Posted by Jim on September 25, 2001 at 10:48:26:
Background-
Saturday morning flight from San Jose,Calif. to L.A. to play in college alumni band w/ return that evening.
Bags checked - 0
Tuba checked - 1 (66 lbs. w/ case)
Flight cost - $153
Tuba surcharge - $150
Airline - American Airlines
Airplane was 1/4 full both ways
When I expressed surprise since I was not charged at all last summer for a flight to Oklahoma the supervisor said "That was then, this is now"
In Los Angeles, I checked again to make sure that was right (someone had said there were special rates for sports equipment - how about musical instruments?) I was told Ishould have been charged $217 because of extra handling for musical instrument.
I won't be playing in any more alumni band gigs.
Jim