Cellist and Cello forced off plane at DCA
Apr 9, 2017, 10:45 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Being able to follow instructions is highly relevant to the safety and operation of AA jets. No, they don't have to know how to follow the instructions in an RV refrigerator repair manual, but they better know how to follow the instructions in the AA manuals. Only knowing the emergency evacuation instructions and doing the rest by the seat of your pants is the ultimate in lAAziness.
Apr 10, 2017, 8:10 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
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https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/specialty-and-sports.jsp#musicalinstruments
Apr 10, 2017, 2:51 pm
#36
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Apr 10, 2017, 3:01 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower 48 States
Posts: 58
Nope, different instrument. Though I occasionally have to buy a seat for my instrument - there are a lot of challenges that come with flying with an instrument and AA has a lot of arbitrary rules that are only occasionally enforced.
IMO, AA owes this person a lot more than just a refund for the seat he bought for his cello. At least a voucher.
AA screwed up bad on this one.
IMO, AA owes this person a lot more than just a refund for the seat he bought for his cello. At least a voucher.
AA screwed up bad on this one.
Here's a scale comparison of the instruments of the violin family. The cello is the only one that you'd see strapped into a seat on a plane. And it only takes about 20 seconds to secure it, once the FA gives you the seatbelt extender:
Apr 10, 2017, 5:49 pm
#39
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Not exactly. Under the AA policy, a string bass (or "double bass" or, in the AA vernacular, a "bass fiddle") is permitted to buy a bulkhead seat in First Class but not Main Cabin. A cello may be seated in any bulkhead row in F or MC.
Apr 10, 2017, 7:44 pm
#41
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In all fairness, it is difficult to move a person easily on a plane when they don't want to voluntarily go.. It's one thing to refuse a crew member, but what do you gain by refusing to move when the cops show up. A cello would never do this.
Apr 11, 2017, 8:42 am
#43
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower 48 States
Posts: 58
Apr 14, 2017, 11:49 am
#44
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Is there an AA policy source for that? I'm looking on their website and I can't find it. If it's true, I've never known a bassist to use this strategy. I suspect it'd be too risky that a bulkhead F seat may not be available on a trip leg. If true, I'll revise my post to say that "in my experience, a cello is the only one [of the violin family instruments] you'd see strapped into a seat on a plane".
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Small musical instruments may be carried onboard the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. We recommend all musical instruments travel in a hard-sided case in the event the item needs to be checked. Case dimensions may not exceed 45 dimensional inches (width + length + height), except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin. The instrument is considered the passenger's one allowed carry-on bag. A personal item is allowed in addition to the instrument. See Carry-On Allowance for more information.
If an instrument is too large to fit in the carry-on baggage space, an additional seat may be purchased. In this case, an instrument must travel in a window, bulkhead seat, with the customer in the adjoining seat. Due to their size Bass Fiddles are not accepted in the Main Cabin and are only accepted on certain aircraft types, please contact an American Airlines representative.
Small musical instruments may be carried onboard the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements and fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. We recommend all musical instruments travel in a hard-sided case in the event the item needs to be checked. Case dimensions may not exceed 45 dimensional inches (width + length + height), except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be safely stowed in an overhead bin or approved stowage location in the cabin. The instrument is considered the passenger's one allowed carry-on bag. A personal item is allowed in addition to the instrument. See Carry-On Allowance for more information.
If an instrument is too large to fit in the carry-on baggage space, an additional seat may be purchased. In this case, an instrument must travel in a window, bulkhead seat, with the customer in the adjoining seat. Due to their size Bass Fiddles are not accepted in the Main Cabin and are only accepted on certain aircraft types, please contact an American Airlines representative.
Some previous iterations of this policy on aa.com made clear that bass fiddles were permitted in First Class seats, which is obvious even from the language quoted above.