[TPIN] Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage

[Bob Romans]

>From a friend of mine in Israel...a heads-up!
Warmest regards,
Bob Romans
1617 Lakeshore Drive,
Lodi, Calif., 95242
PH 209-747-1148
www.cellblockseven2002.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ministry of Jazz" <jazzmin at actcom.net.il>
To: "DJML" <Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Cc: <tperetti at afm.org>
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Fw: Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage


> Shalom Jazz Fans,
>
> I am not an AFM member. I live in Israel. But I do travel a lot with my
> instruments, often with more than one. So this subject is of great concern
> to me. I wanted to tell whomever it may concern about my recent experience
> traveling with my horns.
>
> On my recent trip to the US, I made several domestic flights with
> instruments I bought there, and then returned with them to Israel. The
> instruments were 1) a 2nd hand bass trumpet, 2) a used trumpet, and 3) a
> used clarinet. Since they were all in hard, padded cases that seemed 
> secure,
> and since I could fit all 3 of them into my 2 suitcases, padded with
> clothing around them, I figured it was safe to try checking them in. I was
> also traveling with a laptop computer, which I could not check in. So I 
> took
> the chance.
>
> As far as baggage handling, there were no problems on any of the 8 
> flights.
> However, after flying from Las Vegas to Saint Louis, I unpacked one 
> suitcase
> after arrival and found a slip inside that said the bag was opened for
> inspection by TSA. I didn't think anything of it, but fortunately I kept 
> the
> slip and the baggage tag and boarding pass. Two days later, I took the 
> bass
> trumpet out to play it, and found the bell to be mashed and twisted. There
> was no damage to the horn's case, or to the suitcase. It took a moment to
> put two and two together, but I realized that such damage could only have
> happened if the horn had been removed from its case and dropped. Baggage
> handlers don't have time to do this, as far as I know, and dropping the 
> bag
> would not cause this kind of damage. The logical conclusion was that TSA 
> had
> opened the case -- don't know why, as their x-ray equipment should have
> clearly shown a horn and mouthpiece -- and somehow dropped the horn.
>
> Before leaving Saint Louis, I spoke to a TSA agent who sympathetically 
> gave
> me a claim form. I collected what I could of the documentation they
> wanted -- the form clearly states that the claim will not be processed
> without all of the things they ask for, and I cannot get the main thing, 
> an
> estimate or repair bill, until I get back to Israel -- and I tried to 
> speak
> again to a TSA agent at another airport en route. I thought someone might
> want to see the horn and indicate on the claim form that they actually saw
> the damage. But nooooo. Has to be done by mail.
>
> Now I am back, and my repair guy lives on a kibbutz in the Galilee 2 hours
> drive from my home, so I won't have an estimate or bill until I get up 
> there
> in another month or so and he has time to work on the horn. The form says
> you have 2 years to submit a claim, but they want it as soon as possible 
> so,
> as they say, it can be investigated. I will send in the whole package 
> after
> I get the horn repaired, and hope for the best. All I know is, so far TSA
> has done me more harm than Al Kaida.
>
> I hope someone might benefit from my experience when traveling with your 
> own
> instruments. (I guess we don't call them "axes" in the airport anymore?)
>
> Elazar Brandt
> Dr. Jazz Dixieland Band
> Tekiya Trumpet Ensemble
> Jerusalem, Israel
> www.israel.net/ministry-of-jazz
> +972-2-679-2537
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Hanson [mailto:jazzdude39 at comcast.net]
> Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 8:17 PM
> To: DJML
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Fw: Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage
>
>
> Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage...The Union is trying to negotiate 
> an
> agreement with the airlines, as the earlier agreement fell through the
> cracks after 911 and the NTSB being taken over by Homeland Security. We 
> all
> travel and our instruments are too valuable to be checked as luggage.
> Whether a Union member or not, voice your opinion concerning this 
> important
> problem, and lets hope for a change in the current airline restrictions.
>
> Dave Hanson
> Vice President
> Atlanta Federation of Musicians
> Local 148-462
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: AFM
> To: Dave Hanson
> Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 12:47 PM
> Subject: Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage
>
>
>                  AFM Legislative Alert
>
>                  Dear Dave Hanson,
>
>                  For years, AFM members have had problems bringing musical
> instruments aboard planes as carry-on luggage. Recently, discussions with
> the airlines trade association and Congress have picked up to the point
> where an acceptable solution to the problem is possible. However, we need 
> to
> show that there is urgency to the problem. We would appreciate it if you
> would describe your recent experiences when traveling with instruments to 
> us
> so we can show the seriousness of the situation for musicians. Please send
> your recent airline experience to me at tperetti at afm.org. Thank you.
>
>
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