Bringing a dizi on the airplane

[Blue]

Could anyone share experience of bringing a dizi on the airplane? Suppose it doesn't have a tuning joint. Is anyone able to fit the dizi in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat? Do airport security people in certain countries or regions give a hard time if one tries to bring a collection of dizis into the cabin? Do airline staff treat it like golf clubs? Would checking in the flute as fragile baggage be okay?

[phillipr]

I've never tried brining a dizi onto a plane, but I have brought Irish flutes on. I've only been asked about it once. Security required me to take it out of its case and assemble it. I may have also been required to blow a few notes, but can't remember for sure.

[xindi]

I bring mine on the planes regularly; I used to get stopped for every other kind of possible infraction, but not for flutes. Things like bringing a screwdriver, or a Swiss Army Credit Card with microtools for fixing small set screws etc, or bringing fresh fruit and *gulp* bottled water :eek:

A few times I was stopped for bringing a low F xiao flute. The security guard said that I wasn't allowed too bring a snooker cue onboard the plane. If it doesn't fit within the overhead cabin bins, some airlines fine you and charge you to check it in as an extra item.

I would never check it in as a fragile item: I did this once, and the box was all cracked, like it had been dropped from 60 metres with someone's solid 20kg luggage on top of it. The internal wooden key seats were all dislodged and it was a mess. 'Fragile' on Cathay Pacific = Time for angry non-striking luggage handlers to beat up the dog (well, it becomes a dog of a flute after they finish with it). On smaller budget airlines, they charge a surcharge, claiming that it exceeds cabin dimensions. It's only possible to check it in, without incurring a second baggage charge, if it fits within your checked baggage.

Security alerts - tends not to, since there is no metal as such. I always hand-carry my flutes in a shoulder sling. That way, I can sling it out of the hand luggage and it doesn't trigger any security issues. Equally, I've found no problems just explaining to security: "this is my flute - do I need to open it for you?"

Requesting hand-checks or fragile status, will just land you into more problems, and you'll be either treated as a terrorist, or asking for them to crack it. Unless it's a really bad flute, with which I have insurance for, I wouldn't wish to check it in.

Anyway, flutes are an easy topic. Just as well you didn't ask if anyone had any problems bringing a guzheng on the aeroplane lol

[Flolei]

I have the same experience than Xindi. If the flute is really long (nan xiao, for example), I put it up, with my coat. If it is two parts dizi, I put it in my bag (the package is long about 40 cm) and put all together under the seat in front of me.
For the security, I explained only once what is inside the bag. I had problems with French mustard (before I always brought one glass from France to Slovenia, because Slovenian mustard is not strong enough), but never with flutes!

[Blue]

Flolei,

So you're able to fit a 65cm-75cm flute with your coat on the overhead bin without problems?

[xindi]

Flolei would have to fit it overhead or under the seat - as long as you aren't on a Ryanair or Easyjet.

I fit mine down my trousers lol

Seriously - shoulder strap - and just do one choregraphed swing of your jacket over the shoulder to cover it. Works all the time

[Blue]

"Seriously - shoulder strap - and just do one choregraphed swing of your jacket over the shoulder to cover it."

Don't understand what you're talking about. You're not allowed to do that through the metal detector! Or are you talking about covering the dizi bag with the jacket and put it on the overhead bin?

[Flolei]

The bag for my nan xiao is about 65-70 cm and I had no problem to put it in the overhead bin.

[Blue]

Flolei,

Then what's your experience with bringing a low G dizi?

[Flolei]

Because I love it so much I kept it in my arms during the flight.
Of course, it is a joke! I did the same as with the nanxiao. My low G is in two parts and the longest part measures 55 cm. So, I put it in a protective bag with my coat in the overhead bin.

[xindi]

Don't understand what you're talking about. You're not allowed to do that through the metal detector! Or are you talking about covering the dizi bag with the jacket and put it on the overhead bin?

Oops. I should clarify then.

In most airports, the process is:

1. Go to the check-in kiosk and get grilled or fried about your overweight luggage, or unwieldy luggage (like flutes)
2. Go through the security cordon, where eagle eyed officials check for any strange or oversized bags.
3. Go through the security x-ray machines.

In airports where you are required to go through these steps, the most difficult ones are 1 + 2.

Step 1 will probably send anyone into hypertension. What they don't know won't hurt them
Step 2 is when my jacket goes over the flute.
Step 3, it isn't a concern ... because the flute is wood, not really metal. I did get stopped, since one official thought it was a snooker cue.

My low G is also in 2 parts ...similar length to Flolei's (longer though!). I always wrap it up in my coat...got to remember I've done that. Once, this rather unpleasant man, well, pretended to be pleasant, but was unpleasant in pretending, in Guangzhou was fawning around us on a tour bus. Against my wishes, he decided to 'help' me take out my flute, and 'accidentally' dropped it from the overhead bin.

I could've driven it through his heart like a stake lol.

[laplandgerard]

I have brought both dizi and other flutes, the largest ca 70 cms long, never had any problem.

[xindi]

That's great to hear. I guess in Scandinavia, putting anything in the very low humidity cargo carries a risk of cracking the wood.....