United Breaks Gui-tars....

cbrchick · 07-09-2009, 07:10 AM

So...

This has been in the news here for a few days. A local band had some issues with United Airlines when they broke one of their guitars. A year later after little response from the United, the band took it upon themselves to release a song on Youtube.com

I know some people might find this a little silly, but if you've ever had your bags lost for days or your stuff severely damaged, than you can relate. Sometimes carriers just suck when taking care of their passengers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Amber Lamps · 07-09-2009, 08:42 AM

Well, you've just doubled the number of people who will see this video...

Avatard · 07-09-2009, 08:58 AM

All airlines treat instruments like garbage, break shit, lose shit, and then claim no responsibility whatsoever. I toured for 15 years, and saw it all.

I don't know when it became fucking "optional" to have your stuff arrive at the same destination in one piece...but as a musician, I am beyond disgusted with their attitudes.

Apparently, only shaming them publicy into acting responsibly COULD ever work, I'm afraid. I hope that one day, someone very famous takes an airline down significantly in popularity with a video like this, and perhaps then they'll learn to show a litle respect.

Krabill · 07-09-2009, 09:30 AM

I forget which airline it was, but they lost a suitcase of mine once, so I called "customer service" and the lady asked me to describe the contents. I started listing off all of the guitar effects processors that were in it and she stopped me because she said it sounded "really expensive" and didn't want to write all of it on the paperwork she was filling out. She asked if she could just put down "musical equipment" instead. Fine.

I was staying out in the middle of nowhere . . . 2 hour drive from the airport . . . and in their defence, they had a kid put my case in his car and drive it out to me that night. He showed up about 1am with my gear in tow.

Avatard · 07-09-2009, 09:35 AM

Ever show up with your gear in an ATA flight-approved case?...And then had the agent INSIST on putting a "limited release" on it regardless (which absolves them from all guilt)?

As acting road manager for the band I was travelling with, we had this happen time and again. The most ridiculous aspect of this "release"? It absolves them from all responsibility NOT ONLY FOR DAMAGE, but if they LOSE YOUR SHIT!!

You're probably better off having shit in your regular bag, as you did. God forbid you provide a proper approved case, and tell them it's an instrument first...

Krabill · 07-09-2009, 11:06 AM

One more story, then I'm done. A very good friend of mine and a regular at the acoustic jam night I used to co-host traveled a lot for work. He always brought his guitar with him and he would stop into a bar in whatever town he was working in and hold an impromptu concert. He was a good player, great singer, and always made friends doing it.

Well, this one time he was up in Ontario for work and had his acoustic in the trunk of his rental car . . . which got stolen. D'oh!

It was an Alvarez. He replaced it with a Taylor as soon as he got home.

07-09-2009, 07:10 AM	#1
cbrchick Canyon Carver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Moto: Honda CBR 600, Yamaha Zuma 50, Suzuki SV1000 Posts: 395	United Breaks Gui-tars.... So... This has been in the news here for a few days. A local band had some issues with United Airlines when they broke one of their guitars. A year later after little response from the United, the band took it upon themselves to release a song on Youtube.com I know some people might find this a little silly, but if you've ever had your bags lost for days or your stuff severely damaged, than you can relate. Sometimes carriers just suck when taking care of their passengers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

07-09-2009, 08:58 AM	#3
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	All airlines treat instruments like garbage, break shit, lose shit, and then claim no responsibility whatsoever. I toured for 15 years, and saw it all. I don't know when it became fucking "optional" to have your stuff arrive at the same destination in one piece...but as a musician, I am beyond disgusted with their attitudes. Apparently, only shaming them publicy into acting responsibly COULD ever work, I'm afraid. I hope that one day, someone very famous takes an airline down significantly in popularity with a video like this, and perhaps then they'll learn to show a litle respect. __________________ Insert free thought here.

07-09-2009, 09:35 AM	#5
Avatard Crotch Rocket Curmudgeon Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Here to integrity Moto: Li'l red baby Ninja Posts: 7,482	Ever show up with your gear in an ATA flight-approved case?...And then had the agent INSIST on putting a "limited release" on it regardless (which absolves them from all guilt)? As acting road manager for the band I was travelling with, we had this happen time and again. The most ridiculous aspect of this "release"? It absolves them from all responsibility NOT ONLY FOR DAMAGE, but if they LOSE YOUR SHIT!! You're probably better off having shit in your regular bag, as you did. God forbid you provide a proper approved case, and tell them it's an instrument first... __________________ Insert free thought here.

07-09-2009, 08:42 AM	#2
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Well, you've just doubled the number of people who will see this video...

07-09-2009, 09:30 AM	#4
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	I forget which airline it was, but they lost a suitcase of mine once, so I called "customer service" and the lady asked me to describe the contents. I started listing off all of the guitar effects processors that were in it and she stopped me because she said it sounded "really expensive" and didn't want to write all of it on the paperwork she was filling out. She asked if she could just put down "musical equipment" instead. Fine. I was staying out in the middle of nowhere . . . 2 hour drive from the airport . . . and in their defence, they had a kid put my case in his car and drive it out to me that night. He showed up about 1am with my gear in tow.

07-09-2009, 11:06 AM	#6
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	One more story, then I'm done. A very good friend of mine and a regular at the acoustic jam night I used to co-host traveled a lot for work. He always brought his guitar with him and he would stop into a bar in whatever town he was working in and hold an impromptu concert. He was a good player, great singer, and always made friends doing it. Well, this one time he was up in Ontario for work and had his acoustic in the trunk of his rental car . . . which got stolen. D'oh! It was an Alvarez. He replaced it with a Taylor as soon as he got home.