A group of musicians took a United flight to Nebraska and a $3500 guitar got broken.

details Sons of Maxwell's troubles to get it replaced or paid for.

airlines are terrible this wayRecently when my band went to vancouver, My sax (although not 3500$ it was not a cheapy) got banged hard and the airplane didnt pay for any of it. Even worse my friends sax got pretty much destroyed, the case snaped in half and unusableother casualies of our trip included a clarinet and a violinWest Jet Did not pay a cent :( so i really do feel there pain in this

:( That's a funny video!That aside, better know what your rights are when you sign that airwaybill. When I used to work for a flag carrier's cargo department, I tried to emphasize to private senders that according to IATA rules the airline is never responsible for the full value of objects carried as cargo.Accidents do happen, especially when a shipment needs to change planes. As we all know, planes do short turnarounds and all ground action needs to be swift - no silk glove treatment there just for that personal object of yours!If you carry valuable items, be safe, get a good insurance. Or better yet, don't try to mess with IATA cargo unless you know what you're doing - use a forwarding company or a courier service. And don't say you weren't warned :(

Although I REALLY hate to say it because I do believe that some baggage handlers can be careless idiots (I've been witness) most airlines do have policies regarding damaged luggage. Every airline I've flown makes it obvious they aren't responsible for damages. For this reason, I always carry fragile/important items along in my carry on. Of course the other reason being it may be lost. If it's too big, I guess the only route is to FedEx it to yourself.EDIT: JET1 beat me to it!

heres the thing, in shortas a musician several times i have played a concert as soon as 3 hours after getting off the planeyou cannot take a saxaphone on it is too big, and no matter how hard you try you cannot fedex an instrument and have it get there in time for a concert 3 hours off the plane. The way the airliners justify this is that there are airplane cases that protect an instrument going on a plane. the problem is that these are often even more expensive then the cost to replace the instrument when they get destroyed.

heres the thing, in shortas a musician several times i have played a concert as soon as 3 hours after getting off the planeyou cannot take a saxaphone on it is too big, and no matter how hard you try you cannot fedex an instrument and have it get there in time for a concert 3 hours off the plane. The way the airliners justify this is that there are airplane cases that protect an instrument going on a plane. the problem is that these are often even more expensive then the cost to replace the instrument when they get destroyed.

I'm sure there are ways to get your instruments there. I have no clue, but surely there are ways... :( I just think it's as unreasonable to ask airlines to take responsibility for dinged luggage. Luggage is built to be rugged--but not the passengers contents. So imagine instead of being upset because of beat up luggage, you've now got 2-3 hour turnarounds (on top of the weather delays, broken equipment, and/or pilots out of duty time) because the baggage handlers are gently and neatly caressing the baggage into the compartments.The airlines can't win for losing. When passengers expect the world for a $120 round trip ticket and a "seat in the sky", they will always be disappointed. That includes expectations of luggage, unfortunately. I always pack my checked stuff as if it were going to be lost or broken. At the same time, I'm sorry about the damaged instrument, that's a real bummer :(

I'm sure there are ways to get your instruments there. I have no clue, but surely there are ways... :( I just think it's as unreasonable to ask airlines to take responsibility for dinged luggage. Luggage is built to be rugged--but not the passengers contents. So imagine instead of being upset because of beat up luggage, you've now got 2-3 hour turnarounds (on top of the weather delays, broken equipment, and/or pilots out of duty time) because the baggage handlers are gently and neatly caressing the baggage into the compartments.The airlines can't win for losing. When passengers expect the world for a $120 round trip ticket and a "seat in the sky", they will always be disappointed. That includes expectations of luggage, unfortunately. I always pack my checked stuff as if it were going to be lost or broken. At the same time, I'm sorry about the damaged instrument, that's a real bummer :(

What about if the instrument is worth 5 million?

What about if the instrument is worth 5 million?

Then I'd ask why the heck you checked it with the airlines in the first place. Is that a serious question?!

Then I'd ask why the heck you checked it with the airlines in the first place. Is that a serious question?!

No but airlines try to make you check it. I had a case once of getting to Hong Kong fine-on the way back being told I could not board because the instrument would not fit into the overhead compartment. It is a problem for performers.

A fellow brought his guitar into the shop where I work. He'd had it on a plane in the non-pressurized, non-temp controlled cargo hold. He did not de-tune it so the strings shrank and snapped the head off. The airline told him it was not their fault. We rent airline cases for cellos fairly cheap that work really well.My thought would be to make sure you have a good case, extra padding around the instrument, and maybe packing tape around the case so it doesn't fly open.Bob

A fellow brought his guitar into the shop where I work. He'd had it on a plane in the non-pressurized, non-temp controlled cargo hold. He did not de-tune it so the strings shrank and snapped the head off. The airline told him it was not their fault. We rent airline cases for cellos fairly cheap that work really well.My thought would be to make sure you have a good case, extra padding around the instrument, and maybe packing tape around the case so it doesn't fly open.Bob

The problem is you are at the mercy of the person at the gate and whatever power trip they may be on. I usually call ahead and get permission-but if the gate person is in the wrong mood it can be a problem.Most major string player (classical) soloists play borrowed instruments that are owned by coorporations valued anywhere from 2 million to up to 10 million (Strads, Guarneri del Gesu). These are irreplacable instruments from the 1600's-1700's that really can't be risked in baggage. It used to be the airlines understood this and found a place for them, (they did charge cellists for and extra seat and buckled it next to the passenger) but the airlines are getting more and more snitty.

I believe if it is a real problem for performers. there's probably a proper remedy. Care should be taken to protect themselves and the instruments, not to mention the airline. As Bob has mentioned, there are ways to safely and economically transport instruments (thank goodness because I was searching Google :( ). I look at it as irresponsible to hastily and carelessly pack and then check an instrument (or anything) with an airline.Anyway, I could be wrong.Also, if the instrument's worth millions... There should be hundreds-thousands of $$$ worth of protection!

Doesn't make any difference how much insurence you have on a Strad, if it's gone, it's gone. You can't run down to the corner store and pick up a new one. At least violins are made to be taken apart, repaired and put back together again. Geofa, your violin does not have the original neck (though it will have the original scroll), fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece,ctc. A good instument repaired well (and there's the rub) will hold it's value better than one with poor repairs. Then there is the story of the full sized Strad cello that after a while was cut down to a 3/4 size. Sometime later it was restored to full sized. What a mess. It's still a Strad, but not as valuable.Bob

I'm sorry. I meant physical protection.

I'm sorry. I meant physical protection.

I know. And I got off topic. It's rare that there are posts that I know anything about.Bob