I have one question that need help with.
I would like bring my flute to retreat in arrowhead, should I take the school[hard case] one or my own.[soft-ish case]
~If I do take my own I don't really wanna put it in my suitcase.
~but if i take the school one its not gonna help my fingering [my new flute has open holes] because its has this assisted finger thing on it.
http://www.fluteworld.com/index.php?action=prod&wart=49617&ppk=flut
~I could bring my new flute it in my backpack put its rather big with the b-foot joint and it might fall out.


by the way I am also coldmusic I made two accounts by accident.

i'd take the your flute, just be careful, take it in your hand luggage and keep it close that way if the suitcase gets stolen then you don't lose your flute.

I've taken my oboe in it's hard shell case in my suit case and it was fine. You might just want to rent a flute for the time you are down there if you're worried.

Renting a student model is a good thing, really, especially if you are in a marching band. My good flute - it only sees the light of day outside of my home when I have an actual gig or similar to go to. Anything else was always the "beater".

If you are traveling by car you can put the flute, in it's case, in your suitcase. If you are traveling by plane take the flute as carry on; or take a carry on the flute will fit into to. I've gotten lots of positive attention from screeners when they see the instrument go through the Xray machine. Since you mentioned it does not fit in your backpack 100%, don't put it there.

Here is the voice of experience::
You can put it in your back pack and maybe nothing will happen this time, but eventually something will happen. And when it does it will not be good. Do everything you can to avoid exposure to incidents. In rehearsals and performances my instrument goes in its case. I don't set it on the chair anymore (three guesses what happened to my instrument while sitting on a chair during an orchestra rehearsal break. And guess who owned up to it, and guess who saw it --crunched, no one saw it and no one owned up to it.)

Don't expect to find an instrument rental near Arrowhead California.

Do your best to keep it safe.

So basically the suitcase is better then backpack?
I am going to Arrowhead by bus.

I think the suitcase is better than the backpack.
If the bus driver is the only one pulling the luggage out you should be okay, although I would still try to carry on the flute. Airplane luggage is DANGEROUS!!

I guess your backpack is the carry on.

You can put the flute in the backpack, but somehow hook a safety cord or something to it. Something connected to the handle and to the backpack. Just in case the backpack gets turned and the flute slips out. Or if you decide to go for a hike at a bus stop and you fall and it shoots out.

thanks to all who helped me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You never want to put your flute in a suitcase if you are checking your luggage. Not all cargo compartments on airplanes are pressurised or heated. Your flute can go through some tramatic pressure and temperature changes.

Even in the summertime at 30,000 ft I often see temps around -25C. Which is a lot colder when you convert it to farenheit. Then when you get on the ground it is often 35 C which is around 90 degrees F.

Your flute is made of metal and if you have taken physics you will remember that metal contracts and expands with hot and cold applications.

If it is very humid on the ground your flute can get covered in ice crystals when you ascend. Then when you descend, the ice will melt and your flute will be wet and your pads can be ruined.

You should always carry your flute with you.

Remember it is your baby.

Is that for only for airplanes? I am taking a bus,and I don't think that happens with buses.

I have a cheap but functional Yamaha plastic pochette-style case that I use for flute travel. It fits nicely in my backpack and stays right with me all the time. THe hardest thing is every once in a while some TSA person wants to open the case and I'm always freaked that the flute will tumble out cause they haven't a clue. I nicely tell them how expensive it is and ask to please be allowed to show it to them myself...they have always capitulated.