Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-06-30 17:18
There have been some interesting threads on on-board air travel with instruments on the bboard you may want to check.
Maybe needless to say, but remove all from your clarinet case (e.g. reed knives) that could even remotely be seen as a potential weapon by the TSA, and move it to below cabin luggage.
Be patient with the TSA. Resist every urge to get in the way of their, often with ignorance, not malintent, handling of your "delicate baby" without care. Comments to them like, "wait, let me take the pieces of the instrument out and show you," don't tend to go over well with them, as they need to be in control. Appreciate their position and how they're the first ones investigators will point fingers at should an in-flight incident result from their missing something.
Instead, offer, in the form of a query: "may I help you examine my clarinet or answer any questions for you?" Your politeness will make you appear less suspicious, and the showing of such regard for these workers often goes a long way....but if it doesn't, politely obey their orders, even if born of ignorance or unfairness. Where these officers may be lacking in manners sometimes needs to be counterbalanced with their well intent to make us all safer.
I once saw a fellow musician politely say, with complete respect and a smile, "with no disrespect intended sir [maam], I'd be glad to play the instrument to show you that it's nothing more than just that, and I nothing more than a traveling musician."
The TSA officer politely declined the offer, smiled, and sent this person through.
I say all of this with no disrespect intended towards those with legitimate horror stories regarding their instruments and the TSA.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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