Did Delta Airlines change it's rules in regarding guitars?

	posted by Barb on Tuesday May 09 2006 @ 08:54PM PDT
	HI, I wanted to post this for any other travelling touring musicians out there. I have always brought my guitar in a soft shell carry on case and stowed it in the overhead bin or the closet on the airplanes. I have travelled with all sorts of airlines except Delta. Until this past weekend. I have always carried that union/TSA letter with me and never been asked for it and this weekend I presented it and it was turned down and refused by Delta. They insisted I either purchase a seat for my guitar (they were happy to quote me $1000) or that I check it, or that I check it with a fragile sticker (sans written guarantee of the shape it arrives in even with a fragile sticker). They absolutely refused to recognize the union/TSA letter and told me the FAA rules had changed and were coming down hard on the airlines and no airline would let me carry it on. They painted this terrible picture as if the entire set of airlines in this world would refuse this letter. I was near tears out of frustration and confusion. I didn't undertstand but something felt weird and I didn't trust them entirely. So I walked over to the adjacent American Airlines ticket counter and told them the troubles I was getting at Delta and asked if they per chance had a cheap ticket and would let me bring my guitar on board for free. American told me the rules did NOT change and that yes all the other airlinees will accept the union letter and that actually I don't really need it even 'cause they let musicians on board no questions asked. Then someone else from the airport came by and heard the fuss and I explained my confusion. I already had my boarding pass for Delta but they would not let me through security even becasue of the guitar not being checked. When I told this to the airport lady she showed me to go to a different security checkpoint for a different airline and I did and they gave me no hassle. Didn't even blink an eye at my guitar! WOW! I was shocked at the behavior and treatment I had received at Delta. I didn't understand it. the next hurdle I was wondering about was if they'd let me on the airplane once I got to the gate or if they radioed ahead to warn them I was coming and that I went through a different security check point instead of the one they controlled. And sure enough, yes, they radioed ahead as I handed the lady at the gate my ticket to get on the plane. She said I'd have to check the guitar and that she knew I was coming. I was tired of hearing this and began to protest as she wrote out a ticket for me to attach to the guitar and hand to the lady at the planes entrance, but she stopped me in the middle of my protest and sort of deliberatly subtly told me to take it with me so I'd have it when I get to the plane. Then I understood that she knew that she was being watched and told to try and stop me and force me to check my guitar, but I also got the sense that she knew it was bullshit. I did not fully understand what was going on I only know that I felt extremely hassled needlessly and angry about that. I got to the airplanes entrance and the lady at the entrance did not even blink an eye as I walked right past her without presenting her my ticket for checking the guitar. I didn't bother to even ask. I figured if they wanted to they can ask me. I paid for my ticket for hassle free flight. I took my flight to LA but wondered why they were like that. I gave them no hassle, never raised my voice, we pleasant, then it occurred to me that half the airplane was empty and that the seats all around me were empty. Thank god I did not pay $1000 ticket for a seat for my guitar! I stuck it in the overhead as I always did... for free! Then this morning as I got the LAX for my flight back to chicago, I walked up to the ticket counter, told the lady my name, she looked it up on the screen, looked at me and said "before we go any further and get into any bruhaha over this guitar like in Chicago... (yes they put notes next to my name as if I was now a criminal of some sort)... and proceeded to again insist I could not bring the guitar on board. But I never lost my temper with them, never told them what I really wanted to tell them I was respectful at all times. So I was suddenly shocked that I would be treated as if I was a criminal of some sort. They also put me "in the system" i.e. on the LIST. Something really fishy going on here. I felt like I was being railroaded and not sure for what reason. She again called over her supervisor as I explained and he said no or buy a ($1000) ticket for the guitar. It felt like scam now. I said no thanks. I told them to keep the seat I paid for for my self and that I was going to go fly with a friendlier airline. American. I got to American fearful that they were radioed ahead of time that I was coming and to refuse me a ticket.. Apparently Delta thinks I'm a criminal or something now. I explained my situation to American AIrlines. t They looked surprised again at the treatement I was getting and sold me a $270 ticket one way to Chicago, no hassles over the guitar and were very friendly and nice about it too. I had a comfy happy ride back albeit I was upset I had to forfeit my other ticket to an airline I now detest. Delta. In hindsight I have to wonder... It felt almost like at some level this event with Delta beginning in Chicago was as if it was a drill they had to go through and I was the random subject chosen to see how well they can control, manipulate and how far they can push someone before they wil lose it and do or say something stupid and get them selves arrested.. as if they wanted a scene to break out so they'd have a reason to use securikkty or make it look like there was a need for security.. hmmm. it fetl realyl weird, like they were pushing harder and harder... and I did not understand why... Like they wanted to see what it woul take to keep someone out or force them to do their will, not sure why but I'm guessing perhaps there is some sort of weird paranoid security drill they do randomly . I also have to wonder, since I am sure all the airlines have complaints against them... how many of thsoe complaints are legitimate and how many then would be from these "drills" and if they operate like the good cop, bad cop team... i.e. American knows Delta is having drill day and so they are nice to the hassled people that come their way... and of course they all make a profit at my expense... Another thought was that it felt very much like fraud! Check my guitar or pay $1000... something wrong with that picture when I clearly have the union/TSA letter. I suppose I could always consider it to be plain old ignorant prejudism agaist musicians (I mean really aren't we all drug addicts and losers? I mean why else would I get patted down every single time I carry my guitar with me, but not when I travel with out my guitar?) Or maybe its just a wierd psycho airline who gets high on control, manipulation and believes their own fears insanely! Or gets a sick high off of being jerks But the biggesst thing on my mind is... how do I get my return flight ticket money back from these A**h*l*s! Goodluck and much love to all the other travelling musicians out there! would love to hear your feedback and stories as well. Regards, Barb

