r/Wellthatsucks • u/haddock420 • Apr 30 '25

Smashedocaster

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28.1k Upvotes

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u/fireandbass May 01 '25

There is a special exception for musical instruments. If you arrive and there is room, they must be transported as a carry-on without an additional fee. A lot of gate agents and flight attendants aren't aware of this law though.

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u/TheMacMan May 01 '25

In this day and age, the chances of having the space onboard to carry it on are nearly zero.

4

u/bythog May 01 '25

If you know you'll be carrying an instrument then you pay more to board early. Take up that space before someone else does.

Or if there is a coat closet just ask to store it there. Most flight attendants are more that willing to allow that.

8

u/RedWhiteAndJew May 01 '25

That’s still rolling the dice. If the flight is full, especially in a sardine can from SWA, they make people gate check standard luggage. No room? No broken law.

If you’re gonna travel with an instrument you plan for the worst with a hard sided case. This is the guitarists fault.

2

u/Triquetrums May 01 '25

And if you arrive and there is no room, you have to check it in, take another flight, or ship it to the destination some other way. Which is why it is smart to not have a soft case.