Some sound advice for Qantas - give musicians a break

[oz_mark]

In its obsession with profits, the airline is fleecing artists.

As a travelling musician, I spend more of my life than I would like queuing in Qantas aerobridges, the sides of which are usually adorned with glossy posters trumpeting the airline's support of the high arts. I've seen them a million times and, as a labourer in the vineyard of contemporary popular music I pay scant attention. I've never received, nor do I expect to receive, any of Qantas's philanthropic largesse.

Qantas Bans Guitars As Carry-On Luggage

 

[samh004]

To be fair, a guitar would take up a lot of overhead locker space and considering the "delicate" argument, I’d imagine they wouldn’t be happy with others trying to squeeze their bags in around the instrument. That’s not fair to anyone else.

Perhaps Qantas needs to have a re-think on the piece system (CX recently enhanced their system to something useful) and if they’re going to ban items as carry-on they should allow them to be freely checked-in, to a certain limit of course. Wouldn’t be hard to implement such a system, surely? Could be similar to sporting equipment.

 

[dizperliz]

Cello players have the option of purchasing a seat in the cabin for their instrument yet cannot be used as carry on luggage due immense space in overhead bins. Yet sizing is similar to a guitar... Good on them for enforcing it.

 

[anat0l]

Well, I guess all the musicians fly DJ then.

After all, it's cheaper too, right? And it's cheaper too, right? And they don't really mind what you bring on board, right?

 

[farstar]

I am not sure why any passenger would think they should get special treatment over others, for carry on luggage even passengers with QFF status get the same allowance.

If it can't fit under the seat or in the overhead then it needs to be checked. It is unfair to other passengers to expect them to make room for say a double bass that someone wants to bring on board.

 

[Flying Fox]

Cello players have the option of purchasing a seat in the cabin for their instrument yet cannot be used as carry on luggage due immense space in overhead bins. Yet sizing is similar to a guitar... Good on them for enforcing it.

If they do this and register their cello under QFF, will it earn points?

 

[drewbles]

If they ban Guitars on board, how on earth are they going to make sick people feel better:

 

[samh004]

If they do this and register their cello under QFF, will it earn points?

Per the T&C’s:

5.1 Membership of Qantas Frequent Flyer is open only to individuals. Membership is not open to families, groups, companies, trusts, partnerships, other entities, government departments, agencies, animals or inanimate objects.

I’m pretty sure a cello would count as an inanimate object

 

[drewbles]

Per the T&C’s:

5.1 Membership of Qantas Frequent Flyer is open only to individuals. Membership is not open to families, groups, companies, trusts, partnerships, other entities, government departments, agencies, animals or inanimate objects.

I’m pretty sure a cello would count as an inanimate object

It has been mentioned somewhere that if a PAX has two seats, they will earn points for both seats, but SC's for just one (the one you booked to sit in, not the extra seat). I can't find it in the T&C's but i'm sure serfty and his amazing memory will have a link to it somewhere

 

[Flying Fox]

I’m pretty sure a cello would count as an inanimate object

I think that you are right. Although I have heard that some musicians have a 'special' relationship with their instrument....

 

[cjg]

I am not sure why any passenger would think they should get special treatment over others, for carry on luggage even passengers with QFF status get the same allowance.

If it can't fit under the seat or in the overhead then it needs to be checked. It is unfair to other passengers to expect them to make room for say a double bass that someone wants to bring on board.

+1 I agree.



I've got friends who travel for business and need large pieces of equipment that I would say are about the size of a guitar. They recognise that this luggage is outside the carry on luggage allowances and check them in. At times they have to pay additional luggage charges as they exceed their entitlement, but they accept that it is a cost of doing business.

If musicians are concerned about damage to their instruments aren't there insurance policies available that would cover this type of incident?

 

[dizperliz]

Curiosity got to me so I stopped by the DJ svc desk in BNE and SYD yesterday so query a guitar. Both gave an honest No. With No possibility to have a guitar used as carryon luggage or for it to be placed into o/head bins. Option was given to purchase seat next to be for "CBBG" & points were guaranteed for both tix.

Was humoured with the BP name would be "Mr. Guitar" or whatever the instrument name.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have never known any airline flying within Australia that allows guitars in hard cases to be taken onboard an aircraft.

I think the author of the article is getting his wires crossed with the new baggage policy for SG pax only being allowed one piece at 32 kilos after 01 Jun 2011.

Effective 01 June 2011 if he has one suitcase weighing 15kg & one guitar weighing the same he will have to pay for one piece of excess whereas currently he only pays excess if he has more than 33 kg irrespective of how many pieces he has.

Maybe we should also start a Facebook page supporting WP & SG pax who dislike PS muso types who bring all their NB or no-status travelling companions to the Priority queue with 20 pieces of band equipment. :evil:

While we're on the subject of bands, can anyone tell me why so many of them order vegetarian meals? They still wear leather shoes so it can't be because they love animals.

When most of them look like they smoke every substance known to man, why the hell would they care whether food has meat in it???

 

[munitalP]

I have never known any airline flying within Australia that allows guitars in hard cases to be taken onboard an aircraft.

I think the author of the article is getting his wires crossed with the new baggage policy for SG pax only being allowed one piece at 32 kilos after 01 Jun 2011.

Effective 01 June 2011 if he has one suitcase weighing 15kg & one guitar weighing the same he will have to pay for one piece of excess whereas currently he only pays excess if he has more than 33 kg irrespective of how many pieces he has.

Maybe we should also start a Facebook page supporting WP & SG pax who dislike PS muso types who bring all their NB or no-status travelling companions to the Priority queue with 20 pieces of band equipment. :evil:

While we're on the subject of bands, can anyone tell me why so many of them order vegetarian meals? They still wear leather shoes so it can't be because they love animals.

When most of them look like they smoke every substance known to man, why the hell would they care whether food has meat in it???

lol haha lol haha
munitalP

 

[haydensydney]

If they ban Guitars on board, how on earth are they going to make sick people feel better:

lol..... what a laugh: love that movie

 

[drewbles]

lol..... what a laugh: love that movie

Oh good someone got the joke, was beginning to think I was the only one who quit sniffing glue this week

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Oh good someone got the joke, was beginning to think I was the only one who quit sniffing glue this week

So it's amphetamines next week then?

 

[Hvr]

Oh good someone got the joke, was beginning to think I was the only one who quit sniffing glue this week

So it's amphetamines next week then?

Surely there should be some recognition of the heroine?

 

[munitalP]

Surely there should be some recognition of the heroine?

There will be, and don't call me Shirley


:shock:



Lol

 

[nlagalle]

You know I haven't seen anything like this since the Anita Bryant concert.