Flying with Kronos

[hammondcuni]

GregC took the words out of my mouth.. Buy a second Kronos..If you are a touring musician something is getting banged up. Thats why I keep my Triton Classic around since I use mostly samples for sounds.When i fly (maybe once a year) I leave my M3 73 behind.I just recently flew to Mexico City with a Triton and a MOX6 and had no problems.

[JukeFox]

I've flown with every Korg keyboard I've owned throughout the US for more than 2 decades and have never lost use of an instrument because of baggage handler carelessness or mistreatment. Frontier, however, did manage to completely mangle the only SKB keyboard case I ever owned (and I'll never buy another one), but the Triton Pro X inside was completely unscathed and is still completely functional and in my studio.

As for my other keyboards, they all have cases which are ALL full ATA compliant Anvil-style flight cases built of 3/8" voidless plywood bonded with high-impact ABS exterior panels, fully trimmed with heavy-duty extruded aluminum edges, protective corner pieces and heavy duty recessed handles and latching hardware. The interiors utilize a foam material that has excellent shock-absorbing characteristics to further protect the instruments.

These cases are quite heavy and a bit expensive to fly but, at roughly a tenth the cost of the keyboard, they constitute really good insurance.

Additionally, the larger the keyboard, it seems, the less likely it will suffer from damage due to baggage handlers tossing it around. They're bulky and HEAVY and much harder for baggage handlers to pick up, much less throw. I was told by Frontier that my SKB case broke due to being placed horizontally on the bottom of the cargo hold with tons of other heavy equipment, freight and baggage thrown atop. Despite the fact that the case cracked in several places, it did not collapse and it did its job of fully protecting the Triton.

I will have no qualms whatsoever over flying with my Kronos 61 safely tucked away in its full ATA flight case when that time comes. I believe it's probably more road-worthy than many other instruments I've owned if for no other reason than that the hard drive is solid state. That makes a world of difference!

Get the case, check your Kronos with the valet at the curb, buckle up, sit back and enjoy the flight. Everything will be just fine. Your knobs will still be completely tweakable once you get to the gig.

Peace,
Fox

[jeremykeys]

Have u tested such armored cases with ur stuff before?
I mean, even a strong case can't be fully protecting its content when tossed around.. So would u feel secure sending ur Kronos in such case?


I have actually. I toured Europe for three years in the 90"s and used cases exactly as I had mentioned without a single problem. I toured with a Korg Wavestation and a Roland U-20.

The case I have for my Kronos 73 is one that I built but it uses 1/4 inch thick panels with an ABS plastic skin. I would trust it for just about anything. The foam is a dense Polyetha foam 1 1/2 inches thick. Not the softest but I'm quite confident that the case will protect my keyboard.

I have travelled via air with equipment quite a lot and nowadays most airlines provide a service that protects valuable gear. Most planes have a storage area for fragile equipment and all you have to do is let them know at the check-out. I've even flown guitars in gig bags and now worried. I think it all depends on how much equipment you are taking. People us htis service for golf clubs and other valuable things that they don't want to see crashing down the baggage carousel. Her in Canada I usually fly with "West Jet" and they are fantastic at protecting your sruff.

Good luck on your tour!

Where are you playing in Toronto? That's where I live.

Jeremykeys

[jeremykeys]

OopS! That was supposed to say "and not worried!"

[MRedZac]

Just bought some MGM Case, "especially made for Kronos 61" from Musicstore in Germany... This is the biggest disappointment, I ever had with a keyboard case... It´s absolutely not made for travelling a lot, since the keyboard is some kind of "wandering around" in the case... While carrying, you can even feel the keyboard moving inside... So fingers away from this... I´ll return it to the store next days...

Cheers
Garfield

[JukeFox]

Just bought some MGM Case, "especially made for Kronos 61" from Musicstore in Germany... This is the biggest disappointment, I ever had with a keyboard case... It´s absolutely not made for travelling a lot, since the keyboard is some kind of "wandering around" in the case... While carrying, you can even feel the keyboard moving inside...

