Musical instruments are permitted
as carry-on or as checked baggage. To assist passengers traveling with instruments,
following guidelines are given. General Recommendations:
- It is always important to check with
your air carrier prior to transporting your instrument. BCAS is concerned with
screening the instrument while the air carrier determines whether an instrument meets the
size requirements for their aircraft.
- Horn instruments are best transported
as checked baggage.
- String instruments, within carrier
size limitations, are best transported as carry-on items.
- Checked items that are fragile or need
special handling should have short written handling and repacking instructions placed
within the case where a screener will take notice. Such instructions should be very
clear and understandable to someone with no musical background.
Instruments as Cabin baggage:
- You may carry one (1) musical
instrument in addition to one (1) carry-on and one (1) personal item through the screening
checkpoint. Air carriers may or may not allow the additional carry-on
item on their aircraft. Please check with your air carrier prior to arriving at the
airport.
- Musical instruments must be x-rayed,
or physically screened, before transporting on an aircraft.
- Musical instruments will be handled
very carefully and screeners will allow the owner to be as involved as possible in any
physical screening.
- As a final resort, if the screener
cannot clear an instrument through the x-ray and/or physical search, the owner may be
asked to play the instrument.
- If the instrument cannot be cleared
through the security checkpoint as a carry-on, the owner should make arrangements to check
the item.
Instruments as
Checked Baggage:
- Musical instruments are allowed as
checked baggage as long as they fit within the size/weight scope of the transporting air
carrier and that said air carrier accepts the item(s).
- Owners are encouraged to remain with
their instrument during screening to ensure they are repacked properly and protected, if
opened for physical screening.
Owners
should be present when an instrument is removed from its case for screening. For
this reason, musicians are advised to add at least 30 minutes to the airline's recommended
arrival window when checking their instrument |