Nate, Are you planning to check your dobro or carry it onboard?

DO NOT USE CHECK BAGGAGE FOR THIS! It seems that the baggage handlers take extra pleasure in roughing up supposed "flight" cases. If at all possible, carry it on, even if you have to buy a ticket and put it in the seat next to you.

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Originally posted by Chris Simpkins

Nate, Are you planning to check your dobro or carry it onboard?

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I would prefer to carry on. However, worst "case" (get it?) scenario would be by the time I board, all overhead compartments are full and I'd be asked to check it. I'll check my ticket and see when we board. Maybe I can upgrade to ensure priority boarding.

So, I'd like to at least consider a worthy Dobro case that's "ATA safe". Or safe-ish? I'm actually having trouble finding anything stock or factory-made. Any ideas?

Some years ago a lot of folks were buying TKL "ACF" (which stood for "alternative carbon fibre" alternative meaning "Not really")cases set up to accommodate squareneck resonator guitars - Rob Ickes used to sell them, and as of a few years ago when he was here in Edmonton he was still using one himself if I recall correctly. I can't see any indication that they are still available but there were quite a few kicking around. Maybe someone has a used one they would sell if you advertised for one. They were pretty good for the price. I eventually broke down and got a Calton when Beard was selling them but I still use my "not really carbon fibre" case to carry a six string Blueridge parlour that is my official airplane guitar and it has taken some pretty good beatings and always protected whatever was inside it. Maybe someone has one and wants to sell it. Even a used Calton probably falls into the "break the bank" category - they seem to be getting more expensive every time I look. I have in a pinch done some relatively non-adventurous flights with the standard TKL dobro cases that come with, for example, Beard guitars. The advice to never put guitars in checked baggage is reasonable advice but for all kinds of reasons you just can't count on being able to avoid it. I do think it is worth putting some feelers out and seeing if someone has a TKL "ACF" case they might want to part with. I think back in the early 2010's they were going for around 680 US new.

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Originally posted by lap dog

DO NOT USE CHECK BAGGAGE FOR THIS! It seems that the baggage handlers take extra pleasure in roughing up supposed "flight" cases. If at all possible, carry it on, even if you have to buy a ticket and put it in the seat next to you.

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There are plenty of pro musicians who have checked their guitars in flight cases to ride in the baggage hold in the plane. A number of years ago after a class I took from Randy Kohrs at ResoSummit in Nashville I commented on the beat to crap Calton case his guitar came in that day. Everything was still intact but the finish looked like it had been dragged behind a pickup truck for a couple miles. 

He told me that when he was doing a lot of flying to  gigs, there was no way he could bring everything in the cabin with him - too much stuff. I've heard Jerry Douglas say pretty much the same thing. 

It's not like a top of the line flight case like a Calton or Hoffee is 100% foolproof and has never been ruined along with the guitar inside suffering serious damage, but I think they have an exceptional track record.  

Only problem is, unless Nate were to come across one that's a major bro deal, those cases are most likely worth more than a 1970s OMI Dobro.

These are great ideas. Thanks, all. I'll circle back and let you know what I do.

I second the recommendations to NEVER put a valuable guitar in the hold of a plane, no matter what kind of case you have. In my previous life making documentaries around the world, we traveled with valuable cameras and lenses in heavy travel cases with 3 inches of dense foam. I have had cases dropped from the cargo door of a 747 and the impact completely destroyed the zoom lens inside. I have had a fork lift drive into a case waiting to be loaded (major hole). I have also had things lost and stolen. It is hard to overstate how random the potential violence baggage handling can deliver to a piece of luggage. Last time I traveled to Europe, I bought a Blue Ridge OM so I could leave my Martin at home, and it survived the trip fine. All it takes is one careless baggage handler on hangover Monday to destroy that guitar.

Just as a sanity check, Calton cases start at $1,500 these days. I have not checked alternatives but assume similar pricing for certified cases.

There are packing options to mitigate damage risk on quality cases (TKL 8801 or similar) like spacers between the coverplate and strings with decreasing tension just a tad. Also packing material over/under the head stock.

Reality is these days, if you attempt to board and attendant says "no space" your options are to check baggage or go home.

Whatcha' gonna do?

sagamusic.com/shop/cases-and-b...tar-case/

I have travelled a lot with instruments, always gate checking them. I only will do it if it is a non-stop flight without connections. When you gate check you can usually watch your guitar loaded on the conveyor, and sometimes even hand it to the baggage attendant. Although I have quality TKL cases for all my guitars and dobros I travel with a Travelite case because they are very well insulated and have a zip up cover so there is less chance of the case opening if it is dropped. If I were a full time working musician I would definitely use a Calton or similar case, but for a few times a year the Travelite serves me well. Plus it is super light so long walks through an airport are easier.