Steven Mead's Horn

[davewerden]

Courtesy of Steven's Facebook page...

Not the best start to the day I ever had. Not sure how it happened. Gave it to airport security at Gatwick and got it back two minutes later

[DaveBj]

Saw that on Facebook. As my Norwegian grandmother would say -- UFF-DA!

[John Morgan]

I rest my case. I will NEVER in my life take my euphonium on an airplane. I will drive, sail, go by train, bicycle, motorcycle (strapped to my back), walk or low crawl to wherever it is I am going. There are just far too many idiots and careless people to trust my euphonium to any airline. Period. End. Over and out.

[DaveBj]

It would be interesting to count up the number of airline trips that Steven Mead has made and contrast that with the number of times his horn has been damaged.

That said, if Steven were to arrive at his destination and find out that his horn had been run over by a 787 and was now about the thickness of one of my biscuits, it wouldn't surprise me if he could still turn in a creditable performance with a funnel, a spare mouthpiece, and a 16' length of garden hose.

[davewerden]

It would be interesting to count up the number of airline trips that Steven Mead has made and contrast that with the number of times his horn has been damaged.

He's done very well that way because he carries it on board whenever possible. As far as I know, the horns aren't usually damaged by the inspection.

Now that I think about it, though, my Sterling arrived in Tucson in 2010 with a trigger that was stuck because the tuning slide had been sprung. I thought the case had been compressed in the belly of the plane, and that is still likely. But I suppose someone could have done something during inspection.

I have yet to face my first flight with my Adams. When/if I do, I'll check it as baggage in the Bonna case after packing it carefully and hope for the best. (I won't like doing it, though!)

[BrandonJones]

I have checked my E1 in the Bonna case and it did just fine. I've flown multiple times with a Bonna case and check the horn. All successful so far. Just make sure it is a snug and secure fit. Bonna's are really fantastic cases, in my opinion. Most of the guys here in the AF band have one and we all love them.

[davewerden]

I have checked my E1 in the Bonna case and it did just fine. I've flown multiple times with a Bonna case and check the horn. All successful so far. Just make sure it is a snug and secure fit. Bonna's are really fantastic cases, in my opinion. Most of the guys here in the AF band have one and we all love them.

Thanks for sharing that, Brandon! As with most of life, we often hear about things that go wrong and seldom hear about things that go right.

[RickF]

A section mate last summer flew to Europe with his Adams E2. He was able to carry it on for all except one flight. He also was using the excellent Marcus Bonna case. When it had to be checked the bell suffered wrinkle damage. The MB case is one of the best I think, but can still can only do so much. But, since he was expecting to be able to carry it on every time, not sure he he was able to add any inside protection against 'horn movement'.

[John Morgan]

Realizing full well that I am retired, don't ever HAVE to be anywhere, I have the "luxury" of being able to drive, sail, walk, etc. to wherever it is I choose to go. I realize others might not be in the same circumstances, so it may be inevitable for some to have to take their very expensive horns on airplanes. That is unfortunate. It is not a matter of if, but when, your horn will get messed up while traveling by air, be it the cab or shuttle to or from the airport, the baggage handlers, a TSA genius, or heaven forbid, an airplane crash, but then, I suppose, it would be immaterial. It is probably not too hard for the discerning reader to understand my true feelings about flying with my horn.

[davewerden]

It is probably not too hard for the discerning reader to understand my true feelings about flying with my horn.

I'm trying hard to read between the lines to discern the hidden meaning!