Warning: Independence Airlines

[CJBlaha]

Recently, I flew Independence Air with my CC tuba, and it was very brutally mishandled. The flight case and tuba sustained major damage.... obviously from negligent work.
In my correspondance with Independence Air, they are firmly holding to their policy that:

"Passengers traveling with a large musical instrument or oversized electronic device must buy a seat for the item at the fare prevailing at the time of the booking, and must package the item(s) appropriately. These arrangements must be made by calling Reservations at 1-800-FLY-FLY"

This is their way of avoiding any and all responsibility for damage to luggage in their care.
Please do not fly this airline with your tubas.

Chris Blaha
Principal Tuba, Charleston Symphony

[Tubaryan12]

I've flown them (without tuba) and they are brutal on the luggage....but man, they are extremely low cost!

[CJBlaha]

Bloke,
While the method you are describing is most likely the safest way to travel with tubas, I do not think that it is practical, especially when travelling for an audition.
The way I had packed this tuba (in an improved MTS hard case, tuba wrapped in bubble wrap and packing foam, bell stuffed, etc) has worked out at least 10 times in the last 6 months, with no damage at all to the tuba.
Shipping ahead is an excellent option if you are willing to not practice your own tubas during the days it takes for the tubas to be shipped. In the event of an auditon or performance, this is not practical, especially considering the extravagant costs of overnighting 2 tubas to a hotel.

C

[CJBlaha]

Ouch

[CJBlaha]

Ok guys. I think the point of my posting has been missed.
You can call me an idiot for flying with my tubas. You can correct and recorrect the terminology I use for my cases.... this is fine.... I don't care. My money has been spent and I am not going to buy more stuff at this time.
The purpose of my post was to issue a warning about the policies of an airline that appeals to those on a tight budget.... those who cannot afford hefty repair costs. Independence has clearly put itself in a position to not be liable for any and all costs relating to instrument damages. I thought my experiences would be of some value to someone as a warning for future travel.
I will no longer be posting on this website. It is too much work to relay simple information.

C

[tubalex]

I've flown almost every major airline in the past year, all over the country and outside it a bit. I know how Chris packs his tubas, which is similiar to how I pack mine. i haven't had trouble, and in the distant past when i did have problems, the companies were a lot friendlier about the situation. it sounds like this airline is just lazier and more aggressive in their handling, plus they are real jerks in how they deal with their customers. more than enough reason to fly with someone else.

for the three people who might read this far down, it's a bummer to continually lose the posts of great players like Chris on this site. he's taken a lot of us to school in the past year or so, and I, for one, will miss his advanced, experienced insight.

-Alex

PS
go blue

[Tubaryan12]

I will no longer be posting on this website. It is too much work to relay simple information.

You relayed the info...it got out....what's the problem? Oh I know....You where really looking for sympathy for you and outrage against the airlines....ok, I'll help....*ahem* THOSE BASTARDS!!! Ok, I feel better and I hope everyone else does too.

Check out my skunk post....when I posted it I figured a few people would laugh at me but I put the info out anyway.

[McLain Pray]

Here's an addition to the No Fly List: Northwest Airlines. We had a pretty hefty conversation about this a month or so ago.

-McLain

GO GREEN!