Gonna Ship?? Read This

[JIM D.]

And this ---

 

[debra]

Very good illustrations of how to pack an accordion for *shipping*. This is definitely way too little in terms of protection for transporting an accordion as check-in baggage on an airplane. Large heavy boxes in shipping are handled differently from airline luggage (which is sometimes thrown from the airplane onto baggage carts (or on the ground if the handler misses). The protection needs to be way thicker for airline travel.

 

[Ventura]

one would think that by now our Manufacturers would have
standardized on the size for an accordion that is
"GUARANTEED TO FIT IN THE OVERHEAD"
and a second, smaller model
"Guaranteed to fit under the seat"

soft case with removeable straps included at no extra charge

choice of bluestar, artisan, or export reeds optional

will match accordion paint color to your Ferrari or Porche for a small fee

 

[EMan]

The baggage handlers think that they are part of the National football league. I would NEVER trust my accordion shipped as baggage. I understand that a full size 120 bass can be split and the individual parts will fit in the over head, but that seems a bit much. You never know what some airline worker might decide for your stowable luggage; i.e. it has to be checked or something. Nah, way too risky !

 

[TonyChicago]

This is critical information. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

The baggage handlers think that they are part of the National football league. I would NEVER trust my accordion shipped as baggage. I understand that a full size 120 bass can be split and the individual parts will fit in the over head, but that seems a bit much. You never know what some airline worker might decide for your stowable luggage; i.e. it has to be checked or something. Nah, way too risky !

Petosa sells a soft case in two parts for the purpose of stowing both ends of an accordion in an airline overhead compartment separately, and the two case sections then buckle together for easy carry. I don’t know how popular it is.

I’ve watched airline baggage handlers at work. It isn’t pleasant. I have to assume that airline freight workers are a little more careful, but not much. I kept the shipping container and all of the packing material that came with my Roland FR4-x, and when I had to ship it from my house on Long Island to Roland in California, I knew it would be secure. When Roland shipped the accordion back to me, it was in the same container.

 

[Keymn]

And this ---

Thanks for this. I just listed an accordion on reverb.com…getting it packaged ready in the event I sell it…

 

[Tom]

I've shipped twice, so far no problem, but a used, moderate valued accordion. I would be very leery of shipping a valued one.

 

[Tor]

Having flown with my Siwa & Figli Cobra Grande a few times (4/5 120bass piano), I have never split it for flying. Comes with me as carryon.

I do, however, make sure I'm on a larger plane for the trip, so it will fit in the overhead in its soft case, and I ensure that, whether by flying comfort or having an airline CC, I have early boarding, and try to ensure I've got a comfortable amount of time between legs. I use that to ensure I'm early in my line when there's space in the overheads. If all else fails, I've got a couple big "Fragile. This side up," signs to pin on if I get real stuck and have to gate claim check it, and worst case, insurance. Haven't needed even the signs.

If you do, remember to put it on it's belly with the buttons down. I should maybe put the cardboard under the bass action in case it goes to gate claim check, but haven't done so. I've trusted in that case I should at least be able to talk to whoever actually does the stowing underneath about the fragility and risk of incorrect positioning.

Fun story: a friend was traveling with her accordion and once the security folk were questioning it. They ended up asking her to play to demonstrate it was a real musical instrument and not something strange.