I am flying to Scotland in 10 days' time on British Airways, and I have found out that, with effect from earlier in July, hand luggage is being restricted to dimensions 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches. As this is smaller than my fiddle, let alone my fiddle case, I rang British Airways Customer Service to explain the problem. The lady I spoke to said that I would definitely not be able to take my fiddle into the cabin, and that if I turn up at the boarding gate with it, it will definitely be taken from me and put in the hold. This is making me very nervous - has anyone else tried to fly British Airways with a fiddle in the last few weeks?
I had same problem fying out on Ryanair - had to use smooth talking / persuasion for it to be allowed as 'carry on' . It is a very compact 'shaped' ( not retangular) fiddle case - and although 'over length' is well under size / weight allowances in every other respect.
On way back I followed someones advice - I had no other hand bagage - and had it slung low over my shoulder so it 'dissapeared' behind me - and it wasn't questioned.
However, it would be good to have some formal recognition from airlines that items slightly over size in one aspect only - and clearly occupy ing minimal overhead locker space - would be allowed.
It's simple: Don't fly Britsh Airways. If they're going to be such fascists about it, take your business elsewhere; they obviously don't care enough about your business to accommodate your needs. Fer chrissake it's only a fiddle.
I fly with my mandolin on RyanAir. If you ring up their customer service, they do what the BA people do - they tell you what the rules are and that you will have to obey them. They told me I had to buy a second seat for my mandolin!
In practice, what I now do is turn up at check-in, put my holdall on the conveyer, put the mandolin case on the floor behind the desk where the clerk can't see it and say NOTHING about it. Nobody has stopped me taking it through yet.
My Mandolin in case is a few cm longer than officially allowed (limit is 54cm) but it's clearly light and lies flatter than some of the allowable luggage.
I've flown several times on Ryanair and BA since the new guidelines. I don't ask and they don't tell. or vice versa.
I suggest that you tell them that you contribute to a musicians forum numbering several thousand individuals, and you will pass on the information that they should be boycotted because of their unhelpful attitude, unless there is a rapid change !
Well said! I've flown (??) United, I think, many times
with the fiddle- sometimes they'll give me a hard time
but just insist!!! Oftentimes there's a little closet in
the front of the cabin that they'll stow it in if there's
not enough room in the overheads.
Definitley hide it. If you don't make a big deal about it they won't notice 'till you're on and in the air, and by then it's too late (bwahhahaha!).
To cthuilleanpiper and Guernsey, I must (unhappily) report that musicians have been complaining about this for as long as there's been commercial passenger air travel (in the US, they've even petitioned the FAA to make certain rules specifically for instruments that companies would have to follow), and there's been no action. You can't really just stop flying the offending airline, because the major carriers are /all/ like that.
Joze, to which particular backwater are you refering? Sounds like the place to travel!
you know there is an FAA and warsaw convention guideline available online somewhere, however each individual airline depends on just how far that hot poker is inserted at the time of writing carrier conditions.
There's a serious, and new problem, about the BA luggage restrictions. I've flown BA (and other airlines) many many times with my fiddle and barely ever had problems - but, last time I was at Heathrow, the lady at check-in told me that I wouldn't be able to take the fiddle through in future.
My reading: BA will be seriously strict on this for a few months, and then perhaps calm down. But, try to get the smallest shaped fiddle case that you can and you stand a better chance.
These things are done for good reason . Its all about security apparently as strings could be removed and used as a weapon... ( I have managed to get my banjo on Ryan air as hand luggage by hiding it behind my back but may not work everytime)
I did hear of a lady who had her musical saw ( ! ) taken off her at check-in, in case it could be used as a weapon; some years ago too, not just this millenium.
Bullsh*t. Fly a different airline, or use a different mode of transportation.
Or you can just fly the crappy airline with the fascist policies, get your instrument smashed to pieces by its baggage gorillas, and feel like a fool. You can't reason with them. The only way to deal with them is to just avoid them.
