A musician's story of flying the weekend before last. ("Hello" to N.CA!)

With all the late breaking "terra" stories and the crackdown by British Airways on carry-on parcels, I offer this story...

The weekend before last I flew from Kansas City to San Francisco via Dallas/Ft. Worth for a short 4-day vacation. As I'm a musician, I took my instrument with me. Because I've had a bad experience with airlines and musical instruments--I had an instrument damaged as "checked-through luggage" on a flight 20 years ago--I take my horn with me as carry-on. It's small enough to qualify for this. I've done this twice since 9/11 without incident, albeit on the return trip this last time the inspectors at San Francisco International decided to take a part of the instrument out of its case following the trip through the x-ray machine. I believe they thought it might be a kind of gun. No problem: they wore gloves (what appeared to be made of cotton) and were delicate about it. They also appeared to be swiping the inside of the case with a round piece of cloth. I suppose they were checking for some kind of residue--explosive, perhaps? This cloth was then placed in some kind of device, I suppose, to check for something. I couldn't see all that happened.

However, with the current crackdown perhaps becoming permanent practice, I wonder about future airline trips and taking my instrument. No musician in his/her right mind will allow an instrument to go through baggage. This will only stifle travel to concerts, workshops, symposiums, schools, etc. And it appears buying a second ticket (what many musicians do, particularly players of larger instruments) won't be an available option since no carry-on luggage will be allowed. I suspect the airlines will have to address this or lose a significant amount of business since this will affect musicians from all walks of music...

Incidentally, thanks to Northern California, particularly Santa Rosa and Cotati, for such a wonderful time! :hi: I had such fun touring the wine country and redwood groves. And jamming...always a good time jamming! B-)

Sorry you didn't get to Oaktown.

Yes, they were swiping for explosive residue. They did it way before 9/11. When they swiped my bag once, they explained what they were doing.

I got called out for the double-secret extra-frisk in the little office off to the side last time, while the guy two people ahead of me walken on straight through with some funny fishing hat on that had 3 fish hooks on it, one of them pretty big... I would think you shouldn't have any problems, but I'd allow plenty of time, and then maybe add some more time on top of that.

Just kidding.

I am usually able to get my guitar stowed in the crew closet.