United Breaks Guitars

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 8 Jul 2009 10:04 am

I don't know if this is the most appropriate Forum section, or if this has already been posted on another thread. I apologize if either is true. However, the following my prove to be enlightening for anyone planning on traveling via an airline, with their guitar. Check the link:

http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/story/u ... ks-guitars

Here is a link to the first video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

When I still owned my Sierra S14 "Crown" series PSG, which weighed about 70 lbs., I had a custom-designed ATA-rated flight case built for it. The combined weight was about 90 lbs. The case had two handles and wheels built-in. The intent was to give baggage handlers the option of "wheeling" the case instead of flinging it.

The first time I flew with the guitar, I had the opportunity to watch the baggage handler load it onto the plane I was flying. Like all other luggage, he was going to just "fling" it up onto the conveyor. Needless to say, his shoulder just about came out of it's socket. After he recovered from the pain and shock, he gingerly lifted the guitar onto the conveyor.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 8 Jul 2009 1:55 pm

Glenn, this is really humorous but has got me scared. I'm flying back to China on UNITED AIRLINE with a special, old Ibanez GB-10. Guess I need to find a a case made out of kryptonite or something. Do you know if the song writer ever did manage to get United Airlines to pay for the damage to his Taylor guitar? Thanks for putting the link up. steve t

Dean Parks · Post by **Dean Parks** » 8 Jul 2009 2:06 pm

I heard on NPR today that United has now offered the guy full repair costs on the guitar! But I notice the video is still up tho!

Terje Brattsveen · Post by **Terje Brattsveen** » 8 Jul 2009 3:19 pm

KLM broke the headstock off my 1960's Dobro between Amsterdam and Detroit. I fixed it myself. Now I only fly with Telecasters. I'd like to see them break one of those!

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 Jul 2009 3:27 pm

148,325 views...all they had to do was pay the guy for the guitar they broke

they saved what $500-$1000? and this video is costing them how much in business? I LOVE it.

He should take them up on their offer to get his guityar finally paid for and then keep the video up.

edit: oh they only want to pay for the repair not replacement...so they saved about $100 by trying to gank this guy...thats some good business right there. no wonder they are doing so well. I'd be happy to bail out their industry with my tax dollars now.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Jul 2009 3:31 pm

Dean Parks wrote:I heard on NPR today that United has now offered the guy full repair costs on the guitar!

My, that's certainly white of them, isn't it?

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 8 Jul 2009 5:20 pm

I would think Dave's time, frustration, & energy spent over the year trying to get United to pay up, might also be worth something. How about an apology, a new Taylor and 5 years free travel in business class on United. He could become a spokesman for the "New United"

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 8 Jul 2009 5:39 pm

British Airways broke the chanterelle peg on my lute, despite a fitted, plush case, additional bubble wrap, and four FRAGILE notices.

Bob Bowden · Post by **Bob Bowden** » 8 Jul 2009 5:40 pm

It's already in the music forum.
Latest update has United responding http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-bl ... outu-4850/

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 8 Jul 2009 5:51 pm

From my experience, FRAGILE stickers and tags are open invitations to the ol' "high toss on the tarmac" contest.
A few years back, while landing in Lost Wages, Nevada for the ACM awards, most of AJ's band had to hold me back while we watched the dude win that contest with my banjo/mandolin case. I will say in Southwests' defense however, that I had a check for replacement of that road case within one week, no questions asked.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 8 Jul 2009 6:10 pm

Many years ago I was at the Detroit airport with my parents and I stopped to gawk at the first 747 I had seen- and noticed the baggage handlers loading stuff from the baggage compartment onto the conveyor. The handler up in the plane motioned to one on the ground to catch a guitar case he was holding out, and then dropped toward the ground guy's waiting arms... who purposely stepped back and let it hit the tarmac, and smash into bits.
They both had a great laugh, and went on with "work".
I've never forgotten that. What is it that makes people destroy others' possessions, envy? I just don't understand.
As far as this United story, another example of the triumph of corporate greed over customer service.
Go capitalism!

