certainly be able to get away with a carry-on, such as a backpack, a personal item, and the violin, even though that's technically against the rules. Otherwise, just make sure it's snug in the case, put some padding around it if it's not, and label it FRAGIL. The airport will do that for you if you want. For extra protection, think about putting it in a plain cardboard box and filling the box with a blanket or pillows. That way there's extra padding if it's thrown around and it won't be obvious that it's a musical instrument, which probably reduces the risk of theft.</p>
<p>I have wondered this also as the violin case is too long to abide by the carry-on rules. You wouldn't want to check it in as luggage as they do handle luggage in a rough manner AND the temperature in the luggage area is not good for the instrument.</p>
<p>Ask this question over on the Music Majors forum. They have LOTS of experience with this!</p>
<p>DD travelled to Europe w/her youth orchestra last spring -- the violins and violas travelled in the passenger cabin.</p>
<p>Though I can't remember my D traveling with her viola, both my twins have traveled with their violins, at times internationally, with no problem. Carry on lugguage, in addition to carry on bag and small purse. She has an oblong case. Were the violist to travel with instrument, I'd take it as a carryon, though the cases can be quite large. She has one of the half round clamshell cases. It would fit in an overhead bin, regardless, and that is one of the requirements. Were anyone to ask us to check it, I'd pitch a fit, as I can't imagine feeling confident about it being treated properly, padding in a box or not. Esp. as you are suppose to leave access for them to check the contents. </p>
<p>Now shipping might be different, if thru UPS or a similar company. Shar strings and so on ship instruments all the time. We have UPS stores in our area, and I'd think they could ship an instrument safely for you. </p>
<p>My D just left for Peru yesterday AM with her violin, and a very large and heavy carry on. No problem, changed planes a few times. The instrument was the least of our concerns.</p>
<p>Good suggesion Deb 922 - found this discussion over on the music majors forum <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=285893&highlight=flying+violin%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=285893&highlight=flying+violin</a></p>
<p>I looked on the Southwest Airlines site and found the following information in a link under baggage - Musical Instruments</p>
<p>"If your musical instrument does not meet the sizing requirements for carryon items (10x16x24), it will be handled as checked baggage provided you do not wish to purchase a seat for the instrument.
In the event you are traveling with a musical instrument that is larger than our sizing requirements for carryon luggage and is fragile in nature, you may purchase a seat for the instrument and carry it in the cabin under the following conditions:
The instrument must fit in the seat without blocking aircraft signage and be secured with a seatbelt.
The instrument must be placed in the first row and in a seat closer to the window than any other Customer in that row.
Reservations must be made and a ticket must be purchased at a charge no greater than the Childs Fare. Musical instruments cannot be transported in place of a free companion under any fare promotion.
Instruments that are transported in a soft-sided case or other packaging that is not strong enough to protect the instrument under normal baggage handling conditions will be conditionally accepted, which means that Southwest assumes no liability for any damage sustained to the item during transport."</p>
<p>Just measured my case - 30 inches long - hummmm???</p>
<p>Interesting - my son had no problem with taking his french horn as a carryon on Southwest flights this summer, but we were prepared to have it checked.</p>
<p>D has taken her violin on dozens of flights, most of them international. It has always fit in the overhead bins. Never a problem, although one airport screener made her take it out & play it after it went through the x-ray. Don't know if he was being "cute" or if it had raised some post 9-11 suspicions.</p>
<p>I play viola, and have traveled with my instrument many times. I would never let them check it. I have never had a problem, and most airlines will allow a violin to be carried on. I doubt anyone would know the difference between viola and a violin, and if ever pressed I would freely lie and say it is a violin. </p>
<p>If you are traveling at the holidays it is possible they will not accept it, so I would make other arrangements at that time of year.</p>
<p>The violin should not be a problem in the overhead. Most single violin cases will fit, as will most violas, unless it's one of the 17-18" monsters requiring and an oversized case. My son's, at 16 1/2", has fit in all overheads to date.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, all the airlines policies are based on the "what will fit in the overhead" policy, and while most have amended their policies to allow music instruments as carry-ons, it can still be a subjective judgement at the discretion of the airline personnel at the boarding gate.</p>
<p>My son played at the Hot Springs Festival this summer, flew out with no problem. Same airline, on the way back, he was forced to check the instrument due to plane size on one leg of trip. Completely capricious call on the part of the airline attendant, as he flew the same type plane on the flight in, and stowed the viola overhead. </p>
<p>You may have an issue on crowded flights, or small commuter type connecting flights, with smaller overheads.</p>
<p>Get to the gate early, and ask to board first. Explain about the instrument, its high dollar value. Be courteous and most will let you board first if you're not pushy.</p>
<p>If they won't let you board first, ask if they'll let you stow it in the attendant's locker. Most major routes and personnel that man them are aware of the needs of traveling professional musicians and will accomodate you.</p>
<p>You are allowed two carryons. But remember, if you're female, your purse is technically a carryon. Stow your purse in your other carryon before boarding.</p>
<p>Be smart just in case you have to check it. A few foam blocks or rolled socks under the strings near the bridge, and around the body as extra padding won't hurt as a precaution before heading to the airport.</p>
<p>If the instrument has significant value, have it insured.</p>
<p>I have pity for all cellists, bassists, and harpists needing to purchase a seat for their instrument.</p>
<p>No way would a full size harp or double bass ever come close to fitting on a plane, in any form! Those things are huge.</p>
<p>D always puts violin in the overhead. Comes with her on every R/T home.