	by iPOV on Wednesday May 10 2006 @ 07:01AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Wow! Hellofa story. I have only had one occasion where taking a guitar with me was a hassle ... and the flight attendants were kind enough to stow it in the uprights ... in fact, that's happened to me on more than one occasion over the past twenty plus years. Guess you won't be flying Delta again, huh?

	by AM SOUNDS on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 12:13AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Thanks so much for the heads up! http://www.amsounds.com

	by Brian on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 12:57PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Delta regularly hassles musicians. I've refused to fly with them for years, after an incident similar to what you experienced. I know many musicians who also have had similar treatment from Delta. While other airlines occasionally make trouble, only Delta seems like they actively hate musicians. They were sued (by the other airlines) over their attempts to exert absolute control over the security gates. Delta sucks and I hope every musician will boycott them.

	by Barb on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 02:14PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Wow!~!!!! I am soooooo glad to hear your comments! wow! I am floored that others have had this experience to! holy cow! Yeah!! Thanks tons for responding to this!!!!! and yes.. you are absolutely right. I will NEVER EVER fly Delta again. as a matter of act .. I came up with a new term.. i'ts not communism but Deltaism! LOL!!! even if they begged crawling on their knees sucking dirt off the floor offering me a HUGE billion dollar endorsement deal.... er.. um... well.... if they also included being nice to musicians and letting them carry gear on board for free. then I'd take the deal. but otherwise not.. I mean hey. I'm not dumb. eh? LOL!!! THanks again regards BArb

	by Barb on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 02:17PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	so curious..... any ideas on how best to get them to give me my return flight money back since I could not take the flight without being scammed out of $1000? I bought the ticket on Priceline.. seems to me a lawyer might have fun tossing this one around and making some money for himself, (especially after the other airlines complained about Delta trying to control the security...) but I dont' have the cash to get into it myself.. regards Barb

