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Help! British Airways Destroyed Our Guitar and Won’t Pay Up.

MichaelHorowitzMichaelHorowitz SeattleAdministrator
edited January 23 in Welcome Posts: 6,193

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/travel/british-airways-damaged-lost-luggage-claim.html


i always travel with a BAM flight case and gate check my guitar which largely prevents any possibility of loss/damage.

Buco
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Comments

  • JSantaJSanta NY✭✭✭ Duffell, Gaffiero, Dupont, AJL
    edited January 23 Posts: 289

    That's what I just did as well as I brought my new Duffell home with me. Gate check in the Bam case and flight case cover. And massive kudos to the JetBlue staff, I saw them handling the instrument and they took great care both in the UK and here in the States.

    Also recognize the privilege I have, especially that I'm not a musician, that I had the resources to make sure I was doing everything I could to keep the guitar safe. While we all hope that airline staff would treat our precious instruments like their own, I think the stress of the job and the timing of getting so much on and off flights is tough for even the best. If you have to fly with your guitar, assume it won't be in the cabin with you.

    Buy the best case you can afford, the BAM case and flight cover are a whole lot cheaper than having Jerome make me another instrument that I may not be compensated for after an incident on a flight. Not sure I'll ever use the flight cover again, but buying that was still cheaper than shipping and customs.

    Buco
  • flacoflaco Shelley Park #151, AJL Quiet and Portable
    Posts: 138

    Timely article as I’m considering going to Django in June this year, and the logistics of flying with my guitar is one of the things I’m thinking about. It’s always a source of anxiety until you and your guitar both get to your destination unscathed!

  • Posts: 5,167

    For domestic flights, I think the best bet is probably showing up with something compact, (Saga Selmer size hard case that I have is smaller than any of my gig bags and that's what I use when I'm air traveling), coming to the gate early, smiling wide as you approach the agent, and they should accommodate. For international flights and touring musicians, flight case and gate check. These accidents are not a norm, keep in mind.

    That article mentioned trackable chip that you can stick with your luggage so as the technology advances and becomes available and affordable, at least "lost" luggage will be a thing of the past... mostly... people will always find ways to complicate even the most straightforward situations.

    Every note wants to go somewhere-Kurt Rosenwinkel
  • JSantaJSanta NY✭✭✭ Duffell, Gaffiero, Dupont, AJL
    Posts: 289

    I take my AJL travel guitar with me most times when I have work trips. Even that case sometimes has difficulty fitting in smaller domestic plane overheads (and I'm usually one of the first to board). I've been flying a lot for work (domestically and internationally) the last year, and it's a crapshoot at best. Closet space is at a premium, and I'm willing to bet someone will try to put their heavy bag on top of your guitar in the overhead. I'm glad I am not trying to fly around the States as a touring musician.

    Prepare to have your guitar gate-checked unless you've purchased a seat for it. Otherwise there is risk your instrument will be damaged.

    BucoMichaelHorowitz
  • flacoflaco Shelley Park #151, AJL Quiet and Portable
    Posts: 138

    I have a Calton flight case, but it’s really heavy. I also have a mono gig bag that is great. Would I be crazy to just take the guitar in the gig bag and gamble that I’ll find cabin space in overheads and closets? Or should I just man up, use the Calton, and then have to deal with lugging that around at DiJ?

  • Posts: 5,167

    Most of the time I just carry only the guitar around at DiJ. More times than not I'll stop for a jam (or two) while going between point A to point B.

    flaco
    Every note wants to go somewhere-Kurt Rosenwinkel
  • flacoflaco Shelley Park #151, AJL Quiet and Portable
    Posts: 138

    Good point! I don’t think Django usually had a case either!

    Bucolittlemark
  • billyshakesbillyshakes NoVA✭✭✭ Park Avance - Dupont Nomade - Dupont DM-50E
    Posts: 1,486

    Did Django ever carry a guitar? I thought that was Joseph's job!😂

    littlemarkBillDaCostaWilliamsBuco
  • Posts: 341

    Or Gibson's job in the USA.

    billyshakes
  • scotscot Virtuoso
    Posts: 680


    This thread from a few years ago covers the ins and outs of successful flying pretty well. I'm retired now after 33 years as an airline mechanic but everything I posted here is still valid. Try to avoid RJs - try for a Boeing or Airbus, always buy the early boarding pass, dress neatly and don't smell like booze, be polite but firm. The law provides protection and permission for a musical instrument in the cabin, but there must be space for it. That's why you buy the early boarding pass. It won't always work in your favor but most of the time it will. There is a post somewhere on the forum that'll take you to the statute regarding guitars etc in the cabin, it wouldn't hurt to have a copy in hand. BTW, BA is absolutely the worst when it comes to baggage of any kind. Emirates is by far the best especially if you can afford 1st class lol

    BillDaCostaWilliamsBucodjazzyMichaelHorowitzflacobillyshakes
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