Violinist refuses to check $80k instrument, gets delayed, misses engagements
Nov 16, 2018, 7:42 am
#76
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This thread has jumped so many sharks...multiple species of sharks and probably an orca or two at this point.
We Flyertalkers are very unforgiving of anyone who does not know airline processes like we do. This is definitely true on this forum, but also true on most of the other airline forums. Our collective response is that we know how to avoid situations like this, so the person from the OP should have known too and screw him and whatever happens to him as a direct result of not knowing.
It's possible (although we don't really know) that the musician rolled up with a super-entitled, snotty attitude and that immediately soured the response of the airline employees and passengers around him. It's equally possible that other people around him who could have done something simple like move a bag, or check one that had nothing valuable in it, were thinking "I'm A-list, he's not, so f him." We just don't know, but I do know that *we* can be a pretty damned entitled bunch, as evidenced by the thousands of whiny threads all over Flyertalk about how much compensation we deserve when some tiny aspect of one of our hotel/airline/car statuses doesn't work exactly as promised.
We Flyertalkers are very unforgiving of anyone who does not know airline processes like we do. This is definitely true on this forum, but also true on most of the other airline forums. Our collective response is that we know how to avoid situations like this, so the person from the OP should have known too and screw him and whatever happens to him as a direct result of not knowing.
It's possible (although we don't really know) that the musician rolled up with a super-entitled, snotty attitude and that immediately soured the response of the airline employees and passengers around him. It's equally possible that other people around him who could have done something simple like move a bag, or check one that had nothing valuable in it, were thinking "I'm A-list, he's not, so f him." We just don't know, but I do know that *we* can be a pretty damned entitled bunch, as evidenced by the thousands of whiny threads all over Flyertalk about how much compensation we deserve when some tiny aspect of one of our hotel/airline/car statuses doesn't work exactly as promised.
Nov 16, 2018, 7:54 am
#77
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 90
This thread has jumped so many sharks...multiple species of sharks and probably an orca or two at this point.
We Flyertalkers are very unforgiving of anyone who does not know airline processes like we do. This is definitely true on this forum, but also true on most of the other airline forums. Our collective response is that we know how to avoid situations like this, so the person from the OP should have known too and screw him and whatever happens to him as a direct result of not knowing.
It's possible (although we don't really know) that the musician rolled up with a super-entitled, snotty attitude and that immediately soured the response of the airline employees and passengers around him. It's equally possible that other people around him who could have done something simple like move a bag, or check one that had nothing valuable in it, were thinking "I'm A-list, he's not, so f him." We just don't know, but I do know that *we* can be a pretty damned entitled bunch, as evidenced by the thousands of whiny threads all over Flyertalk about how much compensation we deserve when some tiny aspect of one of our hotel/airline/car statuses doesn't work exactly as promised.
We Flyertalkers are very unforgiving of anyone who does not know airline processes like we do. This is definitely true on this forum, but also true on most of the other airline forums. Our collective response is that we know how to avoid situations like this, so the person from the OP should have known too and screw him and whatever happens to him as a direct result of not knowing.
It's possible (although we don't really know) that the musician rolled up with a super-entitled, snotty attitude and that immediately soured the response of the airline employees and passengers around him. It's equally possible that other people around him who could have done something simple like move a bag, or check one that had nothing valuable in it, were thinking "I'm A-list, he's not, so f him." We just don't know, but I do know that *we* can be a pretty damned entitled bunch, as evidenced by the thousands of whiny threads all over Flyertalk about how much compensation we deserve when some tiny aspect of one of our hotel/airline/car statuses doesn't work exactly as promised.
Nov 16, 2018, 7:54 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Two years ago I schlepped a $15K engagement ring back & forth across the country while hiding it from the women I was traveling with.
Best believe I did not leave it up to chance how TSA, Southwest & Marriott would secure it during the travels every single step of the way.
Last edited by joshua362; Nov 16, 2018 at 8:10 am
Nov 16, 2018, 8:27 am
#79
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
Posts: 5,509
The thread title, "Violinist refuses to check $80K instrument...." wittingly assigns blame.
The feds advise that violins NOT be checked.
He did nothing wrong asking that the bins be re-arranged a bit. Workarounds and courtesies are extended every day.
If he "expected" it, he was a damn fool.
The feds advise that violins NOT be checked.
"This rule requires that carriers must allow a passenger to carry into the cabin and stow a small musical instrument, such as violin or guitar, in a suitable baggage compartment, such as the overhead bin or under the seats in accordance with FAA - approved carry-on baggage program."
If he "expected" it, he was a damn fool.
Nov 16, 2018, 8:55 am
#80
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I am not A-List... wish I was!!!! Also keep in mind... didn't the story say he flew southwest regularly?! If that is the case, then he should know how its done by now.... Also... when your dealing with anything of high value... shouldn't you spend time researching things? Ignorance is never really a good reason/excuse....
"Many times" in the non-Flyertalk world could simply means "a few flights a year over the course of several years." It's possible that he did the research and determined that WN is the best way to travel, which would make sense if he does not travel quite enough to hit elite status on any one airline. (WN is usually the least-bad for non-elite travel.)
Nov 16, 2018, 9:05 am
#81
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[personal insult deleted by moderation team]
It's not about expecting him to know airline processes and rules inside and out. It's about protectively developing a plan A *and* a plan B for an $80k instrument at some point well in advance of getting on the plane.
Agreed. It should have been written more neutrally.
