I heard on the BBC earlier this evening that some leading classical musicians are preparing to march on 10 Downing Street to protest to the Prime Minister in person about the banning of carrying on instruments to aircraft, and the harm it is doing to the British Music Industry.
Well, if Julian Lloyd-Weber and his cello can't persuade the PM, then nothing will !
It was pointed out, in all seriousness, that the emergency regulations had been relaxed re lap-tops, fearing a backlash and loss of trade from the business community, and that the music biz is also a high money-earner for the economy of the UK. In the end it's all going to be about money, nothing about our health and safety, isn't it ?
Await further developements........
I'd like to be able to carry my instruments with me, and not because I earn any money with them.
I'd be happy to join a register of known musicians worldwide and check in early through a separate line, just so I can take my music with me (and not have the baggage handlers smash my pride and joy).
Forgot to add, for professional musicians, money is food on the table and shelter for their wives and children, so yes, if they can't get gigs and their income is suffering, I'm not suprised they're sore at the Government's inaction on this matter.
For amateurs it's annoying, for a professional musician it's devestating.
I would like to thank the nice lady at Ryan air check in at Kerry Airport , who asked me if I thought my banjo would go in the overhead locker , I of course replied yes and so took it on as hand luggage! Just shows its worth a try even with crazy restrictions.
When I went to Denmark(via Hamburg) the other week, I took my old mandolin(just in case) and had to check it into the hold.
On my return from Hamburg, however, I was able to carry it on as hand luggage without any problem. In fact, the lovely lady steward said "I hope that you'll play us a nice tune later on". I didn't want to push my luck though.
So, it's very much a UK/US thing but I fear that we might soon be successful in converting our European partners to our way of thinking.
My impression is that it´s all down to who you are faced with at check-in.
You´ve either got your typical "jobsworth", or - if you´re lucky - someone with a brain instead of an answering machine.
I've been trying to get an answer from Iberian for the last 24 hours before I book a flight to Galicia - I don't want to get to the airport and find my fiddle can't travel!
I flew from Perth W.A. last week, boarding again at Singapore and then at Heathrow for the final bit to Aberdeen.
Carried a laptop in a backpack and a mandolin in light case in hand.
No hassle at all, not even at LHR security and transfer.
Had to dump any bottles at LHR though.
The thing is though, if you challenge an airline over the phone, they will give you the most conservative and negative interpretation to cover their backsides, so I wouldn't bother phoning them
Update on instruments on aircraft.
Update on instruments on aircraft.
I heard on the BBC earlier this evening that some leading classical musicians are preparing to march on 10 Downing Street to protest to the Prime Minister in person about the banning of carrying on instruments to aircraft, and the harm it is doing to the British Music Industry.
Well, if Julian Lloyd-Weber and his cello can't persuade the PM, then nothing will !
It was pointed out, in all seriousness, that the emergency regulations had been relaxed re lap-tops, fearing a backlash and loss of trade from the business community, and that the music biz is also a high money-earner for the economy of the UK. In the end it's all going to be about money, nothing about our health and safety, isn't it ?
Await further developements........
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
I'd like to be able to carry my instruments with me, and not because I earn any money with them.
I'd be happy to join a register of known musicians worldwide and check in early through a separate line, just so I can take my music with me (and not have the baggage handlers smash my pride and joy).
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
Forgot to add, for professional musicians, money is food on the table and shelter for their wives and children, so yes, if they can't get gigs and their income is suffering, I'm not suprised they're sore at the Government's inaction on this matter.
For amateurs it's annoying, for a professional musician it's devestating.
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Martin Milner
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
I would like to thank the nice lady at Ryan air check in at Kerry Airport , who asked me if I thought my banjo would go in the overhead locker , I of course replied yes and so took it on as hand luggage! Just shows its worth a try even with crazy restrictions.
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by AlanB
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
When I went to Denmark(via Hamburg) the other week, I took my old mandolin(just in case) and had to check it into the hold.
On my return from Hamburg, however, I was able to carry it on as hand luggage without any problem. In fact, the lovely lady steward said "I hope that you'll play us a nice tune later on". I didn't want to push my luck though.
So, it's very much a UK/US thing but I fear that we might soon be successful in converting our European partners to our way of thinking.
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Johnny Jay
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
My impression is that it´s all down to who you are faced with at check-in.
You´ve either got your typical "jobsworth", or - if you´re lucky - someone with a brain instead of an answering machine.
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by murfbox
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
I've been trying to get an answer from Iberian for the last 24 hours before I book a flight to Galicia - I don't want to get to the airport and find my fiddle can't travel!
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Tarrantella
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
I flew from Perth W.A. last week, boarding again at Singapore and then at Heathrow for the final bit to Aberdeen.
Carried a laptop in a backpack and a mandolin in light case in hand.
No hassle at all, not even at LHR security and transfer.
Had to dump any bottles at LHR though.
The thing is though, if you challenge an airline over the phone, they will give you the most conservative and negative interpretation to cover their backsides, so I wouldn't bother phoning them
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by Bren
Re: Update on instruments on aircraft.
Still nothing regarding instruments and security on the British MU website. Do we draw our own conclusions from that?
# Posted on September 5th 2006 by geoffwright