Musicians & Delta Airlines

**Taggart** · #1 7th Jun 2007, 07:22

I notice in the American Federation of Musicians' trade paper that they continue to have problems with Delta airlines because of the company insisting that instruments be checked as baggage, in spite of regulations in the industry that allow otherwise.

The problem is instruments go missing or become damaged, and these can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Delta's response to the AFM was to the effect of "We like to hear complaints from musicians, because that means our guidelines are being followed."

That's why Delta is being boycotted.

~~Wolfeymole~~ · #2 7th Jun 2007, 07:26

Looks like Delta are blowing their own Trumpet, but what if someone hid 3 or 4 kg's of semtex in a cello case?

**tater03** · #3 7th Jun 2007, 11:01

I was not aware of this boycot or the issue of the instruments being checked as baggage. I see your point but anymore there are alot of things that have to be checked as baggage that other people don't want to check and risk damage or them getting lost. So where would you draw the line if you allowed this for muscians?

**Taggart** · #4 10th Jun 2007, 11:26

I'm not sure how the other airlines handle it, but Delta stands out from the crowd.

I think in some cases, I've heard that musicians are asked to play the instruments briefly to attempt to verify that they are pro musicians, and the instruments aren't "packing" anything that would prevent them from functioning.

As for semtex in a cello case, wouldn't that show up in an X-ray? And I think it would be better if it detonated in a baggage compartment rather than a cabin, but I'm not sure by how much.

**tater03** · #5 10th Jun 2007, 16:38

I had never heard of them making them play the instrument. Now that is a new concept. Heck I hadn't realized that there was even a boycott.

**Taggart** · #6 10th Jul 2007, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by tater03

I had never heard of them making them play the instrument. Now that is a new concept. Heck I hadn't realized that there was even a boycott.

I remember reading a story about a musician who was asked about a synthesizer rackmount module that didn't have a keyboard. It looked like an electronic device, and there was a language barrier between the musician and the security person. Someone in line spoke both languages and was able to help.

I think they had to plug it in and see the display function, too.