OC Music Magazine

James Lee Stanley

I am sitting in a beautiful garden here inthe little village of Waalre, Holland, waiting for my wife to return bybicycle from Einhoven, the major city close by.

I don’t know howlong I will have access to a computer so I wanted to write a post todaywhile I had the chance.   I I brought a guitar with me, of course, sothat I could keep my up my chops while I am on vacation.

WhenI checked in, the folks at the gate were naysaying the guitar as carryon baggage, even though I explained to them that I was a professionalmusician and did this every day on airlines all over the world.

Nonethe less, Air France personnel there at check in would only okay thecarry on bag I had with me.   So I suggested that I carry the guitar tothe gate and we’d gate check it.

I can’t stress enough how importantit is to not engage these people at check in.  They would rather say nothan think.   So take the responsibility out of their hands as gentlyand as soon as you can.

Carry your instrument throughsecurity and here is what I did upon getting through the airport analprobe.   I sat down, took the okay tag off of my carry on bag andplaced it in plain view on the strap of my gig bag.

Then when I gotto the gate, I engaged no one, kept a low profile and waited for my rowto be called.  I didn’t have the guitar bag on my back sticking up andlooking huge and ungainly.  I kept it at my side holding it by thelittle metal hook on the back at the thin end of the case.

I walkedforward, handing my ticket to the agent and simply walking on board.  NO NOISE, no “IS IT ALL RIGHT IF I BRING THIS ON BOARD?”

No questions, no attention drawn to me, no interaction with anyone and in a second I was on board.

Theplane was a 777 Boeing.   The overheads were, at first glance, tooshort to hold a guitar.  Rather than panic, I moved my head until Icould see what was above the overhead compartment.   There was an extrasix inches or so above each compartment.   I placed my carry on in theover head and lodged the guitar so that it would sticking up at aslight angle about three inches above the compartment door.  

I thengingerly closed the compartment door.   It slid into place without anyresistance or noise and I knew that my guitar was safe and stowed.   See?   No noise, no attention, no requesting help.

Theairline personnel are as helpful as they can be, but if you don’t’ haveto involve them, don’t.   It’s easier for them to look the other waythan to have to take responsibility for the decision regarding yourguitar.

Not to mention the fact that everyone knows that folks arecarrying on a lot more stuff than you are with that precious instrument.

Anda final note, if you still can’t get it on the plane, getting on yourknees and begging and sobbing is not diminishing to you …as long as theguitar gets on the plane with you.

This article is reprinted with permission by JamesLeeStanley. Please find the original article and support James at datamusicata.com