Brick Spieth · Post by **Brick Spieth** » 8 Jul 2009 6:58 pm

Absolutely brilliant. This is what the internet is all about. I'll bet this gets a million hits. This is the third place I've heard about the video today.

Catchy tune, funny, and to the point. Some United PR person has their work cut out for them.

ebb · Post by **ebb** » 8 Jul 2009 7:01 pm

looks like the freedom of information as offered by youtube and twitter is as effective against other despots as it was against iran

Danny Naccarato · Post by **Danny Naccarato** » 8 Jul 2009 7:55 pm

Actually, Greta on Fox showed it tonight....

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 9 Jul 2009 2:53 am

Terje, be careful what you wish for! Some of these airlines companies employ only the best of the best, and they are known for having very capable hands! They can totally destroy an anvil packed in a solid steel case in a single transfer! This is a "prerequisite" they must pass before they can work there!

John Gould · Post by **John Gould** » 9 Jul 2009 7:47 am

If you ever want to see the carnage of baggage handlers sit in a window seat where you can see the loading of the planes around you. I've seen them toss guitar cases higher and further than any suitcase. It's like they hate guitars and musicians. Makes you want to get off the plane and throw a few baggage guys around. I think I've had some kind of damage claim with every major airline in the U.S.
I had to fly with samples in a former job and even using flight cases they could and would tear things up.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 9 Jul 2009 2:40 pm

Scott Shipley wrote:From my experience, FRAGILE stickers and tags are open invitations to the ol' "high toss on the tarmac" contest.....

My Dad had a photographic business back in the 50s. He used to send photographs to customers with a sticker on the envelope saying "PHOTOGRAPHS DO NOT BEND." According to one of his customers he received one order looking like a stampede had trodden on it. Handwritten on the envelope was "YES THEY DO."

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 9 Jul 2009 4:00 pm

Mine got thrown onto the luggage department on the plane.
I watched him from the coffee shop window before we boarded.
Needless to say, My shobud received some broken componants, and one knee lever was hangin off.
When i watched him pick it up, i said to myself;
Oh for f--- sake man, and then he really tossed that thing on to the conveyer belt.
I'm thinking about buying a Steel in England, so when i fly back, i wont have to travel with one, it's right nightmare getting through customs too.

John Groover McDuffie · Post by **John Groover McDuffie** » 9 Jul 2009 7:03 pm

Bravo!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 10 Jul 2009 12:39 am

i'll agree - rather than them " FRAGILE " stickers, i use :
" THROW ME you b-----ds"

Cameron Tilbury · Post by **Cameron Tilbury** » 10 Jul 2009 3:57 am

One artist was on Twitter recently saying that flight attendants on United were telling passengers to turn off their cell phones. The artist said, "yeah, right. this is united...no one takes seriously anything you say."
Not an airline I'll be in a hurry to fly with.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Jul 2009 6:18 am

This is turning out to be the greatest advertising video the group, the Sons of Maxwell, ever made. They've gone from being a local group to worldwide fame in just a few days.

A brilliant career move for them, and a song which people will be playing as long as people are flying.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 11 Jul 2009 2:25 pm

Over two million hits!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 11 Jul 2009 2:39 pm

These guys are from my neck of the woods, here in Atlantic Canada. I've done gigs with them from time to time over the years, on the same bill and such. They've been together for a long time. Looks like they may finally get a big break.

At this point I'd never offer to take the video down in trade for a guitar replacement; I'd just tell United to replace the guitar and to just hope the details of their "generous" gesture leak out in the midst of everything.

Anyway, he'll probably make way more money as a musician now that he's world famous. So buying another Taylor won't be a problem. I'm actually surprised that Taylor hasn't gotten in on this action. If I owned the Taylor company, I'd send him a new one just for publicity.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 11 Jul 2009 2:54 pm

Yeah I figured you must know them Chris, from the ECMA shows and stuff. Gotta hand it to guys who can take an irritating thing like that and turn it into something good!

There have been a couple of developments - Dave Carroll invited United to give any compensation they might have intended to give him to charity, and of course is going ahead with a second video to be released soon (he promised them three!). And, as you suggested Chris, Taylor has gotten into the act, offering to have a go at repairing the guitar and also other things.

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