taking Voyager on a plane

Tips and techniques for Minimoog Analog Synthesizers
Post Reply
Indeed
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 9:48 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:
Contact Indeed

taking Voyager on a plane

Post by Indeed » Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:55 am

Hi,
Anyone out there ever take your Voyager on a plane? I am planning to do so real soon...When it was time to choose, I regrettably opted for the soft-case...
:roll:

Am considering getting the $249 ATA case, but w/ shipping to Hawaii its gonna be $350, and that is going to be a hefty expense right now...

Wondering if they'll let me take it on as a carry-on & stow it up top?

My Lady has suggested re-packing it in it's box and checking it in w/ my other bag(s)...but I'm worried about it getting abused like all the other luggage does...
If the ATA case is the way 2 go, I guess I gotta make some sacrifices, any experiences out there???

Thanks for any advice!
MPC3000, MF-101, 102, 103, 104Z, 105M, 108m, 107, CP-251, MINI MODEL D, OB-8, ALESIS A6, ARP ODYSSEY MK1, RHODES MK1
Top
User avatar
goldphinga
Posts: 626
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:38 pm
Location: UK
Contact:
Contact goldphinga

Post by goldphinga » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:33 am

Putting it in a full metal ata flight case in the planes cargo hold is the only option to protect the voyager.its too big for hand luggage and the skb case is not strong enough. :D
Moog Gear: Voyager AE,LP Stage 2+CV outs (Blue LED's/Wheels, MF104SD, MF101 Filter, MF103 Phaser, Source, Memorymoog+, Minitaur.
Top
User avatar
GregAE
Posts: 1591
Joined: Mon Jul 21, 2003 8:44 pm
Location: In the studio, of course

Post by GregAE » Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:53 pm

Goldphinga is right - spend the money on a quality case and your Voyager should arrive at the destinantion in good shape (no guarantees - what in life is?). Plus having a metal case protecting the Vger should give you piece of mind - something that you can't put a price on.

As far as the cost of the case, it's roughly about 10% of the cost of the Voyager. I know I'd spend $250 to protect my $2500 investment.

Besides, if you don't buy the case and your Voyager gets wrecked...

:-(
Top
Indeed
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 9:48 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:
Contact Indeed

ata case

Post by Indeed » Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:38 pm

Thanks for the advice on toting the Voyager on an aeroplane.
I definitely cannot afford the metal case, although it is the ideal way 2 go.

I'm gonna spring for the ATA molded case, & try to sell my soft case on eBay or something...

When I moved to Hawaii, I checked in an Allen & Heath 16:2 Mixer in an SKB molded case on the plane with my luggage and everything turned out fine...they put "FRAGILE" stickers all over it.

Any other tips or experiences or anything would be most appreciated..
MPC3000, MF-101, 102, 103, 104Z, 105M, 108m, 107, CP-251, MINI MODEL D, OB-8, ALESIS A6, ARP ODYSSEY MK1, RHODES MK1
Top
User avatar
goldphinga
Posts: 626
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:38 pm
Location: UK
Contact:
Contact goldphinga

Post by goldphinga » Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:34 am

Dont buy the molded case- i have one and it got smashed on the plane-its not strong enough. For the 100 dollars or so difference you would be stupid not to buy the metal case or you might risk having your voyager badly beat up!
Moog Gear: Voyager AE,LP Stage 2+CV outs (Blue LED's/Wheels, MF104SD, MF101 Filter, MF103 Phaser, Source, Memorymoog+, Minitaur.
Top
Boeing 737-400
Posts: 684
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:16 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Boeing 737-400 » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:28 pm

I'd be more concerned if someone at the airport identified it as a Voyager, by the case, and nicked it.
Top
The Unknown
Posts: 275
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 5:22 pm
Location: Kent, UK
Contact:
Contact The Unknown

Post by The Unknown » Mon Apr 04, 2005 5:15 pm

A very good point - straight from the aircraft's mouth! :wink:
It is better to be loved or hated than to be regarded with indifference.
I might look a fool, I might act the fool, but take me for a fool and I'll make a fool of you.
If the past is ill, make the future better.
Top
Indeed
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 9:48 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:
Contact Indeed

Post by Indeed » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:30 pm

I emailed the staff at MoogMusic and was told that sometimes artists have not been able to take their Voyager on a plane because the Aluminum case is so heavy, or they were charged over-size fees to travel with it...therefore many artists prefer the molded case...

The Alum case is like 56Lbs and the Molded ATA is 28...so with the Voyager inside we're talkin 100 Lbs or 76ish...either way it IS heavy either way you go...