On a carrier with sane, reasonable policies, most of these difficulties can be avoided just by having the smallest possible case for your instrument and arriving early for your seat assignment. Choose a seat towards the back of the plane; they're usually the first to board after the elderly, small children, and disabled. You'll find you have plenty of room for your gear.
Or you can fly first class $$$$$$ they'll leave you alone then.
To everyone who has responded to this post, thank you very much indeed, it's really helpful information. To those who recommend not flying with British Airways, unfortunately at the time of booking earlier this year, they were all that was available to get me from London on a connecting flight to Shetland, where even Loganair, the connecting carrier, is a subsidiary of BA. I am going to Shetland to attend Fiddle Frenzy 2006, so I will not be alone, I imagine, in worrying about this! By the sound of it, there could be many other people on my flights trying to hide their fiddles behind their backs...
It's practically impossible to wak round Aberdeen airport without seeing someone carrying a fiddle as hand luggage, especially at the moment.
As far as I can see, BA is not stopping them from taking them onboard, but it would not be wise to press the issue at the check-in.
I can't see them stopping passengers to Shetland, of all places, from carrying fiddles onboard.
They certainly didn't stop me with my mando and I've flown with it several times since the new rules.
Aye Bren, how is the 'North Atlantic Fiddle Convention' going?Any word of deadly sessions with the likes of guests - Matt Cranitch, Seamus Creagh & Liz Doherty?
I've been busy and missed most of it pTarm. I was at the opening concert and particularly enjoyed Paul Anderson's and Catriona MacDonald's contributions. Catriona has that thing "presence" or "charisma" as well as ability, that would make a listener of even a non-trad -over.
There was a bit of a session at the Lampie later featuring a contingent from Louisiana playing cajun ( I think) very rhythmic and lively but I had to go to work the next day so didn't stay. I believe Ron and Kenny left for another session so perhaps it wasn't their cup of gumbo
The simple solution is to get a friend to go with you to the airport, and get them to hold the instrument somewhere else, while you check in.......works every time!
Hi Bren. Yes, it wasn't my cup of tea at all. They were, however, good musicians. But it was really the percussion I personally found too much - to even stay in the bar at all - you could hear that bloody triangle nearly 100 yards down the road from the bar!
Wait, if you bought the ticket before this rule took place, if push comes to shove, you should be able to say that if you had known of this rule when you made the arraingments, you would have chosen another carrier. Make them change your flight to a sister carrier, just like they do if there is breakdown. You bought the ticket in good faith, understanding the rules of carry-on. If they change them mid-stream then they have to accomodate you. Make it clear that they are losing business and don't fly them again.
There is a marvelous piece of paper put available on the web which states what a musician can carry on board for internal US flights. It's web address has been given on another discussion. Even if it's out of date, waving it in the face of some harried fight attendant will generally get results.
I think it's worth clarifying that BA/Logan is the only alternative into Shetland (or many smaller Scottish airports for that matter), and that the hand baggage restrictions are common to other airlines as well - for very good reasons too. Arguments about choosing other carriers aren't possible when there are no other carriers on that route.
That said, there has been someone carrying a fiddle on almost every flight I've taken to/from Aberdeen lately, including BA, certainly since the new restrictions were announced , and they've all obviously been allowed to take them onboard.
Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I am flying to Scotland in 10 days' time on British Airways, and I have found out that, with effect from earlier in July, hand luggage is being restricted to dimensions 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches. As this is smaller than my fiddle, let alone my fiddle case, I rang British Airways Customer Service to explain the problem. The lady I spoke to said that I would definitely not be able to take my fiddle into the cabin, and that if I turn up at the boarding gate with it, it will definitely be taken from me and put in the hold. This is making me very nervous - has anyone else tried to fly British Airways with a fiddle in the last few weeks?
Thanks.
LW
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by LW
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I had same problem fying out on Ryanair - had to use smooth talking / persuasion for it to be allowed as 'carry on' . It is a very compact 'shaped' ( not retangular) fiddle case - and although 'over length' is well under size / weight allowances in every other respect.