When choosing a case for transporting (or even just storing) any instrument, it is important to select the class of case you need and ensure that the case is manufactured by an experienced and reputable manufacturer. A case from "Joe's Case, Convenience Store & Gas Station" most likely won't do the job. If you have really great carpentry skills, you might be able to build a suitable case, but when it comes to my equipment, I prefer to leave flight-case construction to the pros.

If you are going to be flying with an instrument, or if pick-up roadies will be loading it into semi tractor-trailer rigs nightly (or even if your drummer's drunken girlfriend is going to try to show everyone how strong and useful she is by carrying it out to the van and there's a risk of her falling with it), or even if there's a chance a cased instrument will be left standing on end and it could get knocked over, it is extremely important that the case is built to FULL ATA (Air Transport Association) Standards.

Anvil is perhaps the oldest and most well known of these manufacturers, although I've had tremendous luck with cases from smaller manufacturers, such as the now-defunct (I believe) USA Case of Bessemer, Michigan, Manhattan Case, Pelican Case and Atlas Case Company.

Many of these case companies come and go, as lots of skilled and semi-skilled carpenters will do a start-up in their garages and, when they've had a few returned because they didn't meet true ATA standards, wind up going belly-up. But, if you choose a reputable company that has been in business for a few years and has proven they understand the standard and builds cases compliant with it, then you should be fine.

These cases are not cheap...expect to pay at least 10% of what your pro-level keyboard cost you new ($350 - $400 for one that fits a 61-key synth) and, if you truly want to protect your investment, they will not be light. DO NOT opt for the "lightweight" versions. These are made of much less substantial materials (thinner plywood or even plastic housings, lighter grade aluminum) and often do not have high-quality surface-mount hardware (latches and handles protrude from the case and can get hung on things or even ripped off in transport). Even "medium duty" cases do not offer near the protection of cases built to full ATA standard.

These are lessons learned the hard way. Seriously, folks...get an Anvil or a case from a reputable manufacturer who builds lots of these. You'll be more likely to get a case that fits properly (they typically get the specs directly from the manufacturer) and you can hedge your bets on fitting by not only providing dimensional specs from the manufacturer's posted specs, but by measuring your own keyboard to ensure that manufacturer's specs have not changed.

For the larger manufacturers, "custom case" is a bit of a misnomer, as they tend to build quite a few at a time in a production run. Most of the bigger manufactures can just pick one off the shelf and send it to you, as long as the supply from the past run lasts. And these will fit! It's too expensive for them to make mistakes on a production run of 30 or 40 cases.

While some may disagree, I would not order a case through a music store in this day and age. While it may not cost you any more buying it from a brick-and-mortar shop, the "middle man" may well increase your chances of getting the wrong case or a case that will not fit. Most ATA transport case manufacturers have a web presence, and you can order online, inputting the dimensions yourself and verifying that they are absolutely correct. Typically, with web orders, I've gotten my cases within a couple of weeks and have NEVER had to return one because it was mis-sized. On the other hand, when ordering through music stores, I have had to have several sent back, and turnaround time was generally quite a bit longer than what I have experienced in dealing directly with the manufacturers.

Again, I cannot overstress the importance of a good, fully ATA compliant case from a reputable manufacturer. It can save your instrument, your reputation and, ultimately, your livelihood!

If nothing else, schlepping the thing around will help make you buff, and you'll look a lot more professional to your bandmates and venue owners with a proper case than someone who hauls in a bare naked keyboard, a keyboard in a box or a synth in a "softcase"/gigbag.

Best,
Fox

[jeremykeys]

@ Bendor666 and everybody else.

Jukefox is absolutely right in what he says. Use an ATA spec case.

The company I work for, "Clydesdale Custom Cases", builds ATA spec cases. There are many companies in the U.S. that do this. Calzone is one of the biggest ones these days as far as I know.

