A few days ago, Alaska Airlines forced a local professional violinist to take his expensive violin out of its case and check it in one of their own cardboard boxes. It came through unscathed but after he landed he went public. All hell broke loose. Even our Governor got involved and wrote the company a letter.

They then announced a 'new' policy (Actually their old pre-9/11 policy): Musicians will now be allowed to carry on any instrument, in its case, that will fit into the overhead, and if it is too large, if there is room in the plane, they will be allowed to put it in the attendants' closet. If it's TOO large, however, like a cello, if they don't want to check it as baggage people will be required to buy another ticket.

What with the Alaska Folk Festival coming up next week and the Jazz and Classics Festival being put on this spring, this reversal comes in the nick of time.

Hurrah for common sense.

Ebbie