[Dixielandjazz] Fw: Musical Instruments as Carry-on Luggage

[Ministry of Jazz]

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 LuggageThe 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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