The long-running travel issues over ecologically threatened woods such as Brazilian rosewood are back in the forefront for those in the guitar industry. The new 2017 international regulations don't apply to non-commercial transportation of guitars and similar instruments, however. This means, at least in theory, that guitarists shouldn't have problems when carrying their own instruments. The Convention of International … [Read more...]
Airline reform for musical instruments in the books
The new year brings a new era in air travel for musicians, as the Federal Register published the long-awaited "Carriage of Musical Instruments" rules. The rule takes effect 60 days after the publication, dated Jan. 5, 2015. The FAA regulations' new "Part 251" addresses small musical instruments as carry-on baggage, the area in which most of the in-flight frustrations and clashes occur. "At DOT, we know how important … [Read more...]
Overseas travel for musicians
Improvements in the U.S. treatment of musicians and their instruments do not necessarily translate overseas. In Europe, myriad problems with musical instruments on airlines led the European Commission to address the issue in a memo of March 13, 2013: In the "Air Passenger Rights Revision," the EU proposed "strengthened enforcement for baggage rules and specific rules for ... music instruments." Under new rights, we … [Read more...]
Dealing with the TSA blues
Traveling with a musical instrument? Those stern and harried folks at the Transportation Security Administration can be your allies. They may even be up for a jam session. Well, at least if you encounter the TSA blogger charged with offering advice to traveling musicians. "Prior to the TSA I was a singer-songwriter and traveled the world with my band," says the author of a helpful TSA blog post about traveling with … [Read more...]
Packing: Leaving on a jet plane
Successful traveling with your instruments begins at home. Pack your guitar with care; anticipate the drill at the airport. Here are some tips culled from various veteran guitar shippers and traveling musicians. All suggestions are just that: Your mileage may vary. 1. Remove all unnecessary items from the case. Ensure that what's left in the accessory compartment isn't going to cause problems with the TSA machines or humans … [Read more...]
Exotic-wood travel threat lifted
Traveling guitarists fearing logjams at U.S. Customs can relax, it seems. The USDA has decided that shaking down guitarists because their instrument might contain ecologically threatened woods such as Brazilian rosewood doesn't make a lot of sense. In a report to Congress of late May 2013, the Department of Agriculture said those traveling with guitars or similar instruments would "not need to submit a Lacey Act … [Read more...]
‘United Breaks Guitars’ trilogy
"My god, they're throwing guitars out there." With those fateful words from a fellow passenger, Dave Carroll's life and career told an unlikely detour. The crippling of the Canadian musician's beloved Taylor guitar at the hands of United Airlines baggage handlers became the stuff of folklore. And, improbably, resigning his $3,500 guitar to checked baggage proved the most unlikely of career moves. Let's go directly to … [Read more...]
A little traveling music …
Many top-tier musicians spend much of their time on the road. So it's no wonder these road warriors' travels have inspired many songs about the touring life's highs and lows. Here are 10 of our favorites (add yours below): "Baggage gone, oh well ... " "I'm smokin' into Texas with the hammer down ..." "My god, they're throwing guitars out there ..." "When that last guitar's been packed away / You know … [Read more...]