MU Wants Harmony

The Musicians’ Union is calling for the UK government to follow the U.S. and introduce a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes.

The MU has been lobbying on this issue for years, and in 2006 reached an agreement with the Department For Transport that would have alleviated the problem, but some airlines continued to set their own rules.

“We call on the UK government to consider introducing a similar Act [of Parliament] regarding instruments on planes as has just been passed in the US,” said MU general secretary John Smith, pointing out that such a policy would make a huge difference to the lives of musicians.

“The main problem is the inconsistency between airports and airline staff,” he explained.

“You might be allowed to take your instrument into the cabin with you at no extra cost, but then be charged an extortionate fee to put it into the hold on your return flight.

“This is particularly unfair as most airlines allow sports equipment such as skis to travel for free. For a working musician, the fee can mean the difference between a gig making or losing money – and that’s without even counting the potential cost of a damaged instrument.”

The new U.S. federal legislation says that 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 instruments that are checked in to the hold. It also allows musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, which may be too delicate to travel as cargo.

Previously the U.S. law allowed each carrier to set its own policy regarding musical instruments, but it was changed because it created the same difficult situations that still exist in the UK.