Does anyone know any other manufacturers who can make a metal case to custom fit the Voyager for around the same price as the Alum case? I think its all that wood lining the case that makes it so tough and heavy...otherwise aluminum is pretty light stuff...

D
MPC3000, MF-101, 102, 103, 104Z, 105M, 108m, 107, CP-251, MINI MODEL D, OB-8, ALESIS A6, ARP ODYSSEY MK1, RHODES MK1
Top
Boeing 737-400
Posts: 684
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:16 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Boeing 737-400 » Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:40 pm

The Unknown wrote:A very good point - straight from the aircraft's mouth! :wink:
If I had to take any of my synths to Europe, especially Italy, I'd rather drive there than trust the baggage handlers, or anyone else who might want to swipe it at the baggage carousel.
Top
Indeed
Posts: 135
Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2004 9:48 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:
Contact Indeed

Post by Indeed » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:38 am

I'm basically going from Hawaii to San Francisco and back...

No matter which case I get I'm gonna find a way to block off that attractive MOOG logo...jeez!!

I'm basically going back out to Cali to jam in the country with some best friends for a week, I wanted to bring my new Analog Axe with me & add some new colors to the foray...

So hey, Boeing...What would YOU do if you were in my shooz? Just not take it? Mail it? (which will cost $120 each way)...
MPC3000, MF-101, 102, 103, 104Z, 105M, 108m, 107, CP-251, MINI MODEL D, OB-8, ALESIS A6, ARP ODYSSEY MK1, RHODES MK1
Top
Boeing 737-400
Posts: 684
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:16 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Boeing 737-400 » Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:36 pm

I would have it shipped over, even if it costs quite a bit. Unless they force you to pay tax at each end for it. If you cover up any Moog logo on the case, you should be able to check it in normally, and mention that it is fragile goods.

Maybe someone who has taken their gear often on flights might be able to tell you how they got on?
Top
User avatar
Lengai
Posts: 432
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2004 6:22 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Post by Lengai » Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:17 pm

If you cover up any Moog logo on the case, you should be able to check it in normally, and mention that it is fragile goods.
You may want to think twice about doing that. Customs agents look out for generalized descriptions, and they can confiscate or hold up your synth. It's their discretion so you may still have no problems claiming it as fragile goods. It depends on how gung-ho the Customs agents are that will be x-raying the case. You'll get the Voyager, but they can hold it until you get back so you may miss the jam session.

I would declare it as a synthesizer for Customs - you can still cover the logo.
Gear List: Voyager AE with VX-351, CP-251, MF-101 through MF-105; TR-808, TR-606 and SH-32; Matrix 6R; Prophet 600; Triton, ER-1, ES-1, EA-1, and Wavestation A/D; Virus Rack; TurboPhatt; DM-Pro; PolyEvolver; Micro Q; Nord Lead
Top
nigeynige
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:18 am

Post by nigeynige » Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:07 am

I picked up my Voyager from the Factory and brought it back in a soft gigbag.
My flight to the UK wasn't going to be a problem because with the gigbag, it'll fit in the overhead compartment and if you flash your eyelashes at the stewardesses(or Steward :wink: ) they won't even have a problem. The internal flight from Asheville to Charlotte was tricky. The steward on the flight told me that I couldn't take it on with me, only if there were two seats together-HE LOOKED-SAW LOADS OF SEATS_ and blatantly told me "sorry it'll have to go in the cargo hold. after a brief exchange of pleading and with the chance of the voyager being given a seat diminishing, I resorted to telling him to stick his job up his arse and next time I fly US Airways, I'll ask for a plane without him on it. Make sure you check with the airline company first. 40lbs is your weight limit(the voyager is bordering on that without the gigbag) and as long as it's not more than 8 inches high, 48 inches long and 27 inches deep, you are OK.....
Still if it's a direct flight, you should be OK.
Nige :)
Top
monads
Posts: 478
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2004 6:34 pm
Location: voyagerland
Contact:
Contact monads

Post by monads » Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:52 pm

Perhaps it's better to buy a seat ticket for the Voyager. Roundtrip or whatever. This way you'll know it's safe sitting right next to you and no one can tell you crap. They might think you're weird though if you start talking to it.
Top
Boeing 737-400
Posts: 684
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:16 am
Location: Oxford, UK

Post by Boeing 737-400 » Wed Apr 06, 2005 1:16 pm

monads wrote:Perhaps it's better to buy a seat ticket for the Voyager. Roundtrip or whatever. This way you'll know it's safe sitting right next to you and no one can tell you crap. They might think you're weird though if you start talking to it.
Haha can you really do that?
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Minimoog Forum”