Never a problem.</p>
<p>I agree with everything violadad has said. I'm often on small planes on the way to/from school, and the attendants have always let me stow my viola with their luggage if it didn't fit in the overhead bin. It also helps to book a seat towards the back of the plane so that you board earlier.</p>
<p>corranged- I was being facetious. While many cellists purchase seats for their instruments, those who fly with basses are subjected to having them treated as oversized checked baggage. I have no idea how harpists cope; I'm assumimg the instruments might be treated as air freight or specially designated cargo.</p>
<p>I did a bit more checking, and Northwest, touted among pro string players and frequently traveling musicians as the most "instrument friendly" airline has an amended policy for carry on instruments so as not to exceed 45 total linear inches (length+height+depth).</p>
<p>The case my son uses for travel exceeds this slightly, totaling about 48". It has fit into every overhead he's encountered.</p>
<p>It accomodates his 16.5" viola and is well built and affords a great deal of protection, and has ample room for his other needs (extra strings, rosin, rests), but is fairly heavy. His case for everyday use is far lighter, and a bit smaller, falling within Northwest's 45 inch aggregrate, but it is not a case intended to take substantial abuse.</p>
<p>The 4/4 full size violin is pretty much standardized in size at 14 inches. The measurement is the length of the back of the body only, not including the neck. 4/4 violas vary widely, ranging from 15 to 18 inches, the vast majority falling below 16 1/2 inches. </p>
<p>Based on the above, I would not expect a violin case ever being so large as not to fit unless it was a custom made oversized case or a double instrument case.</p>
<p>anothermom-w q's point about calling the viola a violin is valid when traveling, as most airline employees will not know the difference, and it may avoid the hassles of having to be checked. ("Our policy says violin, not viola. What's a viola?")</p>
<p>If you decide to ship it, here's two different methods for proper packing:
<a href="http://www.thelovelytrudella.com/packandship.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.thelovelytrudella.com/packandship.html</a>
<a href="http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/about/shipping.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/about/shipping.htm</a></p>
<p>The preference for bubblewrap/foam peanuts is arbitrary based on the writers' difference in perspective and internal policies, not on effectiveness.
I designed product packaging at one point in my professional career... both are equally effective in protecting for the purposes detailed.</p>
<p>Violadad - thank you for all of the expert information. We are such neophytes in the area of transporting the violin! D plans to play in the orchestra in college, but will not be a music major. There will be occassions she will need to fly home or back to school with her violin, so she can practice while visiting. I just measured her everyday case and it is 31+5+10=46. It is your basic Bobelock case. If you really cut it close, I guess it would fit into the 45" guidelines. The principle airline she will use will be Southwest. Would you recommend a 'travel' case for flying?</p>
<p>MidwestParent- The Bobelock is a good case, I would say no if it's in decent shape. It should also fit into the overheads with no problem. Son's travel case is 36 or 37" long and it fits.</p>
<p>Also remember value of instrument. Depending on your out of pocket replacement costs, you might want to insure it if it's not already insured.
For students, a rider on you homeowner's is usually enough, but if she plays it at all professionally (even declared income on her taxes for an occaisional gig) then homeowner's would not probably honor a claim, as the instrument is used "professionally".</p>
<p>Just remember the two carryon rule, and remind d that pocketbook is one item. I can see possible issues if she's flying with a laptop and violin... you may want to get a slightly oversized bag for laptop to allow room for purse, or wallet, personal essentials to fit in if she intends flying with both.</p>
<p>MidwestParent-</p>
<p>Regards the two cases- my son was a music major in performance, and an emerging professional musician. At school, his instrument and case was normally in his instrument locker, subjected to in and out of abuse multiple times daily over a five year period. It made sense not to subject his pro quality $1000 case to this everyday wear and tear. We opted for a lighter, slightly smaller vastly cheaper case for his everyday use there... it just made life easier all around. If he traveled for gigs or festivals, by vehicle or air, he always switched to the better case allowing more protection.</p>
<p>I think we went through two or three low-end cases over five years, far cheaper than replacing the pro case.</p>
<p>A travel case would only be necessary if you have a high value instrument or envision frequent travel provided your Bobelock is not one of the "soft" versions.</p>
<p>Violadad - all good points.</p>
<p>The instrument is insured through a rider in our homeowner's policy, though in the world of violins her instrument is probably considered a "cheapie". We had thought she would probably be told to "upgrade" her instrument when she tried out to be accepted for lessons (a first for us!) earlier this summer. However, her Russian soon-to-be-teacher said at the end of the audition, "ENOUGH! I take you. I like your fiddle - sounds good!". Whew!! Maybe we put that purchase off for a year or two!</p>
<p>Another good point is the laptop, purse, carryon luggage, AND violin dilemma. I will look for a bag she could slip her personal items, purse, and laptop into so combined with that and the violin, she would only have two bags.</p>