
defying_gravity asked:
I am going for a year to Europe and it is almost vital that I take my violin with me as I want to get lessons there and also hopefully get a job playing it. It is worth over AU$2000. I am flying with Thai Airlines and carry-on luggage must fit in a 54×46cm space. My violin case is 75cm long and my bow is around 65cm long.
I have been told that instruments have been known to get broken when travelling down in the hold, even when labelled ‘fragile’. Has anyone done this themselves?
My violin teacher said that she knows someone who carried their violin in a silk bag on with them and held it the whole time. I could do this, but I am flying from Australia and I will be in transit for around 24 hours and it may get broken in this long time.
I could buy or borrow/hire one over there, but I don’t have much money, have only just got this one, and it is quite good already. Also, it would be a pain selling it at the end of the year.
What do you think my best option is?
I do not live in the US and i’m not travelling via there, so those strict carry-on rules do not apply. I cannot carry-on my violin because it is far too big - I have already checked with them about their size requirements.
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