Flying on instruments
May 6, 2008 by Evan Sparks
The Senate amendments to the FAA reauthorization bill include Section 714, which updates the law on “transporting musical instruments,” which is clearly an important issue for our elected representatives. I bet you’re on tenterhooks waiting to read this groundbreaking legislation. Here are some highlights from among the bureaucratic tedium:
- “An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin without charge if the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat.” But if bags shift while in flight, the airline is not responsible for damage to your Stradivarius.
- “An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of paragraph in the aircraft cabin without charge if. . . the instrument can be secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight. . . .” Secure your own mask before assisting your instrument.
- . . . and if “the passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.” Would a cellist count as disabled for air travel purposes in Canada?
