LFP 039 | How To Travel With Your Flute

Have you ever traveled via airplane with your flute? Encountered any problems? Let’s talk all about it here in episode thirty nine!

Well, hello hello and welcome to this Learn Flute Podcast today where I, Rebecca Fuller the instructor and expert here at Learn Flute Online dot com will be taking you through some new and interesting information that can help you with your journey to learning how to play the flute really, really well! 

I have an awesome super large – well, I think you could call it grandiose lesson series online here for those of you who are looking for extra information and really good instruction from a seasoned and trained advanced flute instructor. I’m here to help you and I am also quite happy to do so!

Today we’ll be talking about the subject of traveling with your flute, so let’s get started!

First of all, let’s start by saying how great it is that you are here and that I get to talk about my next favorite subject, and that is- traveling! I love to travel. And, since I am privileged to get asked to perform in different venues and churches around the world, I have a little bit of knowledge about traveling with my flute.

I actually had another student of mine ask me this question the other day wondering if she was going to encounter any troubles while traveling and flying with her flute. I will speak from personal experience first here and say that I have never had any troubles getting my flute through the airport. But, I have heard of a few others who have. So, let me dump all the knowledge I have on you so you can be wiser too.

First of all, it’s important to take a few precautionary steps with your flute just as you would other important items you are taking on your travels. For example, you wouldn’t purchase a delicate Holiday ornament in Germany, for example to bring home to the U.S. without first wrapping it and making sure that it fits very snugly in your luggage right?

Well I’m not sure how many of you have sat and watched the airport runway workers handle your baggage as they move it from the cart to the belly of the plane. I’ve personally watched them pick up and just throw the luggage – uh almost every single time. So, this has helped me draw a few conclusions about where my flute goes and why when I pack.

Number one: to keep my flute from being tossed haphazardly and possibly smashed by an even bigger, heavier piece of luggage- I do not pack my flute in my checked baggage. Ever.

Number two: to keep my flute from being exposed to high heat or cold while under the belly of the plane- I do not pack my flute in my checked baggage. Ever.

Number three: to keep my eye on who might possibly be curious and open my flute case to check to see if it indeed is a musical instrument and not a pipe bomb- I do not pack my flute in my checked baggage. Ever.

My flute ALWAYS always comes with me. In my carry-on luggage or in my backpack- to be kept with me all the way on every plane ride.

Now, here’s the usual dialogue I have as I approach the security check at the airport. You know, the place where you take your shoes off and put your belongings on the ramp to be swooshed under the x-ray machines.

I say, “Hi, I have a musical instrument ‘flute’ here in my backpack. Do I need to remove it from the bag for you?”

They say, “Oh no, you’re fine leave it in there.”

I say, “Okay thanks, I just wanted to be sure it was safe.”

That’s it. It has happened that way every single time I’ve traveled.

Now…. let me back up a bit here and mention that when I traveled to both Mexico and Africa I did not take my flute with me, and I am SO glad. 

The rules must not be the same there as they are here in the US and Europe- apparently anyway because I’ve had my bags taken from me – and hidden from my sight while someone rummages through them. Yes, I didn’t even get back everything I originally had which is the exact reason I didn’t take my flute. I was worried about what would happen! We can let our imaginations run wild for a second if you want to..

I did, however take Irish whistles on both of those trips and had no issues at all. They just don’t look interesting enough for security to want to poke them. Also, they were only in simple drawstring bags instead of an elaborate case like the flutes are in.

Sooooo, what do we learn from this? Well, I have learned that:

Number one: It depends on where I am traveling if I dare take my flute.

Number two: When I do travel with my flute I take my ‘second nice flute’ instead of my nicest one.

Number three: If I am traveling to a place where I am performing and can rent a flute a really good one, I do that and return it before I leave.

Number four: I always carry-on my flute. Always. Always. Always.

Number five: I pack my flute in my backpack with clothes and stuff around it so that it won’t get jostled and bumped as bags are shuffled or thrown into trunks of cars.

And, this brings me to one more little thought before we finish today; what if you’re traveling and it’s not on an airplane? Or, what happens to your flute after you get off the plane and board a bus or a car? Well, it’s also time to think about the conditions that it could be in.

I guess we could open this can of worms even more and go into detail about the different climates and conditions of the world, but that would take all day, so I’ll stop here by saying that as long as you make sure your flute is packed safely in your possession (at all times), and that you are being mindful of the weather temperature it is in- you know not too hot – not too cold – then you’re good to go!

It’s a good day when we get to talk about travel and flutes all in the same episode! Do you also like to travel? I honestly could be on vacation about twelve months of the year. I love places, people, and even new smells haha. It’s all interesting to me!

Well, that wraps up today’s episode. I hope you found some good information nuggets to learn from and ponder on.

I appreciate your being here, and I love your effort.Have you found time to take a lesson this week?

I hope so.

I’m Rebecca Fuller, this was episode thirty nine, and we’ll see you again next time.