Veuling, the Spanish budget airline, forced two violinists in a string quartet to carry their instruments unprotected on board, or face a steep financial penalty. They were quite rude about it.
This now appears to be the airline’s policy. Violinist David Peralta booked an Iberia flight from Amsterdam to Barcelona and found his ticket assigned to Vueling. Iberia, apparently, is a part-owner of this shaky company.
Norman Lebrecht has more to say here on Slipped Disc
I came across this on Digital Music News and thought I would share it – hope it will work for you!
“The following very awesome tip comes from Ari Herstand, a performing musician, actor, and part-time blogger who also advises bands and artists (check out his services here).”
(1) Please show the counter agent, guard, or other said official the 145 page FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 section 41724. It was signed into law by Obama last year.
Print it out. Continue reading
Just adding my voice again – signed! Sign the petition at Change.org
Petition by 
Rene Izquierdo Milwaukee, WI, Taiwan
Also see here (Congress bill on airline handling), and here (airline stories)!
Case recommendations
Accord – lightweight but expensive
Karura – still light, but a better price than the Accord
Calton – have always been strong, but heavy – new developments mean a lighter case
Hiscox – a lower cost alternative – make sure to get the flight case
Pegasus – the slim version might get your guitar on the plane, but padding is minimal
A canvas or cloth cover can make the case appear to be a soft one, which might increase your chances of getting it on board (paradoxically).
Seems that many people responded (positively) to the post on JAL’s treatment of guitars on internal flights, so as a way of jumping on the luggage carousel, I thought that I would add some positive recommendations.
For me, the most stressful part of taking a guitar on a flight is the uncertainty that it will be allowed as cabin baggage or not, or that it will be well taken care of in transit in the hold, so here is a list of positive experiences I have had with ground staff and flight crew.
Congress Passes Bill Standardizing Airline Rules for Musical Instrument Storage | News | BMI.com.
At last, some progress – we can only hope that this becomes worldwide.
Continue reading
