Allan Johnston
Mar 24, 2003, 07:32 PM
A naughty '60's British comedy starring Sid what's-his-name...
As we all know, since 9/11 it's been practically impossible for travelling musicians to take their precious musical instruments into the passenger compartment of an airplane as carry-on luggage, especially you Hammond players. The AFM has been lobbying very hard to have the rules relaxed (and/or clarified). God bless 'em...it appears to have worked. U.S Transportation Secretary, Thomas Blank recently sent a letter to AFM President Thomas Lee clarifying the situation. Whether you're a member of the Union or not, download and print this letter, keep it with your instrument, and show it when you get to the airport, if you get any hassle:
http://www.local1000.com/carryon.pdf
Downloading the letter should work for you whether you're an AFM member or not - but if you ARE an AFM member, you can get a good copy of this letter, plus an AFM letter urging the same considerations (on official AFM stationary with an AFM seal to make it look official), for free. Fax the following info to (212) 768-7452, or mail it to the address below:
Please send me a copy of the letter for travelling musicians:
Name__________ Local________
Address_________ Email Address_______
City_________ State________ Zip_______
Telephone______________ Fax__________
Mail to: President Lee (Attn: TSA Letter);
1501 Broadway, Suite 600
New York , NY
10036-5503
or Fax (212) 768-7452
As we all know, since 9/11 it's been practically impossible for travelling musicians to take their precious musical instruments into the passenger compartment of an airplane as carry-on luggage, especially you Hammond players. The AFM has been lobbying very hard to have the rules relaxed (and/or clarified). God bless 'em...it appears to have worked. U.S Transportation Secretary, Thomas Blank recently sent a letter to AFM President Thomas Lee clarifying the situation. Whether you're a member of the Union or not, download and print this letter, keep it with your instrument, and show it when you get to the airport, if you get any hassle:
http://www.local1000.com/carryon.pdf
Downloading the letter should work for you whether you're an AFM member or not - but if you ARE an AFM member, you can get a good copy of this letter, plus an AFM letter urging the same considerations (on official AFM stationary with an AFM seal to make it look official), for free. Fax the following info to (212) 768-7452, or mail it to the address below:
Please send me a copy of the letter for travelling musicians:
Name__________ Local________
Address_________ Email Address_______
City_________ State________ Zip_______
Telephone______________ Fax__________
Mail to: President Lee (Attn: TSA Letter);
1501 Broadway, Suite 600
New York , NY
10036-5503
or Fax (212) 768-7452