Posted by Sean Chisham on January 16, 2003 at 10:41:48:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: taking a tuba on an airplane posted by JoeS on January 15, 2003 at 15:28:39:
That pretty much sums it up. Insure the instrument and use a quality flight case like Walt Johnson or Anvil and the horn should be fine. Airlines are not easy on instruments and a standard wooden case which came with the instrument will not likely protect it from flying, especially if the instrument is heavy. Euphoniums seem to hold up better in their standard cases because the instrument has less mas to shift around and euph cases are generally pretty strong. Most generic tuba cases are fragile.
As far as the airline stealing the instrument. Although, I suppose, possible, that would be waaaaaaaaaaaaay down on my list of things to be concerned about. Right after bring chemical warfare mask, parachute in case plane starts to fall from sky, and Arabic translation dictionary in case Osama tries to hijack the plane midflight.
You'll be fine. If something unforeseen does transpire, then roll with it an adapt.