<p>Hi Guys! I’m a high school senior and I’m preparing to go, next weekend, up to Pittsburgh for a portfolio review with Carnegie Mellon University. I’m applying to the school of design, and I have design pieces in my portfolio, but I am also bringing my fine art. </p>
<p>The only concern is that I am flying up there (from Atlanta) and I’m not sure how to transport my art. I have several paintings that I wish to bring (not too large, they fit in your typical portfolio) but I worried about how they will be treated on the plane. Do any of you have experience with transporting a portfolio on a plane?
If so, any advice/info is very appreciated! If it helps, I am flying Delta.</p>
<p>I had a similar dilemma once. Fortunately, i had a lot of work was on paper so i just rolled what I could and brought pictures of everything else. At the Pratt NPD i saw some kids who brought their larger work on unstretched canvas which i presume would have been stretched at some point. Several kids had a lot of work on stretched canvas and they would put them in sturdy packing boxes which they would then move around with small trolleys. Most of the kids however, had standard portfolio cases and im sure a significant quantity flew in with them. I guess short of putting your work in some kind of reinforced box like our aforementioned friends or hoping it can fit in the carry on compartment, the only thing i could suggest in terms of protecting your portfolio is reinforcing it on both sides with some kind of sturdy board. 1/8 th inch MDF maybe?</p>
<p>Probably, your airline will allow you to gate check it – the same thing that’s done with strollers and bags when the overhead bins get full. The problem is that they’re not going to confirm that for you over the phone. Could you ship it ahead of time?</p>
<p>I have flown a couple different airlines and I have always been able to carry my portfolio on board the plane. I know I didn’t wan’t to lose sight of mine, so I didn’t trust checking it in haha. A standard portfolio should fit in the overhead storage, or if your flight attendant is nice enough sometimes they will put it up front with them. On a Southwest flight they once told me that they used to have a space dedicated for portfolio storage but it was removed for some reason, but maybe delta still has that?</p>
<p>Thank you for the replies everyone! Your advice is seriously appreciated!
Ginnst: how large was your portfolio that you could fit it in the overhead compartment? I have 1 painting I want to transport that is about 19" x 24" and I read online that in order for something to be able to fit it has to add up to 45" (adding width, height, and depth).
If there was such a compartment that would be absolutely wonderful! but I’ve called delta and they didnt mention anything like that so im guessing they’ve removed it as well.</p>
<p>We’ve flown several places, always with the portfolio in the overhead. It’s approx 19" x 25", probably 1-2 " thick. I’m not sure how it would work shipping it ahead. I would be afraid of it getting misplaced. (Happened to my D once - she submitted a picture to a college contest, and when they shipped it back to her high school, it was never seen again (not college’s fault - HS signed for it). At the last NPD we went to, several students had their work rolled and in tubes. Those should fit in the overhead.</p>
<p>Over the summer I had a similar dilemma. I had a fairly large portfolio (I can’t remember the size, but a bit bigger than 18 x 24). When i took it, the flight attendant was very pleasant and actually hung it on a coat hanger in the first class closet. I was afraid it would break the coat hanger, but it was fine. I wasn’t asked or given odd looks at any process of getting on the plane. Most airlines should have a way to accommodate for it. I think I flew American.</p>
<p>(I realize I’m a bit late but it’s always nice when reading back on older threads to find answers.)
(Also, I applied this year (online, though, no time to fly cross country) to the CMU school of design as well! Good luck!)</p>
<p>I just got back from my sleeping bag weekend trip to CMU and I ended up just packing my portfolio very carefully, making sure everything was protected and bringing it to the gate. No one said anything and when i stepped on the plane i said to the flight attendant “I was told to put this art portfolio in the closet” They told me they weren’t responsible for whatever happened to it and I said “okay!” and found my seat. After we landed I just went right back up there and took it out! And it worked both ways!!
Success!!
Maggled:
Thanks! I’m from atlanta so it was a bit of a trek but I thought it was worth it to see the campus and it totally was. If you have time I totally suggest it the campus is so beautfiful (and i saw it on two rainy days!!) Good Luck to you as well!</p>