new FAA rules on instruments - yay!

Subject: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:41 AM

From an American Federation of Musicians press release:

The AFM applauds the passage of the FAA Bill that sets a consistent national policy allowing musical instruments on airplanes.
After five years and 23 short-term extensions, Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage. Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked. Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

"This is great news for professional musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada who carry the tools of our trade – our instruments – aboard commercial aircraft," said AFM President Ray Hair. "Ending the confusion over musical instruments as carry-on baggage has been a top legislative priority for nearly a decade. I am proud of our Government Relations Director, Hal Ponder and his assistant Laura Brigandi in our Washington legislative office for seeing the effort through. Musicians can now fly in friendlier skies."

The FAA reauthorization was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, February 3 by a 248-169 vote. It subsequently passed the Senate on Monday, February 6, 75-20. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.
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Finally! Previously, each airline could set its own rules, and you never knew what you were getting.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 01:11 PM

Excellent news indeed!

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 02:20 PM

The French Automobile Association?

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: MissouriMud
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 03:47 PM

While it standardizes the various airlines rules in the US, I'm not sure the new law makes the rules much better than they were on many airlines in terms of their practical application.   Many airlines already let you carry on anything that could fit in the overhead or under the seat, or buy a second ticket for your stradivarius. As best I can tell from the releases the new rules wont require airlines to let one carry on a full sized guitar or similar sized instrument and wont require airlines to handle "checked" instruments with care or pay full damage. So it seems like business as usual to a significant extent.

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 03:49 PM

It sounds like good news, but when the airlines incorporate it all into their "company policies" they may still figure out ways to extort extra fees and/or to impose special limitations.

Give it the "HOO-" for now.

"RAH" will be on a later flight

(if the flight isn't overbooked and there's seating available).

[I built 'em for years, but I don't fly on 'em if there's any other choice.]

John

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: BanjoRay
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 07:00 PM

Looks like the rule will be that 1. the instrument must be able to fit in the overheard locker, or under the seat and 2. The length plus the height plus the width must not exceed 150 inches.
Sounds good to me....
Ray

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 12:09 PM

Another figure that's important to know: the maximum length a musical instrument can be.

What is the maximum of each of the height, width, depth?

Subject: RE: new FAA rules on instruments - yay!
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 12:24 PM

Yeah, that total of 150 inches doesn't sound very practical... it's okay if it's a 150-inch flute?

~ Becky in Tucson