Transporting a djembe?

[Socrates]

Hi!

What can you guys who have experience with transporting a djembe (with an airplane) tell me? I'm going to Madrid around new year and there is a park where they jam every sunday. So, though clumsy, I've been told to bring my djembe. Is it just a matter of putting the djembe in the bag (I have a good one) and check it in for cargo, or should I mind something?

Thanx!
Socrates

[James]

Most airlines have a special hold for instruments so phone ahead before. Ryanair charges you 25-35 euro for the pleasure but they make up the penneis whereever they can...

Don't have the head at full tension.

Good ideas
- Get wood size and shape of the head and put it on top of bag. I've seen a bad with a special pocket sown into it hold a piece of wood like this
- same as above, with foam...

[bubudi]

you should be able to bring your drum on the plane as hand luggage. then you will know exactly what happens to it. good thing you have a padded bag. also be aware the air pressure changes in a plane, so as james pointed out, don't have your djembe at full tension.

[Dugafola]

i have checked my djembe as baggage dozens of times with no problems.

i have pretty heavy duty cases and a 'djembe lid' that's made of cardboard and cordura nylon.

sometimes i'll put extra padding around the leg of the djembe with clothes or jackets.

[Socrates]

Hi,

thanks for your comments. I have a very snugly fitting bag, so I have little space for extra padding or skin protection, but I'll do my best

Bubudi, I can't imagine I can take it as hand luggage... it surely won't fit in the containers above the seats and you're obliged to store all your hand luggage either there or between your feet, right? But if Dugafola is right I should not be too worried. I will take some tension off the skin (just a lovely job, doing and undoing the ropes every time... who has such patience or time?)