United Breaks Guitars

I was a musician for 20 years in New York. Occasionally, I would actually play outside of New York. We played a few European gigs and in Canada. Usually, I took care of the moving with my pick up truck as well as moving most of the bands in Lower Manhattan in the early 80's.

I entrusted my instruments to airlines a few times and held my breath. I had friends, including the lead guitarist of one of the bands I played with who had their guitars demolished by airline luggage handlers. I read an interview with the guitarist, Larry Coreyell who spoke of watching his guitar destroyed on the tarmac as he sat in his seat on the airplane.

The same thing happened last year to Dave Carrol of the band, Sons of Maxwell.
Anyone who has flown frequently over the last few years has a horror story to tell of the arrogance of the airline companies and even if they are responsible, it is nigh on impossible to get compensated for damages. Their simple theory being: SO SUE US! WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE MONEY AND A LOT MORE LAWYERS AND YOU'LL DIE BEFORE WE STOP APPEALING!

Hmm...on my last flight from the USA, I caught the Swine Flu from a BA Flight attendant...and I'm sure everyone on BA Flight 296, from Chicago to London Heathrow on April 28, 2009 did as well! I wrote a letter, but I haven't as yet gotten a response.

Anyway, in Dave Carrol's own words and his revenge (in which I'm only to pleased to participate in):

Full Story: http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/story... - In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didnt deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise.