> Well I FINALLY made it overseas and back with about 12 MOTM modules (and 7
> Arrick's) without any damages. In the past I've slapped Fragile stickers all
> over an ATA-approved SKB rack with the modules bolted in tight, and found
> that the airlines had managed to do plenty of damage anyway. One time it
The unfortunate, but better long-term, answer: don't fly SKB racks unless
you're willing to sustain damage.
I've been traveling with a Kurzweil K2000 (-not- the world's best built
synth) in custom built Anvil-style flightcases for 6 years. Never a scratch
on the keyboard, always made it in perfect condition. And I fly this thing
around a -lot-.
Three months ago I decided that it was time for a little SKB keyboard case
on casters (the casters being the important part), and that the replacement
cost of a K2 was now low enough that I could sustain the "hit", as it were,
if it were to get damaged.
"Hit" indeed. Whammo! Broken key, and the left half of the keyboard assembly
was snapped off when I went inside to fix it.
6 years without incident vs. 3 months...
Moral of the story: if you can afford to replace the gear, buy an SKB - it's
light and easy to carry. If you -can't- afford it, spring for the big bucks
and get some wooden, foam-lined flight cases built, and put casters on 'em.
There really is no "ATA-Approved"; at best it's just "ATA-spec", and even
then there are levels of protection within that specification. Bottom line:
they don't mean nuttin'.
Eric