On way back I followed someones advice - I had no other hand bagage - and had it slung low over my shoulder so it 'dissapeared' behind me - and it wasn't questioned.
However, it would be good to have some formal recognition from airlines that items slightly over size in one aspect only - and clearly occupy ing minimal overhead locker space - would be allowed.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Col Arco
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
It's simple: Don't fly Britsh Airways. If they're going to be such fascists about it, take your business elsewhere; they obviously don't care enough about your business to accommodate your needs. Fer chrissake it's only a fiddle.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Hanley
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I fly with my mandolin on RyanAir. If you ring up their customer service, they do what the BA people do - they tell you what the rules are and that you will have to obey them. They told me I had to buy a second seat for my mandolin!
In practice, what I now do is turn up at check-in, put my holdall on the conveyer, put the mandolin case on the floor behind the desk where the clerk can't see it and say NOTHING about it. Nobody has stopped me taking it through yet.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by DaveL35
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
exactly as Dave said for me.
My Mandolin in case is a few cm longer than officially allowed (limit is 54cm) but it's clearly light and lies flatter than some of the allowable luggage.
I've flown several times on Ryanair and BA since the new guidelines. I don't ask and they don't tell. or vice versa.
Don't use a great big hardshell case though.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Bren
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I suggest that you tell them that you contribute to a musicians forum numbering several thousand individuals, and you will pass on the information that they should be boycotted because of their unhelpful attitude, unless there is a rapid change !
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
Well said! I've flown (??) United, I think, many times
with the fiddle- sometimes they'll give me a hard time
but just insist!!! Oftentimes there's a little closet in
the front of the cabin that they'll stow it in if there's
not enough room in the overheads.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by BE
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
whereas I have seen people pull out guitars and sit there happily playing while the steward stows the case. OK backwater country backwater airline.
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by Joze
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
Definitley hide it. If you don't make a big deal about it they won't notice 'till you're on and in the air, and by then it's too late (bwahhahaha!).
To cthuilleanpiper and Guernsey, I must (unhappily) report that musicians have been complaining about this for as long as there's been commercial passenger air travel (in the US, they've even petitioned the FAA to make certain rules specifically for instruments that companies would have to follow), and there's been no action. You can't really just stop flying the offending airline, because the major carriers are /all/ like that.
Joze, to which particular backwater are you refering? Sounds like the place to travel!
# Posted on July 27th 2006 by skellington
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
sounds like "Air NZ Link"!
In the UK, I've trie d to check my mando in on occasion, and they've insisted I take it as hand-luggage
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Bren
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
scaryAirNZ link it is.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Joze
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
you know there is an FAA and warsaw convention guideline available online somewhere, however each individual airline depends on just how far that hot poker is inserted at the time of writing carrier conditions.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Joze
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
There's a serious, and new problem, about the BA luggage restrictions. I've flown BA (and other airlines) many many times with my fiddle and barely ever had problems - but, last time I was at Heathrow, the lady at check-in told me that I wouldn't be able to take the fiddle through in future.
My reading: BA will be seriously strict on this for a few months, and then perhaps calm down. But, try to get the smallest shaped fiddle case that you can and you stand a better chance.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by ewallace
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
These things are done for good reason . Its all about security apparently as strings could be removed and used as a weapon...
( I have managed to get my banjo on Ryan air as hand luggage by hiding it behind my back but may not work everytime)
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by AlanB
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I did hear of a lady who had her musical saw ( ! ) taken off her at check-in, in case it could be used as a weapon; some years ago too, not just this millenium.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
skellington:
Bullsh*t. Fly a different airline, or use a different mode of transportation.
Or you can just fly the crappy airline with the fascist policies, get your instrument smashed to pieces by its baggage gorillas, and feel like a fool. You can't reason with them. The only way to deal with them is to just avoid them.
