TubaForum.net

Hi-
Just went to ship a horn via train at the buyer's request and they-train- no longer accept packages for shipping due to COVID. So Greyhound it is.
Thank goodness for the dog...
Mark

Which train??

The Government owned passenger train monopoly??

Or the publically owned freight train monopoly??

Not that it makes a difference...

Amtrak Package Express...

Yep. Went through this recently, too. AMTRAK isn’t shipping packages. Length of shipping time with Greyhound scared the tar out of me, though. It’s not quick, unless it’s a direct trip.

Human passengers safe.

Inanimate freight unsafe.

Just following the science...

Wade and I have both said (elsewhere) that the safest way to ship a tuba is to have it brought to you by the seller, or to go and get it.
If it’s a cheap tuba, one that was already damaged and repaired, or still damaged, then whatever.
When I’ve bought expensive and never-damaged tubas, I’ve usually gone and got them.
Otherwise, I try to have them sent to me via Greyhound. Even though their insurance is very limited, and they’re tracking is virtually nonexistent, they have never (ultimately) lost or damaged anything shipped to me...though - more than once, they have temporarily lost track of things they were shipping to me.
The beat-up Holton tuba - which is currently being restored - was actually mailed to me. I have no idea how that guy manages to mail tubas - and for cheap, but he seems to do it all the time.