taxi crate as carry-on

[martin ewen]

Just packing (leaving tues for spain)
do I have to put my taxi-amp in the bottom of my case (I don't usually use amp, but suffering from a swiss army busker mindset)
or carry it on and not risk being overweight?

[Jim]

They may not LET you carry it on. Whenever I used to try carrying on my old Long Ranger, they'd freak out when they saw the battery and said it was a hazardous material. And that was before 9/11 and all the increased security.

I'd pack it and if they attempt to charge you overweight fees, explain the situation and offer to take the amp out, but explain that you didn't want the security hassle.

I know it's hard for you, Martin, but if you walk up to the ticket counter reasonably well dressed with a big smile, they're usually a bit lenient. If you're able to compliment the ticket lady on the efficient work she's doing and can make her smile (or even better, laugh) you will be home free.

Always have a big smile when talking to airport workers. They're not used to seeing it and they always smile back.

Don't "perform" for them, but definitely be "on." Also, it helps to seem slightly vulnerable, like you need their help. But not in a pathetic way. Make it seem like you appreciate them doing their job. No one else in the airport is doing that for them.

Jim

[worldwidese]

Just curious

What happens if they xray your baggage and find the amp inside?
If they're not yet xraying baggage, they damn well ought to be.!

[Pyromancer]

Americans and Canadians are the only people in the world that are always allowed to carry two times 32 kilograms as luggage. With a Crate Taxi that weighs about eleven kilograms, it shouldn't be that hard to pack it in and stay under your limit. I did it several times.

Packing it in as a European not travelling to the Envied Empire is harder, as we seem to care about pennies a bit more - don't mistake that with care for the environment - and are allowed only a total of 20 kilograms luggage and some hand stuff. Sometimes I got away with the overweight charges, sometimes I had to pay. I think the chances are fifty-fifty. I also had it transported as "special shaped luggage" once, with a big "fragile" sign on it. Big batteries in your hand luggage seem to be suspicious for the worried. I don't really blame them for it...

Martin, in case you end up somewhere in Holland, you're welcome to crash on my couch!

[martin ewen]

Excellent advice jim, I have just broken my ankle with a hammer, so thats the vulnerability aspect taken care of. Now the smiles going to take a bit more time. I will let you all know in excruciating detail how it all goes.
mmm I could start now..but 700 words on packing a suitcase and finding my passport might be stretching it.
Amplified mime, who needs it.