| Airport security impacts musicians |
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Sunday 27th August 2006 Heightened security at UK airports continues to dog musicians who are prevented from taking their instrument on  to aircraft as hand luggage. The Musicians Union reports that professional musicians are suffering "significant lost earnings'' as a result of the new regulations introduced by the Department of Transport on the 10th August in response to an alleged terrorist plot to blow up planes flying from the U.K. to the U.S.The present rules allow passengers to take just one piece of hand luggage, no larger than a lap top bag, into the aircraft cabin. The Department for Transport has confirmed musical instruments will continue to be checked into the hold until the security level, currently set at 'Severe', is lowered. Not surprisingly, most musicians are extremely reluctant to put their usually fragile and often expensive instruments in the care of UK baggage handlers. In fact, with many insurers refusing to cover checked instruments against damage or loss during transit, musicians who part with their instruments take onboard a significant risk. The Musicians Union is continuing to push for special dispensation for travelling musicians through on going discussions with the Department for Culture Media and Sport. The Union claims to have made some progress with chartered flights but is yet to make any headway with scheduled routes. More progress is expected in the coming weeks as parliament returns from summer recess. www.musuciansunion.org.uk |
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