Musical instrument-flying??

[MARRAR]

My Ds(10) plays viola.
He is in solo competition Jan 9th and we will be in WDW Dec 17-27th. ( trip was planned before competition was announced)
He is supposed to practice his piece every day. Both his school and private teacher said we should take his viola to WDW. They said we should carry it on the plane.( We don't own the instrument and I don't feel secure checking it anyway).
They said TSA will make him play it to prove it's real , not a bomb and that he can play it.
That is no problem. But has anyone taken an instrument on as a carry on?? What if any problems did you encounter??
Thanks

 

[DebbieB]

Will the case fit within the carryon size rules? I would definitely not check it. One time I was sitting in a window seat and was watching them load luggage. There was a huge music case, I would guess a cello, and it tumbled off the belt onto the tarmac!

 

[CarolA]

Living in Nashville I see Guitars all the time and a Viola is smaller then a guitar.

If the instrument is too big you have to buy it a seat (Bass, Cello)

However, you should have no problem. It will count as your son's one carry on and I would board as soon as they let you so you can find it a home in the overhead area.

 

[MARRAR]

We're flying SW carry on 10X16X24. Its 10" at widest point only 6" deep but is 26" long. Their website recommends carrying on smaller string instruments. His viola is not a full sized one yet , so is the size of a reg violin. i guess I'll call them and ask. Thanks

 

[seashoreCM]

Get for it a hard baggage quality case with well padded interior. Even in an overhead bin, an instrument in a canvas case can be crushed.

If the instrument in its case won't fit in the Size Wise (tm) or other frame at the boarding area, you must be prepared to check it if they ask. Typically 22 x 15 x 9 inches is the rule, Delta's frames are a bit larger.

Ask about baggage insurance.

Does playing a violin keep a viola player in practice? Maybe you could leave the viola at home and rent a violin if not a viola down in Orlando.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm