Flight attendant tries to force violinist to check instrument into hold: ‘We don’t go with federal law’

Yoyo Ma paid for that seat to keep his Cello safe. It was always allowed when I flew form 1969 to 2009.
He was a delight to have on board

... did he let you take it for a spin?

It was the Davydov Strad. Probably valued at over $10M. Yo-Yo-Ma does not own it, it is on loan to him.

I hope they didn't have to duct tape Mr. Cello!

If he played Bach's Cello Suite in G during the flight, I would have paid for the cello's ticket.

Yards yadda yadda

And that was against federal law…

Student pilots.....

Bobby thanks for mentioning Braniff. I moved to Dallas in ‘79. Tried to be driving on Wycliff @ Toll Way between 4&5 every afternoon. FA’s dressed in Paris fashions and Calder put some pretty wild graffiti on those planes.
Man those were the days.
Great thread with an occasional sore head, on if the best in awhile

Haha, airplane manufacturers are going to have to modify some seats so they'll accommodate straightjackets, all this duct tape is just too messy and blue-collar. They can even have luxury straightjackets for 1st class passengers that wig out.

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are...

Probably, actually I know it did.

Ever heard of a F/A making $1,500,000 a year?

She also should have referenced her GOM. Unless things have changed since I was a flight attendant I don't believe they get gate checked. I had a similar thing happen with me and a passenger where he had sensitive geological equipment. We got in a bit of a pissing contest but I checked my GOM and he was right. I apologized, I felt like a jerk but I was able to stow his equipment in our closet and enough said.

I was on a flight a couple of years ago on SWA, and the passenger bought seats both for him + his instrument. Smart idea, he said he had dealt with the same issue in the past. There are solutions, even though this situation sounds like the airline has a bad policy.

That also happened to a cellist - he even bought a second seat in First Class. They broke it on belt

well said

Yes, they do. Remember this gem?

"United Breaks Guitars" - Sons of Maxwell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

Absolutely right. I think this violinist was absolutely correct in how she handled the situation. The final authority on any flight is the Captain. If I were a musician, I would take the extra step of obtaining a copy of the airline policy regarding musical instruments and a copy of the federal regulation. If I ran into a flight attendant who told me that "we don't follow federal law" I would hand the flight attendant a copy of the regulation and policy and say: "Really? I think you do. If you don't believe me, Why don't we ask the Captain?"

If she didn't know THIS she probably didn't listen in re-qualification class. I went to 40 of these classes and we were always reviewing the FAA rules and Federal Laws. BUT, then again, today these F/As are merely Mask Police and most come with a real attitude. Glad I retired with amazing memories of wonderful passengers and fun trips.

Not always a power trip, but more often than not, a lack of common sense, that’s in short supply in today’s world!

Keep in mind that she was the first to board the aircraft.

this is precisely why she had priority boarding, as stated in the article

I think I'll tell my nephew to duct tape the bass to his body next time he flies...

This didn't happen on United, it was an express carrier.

I do remember old gangster movies with the thugs toting violin cases, though if memory serves, not containing violins.

Too many people trying to have it both ways. If you use Federal regs to justify some of the things you do, you can't very well say that Federal laws don't apply here.

As I replyed to Gary Miller. Maybe it was an evil Black Violin.

Was it Frank Zappa that had a guitar that had a sticker on it saying it wanted to kill mo mother, or was it one of his crazy songs. Just an odd tangent for a Saturday evening...

I refer to United as “Untied” as well. Granted, the only issue I have had on a UAL flight was a disgusting, shoe-less passenger seated behind me who insisted on placing her foot on my armrest.

Think it was United that killed a dog, too

The Flight Attendant didn't work for United.

She doesn't work for United.

LOL (and if you heard me try to play one it would definitely cause trauma)!

I think that a lot of the smaller regional airlines do not instruct their flight attendants on the rules and regulations of the flag carrier that they represent. An obvious reason is that the regional airlines have a harder time retaining aircrews because a lot of them get their foot in the door with the regionals, and then lose them to the airlines. It's a tough position to be in but they are supposed to give that instruction. I cringe when I think one day to read an NTSB report that says cause of accident was failure of the flight crew to follow correct procedure while representing a major carrier on a regional line.

Don't we wish???
they are all MASK POLICE. they don't do anything but check mask compliance.
I went to the lab and wanted a glass of water but the F/A was asleep on his jumpseat in the galley.
Flying is just a bus ride experience today.

The Antonov 225

I have no problem with duct taping passengers who are a threat. It's either that or they get the George Floyd Kneel. Simple choice, really.

I think the duct-tape incident was on American. Indeed, didn't United just recently say that it was their policy to not carry duct-tape on board?

I have to respectfully disagree with you on the law..
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-issues-final-rule-regarding-air-travel-musical

prosecute for _what_ exactly? is this like jailing trump for his crimes?
the FA should certainly be suspended unpaid and sent to remedial training before being allowed to crew up again.

And then as the fired FA is leaving the airport, unleash a pack of wild dogs to rip her to pieces, and then simply claim, "we don't follow the law in restraining our animals".

vs. who?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/southwest-flew-millions-on-jets-with-unconfirmed-maintenance-records-government-report-says-11580380201

Maybe it was an evil black one.

If wearing a face mask removes that much humanity from your, there wasn't much to start with.

Some woodwind cases fit under the seat.

Brass instruments usually can be checked; there’s no risk of cracked wood or damaged pads in an unpressurized hold.

Harp and most percussion would be checked outright due to size.

Like woodwinds: string players have much more to worry about re damage with unpressurized stowage.

Cellists and double basses either buy a designated seat for the instrument in the cabin, which of course uses no overhead space, or get a very expensive hard travel case for under the plane. Even with the latter, most would far rather buy the extra seat so they know their livelihood is right there with them in the cabin.

Violinists and violists do not usually buy extra seats because their cases will fit in the overhead bin, but as you say, what happens if there are several instruments on the flight.

Generally, if an ie entire orchestra is going to tour, the airline knows in advance they are all on the flight, so the orchestra will try to work out all of those instrument stowage details ahead of time. They have to, for everyone’s sake. Also, usually an entire orchestra won’t go on the same flight: some musicians will go earlier.

If a few/dozen musicians are traveling on the same flight to ie a summer festival, they need to be aware of their boarding zone (and have a backup plan if near the end of the line) or request preboarding.

Guess the x factor is willingness of others to be sympathetic to your plight in regard to no more overhead bin space. An instrument that you make your living on is not the same as a rollerboard with clothes. But, as some have rightfully alluded to, musicians don’t get special rights when we travel in regard to the carry-on bin space. It’s there for everyone.

If a violinist had the misfortune of a delayed incoming flight and unfortunately ended up having to board a connection flight last, I would hope there’d be enough understanding that room could somehow be made for bin storage of their instrument. If not, the musician would probably have to ask about taking the next flight because under-cabin stowage really could cause serious damage to certain instruments.

Hopefully orchestra would have traveled by bus......usually not a bad experience for musicians.

Carrington the LONDON ENGLAND Philharmonic with ALL their hand instruments was a breeze. Well, then again, I did fly during the age of Civility....1969 to 2009....there are in fact rules for carriage of delicate instruments. It's the rudeness in today's F/As. They are merely Mask Police that do nothing but look for one to be off some face so they can use the limited authority they were given.

Good point of view, but I don't think this musician acted wrong.
The F.A. should have noticed the customer there was no space in bins, not stating the airline doesn't go with federal law.
But she had a priority boarding just to avoid risks on a RJ also, i think this demontrate situation awareness by the ruly customer.
Bottom line, my critique is for F.A.

Of course you're correct, this 'federal law' business is complete bullshit. Federal law doesn't *require* that musical instruments be placed in carry-on bins, it permits it. But I'm sure the flight attendant was wrong and misunderstood the company policy.

sorry - but booked capacity of the flight has no bearing on how many people get to bring carryons aboard. First come first served always has. Proof of that is the inevitable announcement at the gate 3/4ths the way through boarding stating "there is no more room for carryones - get a check bag tag here and leave it at the end of the jetway".

How do you know that she should have allowed it? Some tickets these days do not include access to the overhead bins. In any case space is limited - if everybody showed up with a violin and a demand there simply would not be space. The flight attendant was merely trying to be fair to other paying passengers. Maybe Hunt should charter her own aircraft in the future.

F/A was being the usual police in todays markets....there is not the niceness that flights used to have. They are all just MASK POLICE and to heck with any other rules or laws. It is pitiful and I am glad I retired after 40 years of fun, and good feelings with passengers and respect going both ways. I truly did fly in the Golden Age of Flying.