I know that the Dao dragging incident has emboldened many to come forward with stories of dubious veracity. Yet there is something about a new “United violin incident” that seems so outlandish that I have trouble believing it was made up.
Yennifer Correia, a professional violinist, was on her way to a concert in Missouri. At Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, she was stopped upon boarding her flight and told the violin would need to be checked. A supervisor claimed there were no alternate options and allegedly became rude. Correia asked for her name. That’s when our story takes an unexpected twist.
According to her legal complaint (yup), this is what happened next–
Without provocation, the supervisor for the Chicago-based carrier then lunged for Ms. Correia’s case and, incredibly, tried to wrestle it away from the musician. Ms. Correia screamed for help. The United supervisor threatened to “call security” and Ms. Correia responded, “Please do!” at which point the United superior ran away.
I don’t know. It makes me think of Ethel’s testimony in court…
Here’s a look at the legal complaint, posted on her Facebook page:
No word on what happened after the supervisor ran away, which makes me question the whole story. Still, I must admit I can see this happening. I’ve seen some nasty agents in IAH…
The complaint does state she missed her flight, but does not explain why.
Here is United’s carry-on policy for musical instruments:
Musical instruments
Depending on their size, musical instruments can be carried on board, handled as checked baggage, or carried as cabin-seat baggage.
In the case of customers who purchased a Basic Economy ticket, a small musical instrument may be carried on instead of a small personal item, subject to the same conditions below. A larger musical instrument that does not fit in the overhead bin and is brought to the gate will be checked to your final destination and subject to the applicable checked baggage fees plus a $25 gate handling charge.
As carry-on
As part of the allowance of one carry-on bag plus one personal item, a passenger may carry a violin, guitar or other small musical instrument onboard the aircraft if:
- The instrument can be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of the passenger; and
- There is space for stowage at the time when the passenger boards the aircraft
Musical instruments transported onboard United and United Express aircraft must be in hard-shell cases.
Apparently, Ms. Correia was on an economy basic fare…
CONCLUSION
File this under suspect, but developing.
(H/T: Flyertalk)
so you believe all this libel by blood sucking lawyers using their firm as a bully pulpit ?
I’m curious. I think the note speaks for itself, yet on the other hand I’ve seen incredibly nasty agents at IAH.
Looking at the lawyer’s email, wow! Aol still exist?
I am a professional musician and fly frequently domestically and internationally. It is not easy to travel with an old instrument worth millions of dollars and bows worth tens of thousands that must go with me into the cabin. There have been frequent recent instances of professional musicians (many well known colleagues) being denied boarding unless instruments are checked even when the size of the case fits easily into overhead bins according to the websites of the airline companies. We musicians are diligent about checking aircraft models for specific flights to be sure that the overhead bins will be large enough. Cellists buy an extra seat for their instruments but violinists and violists are at the mercy of the gate agents (the flight attendants are usually nice) even after purchasing priority boarding passes and/or premium seating. Double bass players have had their instruments completely destroyed as checked baggage as they are too large to fit in a seat on the aircraft like a cello. Unfortunately, I have an upcoming flight on United to Europe and I am concerned as I have not flown the airline with my instrument in a number of years.
Perhpas, I’m missing something here; the despicable gate agents of United harassed and manhandled the female musician over a violin, which by United’s own rules, she was allowed to carry. However, the savage terrorists who hijacked four aircraft on Sept. 11, 2001, were allowed to bring box cutters on board commercial aircraft, and murder a number of flight crews and passengers, before crashing those planes into the Pentagon, the World Trade Towers, and into a field in Shanksville, PA. Something stinks about what is allowed to be brought on a commercial aircraft, and what is not allowed to be brought on board.
I do have a related question, concerning financial responsibility and liability for checked items versus carry-ons. In my own case, I was returning home from the annual convention of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), where I had purchased nine antique French carriage clocks. These were the earliest use of a traveler’s alarm clock, as it were, dating from 1850 to 1910, and each measures approximately five-six inches high, four inches wide, and three inches deep. I had paid $150 each with their needing servicing (I am a professional clocksmith). Thus my small carry-on contained a $1,350 investment – not huge, but not just a couple of shirts, either. I was one of the later passengers boarding the craft, and as I approached the door, I was told I would have to check my bag. I explained that, while well wrapped, I was concerned for the safe journey for these antique clocks (cut beveled leaded glass on 4 sides, with brass columns, top, and base). She rudely stated “I just don’t care”, and I continued trying to point out that the small print on the ticket stated that the airline was not responsible for any damage to checked items beyond the value of the bag itself, and she was then forcing me to accept a risk to these antique clocks that I didn’t want to accept, and I should be allowed to carry this small bag on. She became even more abusive towards me, and concluded with saying one more word out of me, and I wasn’t going to be flying today.
Perhaps you could do an article on liability versus maintaining possession and checking versus carry-ons. It fits right in there with small very valuable items = musical instruments, rare books, antique glass, etc. Thank you!