	by Barb on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 02:22PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	OBTW>..... I am not only in the system now via Deltas notes and actions.. .... they put me on the "list" with 4 S's on all my tickets from here on out! That means every tsingle time I trav el aywhere I will be patted down and asked a million questions, have all my items opened and swiped with ultrviolat type chemmicals before beign let go.. I hate to think what will happen as I try to go to Switzerland in a month to shoot a nwe music video! LOL! this might be fun! LOL! Will keep you updated.. but oncce you r on the olist.. you're on the list..... I thoguht I did see a while abck that to get off the list you have to take certain stesp.. will see if I can find teh article again... and post it here for abyone else whos' lived got F*cked up by Delta just for being a mmusician. Man I wish I had a reallll y good PR agaet right now. THey'd have hey dey with this!... Delta tries to quelch culture in America! Delta-ism! by hassling and trying to extort $1000 ticket out of starving artist who gives music away free on the internet, and then list her as a criminal for all future flights! LOL!!!!! regards BArb

	by BArb on Thursday May 11 2006 @ 09:45PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	I Just figured it out! http://www.markfiore.com/animation/domination.html

	by Matthew Smith on Saturday May 13 2006 @ 01:38PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Delta broke my guitar a couple of months ago...I'll never fly with them again. Can someone link me to the union/TSA letter?

	by BArb on Monday May 15 2006 @ 05:25PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2088

by Henry Johnson on Saturday August 19 2006 @ 11:00PM PDT [ reply | parent ] Hi Barb, And hello to everyone else on this thread, I lived your story in May of this year. I've been all over the world with my guitars and have never checked one in over 30 years of flying. As with you, the offender was Delta. They cost me a two days of my life because they refused to let me through the security check point with my guitar. I did the same as you Barb, and asked at all the other airline ticket counters, and sure enough, ALL of them told me that I could carry my guitar onboard. Delta's main agenda? Make us buy an extra seat. I'm really lucky that I had my laptop with me. I got online and booked myself a flight from Miami to Chicago on another airline. But, I am still stuck with a one-way ticket on Delta, a hotel bill, and the cost of a one-way ticket on another airline. It was no way I'd let them check my custom made guitar in it's gig bag. In case you guys haven't heard, there is a serious rift brewing between Delta and all the musicians nation-wide. The musician's union has written several letters to Delta's CEO, and after no response, the union is is calling for a boycott of Delta Airlines. I will support them fully. Take care, Henry Johnson

	by on Wednesday May 17 2006 @ 03:04AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	That is one of the worst stories I've heard! I've always travelled with a guitar, and always been worried about this kind of treatment! -Seth

	by Ed Teja on Wednesday May 17 2006 @ 06:14AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	It might be a waste, but try writing a polite letter to the president of Delta asking why you were denied the use of your ticket because you wouldn't check the guitar, when the FAA rules specifically permit it. Send a copy to the FAA and make sure that you note on your letter that it is copied to the FAA. Try to find a name to address the complaint to. It can't hurt.

	by colson on Wednesday May 17 2006 @ 06:03PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Don't waste your time suing or getting a lawyer - mark it up to experience and let it go - but do write a letter to Delta about the issue. Beyond that, tell them they need not give you anything because you won't be back. You may want to find a service that will allow you to to transfer any SkyMiles although I'm not sure if any do this anymore. But as someone pointed out earlier, if you get flack, just ask if you can gate check it. Most airlines will have someone standing on the deck as you board - gate checked items are always unloaded to the gate first which means you get it back before you head down to the baggage claim. Thanks for the heads up - I just got a Delta SkyMiles card... guess I won't be sending my bands out on Delta anytime soon....

	by BArb on Wednesday May 17 2006 @ 08:03PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	HI Thanks for the feedback . yeah I'm writing LOTWS of letters :) I"m mguessing that this will affect my overseas travels as well having those 4 SSSS's on every ticket from now on.. not acceptable I was invited to go back to Switzerladn for a enw musicc video and am a bit freakedout so am racing to get those letters off. I'l post any new info about what happens as it happens so others who have teh same hassle will know the road NOT necessarily to travel...:) thasnk again for everyone's feedback I really needed to hear it all! regards BArb

	by Barb on Thursday May 18 2006 @ 11:47AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	er... gate checking means the guitar is also put into the belly of the plane with the luggage.. albeit buy a person at the entrance of the plane as you walk on board instead of the std luggage throwers, but it does not mean the guitar is any safer necessarily.. though they will tel you it it is... because they still do'nt know how to take are of a guitar and how to keep it from getting bumped into by the other luggage in flight shifting and also how to secure it without stressing it, etc, much less how to carry it caferully and not bump it into walls and corners and things etc.. and it does not mean they won't just toss it into the belly of the plane on top of the other luggage , calling it'gate checked" it goes ito the same place with the same other luggage in teh same way...the only thign you really by pass is the initial toss and tumble from the conveyor belts. BUt not the human throwing. There are lots of poeple who like to beat up on these things .. .not sure why. they just do. so I am not into gate checking.

