Re: issues for the wandering Jew(ish lecturer)

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

For my upcoming gigs, I went both ways; booked my own ticket once, because the
other option was not offered, and had my inviter book my ticket.  In the latter
case, it was just better for my cash flow and more trustworthy vis-a-vis my
host (not the individual, but the institution, with whom I've had
misunderstandings).  He booked an absurdly circuitous route to save money,
though.  I'll be wasted by the time I get there.  If he'd booked a Saturday
stay, it would've saved a lot of money even with extra hotel days, I'd be
fresher for my trip, and I'd get to spend some time in a favorite city, but
rules are rules.  This is not the first time I've been flown in and out, rather
than giving me some pleasant travel AND saving my host money.

I've heard that tapes are no longer safe from the new x-rays, but can't
confirm.

I never pack anything fragile in a duffle-like bag that I stow in baggage.
This year, I bought two very heavy-duty cases for (two of) my guitars, which I
can't carry on without buying tickets and which I'd never risk in standard
cases.  They're also very heavily insured.  ASCAP, for one, offers very cheap
insurance.

Hope that helps.



Robert Cohen wrote:

> Dear friends:
>
> I'm expecting a forthcoming out-of-town invitation that will require plane
> travel--and that poses one issue that hasn't come up before (i.e., in
> previous such excursions); one that's on my mind on account of post-9/11
> issues; and one that I've just put off forever.
>
> Question #1:  The likely inviter has offered to book the plane tix for me,
> or to reimburse me if I want to book them myself (I suppose on account of
> frequent flyer miles and such, though I don't fly that often--my arms get
> too tired [sorry]).  Anyone have any thoughts or experiences in favor of
> either option?  (This would be in mid-winter, so I'm actually a tad uneasy
> about committing to air travel, though I it sounds like an otherwise lovely
> gig and I'm otherwise looking forward.)
>
> #2:  I'm not, in fact, wary about plane travel since 9/11--still safer than
> your average car ride; but I *dread* the stuff being (ineffectually and
> fatuously, I think) being done in the name of "security."  In particular,
> does anyone know if my tapes and CDs--especially the homemade tapes that
> I've compiled by dubbing from LPs--are at risk from scanning, etc.?  (I'm
> planning on taking them on board--wouldn't let them leave me for a second.)
>
> #3:  Finally:  Does anyone know where I can efficiently (i.e., one phone
> call) get *padding* to protect my boombox inside a duffel-like case?  I may
> or may not have to take this with me, actually, but I've meant to ask this
> for a long time; as it is, I just stuff the case with towels, which is
> surely not very effective.
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all eitses.
>
> --Robert Cohen
>
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--
Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Adjunct Professor of American and Jewish Studies
Head, Division Of Composition and Music Theory
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 624-8001 (fax)


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