Taking a sewing machine on a plane
 

I know this was a topic on this board awhile back, but I can not find it, so I will post another one. I have volunteered to house sit for my sister this summer. I am looking forward to the "alone" time and want to take my sewing machine on the plane. It is a very expensive machine. My plan is to take it as a carry on. I do have super sized bubble wrap. I need to check sizes for carry on. Has anyone done this? I would appreciate any input.

I took my sewing machine (Bernina 131) on a flight. The flight attendants thought I was crazy and wouldn't store it upright. I had to put it on it's side in the overhead bin. I would not take my Bernina 830 on a plane. I would probably purchase a "take to class" smaller machine. I'm also 5' so in order to get my sewing machine in the overhead bin, I had to stand on the seat and then lift it up and in the bin.

Half of the time, the overheads are full before you get on the plane. People who travel all the time get on first if they can and use the overheads wherever they want. I sure wouldn't take a good one on. I would purchase an oldie that will take it and use it. They will cram it anywhere they can find a place. JMHO

What are you going to be working on? If it's just piecing, would get a small 'take to class' machine. I would probably get it from AllBrands and just have it shipped to my sister's house. Save all the packaging and when you are ready to return, repack & ship it back. It's worth the price of shipping not to have to deal with it on the flight.
Another option would be look for a used machine when you get there, and leave it for your sister.
I personally would not try to carry a machine on, especially an expensive one.

Check with the airlines. With all of the new rules I doubt they will let you take it.

I belive Bonnie Hunter takes a Featherweight as a carry-on all the time. I think she had a bad experience when she checked a machine once.

I've taken my little Brother on a plane a few times- but would never take my Elna!

You need to first check what type of plane. Small regional jets have a very small overhead space. Just barely big enough for a lap top case. The underseat area is also very small on the regionals.

Some airlines offer an advance boarding for a fee. Southwest is one that does it , for $12 or maybe $15.oo each way you can advance board , but you must pay this ahead of the flight. If you are flying this airline pay this fee now , if you purchased your ticket to secure the advance boarding. Do note that it will not fit in most overheads in the upright position, and you will most likely have to lay it on its side.

Now those are the best ideas!

I have a Pfaff Passport which is lightweight (13lbs) and small which I would consider as my carry on. I would plan to do piecing projects and do the quilting when I got home.

did your little Sister feel left behind? LOL

Actually, Bonnie's experience was with a carryon that they made her gate-check at the last minute because the plane was full. Just another risk if you plan to carry it on - on smaller planes, or really full ones, if they think the bins are going to be too full they will force you to gate check your carryon.

I took my Kenmore as a carryon to Texas (from Canada) one year. It worked, but I don't know that I'd do it again. And on a couple of flights I did have to gate check it.

Would never check a machine as they throw bag around. Would wait until arrival at your sisters and purchase a small machine and then ship it home when you leave.

I'm with the folks suggesting you buy a used machine there, or have one shipped separately. I've read too many horror stories (including Bonnie Hunter's) about bringing a machine on a plane to feel good about it. If you do bring one...make sure it's not one you're terribly attached to.

Isn't it a shame that we can't trust our luggage anymore? I like the suggestion of buying a used machine to keep at your sister's house or buying a small one and shipping it there and back home. Better yet, get your sister interested in making quilts and she will buy one that you can use when you are there. Have fun and I hope everything works out for you.

I'm with scrapinmema, I would purchase a cheapy at a box store when I was there. Since you will be gone the entire summer, you will more than get enough use out of it.

Possibly you could purchase one and leave at your sister's for the time's you house sit. Just store it in the back of a closet. You could buy a quilting/sewing kit to use and leave at her house. Something that would take up little space.

I took a small janome to my DIL last Feb. I carried it on the plane knowing that it would fit under the seat if the overhead bins were full. You always have the space under the seat in front of you but otherwise I would caution because of Bonnie's experience.

I gave my Singer 301to my DSD and she carried it onto the plane when she flew home to Kansas. She packed it into a rolling bag and padded it well with clothes. She had no trouble from the airline.

I've carried on a featherweight, and a 1970's kenmore on the plane, well padded... I was fortunate that I did not have to gate check either of them... The kenmore was just September 2013, so I doubt you'll have problems... But I would not bring your expensive machine...

I agree with everyone else here, if it is an expensive machine I would not take it on the plane but get or use a smaller less expensive one in case something bad happened to it.

Sorry - I guess I wasn't clear about Bonnie's intentions. The bottom line is the machine somehow ended up in the belly of the plane and was destroyed.

If you have a small enough machine, you can put it in the overhead or under the seat in front of you.

you're a nut ;-)

I haven't travel much so I don't know what the current rules are. I would call your airline to get the exact size of underneath your seat. I never had a problem with my old Singer but that was back in the 70s and the 80s when there was a lot more room.

I think this is the best option so far.

