this is my brand new didgeridoo sold to me by the wonderful people at LA outback. i can't say enough good things about them. as for united airlines that is different. i was put into a situation where i was getting on a plane with my didge or not. i have never been turned away by TSA and told that i must check the instrument. i travel with my instruments allot and they have always been tucked nicely in the coat rack or just carried on by me. i even showed TSA my nuclear power plant security clearance badge. i had no choice but to check the instrument or miss my flight.united assured me Allan we will take as good of care of your instrument as you would have if you taken it on board with you (what i always do). and that is why i do not have a hard case for it. the united rep even circled the spot on my ticket where they are liable up to 1,600 dollars if they damage it. i was sort of at peace with that sort of. but stuck in a situation i miss my flight or trust united, i should have missed my flight!when i had arrived at the COS airport I'm watching the luggage conveyor when i see my brand new didge broken in half. i feel sick.
I feel sicker today when united told me that they would have no responsibility in this matter, that they were not liable. it seems like the power of the Internet is my only hope please help me push pressure on united to be an ethical company and replace my instrument.
thank you, Allan
please share this with everyone you know.
Allan this is a HORRIBLE story - I am so sorry this happened t you. Do NOT give up. A resource that may be able to help is the Future Of Music Coalition - HINT they mostly deal with Health insurance for musicians but they may have instrument insurance options to discuss with you. Another thing to do would be call a lawyer and then start writing letters to United - I am sure with a lot of squeaking you will get the grease!
ReplyDelete- Ariel Hyatt
CYBER PR
i had the same problem at LAX. i had flown all over Australia with my didge in the cabin with me, and even across the Pacific, but as soon as i tried to board a domestic flight, i was stopped at security and told i had to check it. fortunately, it was not damaged by American Airlines, i would have been emotionally destroyed if it had been.
ReplyDeleteAllan,
ReplyDeleteI’m very sorry to hear and to see what United Airlines total neglect and lack of responsibility to uphold their promise and word to you to keep your one of a kind Didgeridoo safe and to cover any damages that may happen under there care. I hope that United Airlines realizes that when a representative from their company guarantees a passenger that a fragile instrument will be safe and will insure/cover any damages up to $1600.00 is a verbal contract. Also it shows very poor public relations on behalf of United Airlines in and economy where the consumer has many choices (other airlines) to chose from to do business with.
I for one will never use United Airlines if they do not uphold the promise to cover the damages that they did to your one of a kind instrument. I also travel with my didgeridoo and would be distraught if this ever happened to me. How can anyone have faith and trust in United Airlines if they do not uphold the guarantee that was made to you.
I will forward your blog on this subject to every one I know that travels by use of airlines. If every one forwards this blog to 10 family and friends, and each of those 10 family and friends forwards it to 10 family and friends and so and so on to BOYCOTT United Airlines until you are satisfied and your didgeridoo is replaces. Hopefully United Airlines will wake up and value the customer that chooses to use their airline and pay the salaries of their employees.
Best wishes,
Dominic
PW
Oh man that is awful! I can't believe that they are refusing to honor their agreement! I would have to agree to getting a lawyer, just to see what they have to say, whether you have a case or not. I would also go up the chain of command of the airlines to ensure that you have exhausted every option possible then go the lawyer route.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!!!
Mike
Wildlifewarrior
United really messed up- first by storing a musical instrament in a cargo hold- not the place for fine wood. That didgeridoo was subjected to at least hundreds of pounds of force that would be required to break it into halfs. This is clearly not a simple bump or drop! I can not comprehend why there would ever be any delay whatsoever paying for this damage.
ReplyDeleteAllan,
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. Malaysia airlines broke my surfboard. at first they want it to pay me 100.00
after their response i send them something that i found on a website.
Baggage delay, loss, and damage are some of the ongoing hassles with air travel. While airlines are legally liable, you need to know some important qualifications:
Airline liability is capped by federal law at $2,800 per ticketed passenger for domestic flights and by international treaty at a bit over $600 for international flights.
Liability is based on depreciated value of the contents of your baggage, not replacement value. Airline claim forms often ask that you provide the date of purchase and a sales receipt—paperwork most people would no longer have, especially for clothing items. However, you shouldn't give up on a claim just because you can't document everything.
Please proceed accordingly and have the airline take responsibility for their actions, i dont know if this happened when we switched planes or when. if you will be in my position i am sure you will demand justice, i dont really want to waist more time and have to take this matter to further action. time is really valuable.
and now they want to pay me 200.00 after i send them an invoice for 535.00 pictures of the surfboard broke in 2 pieces.
do you know where can i get some more info or how to put pressure on them to get the full amount of my surfboard.
Thanks