My advice is to try to keep the outside pockets empty - easier getting it in the overhead or under the seat. If it's a small plane (like Houston to Lafayette), make sure you're close to the front on the line when they call to board. Those overheads are tiny and fill up very fast. Have fun, and don't forget to post some videos on Youtube!
Steve

I've had no trouble carrying on an accordion in a Soft case.
(I've only heard of people having accordion damage when checking an ATA case.

If you don't have a lot of green, do what I did, and buy a small soft "Igloo" ice chest. There is one size that is just right for a Cajun Accordion.

...and it cost me $12 at the discount store!

Had it for 7 years now, and it's just starting to wear out.
DP

I have flown with a hard case (Bon Cajun in one of Larry's hard cases.) I just don't let go of the thing. Had trouble with one stewardess on board a plane but it fit nicely under the seat. Problem solved. Stick to your guns, tell them it is a professional instrument and tell them its value. That helps get past the check in guy.
Leslie

Thanks everybody for taking the time to share your experiences. I'm usually pig-headed enough (j'avais la tete dure est, je pense, le Francais) not to follow anyone's advice, but in this case I will go for the soft case.

Igloo has an on-line store now, and I await their return message with interior dimensions on one of their soft coolers. Otherwise, I'll get one of the ones they sell at the Button Box.

Go ahead, correct my French!

S'b'B

please let us know what you find about the igloo, as I would like to find an inexpensive soft case but am not sure about sizes on the igloos.

thanks

Hal

24 can size. It will come with a plastic inserted tub which you can slide out easily.

Here's what'cha do:
ya get that thing, take out the plastic tub. Have your wife, girlfriend or mother (or do it yourself if you are that crafty, I am and you should be) measure that tub. Go down to walmart or a fabric store, and buy some HEAVY felt (or fake fur). Cut that fabric to match that tub and sew it up. Now ya got a replicated insert the size of that tub, right? You can hot glue that fabric on the inside of that cooler... or get some of that stick on velcro and lock that fabric in to the cavity of that soft case.

Here's the why of it all: When you take that plastic tub out, you will notice it has a silver plastic coated insulated finish designed to keep cool things cold and hot things hot. That finish could (?) be damaging to the finish of an accordion (I think). The felt liner will add more protection to your accordions finish.

Here's the Nonc theory: It's like taking plastic fish'in worms and putting them in a plastic assorted nut & bolt box/keeper thing that's not designed for plastic worms. Some plastics clash and will cause the plastic to sorta melt. If dont fish with artificial baits, you might not know that junk about plastics (Ive melted a gob of plastic and pitched a gob of worms from bassin, enough to know these things, and come up with new cuss word as a result). I don't know the reaction of what ever finish is put on these accordions and how they react to that silvey plastic lining ... I wonder enough however, that causes me to not flirt with it... as a reason I think it was important to line the thing. Now if you wonder, why I gotta go through all that mess just for a cheap soft case for an accordion... well because it is cheap (inexpensive) and those things work like a champ! I have four of em (one for each accordion) in differant colors... so I know what accorion (and what key) is in which soft case. Yep, they work like a champ.

Nonc D

flying with an instrument is a problem

if you use a soft case,
they can still make you check it.
try as you might, if they want to make
you check it, they can.
and then you are hosed.

yet a real flight case weighs
about 25 lbs with an accordion
inside, and costs about as much.

wle.

Has anyone put an accordion through as checked luggage. I plan to take one to an archaeology camp and I want to put it in it's hard case (with padding inside) inside a large duffle full of camping gear. This is a hernia popping duffle so I don't see how even it could get thrown around much. Is the cargo space pressurized or would a stick under a few flappers be a good idea?
Leslie

pressurization isn;t going to be
the issue

nothing in an accordion is hermetically
sealed

the issue is going to be
dropping, throwing around,
and parking forklifts on top of
the case

i haven;t checked one, but that
is what can happen

wle.

I have one of the ATA Anvil Flight cases, and have used it to check my accordion as baggage several times. The accordion always came through with no trouble, although there are a couple of nice gouges in the case. But, that just proves that the case is doing what it was designed for.

-David

To fly an accordion, just glue a wing on each end, says Hon. Telesphore Boudreaux, Mare of Bayou Pon Pon

You can also glue a shoe, then you'll obtain a shoefly (a nice dance, indeed!)

Oh, gosh. You know, I just discovered this site about half an hour ago and there are so many posts to which I want to reply! I should have checked the date on this, but I'll just have to hope I'm not too late.

DEFINITELY take your accordion on-board with you. The pressure and temperature changes underneath the plane are really hard on the instrument. While it can handle these conditions, it takes it a few hours to recover, and that's if you have really good, strong wood making up your accordion and not some painted pine or something. I use a Peavy soft case 'cause it's what my dad gave me, but it really doesn't matter. Get whatever's most comfortable for you.

Oh, and I really doubt they'll tell you anything about it being too big, but if they do, just flat-out REFUSE to check it. I always do that with my guitar (obviously a lot bigger than an accordion, PLUS it's in a hard case) and I always get away with it. I tell them they'll have to insure it if I'm going to check it. They normally find room for it in the cabin after that.

I hope this helps.