	by Blake on Sunday May 21 2006 @ 05:36PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	I've heard similiar stories recently, from airlines besides Delta--Airtran being the most recent to hassle a friend of mine. I think the overall climate towards this has changed, if not the actual rules. I would pay the money to send my guitar FedEx before I would ever check it with an airline.

	by Barb on Sunday May 21 2006 @ 06:35PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	FOund this article... http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9861 I guess that explains their extortion tactics for to try and force me to buy a $1000 ticket one way for my guitar LOL! (after telling me that the FAA refuses to let any instruments on board period! .. if thye only knew how obvious their lie was!) They would rob one little starving musician of $1000 on a half empty airplane to save teh entire trip, or to save their entire sinking company?! LOL!LOL!L Wonder if they know how ridiculous that is! regards Barb

	by Roy on Wednesday May 24 2006 @ 10:33PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Delta is also the airline that "misplaced" Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary)'s beloved Larrivee guitar a few years back. And it was checked! I will never fly Delta again, barring extreme circumstances.

	by Barb on Saturday June 03 2006 @ 09:58AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	HI, I wrote the following letter and would like to send it to Delta. I'm open to your feedback before I send it Thanks regards BArb *Dela John F. Smith, Jr., Chairman * Gerald Grinstein, CEO * Edward H. Budd * Domenico De Sole * David R. Goode * Patricia L. Higgins * Arthur E. Johnson * Karl J. Krapek * Paula Rosput Reynolds * Kenneth B. Woodrow Dear Mr. Grinstein and Mr. Smith, I am an Indie pop/rock singer/songwriter out of Schaumburg, IL and I’m writing about a bad experience that I had on your Delta flight a few weeks ago. Indie artists work very hard at our crafts despite earning much less than mainstream artists. We are a valid and under heard segment in our society and we far outnumber other musicians. Our touring lifestyle demands countless hours of travel, and through this travel, I’ve come to realize that airlines generally don’t have an affinity for musicians. This notion was confirmed by your airlines. From the moment the lady at the ticket counter saw my soft shelled guitar case, I was treated in a demeaning way, as if I were a criminal. She and everyone else behind the counter and your security people were actually angry at me for having a guitar! I showed them the Union/TSA permission letter and was told by them, that the FAA forbid instruments on board any airplane with any airline since January 2006. Then she said that I could buy the guitar a seat if I wanted to take it on the airplane, for $1000! I was appalled and walked over to anotehr airlines counter and told the ticket agent my story and she said I could take it on the plane, no questions asked, no extra ticket purchase necessary, and thhat the rules had not changed. I was excited, relieved and pleased. On my return flight from LAX I had to purchase another airlines ticket because your Chicago agents put such negative information about me into my “file” on your databases that they refused to give me the boarding pass for a ticket I had purchased ahead of time. Not only that, they entered my name on to the “List” as if I was a high security risk. I'm a hard working indie musician with a guitar in a soft shelled case on my back. NOT a terrorist. But no thanks to your agents, I now have 4 SSSSs on every ticket I purchase at any airlines because of Delta. I broke no laws, I was extremely respectful of your agents at all times, despite their anger and raised voices towards me. I never once raised my voice or showed them any disrespect nor did I tell them what I really would have liked to tell them… From a customer’s perspective, I am under the impression that if one airline has a safety policy the rest should abide by it. This would provide uniform security and safety and would eliminate confusion in a time when those three concepts are in the forefront of everyone’s mind. Being hassled and treated as if my ticket wasn’t as good as the person’s next to me was very discriminatory and rude. So, as a customer whose money and voice is of equal worth as the rest of your customers, I would like an apology and my money back for the tickets. And as a citizen of the US who has never had a criminal record and does not participate in any criminal behavior, I would like for you to also remove my name from the “List”. Your actions have made it very difficult to do my job as a musician, worldwide! Thanks for your consideration and I can be reached at (708) 220-3598, or via email at barb@emeraldcitymusic.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Barb Sorensen

