Traveling for Work...

[Kevin]

it seems that foreign travelers are the worst about taking too much carry-on stuff. why don't the airlines actually check for this? i have had people try to move my things out of overhead bins into other ones. that burns me. i only take a small bag with my camera, my computer and a change of clothes in it. i did travel with a guy from central america who had a batman head pinata as his carry on

[RandomAnthony]

Now I want a batman head pinata.

[Félix]

Oh yeah.

[Sally, la reina]

I can NOT BELIEVE that United is charging people extra to sit in the exit row. That is such complete and utter bullshit.

[Kevin]

yeah, in the event of an emergency i should demand a flight voucher or cash before i open the escape door.

[Sarah]

Part of the problem is also that they've shrunk the overhead bins - the planes that most airlines are using now have much smaller overheads. When we fly with our instruments, we have to actually check what type of plane the airline uses before we book, since guitars don't necessarily fit anymore.

[Kevin]

those stinkin' flute and harmonica bands have it totally made

[Sarah]

That's for sure.

[Kevin]

ok sarah, a musician question. my son is a musician who hasn't traveled yet by plane but people have told him some deal about having to loosen the strings of a guitar when you fly because of something to do with the altitude. any truth to that or is that just something someone heard on Spinal Tap?

[RandomAnthony]

Huh. I never thought of the overhead bins as smaller, but that makes sense.

I'm flying to Orlando Wednesday...I'll be watching.

[Kevin]

try putting a batman head pinata in there and report back

[Sarah]

Kevin -- Es verdad. Loosening the strings is a good idea. It's not the altitude, but the changing pressure, and it can snap the neck of the guitar.
It's not as much of a problem in the cabin as checked underneath, but it doesn't hurt.

[Jackie "the Librarian"]

Kevin, Batman head pinata - hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

[Kevin]

gracias mi amiga. i will give my son the heads up on that. normally his musical travels have been drive to deals but you never know.

what kind of music do you play?

[Sarah]

Rock with my band, and something a little folkier when it's just me.
If he ever needs the rest of my handy dandy tips for getting your guitar onboard, PM me. I have a bunch, handed down from master to disciple since the dawn of plane travel.

[RandomAnthony]

Airtran charged me 15 bucks to check ONE bag when I checked in online! Fuckers.

[Kevin]

but you will prob get the 3 ounce bag of peanuts instead of the 4 ounce bag now that you have upgraded you ticket