[HANASHIR:13363] Re: Guitar Friendly Airlines

[mmirkin <mmirkin...>]

Hello All;
This article appeared in the November 2002 issue of International Musician's 
Union paper (AF of M).  While it doesn't tell you specific airlines, it does 
offer some good and useful information.  I hope it helps.

B'shalom,
Marcy Mirkin

Every musician who boards an aircraft with an instrument is well aware that 
life in the post-9/11 travel industry is vastly different from a little over a 
year ago. Stringent security requirements have left many instrumentalists with 
the choice of leaving their valuable tools in the hands of indifferent baggage 
handlers, paying full-ticket price to bring the instrument on board, or 
changing their travel plans entirely. 

Complicating the situation is the fact that there is no standardized policy 
among the nation's airline companies regarding musical instruments as carry-on 
baggage. Each airline is free to make and implement their own regulations, and 
it's left up to the musician to deal with finding a workable solutionoften 
while standing in line at the check-in counter. 

The Federation has been working hard to remedy the situation, according to Hal 
Ponder, AFM director of government relations. "We are currently working with 
the House Committee on Transportation to intervene with the airlines, in order 
to get a standard airline policy that will accommodate musicians traveling with 
their instruments," says Ponder. "We're making good progress, and though no 
timeframe has been set, we certainly hope to have a breakthrough soon." 

In the meantime, Ponder points out that airlines continue to set their own 
rules. If you intend to travel with your instrument, the best thing you can do 
is be prepared: read the fine print and know your rights before heading to the 
airport. There are several resources that make a good starting point. 

Check the Advisor section of the www.onetravel.com. Web site, in the bar at the 
left side of the Web page. Terry Tripler, an authority on airline carriage 
rules, maintains "Rules of the Air," an online guide to baggage regulations, 
check-in time limits, and other rules observed by more than a dozen US 
airlines. Drop-down menus provide links to individual airlines and their 
printed regulations. The site also includes info on how each carrier handles 
overbooking and denied boarding. 

The Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) operates a complaint handling 
system for consumers who experience air travel service problems. The ACPD Web 
site, www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov, spells out what is required of airlines in 
cases of baggage problems, overbooking, delayed and cancelled flights, and 
other consumer issues. Consumers with concerns about airline safety or security 
should call the Federal Aviation Administration toll-free at (800) 322-7873. 
Consumers can call (202-366-2220), e-mail airconsumer@ ost.dot.gov, or write 
the ACPD (Aviation Consumer Protection Division; US Department of 
Transportation; Room 4107, C-75 Washington, DC 20590) to register concerns 
about airline service. Letters and e-mails will be reviewed and acknowledged 
and, when appropriate, will be forwarded to an airline official for further 
consideration. 

Whether you call, write, or e-mail, please be concise and be sure to include 
the following information: your name, address and daytime phone number 
including area code, the name of the airline or company about which you are 
complaining, the flight date, flight number, and origin and destination cities 
of your trip. 


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