	by Barb on Saturday June 03 2006 @ 10:47AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	FYI... if ANNY airlines gives you a hassles ( ahem.... especially Delta)) just walk away! like I did.. don't raise your voice or anything! When I was having that experience with Delta it felt really like they were poushign annd pushing on me and blicking my every way to try and et me to lose my temper as if they woul then feel justified and have me carted off. I felt as if they weere doing it on purpose whether consiously or not. I really felt lije they were pushign and pushing on trying to get me to get mad. I just kept saying I don't understand annd walked away. I'd rather cry out of frustration than los emy temper.... Thank God I did just that.. A few days later I remembered that I had been standing in the American Ailrines counter area waiting to get a boarding pass a year ago.. And at one point looking over to where suddenly the airlines next to me ( delta) had a bunch of security officers walk up silently and strongly and handcuff some guy who was totalyl baffled anndn confused and just wanted his ticket. He was of course very angry. I thought I saw a guitar with him but n ot sure anymore... I remembered at that time wondering why they arrested hhim .. he was not raging or violent or anythign but I remember himi constantly asking for his ticket and what he had done etc... After I remembreed that I understood the pasive aggressive behvaior off this.... Thank GOD i walked away and bought a ticket on another ailrrine despite having already paid for teh delta flight! wow! they felt like they had their finger ont eh trigger and were just itching to use it for ANY reason... then today I did some exporing to find an address for the FAA to send a letter to, annd I foun this i ntersting little article.... http://www.faa.gov/data_statistics/passengers_cargo/unruly_passengers/ so whatever you do.. they might be looking for an excuse to use you as a symbol or just to practice their security tricks or just cause they are jerks.. be careful! regards BArb

	by Barb Sorensen on Saturday June 03 2006 @ 10:57AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	intersting links for other musicians to check out before you travel... to know your "rights" which are given adn taken away and how it works, and to know teh structure of the different departments so you are not at their mercy. goodluck http://www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp http://www.faa.gov/ regards BArb

	by debi on Wednesday June 14 2006 @ 02:20PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Barb, your story is bad but I can top it!!! For my Mom's 75th b-day , I asked her where she would like to go. My Mom always wanted to go to Santa Fe, Sedona, Colorado and Vegas. We travel with a small red french poodle in a stroller no less ( he's spoiled ) and then we transfer him to a carry on to board the plane. I traveled Delta from Florida to Atlanta then on to Albue new mexico ( i can't spell it ). On the plane to Atlanta, my dog was in his carry on and he started to cry which he never does we have taken him to Israel for 14 hours and no complaints, anyway, I picked up the carry on my dog was in and just then on my left a Steward said Oh, do you need help I can ask my Supervisor. I said to the Flight attendant no I am just going to give him another tranqulier for some reason his medicine is not working, he said sure. On my right a Flight Attendant comes running and says that dog cannot be out of the carry on, I said I know he is crying and I am afraid something was done at the Vet he had his ears cleaned and I want to make sure he is OK. The Flight Attendant said OK and then offered my MOM a free drink. As we are leaving the plane I see on the outside the Flight Attendant is speaking on her cell phone. I get to gate B-11 to board the flight to New Mexico and the person at the gate said , I got a call about your dog , I heard he snapped at someone. I said that is not true . Then he said you keep that dog in the carry on not the FAA stroller, he said not the baby carriage . I told the gate keeper it was a FAA approved stroller. Anyway, I asked for a Policeman because I wanted to make sure that it was on record my dog never snapped at anyone. The gate man said don't call the Police, I said yes, I want a record. An Atlanta Police Officer came and I asked him to take a report which he denied I started walking away and the Police Officer pushed me. I have the report I made to his Supervisor. The guy at gate B-11 denied us boarding for no reason, when the plane took off he walked over and said you two ladies look like nice woman I'll let you go on the next plane which was four hours wait. We waited boarded the next flight. We take off and my dog yelped because of his ear trouble and I told the Head Flight Attendant that he will be OK. All of the sudden a woman passenger starts screaming that there was a dog on the plane and she is allergic, well why wasn't she told a dog was on the flight and he is a poodle and they are fur. Anyway, I passed the woman and told her husband my dog is fur because my Mom is allergic and a Poodle is the only dog we can have. He told me to go F--K myself. The Head Attendant moved myself and my Mom to the last seats. We are about to land and they make this annoucement that two passengers have to be escorted off the plane. Five New MExican Police Officers and a FBI agent come to escort us. I was grilled for two hours the FBI and Police laughed at the claim. The FBI report came back with two other flight attendants on the flight accusing the Head Attendant of lying becvause the Head Attendant said I 5'2 started a fist fight with the passenger. Well, our vacation was screwed up . We had to spend the weekend in Albukerque and was not able to rent a car until Monday we arrived Driday actually Sat. wee in the morning. How can we let this happen in America????

