[HANASHIR:2803] Re: guitars

[Judy Caplan Ginsburgh <jerd...>]

I have read all the posts on guitars and feel compelled to share my stories.  I
find it increasingly difficult to carry my guitar on board.  I absolutely refuse
to let it go with the baggage.  You may think they handle it carefully, but I
have watched guitars be thrown from the top of the baggage steps down into the
carrier, etc.

It always seems to be a matter of who is at the check-in and what kind of a mood
they are in.  I have had employees who were extremely helpful and sympathetic to
my feelings about my guitar and I have had others who were as nasty as I have
ever seen anyone get.

I always pray that someone will be understanding about this extension of my
being (my guitar) and be helpful.  I have numerous horror stories I could tell
of trying to get my guitar on.  I usually find that the "don't ask for help and
try to walk on board with it" method works best for me.  I do not think is it
fair to make us sign a waiver especially when you do not have to do that for
luggage we check through.  I also think it is absurd to be told you have to buy
a seat for your instrument.

Fortunately, I have never experienced any major damage to my guitar and I do
have it in an very good,  heavy case.  But I have experienced several times
major damage to my checked baggage.  In all cases, when my checked baggage was
lost or destroyed I was generously compensated.  We should be able to get the
same kind of compensation for an instrument that is much more valuable
(monetarily and sentimentally) than clothing and toiletries.

I wonder what we as a community of musicians could do to try to ask the airlines
for other options like the ability to purchase insurance, or the right to have
our guitar treated like any other piece of luggage?  Any ideas?

Judy : )


Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Award-winning Singer/Music Specialist
       http://www.jewishentertainment.net/judy
Director:  Jewish Entertainment Resources
       http://www.jewishentertainment.net
Cantorial Soloist, Touro Synagogue, New Orleans, LA
1999 Louisiana Professional Artist of the Year!!
Past Conference Chair:  23rd Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education


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