Instrument on a Plane?

[Hilary]

I need to fly with my Ukulele (first gig abroad to France!). They won't let me take it on the plane without buying a ticket for it (I'm not making any money, come on) or I can book it into the hold (really don't want to part with my Kala and would need to buy a hardback case for it, tres expensive and might not fit).

I'm thinking of getting a cheap 23 inch concert uke to put in my hand luggage (a hardcase carryon) but Kala don't seem to make them and they all look a bit special (I really needs something that will hold it's tune, at least for a bit).

I have a Kala KA-JTE/HB dimensions 27.9 x 71.1 x 10.2 cm which I absolutely love and flying Easyjet.

Anyone got any bright ideas, I don't want to turn the gig down . . .

[Hook]

I've flown 3 or 4 tomes with that very same ukulele as a carry on with no trouble. I carry it over my shoulder in a gig bag and it fits fine in the overhead. I'm so surprised tour having trouble.
Do you have to have a pick up? If so the Epiphone Les Paul is much smaller and sounds good but it runs about $110 here in the states.
When is your gig? I could mail you. A saprano that sounds ok but I have no case for it.
Good luck.

[Mike_S]

Maybe buy a cheap one in a music shop at the other side??

But then again it would leave you with the problem of what to do with it after the gig! Just thinking...!

[Hilary]

Easyjet hand luggage size 56x45x25cm including handles and wheels

size of ukulele 27.9 x 71.1 x 10.2 cm

71 cms - it's not going to fit Easyjet

[Hilary]

Maybe buy a cheap one in a music shop at the other side??

But then again it would leave you with the problem of what to do with it after the gig! Just thinking...!

I'm flying in the afternoon and gigging in the evening - bearing in mind that I can't physically do the gig without a uke.

[Oldrottenhead]

I have a small hand luggage suitcase, that my uke  fits in for short trips. Means less room for clothes and stuff. On longer journeys I stick it in hold in my suitcase. May be worthwhile paying a few quid more for a suitcase in the hold.

[Hilary]

I've checked out of the dimensions of the handluggage - the body is 47cms (on a 55 cm bag) and a soprano uke is 55cms so it's not going to fit unless I'm missing something.

I'm not putting my Kala in a suitcase in the hold but I could buy a cheap one and put it in the suitcase in the hold.

[launched]

Maybe buy a cheap one in a music shop at the other side??

I thought the same thing, and just mail it back home. But I have no idea what shipping costs are in Europe. What about borrowing/renting one from a music store.

Hope you figure it out!

MHM

[Hilary]

Maybe buy a cheap one in a music shop at the other side??

I thought the same thing, and just mail it back home. But I have no idea what shipping costs are in Europe. What about borrowing/renting one from a music store.

Hope you figure it out!

MHM

I could smash it up - rock n roll style 

[Hilary]

It's posh where I'm going (I know, sounds unlikey eh) and might be a bit pricey to buy (in Cannes). I think I'm going to buy a cheap one here and put in the suitcase. Thanks.