	by Barb on Thursday June 15 2006 @ 11:49PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	eww. does not sound like fun. I got your email too but wanted to respond here for others that might have had a simliar issue as well. THis kind of thing can be very triggering since it goes against our creative giving natures as artists and occupy all our time and goes against all we are as human beings welcomed into this world and equal to all....I believe that my creativity flows best when I have love, generosity , integrity, good will, healthyhu communications, acceptance and equality. When I am not around people or situations like that I feel drained and not heard and angry and resentful and then I cant' write songs or perform well anymore. so I try to stay away from situations, people and companies like that..but to deal with them if they come upon me and then get rid of them as fast as possible without abandoning reality or myself in the proces.. here's how.. did you ever write a letter to them all and keep copies for yourself? I can relate to the frustration and I can also relate as it sounds like they too were pushing for an excuse to get a record on you so they could look like the victim so they get sympathy and the stupid dance of coependence continues.. there's a great book out called "When society becomes an addict" and it was recommended to me. ..IMHO it really shows clearly what;s going on with them and in America and even me until I got it.. we've got misbehavior at the top and everyone underneath is going nuts trying to fix or cover up or catch up or change or confronnt or convince etc...and it's sick and insane. It's not heealthy. When I talk wtih my friends overseas, they look at us and go . jeesh ! what is your guys; problem!??! There is something really out of whack with america. it's like we're acting as if we've been spooked and yet the only demons we have are within our own borders.. that helped me understand this a bit more and see the sickness at the delta level or any organizations level. It doesnt' make it ok, but there are ways to handle it appropriately.. Of my self I sent out letters to Delta, American Airlines, my senators and the ACLU as well as an airlines complaint website I found somewhere by accident.. I just posted. who knows. I gave myself a deadline of when I'd be done with the hurt anger and fear and this seeming "relationship" Delta now thinks they have with me. LOL! and move on. And that deadline was when I had all those letters sent. So I moved on it as quickly as possible so as not to waste any more time of my one and only precious life on someone elses disease and misdeeds. I dont' want to be in a relationship with them.. so why drag it out..they will crumble under all that wieght of victimhood and abuses.. as it is they are already in bankruptcy... It sounds like you're still upset. and you gotta move past it to get to the solution and get back to living your life and being creative.. .so however you can best express it for yourself and confront, once, the appropriate people and then tell the ones in charge who will listen, without expecting any results whatsoever.. then let it gom and get help for yourelsef., do something nice for yourslef, treat tyourself for standign up for yourself, and move on with your life or it will eat you up and waste your time on this planet. and life is to valuable and extremely short to waste on someone elses bullshit.. confront it, ask for what you want, let go of expecting to get anything out of it, and move on.it can make you sick if you don't let it go soon. A sick organization or country or person will not change overnight and to expect them to, is not reality, and to not say anything is denial and mean to them as it does not let them know where they screwed up much less give them an opportunity to make amends or change and grow, and to force an outcome is abusive and self harming.... goodluck regards Barb

