I can hear an additional 4 more A4 voices calling to my setup of AR/A4/MnM for later this year. Would really love to add the AK for composition at home, but also need to feel safe traveling with it to gigs. So, I have a few questions for current AK-37 owners…
[ul]
[li]When flying with Analog Keys, which case are you using for it?[/li]
[li]Trying to carry it on the plane? Checking it underneath?[/li]
[li]What has been your experience with airline travel and Analog Keys?[/li]
[/ul]
I’ve come across a few bits about a new airline travel rule in the USA that will allow a musical instrument that exceeds standard carry-on size (like the AK) to be carried on under certain circumstances:
Basically, board the plane early, and stow it early. The rule states that the crew can’t make you stow it underneath if it has already been stowed in the cabin, and if it is a musical instrument. Also, have a printed copy of the rule and be prepared to plead your case to any airline or security official that will ask you to check it in for under carriage stowing prior to boarding.
This all seems rather convoluted, and it is unclear if this then counts as your only carry-on bag. Also, this only applies to the United States. I am curious about rules and allowances for Europe as well.
I’m leaning toward a compact hard case in the event that I have no choice but to check it in for under carriage stowing.
I posted the information about the air travel rule in the Official Analog Keys Gig Bag thread, but here it is again:
"The final rule does not change the earlier provisions of the Act, but mercifully puts a period at the end of the sentence: "Section 403 of the Act and this final rule provide that carriers are required to allow passengers to stow their musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin only if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft such stowage space is available.
"With the exception of certain disability assistance devices, overhead bins or under seat stowage space is available to all passengers and crew members for their carry-on baggage on a “first come, first served” basis. Accordingly, carriers are not required to remove other passengers’ or crew members’ carry-on baggage that is already stowed in order to make space for a musical instrument. However, this also means that carriers are not allowed to require a passenger to remove his or her musical instrument that is already safely stowed (e.g., in the overhead bin) to make room for carry-on baggage of other passengers who board the aircraft later than the passenger with the musical instrumenT." Most importantly, “This is true even if the space taken by the musical instrument could accommodate one or more other carry-on items.”
So in other words, if you want to travel with Analog Keys. Board early and stow early, and bring a copy of this with you:
[http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Final_%20Rule_%20Musical_Instruments.pdf](http://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/Final_ Rule_ Musical_Instruments.pdf)
Of course this only applies to the USA.
Also helpful:
http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/air-travel-musical-instruments
Found via this entertainment lawyer’s blog: http://wallacecollinsentertainmentlawblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/new-ruling-for-air-travel-now-you-can.html