United Breaks Guitars - YouTube Video
Jul 7, 2009, 9:33 am
#1
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United Breaks Guitars - YouTube Video
Howdy,
I have no idea of the legitimacy of this gents claims, but apparently last year he was flying ORD-somewhere in Nebraska, and he checked his guitar. During the boarding process, the woman behind him commented that they were "throwing guitars around on the ground" - and he and the rest of the band agree that there were baggage handlers tossing the guitars around on the tarmac.
On arrival, he discovered that his $3500 Taylor guitar's neck was broken, and United has refused to replace or repair it. After a year of wrangling with them, he simply went and wrote a song about it, which is extremely well-done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
I originally saw this at the Consumerist:
http://consumerist.com/5309127/unite...yline=true&s=x
Just an interesting Tuesday morning discovery.
Thanks,
Matt
I have no idea of the legitimacy of this gents claims, but apparently last year he was flying ORD-somewhere in Nebraska, and he checked his guitar. During the boarding process, the woman behind him commented that they were "throwing guitars around on the ground" - and he and the rest of the band agree that there were baggage handlers tossing the guitars around on the tarmac.
On arrival, he discovered that his $3500 Taylor guitar's neck was broken, and United has refused to replace or repair it. After a year of wrangling with them, he simply went and wrote a song about it, which is extremely well-done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
I originally saw this at the Consumerist:
http://consumerist.com/5309127/unite...yline=true&s=x
Just an interesting Tuesday morning discovery.
Thanks,
Matt
Jul 7, 2009, 9:38 am
#2
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I think United did him a favor. If you're going to throw down that kind of money on a guitar, it should be a Martin 
Jul 7, 2009, 10:27 am
#3
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You have to feel sorry for thwe guy, but would any other carrier treat them differently? I have personally seen CO and DL only offer passengers a nominal amount of money ($100?) when the passenger claimed that a computer broke and they wanted more (a lot more). I have aldo seen WN do it on the show Airline.
Jul 7, 2009, 10:34 am
#4
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I have to admit, it's a catchy tune!
(I'm a Martin guy myself!)
(I'm a Martin guy myself!)
Jul 7, 2009, 10:45 am
#5
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What was he thinking checking his guitar in the first place?!?!!?
I wouldn't check something worth $350, let alone $3500.
I wouldn't check something worth $350, let alone $3500.
Jul 7, 2009, 11:11 am
#6
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But I wonder if there's third-party insurance you can get for things like that (not trying to drag this thread off-topic with something of actual utility for FFers, of course).
Jul 7, 2009, 11:16 am
#7
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Maybe it could be another "Travel Option". Something similar to what UPS has. Everything is insured up to $100 free of charge, and passenger can choose to add more insurance if they so please.
Jul 7, 2009, 11:22 am
#8
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The song is painfully long. He should contact his own insurance company - homeowners/renters should cover some of it.
Jul 7, 2009, 11:25 am
#9
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Jul 7, 2009, 12:14 pm
#10
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Jul 7, 2009, 12:19 pm
#11
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Jul 7, 2009, 12:27 pm
#12
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I have carried on an acoustic guitar a couple of times. Can't remember which carrier. I just asked the gate agent before boarding call if I could board early to make sure I could find a empty overhead bin to stash it.
Jul 7, 2009, 12:47 pm
#13
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Anything larger than the official carry on dimensions that you do not want to check due to value and relative frailness, should have it's own seat bought for it.
To board 1st and take up an entire overhead bin is lame. Why should others check their legal pieces so you can take your oversized pieces on because you took up more than your alloted share of bin space?
Every professional cello player I have ever seen has brought their cello on (bigger than a guitar) and had their own seat paid for to contain the cello (in a very hard sided case that can some damage and still protect the cello.)
To board 1st and take up an entire overhead bin is lame. Why should others check their legal pieces so you can take your oversized pieces on because you took up more than your alloted share of bin space?
Every professional cello player I have ever seen has brought their cello on (bigger than a guitar) and had their own seat paid for to contain the cello (in a very hard sided case that can some damage and still protect the cello.)
Jul 7, 2009, 1:27 pm
#14
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If you're going to complain about a Chicago-based airline, you shouldn't steal Steve Goodman's music. I have NO sympathy for this loser.
Jul 7, 2009, 1:34 pm
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