I'm quite sure that if you Google "ATA cases" you'll find someone reputable in your area or at least close enough.

I'm not a fan of plastic moulded cases. I simply don't think they're really up to the task and if somebody drops your keyboard, do you really want it in a sub-standard case?

[Bendor666]

Many thanks for all of ur wise advices
I do have a place where to make my ATA cases, he's the biggest in Israel and makes cases for all PA companies, the military and even intel
I've just ordered my new case for the Karma there last week, guess I'll get it next week then.. And I have my Roland VP-770 case made there.
And when I'll get the Kronos ill make the case there for it as well of course.

Buying another Kronos is something that's out of the question!
I don't know what kind of musicians, and especially metal musicians can afford such an expense.. I surely can't
If I could I would just buy a Kronos on every continent which I land in and save me even the voltage converters..

I was mainly asking if YOU would take your Kronos on a flight, and y yes or not.
I think that I've got my question fairly answered and I thank u all, Jeremy and fox for ur help

And in Toronto we start our American tour on Tuesday, February the 14th, in a place called the Devils Cellar.
Guess I'll go the same as last tour with the Karma and VP-7.
But this time I'm gonna use my all new Radial Di boxes


Of course I think that we would all love to hear more ideas for flying with synths... Like, I've had a thought of using a ground shipping service, something that u know that u have full insurance on, and not handled by random inexperienced airline teams.
And it should also cost the same I think.. Should check this option out.

[jeremykeys]

Hi Bendor! I would take my Kronos but that's just me. What is the Name of your band? If possible I might be able to check out your show on Feb 14. I'm a fan of Metal. I don't live close to the club but still it's not so far that I can't get there.

[Product Reviewer]

Shockwatch makes label type accelerometers to measure shock and impact extremes during shipping. They are usually less than $3 each but normally only available in lots of 50 or 100. Many types are available and careful product selection is necessary.

These give positive indication of abuse during shipping. One of the most harmful events during shipping is a face drop. Most times this doesn't damage the shipping box or container, but subjects the contents to extreme Gs and causes internal damage.

Shipping always involves some risk. Unfortunately, these suggestions only help to document abuse, not prevent it.

[DocBambs]

... there is only one safe way of using an aircraft to ship your Kronos....

Buy a seat for it!

...My wife (pro cellist) tours a lot for a variety of projects and she will only fly if the cello gets its own seat - which means that when you book your two tickets (one for you and one for your Kronos), you have to book it as 'Mr Kronos'. Because the seat is occupied (even by an instrument), the passenger manifest (ie seats) is checked by cabin crew and if 'Mr Kronos' has checked-in, then he must be there and belted-in!

Will it need a passport for international flights? I'm pretty sure that when I fly BA out of the UK I need to put the passport numbers in for each person on the booking. (Getting the photos agreed on the passports for children is hard enough - how do you get a passport photo of the Kronos which doesn't look like it's smiling? )

DB

[MRedZac]

As someone who works in the airline industry, there is only one safe way of using an aircraft to ship your Kronos....

Buy a seat for it!

Seriously, I mean it. My wife (pro cellist) tours a lot for a variety of projects and she will only fly if the cello gets its own seat - which means that when you book your two tickets (one for you and one for your Kronos), you have to book it as 'Mr Kronos'. Because the seat is occupied (even by an instrument), the passenger manifest (ie seats) is checked by cabin crew and if 'Mr Kronos' has checked-in, then he must be there and belted-in!

Will it be touched as well for security checks ? - No, then I don´t want it...

[jeremykeys]

If I ever see a customs officer putting on a rubber and preparing to do a cavity search on my Kronos I'm gonna lose it!

[michelkeijzers]

If I ever see a customs officer putting on a rubber and preparing to do a cavity search on my Kronos I'm gonna lose it!

Well a lot can be hidden inside a Kronos

... it would be a real nightmare if they say they have disassembled 88 white big 'unknown pieces' to be analysed.

[runningman67]

The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.

— Mark Russell