Hi! Does anyone know the best way to take the plane with a cello? Should I buy a ticket for my cello so I can have it with me on the plane or should the cello be with the other luggage? I have seen how the luggage are tossed away by the airport staff and I can`t imagine my cello to be treated that way.
I guess I should buy a hard case for my cello but they are all so expensive. By the way, if anyone knows a site where I can buy a not too expensive hard case and a cello stand, send me an email. I`ve checked ebay but most people don`t ship to Europe and that`s where I live!
Hope you can help me. Take care.

Try hiscox cello cases. they are the toughest to crack my has been beat up many times(not literaly)and it still hasn`t cracked. They use very tough material and it`s chemicly bonded to the rest of the case. the money,$700 or so, is worth it

If you`ve read Julian Lloyd Webber`s memoirs, `Travels with my cello` you will know that it varies in different airlines. I got the impression that it is a very difficult thing to do, but the book was written ages ago, so things might have changed. ps. `Travels with my cello` is really good. I`d reccommend it.

Hi
I have traveled with my cello only twice, the first time, I only had a soft case, so we covered in in cardboard boxes and pollistyrene (that is sooooo wierd but n e way) the next time, I had a full size cello and baught a hard case and it was ok. So i say just n e hard case will do. (so long as it is good quality)

C ya

Thanks for your advices. I definitely can`t afford a new case but I might get an old, heavy one just for the trip.
Take care!

good luck on trip

Laly,

What type of cello do you have? I had my cello shiped by UPS half way across the U.S. even though if was in a soft case wrapped in lots of bubble-wrap. I don`t know what to tell you exactly but by cello was already damaged before it was shipped. If you have a very expensive cello, then you should probably get a hard case. Oh, and make sure all the strings are completely lose.

I would suggest getting help from one of the flight people at the airport.Either that, or you can just put it thogh baggage and pray it dosent get destroyed

My cello was broken by Air Canada even I have an expensive hard case .......!!!!!

Sarah,

WHAT!
#1. Does your cello fit snugly in your hard case.
#2. Was the strings completely lose or tightened.
#3. How did your cello break?

Only loosen the strings a couple of steps, otherwise the bridge and/or soundpost could fall out.

Because of the pressure change, you have to tune it down if you check it in. They monitor the pressure inside where passengers are is monitored, so if you carry on, you don`t have to. My orchestra went to Germany, and we bought some kind of half-ticket type thing. It didn`t come with meals or extra baggage or anything, it just sat on the seats next to us. My cello got a pillow, though. : ) (Two for me!) And you can`t get an exit row. Mine was, and it was a pain in the (I don`t think these forums will let me say it) to try to change. Then the violinists got the extra room. They didn`t need it...

I read in the newspaper that the cello endpin is now considered to be a dangerous weapon and will not be allowed on an airplane.