Re: large instrument transportation

[Alex J. Lubet <lubet001...>]

Responding to the message of <106(dot)24b9bf5(dot)287a5fee (at) aol(dot)com>
from jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org:
> 
> I don=92t exactly know the current protocol for large instruments but I assu=
> me=20
> that, since I=92m no longer a just a flutist, I=92ll need to know all the in=
> fo as=20
> well sometime in the near future. But, I can tell you that I literally=20
> watched a cello - in a hard case - get separately loaded onto the plane. 
> It=20
> was horrifyingly comical, if such an oxymoron can be used. The cello was=20
> being driven on top of a truck, on top of other items, not seemingly all=20
> luggage but ski equipment, etc., but literally swiveling in its position 
> on=20
> the truck. The truck was going VERY fast and making quick turns, almost like=
> =20
> an amusement ride, nearly knocking the cello off the cart or truck. I=20
> remember many of us screaming from the inside of the glassed in area. Bottom=
> =20
> line is, as you=92ve probably seen on behind-the-scenes =9320/20=94 or 60 mi=
> nutes=20
> or something, things are rarely handled with any kind of care and you can=20
> pretty much expect the worst. I believe the common way of securing your=20
> instrument is to carry it on either by purchasing a seat or having them take=
> =20
> it into the =93closet=94 in the cabin. At least you can see it. If the cello=
>  has=20
> very little monetary value then maybe damage caused by mishandling could mor=
> e=20
> than pay for a better cello? Do remember that it will have to be loaded on=20
> top of the scanning table and that, unless you speak up, they=92ll start=20
> unzipping the case or whatever and not have much concern for its well-being;=
> =20
> they=92re concerned with hidden items or whatever, so careful handling is=20
> rarely their issue...
> =93happy=94 flying...
> adrianne
> 
To add on to this thread, my friend always buys a seat for her $70K cello.  My 
guitars are worth plenty, but not that much.  As a member of ASCAP, I can insure
my instruments very cheaply and for enough to replace them, not just what I paid
for them.  I think AFM offers a similar deal if you're not a composer.

 

Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Adjunct Professor of American and Jewish Studies
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 624-8001 (fax)

---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+