I take mine all the time on Southwest. I have a rolling bag that fits under the seat.

Maybe your sister needs a sewing machine for Christmas.

I have taken my featherweight many times with no issue. I have laid it on it's side and at the time it fit under the seat. I am thinking it still would but would double check.

I've taken my 12 pound Janome Jem to Hawaii twice. I saved all the original packaging, repacked the machine and put it, along with a bunch of fabric, into a piece of luggage that I checked. I figured if it came from Asia originally in that packaging, it would survive a trip to Hawaii. I've had no trouble. I couldn't take it as a carry-on because I had a computer to take along too.

I flew with my little Elna Lotus down to Florida last October as DH was going to a class and I was stuck in the hotel room with no car all week. It's small enough to fit under the seat so I just packed it into a carryon bag, well padded. I had to take it out when going through security, but no issues. I also took a quilt that was already cut out, a cutting mat (18" x 24" fits flat in carryon) and the other necessary items. We shared one checked bag so my sharp stuff (rotary cutter, scissors, ect.) went in there. I got a lot done on it as well as had pool time when the sun was out.

I wouldn't take a big machine just because it is too much trouble to lift and haul around. A small machine like a Janome Gem or (my favorite) Featherweight would be fine as a carry on. I agree that you should buy the early boarding option so you guarantee you have enough space. I carry my Featherweight in a small soft tool box from the hardware store that would certainly fit in an overhead bin on it's side, and probably would fit under the seat too. If I was traveling any distance, I would pad it with clothes/fabric just so it didn't rattle around if laid on its side.

I travel a lot by airplane, and the one piece of advice I would have is to make sure you can take care of your bag yourself. A heavy FW original carrying case (for example) has a small handle that would be a bear to carry through a big airport. Use something with wheels or a shoulder strap if at all possible.

Pam

could also check if there are sewing machine company in the area that would rent you a nice machine.

Yes, me too. I took a Bernina 185 in a rolly carry-on bag that had to go in the overhead on a regional plane. It just fit into the bag. And it was heavy to lift it up and take it down. I paid extra for the "early boarding" so I was sure to get space up above.

It was kind of funny going through security. First, I have metal in my body, so had to deal with that. Then they had my carry-on and said we have to check your breathing machine. They were surprised to see a sewing machine.

I'm traveling next week and was wondering the same thing! I have a Pfaff Ambition. I usually tote it around to classes in a Tutto Rolling Tote, but it's too big for carry on. Friend of mine is leanding me her smaller rolling bag that meets the airlines carry-on sizes. Called the airlines (SouthWest) and since I purchased the early boarding, they're pretty sure I'll be able to carry-on and not have to do a last-minute gate-check (but suggested I wrap in in bubble wrap just in case).

Thank you for all of your input. I suggested to my DH that I just buy a Costco machine when I get there, but he quickly said, "That's all you need is another machine!" (I have six Berninas including my serger) So now I am thinking about shipping one before hand, and then having her bring it back to me when she comes this way at Thanksgiving. The problem is the least expensive machine, and the one I use the least is my 930. It is the heaviest and the one I have the greatest attachment to. Its a good thing I have time to figure this out, and a great resource in the board. The reason the house sitting appealed to me was I would have a week of uninterrupted sewing, with an a daily dog walking or two. So having a dependable machine there is important.

I don't think I would take my Viking Ruby on a plane! It is so heavy! I cannot begin to imagine trying to lift it into an overhead bin. Nor would I be comfortable putting it on its side (and I doubt it would fit under a seat). I think your best bet would be to purchase an inexpensive machine when you get there and leave it at your sister's house when you come home.

If you do decide to ship your machine, make sure you take insurance...just in case something happens. UPS, FedEx and USPS all have tracking, so you'll be able to see where your machine is.

I travel back and forth to Florida every three months to help care for my dad who suffers from Alzheimer's. I always bring my Singer Featherweight in its original case. I do not depend on the handle, but put a travel strap around it and carry it by holding onto that strap. Many security folks along the way have asked that I open her up so they can have a peek inside when I tell them it's a 1948 Featherweight! They sometimes respond that it's the same kind of sewing machine 'mom or grandma' used to have. I've never had a problem with taking her onboard with me - she fits perfectly, standing upright, in the overhead rack.

I take a regular singer or brother machine with me when I travel home to Barbados . I have taken at least 4 for friends and family . I take it as a carry on . No problems at all . In fact I am buying a brother sewing- embroidery machine to take home with me very soon. Haven't had any problems at all traveling with my machines as long as it can fit in the overhead .

If you are going to buy a small machine to take, what about buying it when you get there, if there are places to do that. Then check into sending it home via FedEx or something. Maybe buy it where you live and FedEx it to her place even. I agree that sometimes you can't get room in the overheads. Last two times I flew, they took my carryon and put it in the bottom of the plane.