Good news for traveling musicians who cringe at the thought of their beloved instruments being tossed around in the cargo hold of airplanes.
According to BMI, Congress has passed legislation that makes is easier for musicians flying U.S.-based airlines to secure their equipment and instruments. The legislation, called “Musical Instrument Carry On Luggage Act” amends section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which sets standards for storing musical equipment on airlines.
In the past, airlines had divergent policy’s regarding instrument and equipment storage, making it difficult for musicians to know and plan for how they would safely transport equipment. Not having a standardized process caused many musicians to miss flights and have to cancel shows.
The amendment will allow traveling musicians to carry aboard their instruments and gear so it can be stored safely to avoid the damage that could occur during the baggage handling process or while stored in the plane’s cargo hold.
These new guidelines will set limits for storing large instruments in the plane’s cargo area as well as regulate when a musician may purchase a separate seat for oversized or fragile instruments.
Fred Cannon, BMI’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, says he is proud of being a part of the passage of the new amended law, which was championed in part by the American Federation of Musicians. “We would like to thank Hal Ponder, lobbyist for the American Federation of Musicians, who spearheaded the industry efforts on this bill,” he said. “This legislation will assist all traveling musicians by allowing them to protect their instruments, knowing that there is a standardized national policy regarding how these instruments are handled by the airlines.”
Some provisions of the bill are:
1. Guitar-sized instruments or smaller will be allowed aboard the plane at with no extra fee, as long as they can be stored safely in an overhead compartment or under the passenger’s seat.
2. Instruments that are too large to be safely stored overhead or under the passenger’s seat but that weigh less than 165 pounds (case included) may carried aboard with the purchase of a separate seat to accommodate the instrument(s).
3. Instruments that weigh 165 pounds or less with a total circumference that less than 150 inches can be checked at the owner’s request.
The final regulations have not yet been issued, but according to the article, they will go into effect within two years of the issuance.
What do you think of this new legislation? Are you relieved that you now have options for safely stowing your Fender? Let us know in the comments section below!
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