[ledzep4eva]

Would putting a guitar on a plane as hold luggage in a UV1000 case for two flights be safe?

Or would it actually get destroyed?

[Metal Ken]

they SAY its safe, but i'd detune the strings severly. every time i've flown, i've taken my guitar as carry on.

[ledzep4eva]

Originally Posted by Metal Ken

they SAY its safe, but i'd detune the strings severly.

Would the pressure snap the neck or something...?

[Kevan]

You should be alright as long as you're not doing a world tour.

Lock it, and duct-tape all the latches. Add some duct tape to the corners too.

IT WILL GET SCRATCHED/RIPPED, but it should remain solid.

Originally Posted by ledzep4eva

Would the pressure snap the neck or something...?

No.
I wouldn't "de-tune" it, but I would drop the fine tuners as far as they can go.

[loktide]

I have the same case for my rg7680, which barely fits in it, i'd say it's safe. I would be more concerned about them losing my luggage than about the guitar getting damaged, which is think is pretty unlikely. I always managed to get my guitar as hand-luggage in the plane. But i haven't been on a plane with my guitar for the last 3 years, and things have gotten crazy regarding hand-luggage

[ledzep4eva]

Originally Posted by Kevan

Lock it, and duct-tape all the latches. Add some duct tape to the corners too.

No.
I wouldn't "de-tune" it, but I would drop the fine tuners as far as they can go.

But don't the airport people have to be able to open it to inspect it?

Also, what would happen if I didn't drop the fine tuners?

[Kevan]

Originally Posted by ledzep4eva

But don't the airport people have to be able to open it to inspect it?

Duct tape is easily removed for inspection then replaced. If you're worried about them inspecting it by hand (instead of x-raying it), then leave it unlocked, but still duct tape that latch.

Originally Posted by ledzep4eva

Also, what would happen if I didn't drop the fine tuners?

Then your guitar will arrive slightly out of tune instead of REALLY out of tune.
There are no 'air pressure' issues related to a guitar. In other words, if you dropped one from a plane at 30,000 ft., it's not going to implode or anything. It's a solid mass.

Depending on where you're travelling to (and from), the wood in the neck will freak out a little bit. A truss rod adjustment may be necessary to get your guitar back to where it was when you left....which means you'll probably have to tweak it AGAIN when you get home.

When the neck freaks out, the strings go along with it. They will get tight or loose (depending on which way the neck went). Strings being metal, they are less forgiving than wood, so that's why we drop the tuning a little when shipping them.
Leaving them totally slack is a bad idea because that leaves your neck free to freak out in whatever direction it wants (and could possibly twist, which is always fun to work with). A little bit of tension on the neck is a good thing.

Your other savior is a trem. The trem will allow the strings to go along for the ride with the neck, but provide enough 'give' to prevent neck damage. Hardtail owners are more likely to experience damage than trem owners.

If you're going from a cool climate to a warm climate (or vice versa), expect some neck change.
Being on the airplane is the least of your worries.

So:
- Fine Tuners all the way out/loosened/detuned.
- Duct Tape ALL latches and case corners (take some extra tape with you too, or 'tape' it to the face of the guitar case).
- Pack your truss rod wrench.

[Benzesp]

Buy the insurance when you check it! Its cheap

[7 Dying Trees]

Hold is allright, but if you can, take it on as hand luggage. There's one or two guitars (one in particular) that I own that I'd never put in the hold.

[garcia3441]

Originally Posted by Benzesp

Buy the insurance when you check it! Its cheap

+1