<p>Here is a message received from the AFM announcing a new policy from Delta Airlines:</p>
<p>As a result of the American Federation of Musicians' boycott and the leadership of President Tom Lee, Delta Airlines recently has decided to allow small musical instruments and guitars on board all flights. Therefore, AFM has lifted its boycott on Delta. In addition to its carry-on policy, Delta also improved its checked baggage policy. Checked items can now measure up to 120 linear inches and weigh up to 100 pounds. AFM is currently urging all other airlines to adopt Delta's policies. We applaud Delta for its decision to accommodate musicians traveling with instruments. Thank you all very much for your support of the boycott.
Sincerely,
Hal Ponder Director of Government Relations
American Federation of Musicians</p>
<p>Unless you are dealing with a harp, a double bass, a large bass drum or something of similar size, the 120" limit is not going to be a problem. Even something as large as</p>
<p>Make sure you notice that those dimensions are referring to CHECKED baggage. The thing I am noticing about the new ruling is that it allows guitars as carryon. We've never had trouble with violin or horn, but have not been allowed to carry on guitars.</p>
<p>Good news...Last week flew AA. Can't remember if it was the AA flight from Tucson to Dallas or the one from Dallas to DCA, but the cello case going up the luggage ramp of the plane made me wince...</p>
<p>I was travelling on Southwest 2 years ago and there was no space left overhead to put my S's violin in. An attendant offered to find a place for it up front and we handed it over (at their insistence). She returned with a claim check and said they had put it in the luggage compartment underneath!! When I asked to have it returned to us so that we could get off the plane and wait to take another plane, they said that the plane had been sealed for takeoff and that we could not get off. We were in a total panic - the violin would have been ruined on a conveyor belt. In tears, I got the supervisor of the flight attendants to agree to have it given special handling at the arrival airport (it was taken off and transported to the terminal on one of their little electric cars - never went on the conveyor belt) so luckily the instrument was not damaged, but needless to say, we worried for the entire flight. We wrote a complaint letter to Southwest to which we did not receive a personal reply. </p>
<p>My advice: if you are travelling with an instrument, make absolutely sure to be one of the first to board the plane. If they refuse to allow it now, we will simply not get on the plane, but I will never again risk having it taken from us once the plane is set to leave. On a very small Northwest plane last month, they warned us that it might not fit in the compartment and tried to get us to check it at the gate. I knew from past experience that it would fit, told them this and told them it was worth $50,000 (an exaggeration, but it is worth a lot). This bought us the right to try. I also said that we would not fly on that plane if the violin was required to be checked.</p>
<p>S was on an international tour last year and Lufthansa lost his trumpets (triple case) en route from Rome. I think it was the handler who was supposed to take special care of it (and boy, did he ever). We did so much jumping up and down in Boston, the airlines grew suspicious and wanted to shred his case to make sure we weren't smuggling anything into the country (we weren't...S just needed his instruments for music camp which started without his horns). If you can fly with the instruments right next to you...do it.</p>
<p>Last time my son flew with his trumpets--I think it was United--he asked if he could board early, and they let him get on with the first class and disabled passengers. But, yes, it does pay to ask ahead of time and not take your chances.</p>