Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

A bit of a random question, but has anyone had any experience of bringing a guitar on a Korean Airlines flight? I might buy an electric when I go home and I want to bring it back here.
I don't really want to check it in and risk damage to it, but I'm guessing it's too big for carry on.

[crossmr]

don't take it on united..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

[Trevor]

I have taken a guitar three times on Korean Air. Twice they let me on with it and once I had to check it. Like everything in Korea, it depends on the mood of the clerk you get. If it is in a hard shell case, you shouldn't worry too much about checking it. They will put big red 'fragile' stickers on it and you should be fine. If the flight is not crowded, you can most likely talk your way on to the flight with it. An electric guitar in a standard case will fit in the over head. For extra safety, wrap the guitar with newspaper inside the case to absorb any shock and tape it shut (or lock it if you have keys for the case).

[Straphanger]

[Chris.Quigley]

I took my guitar on Korean airlines. It got here okay.
Have you considered buying a guitar here? I am sure it must be cheaper to buy one here (from what I've heard it is?). I guess it depends on what you are buying.
My electric was made in Korea(Epiphone)... Didn't bring it with me though...
And yeah "United Breaks Guitars" from what I've heard... So don't risk taking anything valuable with them.

[registered]

My g/f just returned to canada ( via Air Canada). The check in people were hesitant to allow her to take my acoustic with her. The "rule" for guitars changed last month so they advised her to the gate and try her luck. At the gate ( and the change over in vancouver ) no one gave a damn and she brought it home successfully as carry on the whole way. I think your mileage may vary and its best to get something here. From what I've seen the local Korean guitars compare with anything in NA and are usually cheaper. Plus, you get a nice souvenir if you decide to bring it back with you.

[Oreovictim]

I'm tempted to bring my fretlight guitar back to Korea with me. (LED lights in the fretboard, which show the patterns of scales and modes in any key) It's just that I already have two guitars in Korea as it is. It's a solid body, and I have a hard shell case. It's not like I'd be carrying a delicate acoustic.

[kayosum]

Sometimes they will let you bring it on board. And in some cases they may even store it in the back at the tail where the stewards keep their belongings. Also always detune your guitar. It is important to release the tension, due to the pressurized cabin. As well, between the strings and fret board you should lay a sheet of paper(to keep them from potentially scratching the wood). I wouldnt use newspaper to add extra security. I'd use bubble wrap or better yet t-shirts. Make sure that the headstock is properly secured. One last note, if they dont allow it on-board then I would recommend using a quality tape or twine and wrapping the case. Once at the headstock, once in the middle and once at the end (assuming that you ARE using a hard case). Even if there is a lock(which there aught to be) because the locks on most standard cases are not reliable. NEVER check it with a soft case. Good luck and happy trails.

[Omkara]

Make sure to loosen the strings. That'll take the stress off the neck in case there is a sudden impact.

Also, I pack my socks, etc., around in the open spaces to prevent sudden flexations. . .more padding.

[fortysixyou]

I flew my deluxe American strat this past March on Korea Air.

The girls were super helpful, I brought it (in its case) onto the plane and they took it right away and put it in a coat closet. Then when I got off the plane they just gave it right back to me. It was still in tune.

Easy as pie. And it's totally worth having my baby here.

[morrisonhotel]

Anyone got any experience of bringing a guitar across from Europe?

[drunkenfud]

I took a (cheap) acoustic guitar from China to London on China Air. There was no problem taking it on as carry on luggage. They insisted I store it behind the last row of seats in the business class cabin.

I realise this is not really answering your question re Korean Air, but hopefully my answer and the answers above will show you that there is usually no problem carrying a guitar as check on luggage.

[tzechuk]

I used to take my Chinese Violin, Erhu (long, but not wide), back and forth HK and the UK and I never had any problem... sometimes they would take it off me and stow it for me somewhere *safe*, and would give it back to me as soon as the plane landed. It never broke and was only ever slightly out of tune, so they must know what they were doing...

I think you're likely to be OK.

[juchangok]

Hmm just want to add, I used to work at the airport as a ramp agent (loading and unloading bags). Sometimes even if has fragile stickers the agents will mistreat your luggage. I myself am not guilty of this, but I have seen it happen. It doesn't happen all the time with all bags, but it does happen.

[morrisonhotel]

Cheers for the advice. I have to change in Dubai. How much of a problem will that be?