Travelling With A Harp: Some Tips

Compiled by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

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I recently posted a question asking for tips on travelling (particularly flying) with a harp on the Harplist; some of the advice I received is listed below. Please note that I cannot take responsibility for a piece of advice not working for you (i.e. if your harp ends up getting bashed up even if you follow every point below). Many, many thanks to Katerine C, Alice F, Joanna K, Larry Fisher, Ted D, Donna D, Darhon R, John L, Sally P and Jennene S for their generosity in sharing advice and tips.

By Plane

• Several harp owners suggested buying an extra seat for one's harp, and sitting next to it. This option would only work if your harp is small enough, however (and you could afford the seat!); airlines won't allow you to take the harp as carry-on if it's too big...one harp owner reported seeing a bass fiddle and its player thrown off a plane for this reason. Some professional harpists buy seats for their harps on a regular basis (probably in the first class section, which has more room).

• If the first class section is not too full, some airlines will store small harps in the first-class closet.

• Try gate-checking your harp if you have a smaller harp (under 29 inches). Gate checking generally means that the baggage handler will load items by hand on top of the rest of the luggage (no guarantee that he'll handle it carefully, of course, but at least you'll be able to keep an eye on your harp for a longer time in the process). When the plane lands, gate-checked items usually come off first and are available for you to pick up just after you leave the plane.

  One harp owner reports Alaska Airlines as being especially nice about gate-checking harps. Another owner reports Canadian Airlines (now merged with Air Canada) as being particularly bad with fragile luggage. Someone else defended Air Ontario: "I've flown with my harp several times on Air Ontario and each time it was treated like a Fabergé egg." (She set up her gate check through their Customer Relations department.)

  One harp owner reports that an America West ticket agent advised her that if her harp went through the x-ray conveyor belt security check, then the flight attendants would gate-check it for her. But then she got conflicting advice from another ticket agent at the same airline who said that they only do that for strollers and wheelchairs.

  Harp owners gave conflicting advice about whether or not to checking with the ticket agent and customs service people ahead of time about gate-checking policies. Some strongly advised always checking ahead. Others advised "brazening it out" and try taking the harp to the gate. Be forewarned, however...it's always possible that the airline may stop you from gate-checking your harp, take it away, and toss it on with the rest of the regularly checked luggage.

• Another option is to send the harp separately, crated carefully.

• Don't trust "special handling" reassurances from airlines. Baggage handlers do throw luggage around, even those plastered with Fragile stickers. I received horror stories about harps being dinged, bashed in, and even soaked with water...each had a FRAGILE sticker on the case, and checked as a "Fragile Item" that needed special handling. Buy a hardshell case (see below).

• Yet another option is to check your harp as baggage (at least one harp owner recommended this over trying to take the harp as carry-on). Chances are good that the airline will make you check it as baggage anyway.

  Get a good hardshell case...fiberglass, wood, aluminum, etc. Here are some suggestions from harp owners:

  • Colorado Cases: Opt for the full fiberglass option; you can also get wheels added if you'd like. Based on the Kortier Harp Travel Case, below. One user reports getting the regular (non-fiberglass) Superlightweight Harp Case for her 24-string lap harp and loves it...she has checked it as baggage with no problem. However, she does recommend the full fiberglass version for anyone who flies frequently.
  • Kortier Harp Travel Case
  • Ray Doherty Harp Case (in Ireland)

  
  

• Cheaper option: One harp owner uses a softshell case, but reinforces the sides with pieces of plywood cut to the right shape, and wrapped securely with packing tape.

  Another harp owner reinforces the case with an extra layer of foam padding inside her harp case.

• The most popular advice: Call the airline ahead of time and tell them about your harp, asking for advice about what you should do. Ask specifically for the baggage handler manager, and get their name. Be sure to tell him/her accurate size, weight, and accurate dimensions, else you might be refused a gate-check even with an ok from the manager.

  If possible, make sure the ramp workers know that your case contains a harp. Try to get your harp loaded by hand.

• Some airlines may charge an oversize luggage fee.

• Don't assume that airlines will let you carry your harp on board (even if someone reassures you they will); they may require you to check your harp.

By Car

• On sunny days, get a "space blanket" to put over the harp, to keep it from overheating (harps are highly susceptible to heat damage). Space blankets are super-insulative, silver reflective on one side. You can get them at camping/outdoor supply stores, and also through the Sylvia Woods Harp Center (see Harp Accessories).

General Travel Tips

• Make sure your instrument is insured for its full value rather than trusting the transportation company or airline to replace its full value (which they likely won't). Make sure your insurance covers travel damage.

• Make sure there is a FRAGILE sticker on your instrument case, both sides. It may not help in some cases, but it can't hurt.