On a carrier with sane, reasonable policies, most of these difficulties can be avoided just by having the smallest possible case for your instrument and arriving early for your seat assignment. Choose a seat towards the back of the plane; they're usually the first to board after the elderly, small children, and disabled. You'll find you have plenty of room for your gear.
Or you can fly first class $$$$$$ they'll leave you alone then.
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by Hanley
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
To everyone who has responded to this post, thank you very much indeed, it's really helpful information. To those who recommend not flying with British Airways, unfortunately at the time of booking earlier this year, they were all that was available to get me from London on a connecting flight to Shetland, where even Loganair, the connecting carrier, is a subsidiary of BA. I am going to Shetland to attend Fiddle Frenzy 2006, so I will not be alone, I imagine, in worrying about this! By the sound of it, there could be many other people on my flights trying to hide their fiddles behind their backs...
LW
# Posted on July 28th 2006 by LW
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
It's practically impossible to wak round Aberdeen airport without seeing someone carrying a fiddle as hand luggage, especially at the moment.
As far as I can see, BA is not stopping them from taking them onboard, but it would not be wise to press the issue at the check-in.
I can't see them stopping passengers to Shetland, of all places, from carrying fiddles onboard.
They certainly didn't stop me with my mando and I've flown with it several times since the new rules.
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by Bren
Re: North Atlantic Fiddle Convention?
Aye Bren, how is the 'North Atlantic Fiddle Convention' going?Any word of deadly sessions with the likes of guests - Matt Cranitch, Seamus Creagh & Liz Doherty?
http://www.thesession.org/events/display/17
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I've been busy and missed most of it pTarm. I was at the opening concert and particularly enjoyed Paul Anderson's and Catriona MacDonald's contributions. Catriona has that thing "presence" or "charisma" as well as ability, that would make a listener of even a non-trad -over.
There was a bit of a session at the Lampie later featuring a contingent from Louisiana playing cajun ( I think) very rhythmic and lively but I had to go to work the next day so didn't stay. I believe Ron and Kenny left for another session so perhaps it wasn't their cup of gumbo
# Posted on July 30th 2006 by Bren
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
The simple solution is to get a friend to go with you to the airport, and get them to hold the instrument somewhere else, while you check in.......works every time!
# Posted on July 31st 2006 by sooz
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
Hi Bren. Yes, it wasn't my cup of tea at all. They were, however, good musicians. But it was really the percussion I personally found too much - to even stay in the bar at all - you could hear that bloody triangle nearly 100 yards down the road from the bar!
# Posted on July 31st 2006 by Ron P
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
yes, it went jingle-jangle
# Posted on July 31st 2006 by Bren
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
No, it went JINGLE-JANGLE.
# Posted on July 31st 2006 by Ron P
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I played fiddle on a plane for the stewardesses once
it was really cool!
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by BE
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
Wait, if you bought the ticket before this rule took place, if push comes to shove, you should be able to say that if you had known of this rule when you made the arraingments, you would have chosen another carrier. Make them change your flight to a sister carrier, just like they do if there is breakdown. You bought the ticket in good faith, understanding the rules of carry-on. If they change them mid-stream then they have to accomodate you. Make it clear that they are losing business and don't fly them again.
There is a marvelous piece of paper put available on the web which states what a musician can carry on board for internal US flights. It's web address has been given on another discussion. Even if it's out of date, waving it in the face of some harried fight attendant will generally get results.
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by Meri-pixie
Re: Fiddles hand luggage British Airways
I think it's worth clarifying that BA/Logan is the only alternative into Shetland (or many smaller Scottish airports for that matter), and that the hand baggage restrictions are common to other airlines as well - for very good reasons too. Arguments about choosing other carriers aren't possible when there are no other carriers on that route.
That said, there has been someone carrying a fiddle on almost every flight I've taken to/from Aberdeen lately, including BA, certainly since the new restrictions were announced , and they've all obviously been allowed to take them onboard.
# Posted on August 7th 2006 by Bren