Any thoughts or recommendations about best practices for air travel with a banjo? Types of cases, check or carry on? I’m new to the banjo, attending the cabin retreat in October and will need to fly…appreciate the help. Thanks!
Air Travel with a banjo
It’s not as big a deal with banjo as some other instruments, but I de-tune a couple steps. I also pack around the instrument in the case so that it can’t move. I always try to carry it on and nicely inquire about it to the flight attendant greeting passengers. It would fit in quite a few overheads, but they have often placed in in the crew closet if there wasn’t room. I have had to gate check them several times with only one bad result. The case was pretty sad, but the instrument was unharmed.
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There are flight cases you can buy. Popular brands are Calton and Hoffee.
They’re not cheap. Look to spend $1000 minimum.
Southwest has always let me carry on my banjo. Never an issue. I wouldn’t check it if you can carry on. Those people just don’t care.
Edit - I just stumbled across one under $1000. I don’t know anything about Crossrock, though. https://amzn.to/4zzORea
Which airline, and which airports are you leaving/connecting/arriving?
I’m flying Delta, flying in and out of Dallas. I have a Gold Tone Master Tone banjo…thanks for your help and advice. I’d heard the airline is accommodating with overhead space mostly
I’ll travel from Greenville/Spartanburg SC through Atlanta to Dallas
@bluewater0156, as Mark mentioned above, I’d for sure invest in a good case (Calton, etc.) if you don’t already have one…
I know the Gold Tone HDFB16 case isn’t the same caliber as Calton and Hoffee but it’s marketed as a flight case. Does anybody know how genuine that claim is? Would you trust it with a gate check?
Thanks for the suggestions, sounds like I need to start saving for a calton…I just started playing 6 months ago…absolutely love it, I retired from the military (33 years) and am now doing some things I always wanted to (like learning to play the banjo). I’m all heart and no skill but playing for the pure fun of it. My wife will retire next year from the military as well and has just started the mandolin. Thanks again for the recommendations
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I’ve never seen one in person. Gold Tone says it was originally designed for the Bela Fleck signature banjo. It sure looks like a nice case, especially for the price. Fiberglass exterior and shoulder straps are enough to make me want to try it out if I was flying.
I bought a Crossrock fiberglass case several years ago. It is very sturdy. I’ve not taken it on an airplane, but am confident that it will perform similarly to the Calton or Hoffee models for a third of the price. At least take a look at their website before making the investment.
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So, here’s what I would do, but I must give the disclaimer that I’m not responsible for any damages.
I’d upgrade my ticket to so that you’re among the first group/s to board and carry a confidence of taking my banjo on the plane. That is to say, I’m assuming that you’re flying in at least a 737 size airplane with normal overhead room. Make sure that you only have one other carry-on to follow their policy of 2 carry-ons…you don’t want to give the airlines any excuse to make you check it.
If they were to ask you to gate check it, and give you one of those tags.,…say “yes ma’am” and then carry it down the jet bridge and onto the plane and talk to the greeting stewardess. Tell him/her kindly that you have a valuable instrument and that it will fit overhead.
In the event that stewardess says no, ask for coat closet space. It’s a valuable instrument. Kindly, you cannot put it under the plane.
I, personally, have never had my banjo forced under the plane following this practice, unless I was flying a regional jet that is smaller, like the ERJ.
If in the highly unlikely event you have to gate check it, loosen the strings a bit and lay the bridge down flat on the head. You have time…don’t rush. You should already have a t-shirt or bubble wrap around the headstock with a little foam padding shoved both at the heel and tailpiece. Clarify that you will be retrieving your banjo at the jet bridge and that the instrument will not be taken to baggage claim (this is where they get damaged 99% of the time).
Finally, if you have to check it, be SURE to open your banjo case as SOON as you get it back and check for damage then. Inspect the neck well, looking for hairline cracks in the heel or at headstock joint. I do this when I check my banjo in my Calton. I will actually stand my bridge back up right at baggage claim (first place I retrieve it) and tune it up, listen for buzzes, and make sure it holds a tune.
Then, I play a quick shave and a haircut lick for all the nosey yankees staring at me then walk on out the door like I own the place.
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I had no idea this was an option. That’s really good to know.
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Great advice! Thanks for the response. Looking forward to camp in October. Thanks again!
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Check out this video too, very informative. It’s sad the hoops people have to jump through to tour sustainably!
Think about all the strollers that are checked at end of the jet bridge, then they get them back. That’s what I want for my banjo baby.
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I would purchase an extra seat for my banjo and strap it in next to me. Then order it a nice cocktail for the flight. After all, my banjo has a spirit in it. It’s not just an inanimate object.
It isn’t an option for all aircraft/destinations.
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Right, that’s why I said clarify. I’ve had some tell me I can’t and I take some different conversational tactics. I also had one tell me I could once, then they didn’t follow through. But this is why I will always have it in some case that stands a chance being checked.
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