	by Rusty on Tuesday June 20 2006 @ 02:35PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Barb, Same thing happened to me on Delta today. I flew out with my guitar in the plane with no questions or issues. But when I returned they did the same routine they did with you, citing FAA rules. I inquired as to why this had NEVER come up before and the ticket agent actually said, "becaues we don't want this kind of confrontation" My response was "so you just neglect any FAA rule that might lead to questions or confrontation?" His response was "I am not going to discuss it." I ended up checking the guitar and am now pursuing whether it is an FAA rule (I know someone who works for them) to see what can be done. By the way I was even flying first class. My ssuggestion is to keep the guitar out of sight of the ticket agent and deal with it at the gate where people are seemingly much nicer and buy a Carlton Case because it is going to happen again and again I suspect. Rusty

	by Barb on Wednesday July 05 2006 @ 07:17AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	or just stop flying with them altogether.....:) worst sevice I ever esperienced ayways. so theree is no enticcemet for me to go back there.. regardsBarb

	by Ron on Wednesday August 30 2006 @ 07:58PM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	Its about time you did something about it! Air travel is tiring enough without being used and abused by the airlines. If you suffered an indignity at the hands of an airline don't get mad or feel helpless, send a clear message this behavior will not be tolerated. Take your beef to Small Claims Court. With minimal cost, whether successful or not, you will come out a winner. Typically an airline will hire attorneys to prepare the case with costs exceeding $1,000 per claim in legal fees. While litigation should never be your first option, if you believe you have a legitimate claim, it is a viable avenue when all other options fail. Even if you lose the battle you can still win the war by making your point to the airline. Visit SUE THE AIRLINES Now!

	by on Monday September 11 2006 @ 06:26AM PDT [ reply | parent ]
	DELTA AIRLINES SCREWS MUSICIANS. I've been flying with my guitar for well over 10 years, and have never been forced to check it. Checking an old archtop would surely destroy it. Checking in at La Guardia on my way to a show in Atlanta, I was forced to buy a seat for my irreplaceable 50 year old guitar at the last minute. First offer: Only $1020.00. The hostile, rude counter jockey in the faux military uniform finally got me a seat for well over $650.00. He had no last name on his name tag, and refused to allow me to speak with his superior. He claimed it was a security issue, but security just x-rayed the case. Never even asked me to open it. Every security person I spoke to (and I spoke with plenty) were shocked, and said they had absolutely no problem with guitars. As a matter of fact, over the past 10+ years, no security personnel have had any problem with my guitar, here or in Europe. Delta is pretending it's a security issue, but it's clearly not. Delta is using the human misery of 9/11 as an excuse to bully and steal from musicians. Delta Airlines Screws Musicians. BOYCOTT DELTA AIRLINES.

	by Joe on Wednesday November 08 2006 @ 06:15AM PST [ reply | parent ]
	I no longer fly Delta. Not only did they refuse to let me carry my one-of-a-kind Warrior Guardian on the plane, they gave me a hassle over doing a 'gate check' at least twice. The second time, the gate attendant attendant didn't give me a hassle, but a short, muscle-bound woman with a crew cut that worked for baggage at the gate got pissed because it wasn't a baby stroller, and she refused to carry it on. Well, the attendant told her to back off and that she had the authority to authorize it. "Butch" did as she was told and put the guitar on the plane. Well, when I got off the plane, the pilot brought it back to me with a HOLE cut in the outside shell of the case. It looked like someone used a box cutter on it. What a coincidence, eh? The good news is that Delta ended up paying for a new case. The original model case was no longer available, so they paid for a top-of the-line current model case - almost $500. They filed for bankruptcy only a short time later! Big mystery why this company is failing. Perfect karma.

