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JULY 13 I TAYLOR GUITARS I TRAVEL In response to Dave Carroll’s Internet video, “United Breaks Guitars,” and to address the hazards of traveling with a guitar, Taylor Guitars is offering tips and tricks to keep guitars safe while in transit. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) came to an agreement in 2003 to let guitars be considered carry-on luggage, thousands of musicians can relate to Carroll’s personal tale of instrument mistreatment. With advice from the AFM, Taylor Guitars recommends these tips: • Know your airline’s pertinent policies. There are links to many of them on the AFM Web site. Print them out and take them with you. Many flight attendants do not know policies regarding carry-on guitars. You can calmly explain that your instrument is within mandated guidelines and show them those guidelines. • Know your instrument’s size in linear inches, which is the sum of the case’s dimensions. If, for example, a case measures 20 inches long by 20 inches wide by 10 inches high, it would be 50 linear inches. Almost all airline maximum size dimensions use either length-by-width-by-height, or linear inches. In many cases, even though an instrument case does not fit in the “size wise” metal contraption at the gate, it might still be within the linear-inch maximum. Know the linear inch measurement of your case beforehand. • Carry a fabric tape measure. Even if you never use it, a sewing-type tape measure takes up almost no space and weighs almost nothing. And it might come in handy if you’re challenged about your case dimensions. For additional tips and information from the AFM on keeping your instrument safe, visit here. To learn more about the TSA’s policies regarding musical instruments, visit here.
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