I found this, is there another reference?
https://www.transportation.gov/brief...travel-musical
"Carriers must allow passengers to stow their small musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft such stowage space is available. Under the rule, musical instruments as carry-on items are treated no differently from other carry-on items and the stowage space should be made available for all carry-on items on a “first come, first served” basis. Carriers are not required to give musical instruments priority over other carry-on baggage, therefore passengers traveling with musical instruments may want to buy the pre-boarding option offered by many carriers to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin."
I agree with this too! And I am disappointed if the FAs and other pax wouldn't help. But this should be at best plan C.
We Flyertalkers are very unforgiving of anyone who does not know airline processes like we do. This is definitely true on this forum, but also true on most of the other airline forums. Our collective response is that we know how to avoid situations like this, so the person from the OP should have known too and screw him and whatever happens to him as a direct result of not knowing.
I found this, is there another reference?
https://www.transportation.gov/brief...travel-musical
"Carriers must allow passengers to stow their small musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft such stowage space is available. Under the rule, musical instruments as carry-on items are treated no differently from other carry-on items and the stowage space should be made available for all carry-on items on a “first come, first served” basis. Carriers are not required to give musical instruments priority over other carry-on baggage, therefore passengers traveling with musical instruments may want to buy the pre-boarding option offered by many carriers to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin."
I agree with this too! And I am disappointed if the FAs and other pax wouldn't help. But this should be at best plan C.
Last edited by ftnoob; Nov 18, 2018 at 11:25 am
Nov 16, 2018, 9:23 am
#82
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 90
He says he's flown Southwest "many times" and references the FAA, suggesting he may actually aware of the rule that says the carrier must accommodate the instrument onboard.
"Many times" in the non-Flyertalk world could simply means "a few flights a year over the course of several years." It's possible that he did the research and determined that WN is the best way to travel, which would make sense if he does not travel quite enough to hit elite status on any one airline. (WN is usually the least-bad for non-elite travel.)
"Many times" in the non-Flyertalk world could simply means "a few flights a year over the course of several years." It's possible that he did the research and determined that WN is the best way to travel, which would make sense if he does not travel quite enough to hit elite status on any one airline. (WN is usually the least-bad for non-elite travel.)
Nov 16, 2018, 9:32 am
#83
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 90
Won't respond to prima donnas anymore but others seem reasonable-minded...
It's not about expecting him to know airline processes and rules inside and out. It's about protectively developing a plan A *and* a plan B for an $80k instrument at some point well in advance of getting on the plane.
Agreed. It should have been written more neutrally.
I found this, is there another reference?
https://www.transportation.gov/brief...travel-musical
"Carriers must allow passengers to stow their small musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft such stowage space is available. Under the rule, musical instruments as carry-on items are treated no differently from other carry-on items and the stowage space should be made available for all carry-on items on a “first come, first served” basis. Carriers are not required to give musical instruments priority over other carry-on baggage, therefore passengers traveling with musical instruments may want to buy the pre-boarding option offered by many carriers to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin."
I agree with this too! And I am disappointed if the FAs and other pax wouldn't help. But this should be at best plan C.
It's not about expecting him to know airline processes and rules inside and out. It's about protectively developing a plan A *and* a plan B for an $80k instrument at some point well in advance of getting on the plane.
Agreed. It should have been written more neutrally.
I found this, is there another reference?
https://www.transportation.gov/brief...travel-musical
"Carriers must allow passengers to stow their small musical instruments in an approved stowage area in the cabin if at the time the passenger boards the aircraft such stowage space is available. Under the rule, musical instruments as carry-on items are treated no differently from other carry-on items and the stowage space should be made available for all carry-on items on a “first come, first served” basis. Carriers are not required to give musical instruments priority over other carry-on baggage, therefore passengers traveling with musical instruments may want to buy the pre-boarding option offered by many carriers to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin."
I agree with this too! And I am disappointed if the FAs and other pax wouldn't help. But this should be at best plan C.
Nov 16, 2018, 10:10 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Blue Ridge, GA
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The DOT enforcement FAQ covers airlines' ignoring the impetus of the rule:
Alleging bad faith - an unwillingness to accommodate - is hard to prove.
"Where there is evidence of timely, good-faith efforts, we have no plans to take enforcement action."
Nov 16, 2018, 11:00 am
#86
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I want to first say that in some ways... I actually kinda agree with you... but... we may not have all of the info... let me throw this example out there... If he was late boarding... like all other passengers had boarded, taken there seats, luggage bins closed. Basically, the flight was ready to go but they waited for him to show up to the gate and board... would you feel the same way about the FA's and other PAX not helping? I wouldn't.
If it can be done without jeopardizing a timely departure, sure, usually the overheads aren't perfectly packed and you can play baggage Tetris. I wish FAs would be more proactive here (some are but not universally), many people shove their bags in sideways that would fit wheels-first.
I wouldn't give up my seat, but if I weren't in a hurry at the other end I might even gate check a bag to help someone out here. But I certainly don't think anyone's obligated to do so.
Nov 16, 2018, 11:24 am
#88
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Nov 16, 2018, 11:45 am
#89
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DOT calls for "timely, good-faith efforts" to stow the violin case.
Seriously doubt that happened. They don't craft 3-thousand word advisories on small musical instruments for the carriers' convenience.
But I agree, he should have paid for EBCI.
Seriously doubt that happened. They don't craft 3-thousand word advisories on small musical instruments for the carriers' convenience.
But I agree, he should have paid for EBCI.
Nov 16, 2018, 1:30 pm
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