	by faruk on Tuesday February 27 2007 @ 06:03PM PST [ reply | parent ]
	Same thing happened to me. Only the differance is, I'm not an US citizen. So my english is not that good. When I told the lady at Delta Airlines Check-In that my guitar was hand made and really really expensive, she said; "oh ok then you should sign this" making me feel like I'm signing an insurance or something. And since I was in a hurry, I did not look at what I signed. Well, it turnes out that what I have signed is something says "if anything happenes to my guitar Delta Airlines is NOT responsible in any way" Then she tried to charge me for my heavy baggage. But luckyly I knew that in international connecting flight I could have heavier baggage. So when I told her that, she just passed that subject. I wrote them a letter; ------------------------------------------------ To whom it may concern, Dear sir/madam, On 12th of January I flew from miami airport to New York JFK on flight number DL1600. The lady at the check-in asked me what I had for baggage and what I was going to take as carry on. I told her that I'm going to check my luggage and take my guitar and my backpack on the plane. This is something I have done many times before. Everytime I have traveled with your airline in the past the flight attendents would let me stow my guitar in the tall cabin which is usually located at the front of the plane. On this partcular occasion the lady at the check-in desk told me that she cannot let me take my guitar with me onto the plane. When I told her I wanted to take the guitar on with me because it is handmade and therefore very expensive and fragile, she gave me a form to sign and told me it was a baggage claim check and told me not to worry about it. English is my 2nd language and I am not fluent, this should be immediately obvious to anyone who speaks English. Feeling pressured for time by the lady at the check-in, I didn't feel I would be able to read the form I was signing quickly enough and she verbally reassured me that the form was a baggage claim check paper and that I wouldn't have to worry about my guitar if I signed the form. So I signed it. It turns out that the form she had me sign was actually a liability release form indicating that if any damage is inflicted on my guitar during transit, Delta Airlines is not responsible. Then she put a bunch of "fragile" stickers on my guitar case. These stickers are virtually impossible to get off and where I was able to get them off they left sticky marks. The case is completely ruined. My grievance with this Dela airlines employee continued. She then tried to charge me $25 for having over weight baggage. Luckily for me I knew that when I had a connecting flight I was allowed to have more baggage weight. Despite telling her lots of times that my flight was a connecting flight she still tried to charge me. It was only when I made it clear that I was adamant that I knew I was correct and that I shouldn't be charged because my flight was a connection flight that she stopped arguing with me and accepted my baggage for no extra charge. This treatment I was subjected to was unnaceptable and I find the behaviour of this woman very troubling. It seems clear to me that this lady deliberately took advantage of the fact that I was foreign and less likely to understand what was happening in order to defraud me with the release of liability form and the fraudulent extra charge on the baggage. I am extremely upset about this behaviour as it can only be considered a racist exploitation of me as a non english speaking minority and as someone to be taken advantage of. This is a sensitive issue and despite how angry about I am about how I was treated I'd like to give you a chance to explain yourselves and let me know what you intend to do about it. Additionally, my connecting flight had no idea that my bags would be transferred if I had not informed them, and I was really sorry to recieve my guitar with its case damaged, it's irreplaceable. Awaiting your reply, Faruk ------------------------------------------------ And ofcourse I did not get any replies. That was the first and the last time, I flew with delta. Maybe we should let everyone know about this maybe with a web site or smthg.

	by Barb on Wednesday November 14 2007 @ 10:36PM PST [ reply | parent ]
	Hi, so guess what.. the last time I travelled which was in August..... I had NO Sssss's on my tickets. yeah!!!! so I"m guessing Delta either got nice or maybe someone else did it. either way I am very grateful and happy about it. thank you Though I still haven' received a refund from them for that ticket.. and I still would like to have that too.we'll see.. maybe it will still come . who knows.. so for now .. they get half a forgiveness.. :) or whoever else did it.. gets a big hug :) Barb

Post a Comment

	NOTE: If you need a reply you should email CD Baby directly instead of posting here. We don't often read old message board postings, and have no way of replying to them! Name: Email: URL   Remember me for next time! + your feedback?: * HTML tags are allowed. * Your email will not be made public. And just to make sure you are a human: