Traveling with Handpans
Traveling with handpans on airplanes can be extremely stressful. Will if fit in the overhead? Will they make me check it at the gate? It was a huge relief when I became the guy that could fix damaged handpans as I no longer traveled with fear.
If I was to write a “How to Travel with a Handpan” guide now I don’t think it would be of much help. Thankfully, in 2011 I posted on the then flourishing handpan forum, Handpan.org, just that! Below is my guide to how I traversed air travel with handpans before I knew how to fix them.
If you can, say nothing, and get it on the plane. Beyond that, In reading this a decade later, I would say that the advice still holds true.
by CFoulke » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:38 pm
I figured it was due time to do a write up as I have been traveling with handpans extensively for the last year (both nationally and internationally). Nothing too formal, just some things I have learned along the way:
Security/Bag Check
- A Halo will fit through security scanners (not at Oakland airport though according to Handpanler) but will barely fit!
- Hang/BEll will fit through scanners no problem
- If you get a chance, take a look at the scanner when your handpan goes through, awesome!
- Security might ask you what it is...always out of curiosity (they have never seen one before). My typical answer (albeit inaccurate) so as not to raise eyebrows is that it's a steelpan/cymbals/a relative of the gong. Most people will know what those are and won't ask anymore questions.
- Always keep a close eye on it when it's in other people's hands...you never know. Always say 'fragile/one of a kind/irreplaceable.' These words will resonate with them.
- If you are checking it in a hard case, see if you can watch if security wants to open it up and search it. They won't let you touch it but you can instruct them how to repack it. 9 times out of 10 they will put it in wrong.
- You can ask for fragile stickers when you check your hard case. Can't hurt!
Waiting to board
- You can carry on any handpan but almost all of them technically are 'too big' by airlines' standards
- I always play before boarding if I can. It's good positive attention which can come in handy later (more on that)
- When checking in to board I usually carry the handpan on the opposite side of the ticket agent, no need to bring extra attention. If I am carrying on 2 I will do the same and put one on my back.
Boarding
- It is possible with most airlines to pre-board...usually reserved for families of people who need more time to board. I will ask to pre-board and explain what I am traveling with and that 'It will make me feel better' if I can get on early. Usually works.
- Some airlines require a small fee to pre-board. I will pay that fee when traveling with 2 handpans...worth $9 in my book.
- Once boarding, I immediately tell a flight attendant what I'm traveling with. Again, key words "fragile/one of a kind/irreplaceable" help. Oftentimes they will give me extra/private storage. When in doubt, inflate the price $10K/$20K...
- This is where playing before boarding can come in handy. Oftentimes when I am explaining to a flight attendant a fellow passenger will pipe in about how they heard/saw me playing and that it's great...nice to be validated by a stranger.
- I try to get an overhead compartment in front of my seat so it makes it easier to watch my handpan.
- If I am traveling with 1 hanpan, I will look for overhead storage that is already half full. I'll put in the handpan and then CLOSE the overhead. Most people will assume that if it's closed, it's full and wont mess with it.
- If I have 2, I will take my own compartment and CLOSE it.
- Sometimes if it doesn't fit in an overhead, just try another one, they are different sizes/depths.
- During the boarding process, watch your handpan like a HAWK, this is the time that it could get injured.
Exceptions/anecdotes
- I once took two handpans on a plane where they didn’t fit in the overheads...I explained to the flight attendant using those KEYWORDS and they moved people all over the plane. Gave me my own aisle (2 seats) and then gave my Hang its own aisle (2 seats) where it was tucked under the seat in front of it.
- Once the overheads were full so I found a small bag and asked who it belonged to. Some poor guy raised his hand, so I gave it to him, politely asked him to place it at his feet and put my handpan in the overhead. I felt like a jerk but...what can ya do?
- THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE...I took a flight and my handpan didn’t fit in the overhead and all the private storage was full. I was in an exit aisle so the flight attendant told me that the only seat luggage can be LEGALLY buckled into is an exit aisle. So I sacrificed my seat to my handpan, buckled it in and took a regular seat. GOOD TO KNOW!
- Dan Waples shared with me that a weeks worth of clothes can fit inside his Hang. This makes traveling so much easier but it makes explaining your handpan to security exponentially harder!
- My Halo was severely damaged in transit back to the west coast from Handpangea. I checked it in a brand new hardcase and it showed up damaged meaning it was damaged by TSA when they searched it. The zipper of the soft case had blown out, the rubber end had been split, the metal edge was totally bent and 3 notes were out of tune. Because I didn’t notice and report it before 4 hours after my flight the airlines would do nothing. Lesson learned, ALWAYS check your handpan at the airport as soon as it comes out of luggage!!!!
In conclusion, don’t draw too much attention. Give minimal explanation in security. Inflate the price when talking to flight attendants and don’t take no for an answer. There is ALWAYS a way!!!! Don’t take your eye off your handpan if others are handling it or until all passengers are seated!
