Even before the terrorist
events of last September, carrying a violin or viola on board an airline
flight was an iffy enterprise. In recent months, musicians have encountered
greater scrutiny—and even more hassles—from airport security
and baggage checkers.
For the past 12 years, I
have worked with customers at Ifshin Violins in Berkeley, California,
a large and busy shop. I've often been the first person in the shop
to see damaged instruments when they're brought to us by customers.
As a result, I have written letters to the insurance companies as well
as airlines. In my correspondence I've learned a bit of background information
regarding flight travel with instruments.
At press time, the maximum
carry-on size allowed by most airlines measures nine inches wide, by
14 inches tall, by 22 inches long, and is much smaller than the standard
violin or viola case. Yet, if you're a frequent flyer, you know that
passengers routinely bring big duffel bags, and other large objects
on board. Usually, if the item fits in the overhead bin, the gate attendants
and cabin personnel won't object. But rules are rules, and if an airline
employee does object, he or she can keep your treasured violin (and
you) off the flight.
Today, airline regulations
are in constant flux. Due to ongoing security concerns, there has even
been talk of not allowing carry-on baggage at all. Everyone is on edge,
and as a result, carry-on baggage regulations are much more strictly
enforced. More than ever, you need to protect your investment. The one
thing you should never do is allow airline personnel to take your violin
case from you and check it in the baggage compartment. If you do, the
chances are good that your instrument and bow will be seriously damaged
resulting in expensive repairs and loss of value.
So, what can you do? You
could take your chances and hope that authorities don't object to you
carrying on your violin. I make a point of asking customers who have
recently flown with their instruments about this and usually, there
were no problems. If there is some objection to the instrument case,
diplomacy and a good attitude may well help you get on board with a
minimum of fuss. But you should be prepared or you may find yourself
standing at the gate as the plane leaves without you.
Use a Good Case
If you hope to get the instrument into the cabin, remember that some
companies, Bobelock for example, make cases that are designed for shipping
instruments. Because the shipping case is shorter than a standard around-town
case (there is no place for the bow) it is less likely to catch the
eye of airline personnel. Keep in mind that some cases may still be
slightly longer than the allowable size, and you'll need a case for
your bow so you can carry it on board with you.
If you must ship your instrument, or stow it in the cargo hold, I recommend
doing so only in a suspension case. The pads that support the top and
bottom of the case's back go a long way toward protecting the instrument
from shock. The shell that the case is built around should be strong,
not flexible (plywood is better than Styrofoam). If the box is crushed,
the case should be able to withstand the impact.
Packing the Instrument
Simply placing the violin in a hard case is not enough. Put foam rubber
blocks or compressed soft paper on either side of the bridge, underneath
the tailpiece, and under the fingerboard. The idea is to keep the bridge
from falling. If there is a space around the instrument, place small
pieces of foam or soft paper around it so that it can't move. If there
is a case blanket, be sure it is in place. If not, use some thick bubble-wrap
packing material to cover the violin.
If you're flying to a large city and will have access to a qualified
violin repair shop, I recommend taking the strings and bridge off and
having the sound post taken down. With no tension on the body, the instrument
is much less likely to be damaged. Take the tailpiece off and place
it in the accessory pocket with the bridge. If you must leave the tailpiece
on, be sure to wrap it well so it won't scratch the top of the instrument.
Whenever we receive an instrument from another dealer, this has always
been done. If you simply loosen the strings, the post can move around
and may have to be adjusted by a luthier.
Once the instrument is packed inside the case, it must then be put into
a strongbox large enough to leave at least two inches of space all around
the case. Use a new box, or one in good condition (boxes lose rigidity
quickly). The packing material should either be Styrofoam chips ("popcorn,"
as it is sometimes called) or the case can be wrapped in bubble-wrap
sheets with large bubbles. The case shouldn't touch the inside of the
box at any point. Don't use wadded-up newspaper because no matter how
hard you try to compress it, it will compress even more during shipping,
and the case will bounce around in the box when it's handled.
Tape the box securely, wherever it can open, with high-quality sealing
tape. Ifshin Violins frequently receives boxes that are partially open
because the shipper didn't use enough tape.
When you check your instrument, insist that it is put in the pressurized
section of the cargo hold where pets are placed. If it goes in the regular
baggage hold, changes in pressure and temperature can cause serious
damage.
Insurance
If your violin, viola, cello, or bass is valuable, insure it. Get a
written appraisal if you don't already have one. If you do have insurance,
be sure to check with your agent and make sure that the instrument is
covered during shipment. If you don't have insurance, you can get it
from the mail carrier, but be warned, it's expensive (usually about
50 cents per $100 value). If your instrument is worth $10,000, that
amounts to $50 just for insurance. Customers come in regularly with
instruments damaged during shipping, but in our 20 years of shipping
instruments daily, no instrument has ever been permanently lost. Damaged
yes; but lost, no.
Which Shipper Should You
Choose?
I usually recommend UPS or Federal Express. You should choose a shipper
that can accurately track packages every step of the way. If your instrument
gets lost and can't be tracked, you may never see it again. Whenever
possible, go directly to the shipping company's own location. This will
save you a great deal of money. If you're shipping across the country,
you may want to pay the extra price for air (three days or less). The
shorter the transit time, the less likely your instrument will be damaged.
If the instrument is very valuable, overnight is best. Of course, if
it's a Stradivari or Guarneri, you will want to hand carry it with you
on the plane (or try to). The big shippers try to handle every box as
carefully as possible, but with the enormous volume that flows through
their systems every day, accidents do happen.
Ship instruments early in
the week, especially during the summer. This reduces the chance that
the box will sit in a warehouse somewhere over the weekend. If it is
110 degrees outside, and the shipment is stored in a non—air-conditioned
warehouse, you can imagine the results.
Traveling with your instrument
via air is invariably a stressful experience–especially with the
current lack of clear across-the-board regulations. But don't forget
that many airline personnel are under an even greater amount of stress.
An abrasive, combative attitude on your part will only make things worse
and make the gate agent much less cooperative. Remember, attitude is
everything.
