<p>Toledo - We’ve dealt with a tenor sax, larger than normal carry-on dimensions. For the first few flights I worked with JetBlue help to get carry-on permission added to the paperwork. (Gate check is a possible risk if plane full). Once my son started arranging his own flights, he got braver. A guitar though is larger.</p>
<p>We managed with a station wagon and a Thule ski box on top with skis and all the shoes and small things and a bike strapped to the back. We DID use the black plastic trash bags (heavy duty) and brought all 3 seasons clothes and athletic gear. The bags worked for us because we could fit the contours of the vehicle. Everything fit, but the golf clubs. We were packed to the gills, but not as bad as one vehicle we saw we all sorts of things bungee corded to all flat services of the OUTSIDE of the vehicle. Most dorm rooms have a small closet and at most a couple drawers for clothes. It’s a good time to pair down the wardrobe. I purchased a set of Sterlite drawers and a clamp lamp locally after we unloaded.</p>
<p>I’m trying to figure out how to get a trumpet, flugelhorn and guitar across country. We are flying southwest. The rest of the stuff will go in our free bags or shipped to family near S university.</p>
<p>Does your kid have a small double trumpet case that can be his carryon luggage? DS travels with two trumpets in such a case (could easily hold a trumpet and a flugelhorn). </p>
<p>I don’t know what to tell you about the guitar. Unless its a special instrument, might be easier to get an inexpensive one at the college location. They DO make gig cases for guitars, but that would use up a bag allowance. You could pay the extra.</p>
<p>Space bags and Southwest airlines are your two BFFs when flying to/from school. Make a Target (type store) run at the school end for “stuff” you can pick up there (laundry and toilet supplies, maybe a lamp and small area rug to personalize and brighten the space. We bought window shears just to make the room look nicer and they are so cheap.). And I will echo every post that said don’t take everything. We still have unused items, 7 years later, and D is now in an apartment! 2 sets of sheets/towels max. 1 blanket/quilt. 1 pillow. Do not take every article of clothing you own. A really interesting thing I heard from a hoarding expert (anti-hoarding, not pro) is to hang 100% of all your clothing items (except underwear) BACKWARDS in the closet (so the hangers hang backwards). Each time you wear an item, place it back in the closet the correct way a hanger hangs. At the end of 6 weeks you will have 100% of your NECESSARY wardrobe. You can add to that by 2 pieces of each type of item. And you’re done. (I’ve done it and since I live in So Cal, it was quite easy to purge all the unworn items) Obviously if you’re going where weather is a factor, you may need to rethink this. But it works, it really does.</p>
<p>So glad I stumbled upon this thread. Lake Jr. will be heading out-of-state this fall, too far for a drive (the truth is, I don’t have the endurance for a multi-day car trip like I used to). I had heard about shipping packages to hotels before. My plan is to tell Junior to pack as lightly as possible.</p>
<p>It’s amazing how much things have changed since I showed up as a Freshman after a 3000 mile trip. All I had was ONE suitcase and a old fashioned trunk. Had all the sheets, pillows, pots and clothes I needed. Of course, the personal computer hadn’t been invented yet. LOL.</p>
<p>Toledo and Go9ers, my D has traveled with a guitar before. The airline was willing to consider it her carry-on and placed it in one of those coat closets the flight attendants and first class use. They requested she have it in a hard case, rather than soft. I believe this was on USAir, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I would be thrilled if they let us carry on these big items. I think I’ll have to call the airlines to get the details.</p>