From Dani Cubero in Barecelona:
Hi Norman. I couldnt flight today with British Airways Barcelona to London flight BA 483 because they wouldnt let me go with my viola. They say my viola its 82 cm long instead of 80. I told them I did this flight for more than 15 years as I always teach in UK the summer here – www.musicworks.info – always with the same viola case but they said its too big this time, so after 1 hour of arguing with them I asked for the supervisor, who came very angry as he had to walk from very far with a rule, and he said 82 cm you cant take it!
So I told them to buy an extra-seat for the viola but the flight was full. So I asked them what else can I do, they told me you can pay 85 euros to check in the viola as a special baggage. So I did, thinking that later I could speak to the captain and explain him everything, asking him to bring the instrument in the cabin anywhere as always in the past 15 years. So I went to the boarding Gate i spoke to the crew, crew to the coordinator, coordinator to the captain. And they told me I can’t.
So I am back home now and I bought another ticket with easyjet and I will travel tonight with no viola (I Will borrow some other viola from other teacher) as my flight back will be with British Airways again and I dont want to pass throw this nightmare again. I think it’s good for other people and orchestras to know not to use BA.
Looks like BA has recruited a new team of authoritarian sadists. Musicians, beware.
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