Flying Didgeridoo?

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:59 am

So, I managed to NOT send my DIDGERIDOO with my friends vehicle (!) and am forced to consider taking it on the planes....anybody know if a guy can get away with carrying a 4-foot bamboo tube with beeswax on the end on the airlines??

thanks
LEVLHED

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:04 am

They will probably make you check it like they would skis and such. There's no way that will fit in the overhead bins. I would suggest finding a long poster tube (try Mailbox etc or whatever they call themselves now). Wrap it in bubble wrap and then put it into the poster tube. That should keep it from getting damaged by the baggage handlers.

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:10 am

yes, that seems like sound advice!
thanks!

(how the hell am I going to make it till monday?? I can't leave till monday!!)

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:17 am

Packing material shouldn't cost you more than $5-$10. I know the Denver airport is very used to dealing with baggage that size and shape.

I'm not leaving until Tuesday so I don't wanna hear it. *pout*

It finally dawned on my last night when I started packing where I was going. I am so excited!!!!

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:30 am

Selkie wrote:I'm not leaving until Tuesday so I don't wanna hear it. *pout*

fair enough...I guess I'm getting anxious knowing my backpack and all my other gear is leaving on friday afternoon without me! but I'll reunite with it in Reno :)

kairyth · Post by **kairyth** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:35 am

Several years ago, I traveled with a guy who managed to convince the stewardesses to let him put his didg (wrapped in bubble wrap) in the compartment where they let you hang garment bags. But I think that such compartments aren't found on most newer plane designs. Call the airline, and talk to them about it if you can get a real live person on the phone (did that when I had to travel with my harp, and they were very helpful once I explained my problem). I second the comment about putting a hard outer layer between your instrument and the vagaries of baggage handlers, though a cardboard tube might not be big enough diameter.

Good luck!
:)K

Selkie · Post by **Selkie** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:47 am

LEVLHED wrote:fair enough...I guess I'm getting anxious knowing my backpack and all my other gear is leaving on friday afternoon without me! but I'll reunite with it in Reno

I know the feeling. Most of my stuff will be on it's way as of sometime Saturday, but I have to stay here until Tuesday morning. Stupid airplanes...

kairyth wrote:I second the comment about putting a hard outer layer between your instrument and the vagaries of baggage handlers, though a cardboard tube might not be big enough diameter.

I have seen some pretty good sized poster tubes recently, but it depends on the size of the didgeridoo. A friend of mine has 3 that she's taking to the burn all of pretty different lengths and diameters. If nothing else, buy a big cardboard box and cut it up and wrap it around it.

bdongray · Post by **bdongray** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:51 am

kairyth wrote:Several years ago, I traveled with a guy who managed to convince the stewardesses to let him put his didg (wrapped in bubble wrap) in the compartment where they let you hang garment bags. But I think that such compartments aren't found on most newer plane designs.

I recently carried a large movie poster (stuck on a large flat styrofoam board) onto a plane. They found a place (behind the most rear 1st class seat, in front of a bulk-head.
Is there a place for a 4ft tube somewhere in the compartment? Probably. But with more attention to security that several years ago, maybe something with volume (ie something could be concealed in the tube), someone along the process between ticketing and getting on the plane may have an issue with it.

If you do check it, make sure you don't skimp on the thinner cardboard tubes, get something good and solid, it'll be worth it if it gets damaged because you didn't spend $10 more!

By the way, I remember hearing a digeridoo (and playing along with my occarina, and some guys with drums) in 2002. it was near to the Man, and the musicians just happen to sit down and start playing, and after a while, everyone went on their way. The musician had a small portable amp. It was awesome to "jam" for 15 or so minutes.
If it was you, thank you. If not. I know others will full appreciate your musical efforts this year. Excellent!

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:53 am

see now, thats what I was thinking too...that it could be possible to get away with having it on the plane as carry-on somehow...but I can't see being able to count on it!
hmm...really want the didgerdoo out there...so I either have to try to find a decent tube to pack it in and prolly send it off with those darn baggage handlers, or make the hour+ drive to my friends' before they leave friday afternoon....

kairyth · Post by **kairyth** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:03 pm

But with more attention to security that several years ago, maybe something with volume (ie something could be concealed in the tube), someone along the process between ticketing and getting on the plane may have an issue with it.

I would hope that the airline folks have encountered enough musical instruments that it wouldn't be a big problem. YES bring the didg if you want it on-playa, you'll be missing it all week long. If you're gonna cary on, pack it so that you can unpack it quickly and show the security folks all the way down the line that it is an innocuous tube of wood used for making pleasing auditory resonances, and not a creative incendiary device.
:)K

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:04 pm

My cousin has traveled with his double base by paying for an extra seat for it. That was at someelse's expence and before 9-11, though. I'd call this a very last ditch solution.

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:23 pm

it is a nice fun didg, but it only cost me like $20...can't see buying another plane seat for it!
I'm def. going to try and source a nice poster tube that will fit so if they made me check it, it would survive...if I can't find something that will work, I'll just have to leave it home and miss it terribly for a week in the dust!

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:28 pm

or make a total last-minute white-knuckle one-hour commute down to Milwuakee and jam it in my friends ride as they are pulling out of their driveway...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:10 pm

LEVLHED wrote:or make a total last-minute white-knuckle one-hour commute down to Milwuakee ...

That's the drive to Milwaukee for ya. . .

Check with the airlines on their regs first--and try to get it in writing.

Got an error, so I hope I don't post twice.

LEVLHED · Post by **LEVLHED** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 3:26 pm

aha!
actually, I just remembered I even had my OLD didg!
its a "beginners" one, a hard plastic tube with a rubber mouthpiece...I think I can get away without even boxing the bugger, and if it gets busted/lost/confiscated/sacrificed/etc its not really even gonna make me cry very much!
I just need to decorate it up a bit with some fresh stickers or something and I'll be stylin...
yay!

Moo Mister Cow · Post by **Moo Mister Cow** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:28 am

We brought two handmade (backpacker-style) didges back from Australia a few years ago. They came in cloth carry bags, so we bought some bubblewrap and wrapped a load round the didge, put the bag over the top, and then did another layer of bubblewrap. We put them in the aircraft hold and suffered no problems.

Alternatively you could disguise it as an umbrella and they'd let you take it in the cabin. Just a thought.