Another guitar destroyed in transit: Emily Wolfe calls out airline for “refusing to take responsibility” after instrument arrives with headstock “completely broken off”
Another day, another guitar ruined in transit. This time, blues rocker Emily Wolfe is calling out Southwest Airlines after her signature Epiphone White Wolfe guitar arrived with its headstock “completely broken off”.
In an Instagram post, Wolfe shares the aftermath of a recent flight to Las Vegas, detailing how, despite following every guideline – from a hard-shell flight case to fragile stickers and extra baggage fees – her instrument didn’t survive the journey.
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“Yesterday I flew with my Epiphone White Wolfe guitar on Southwest Air to Vegas,” Wolfe writes. “I followed every guideline for travelling with an instrument: hard-shell flight case, checked in properly, fragile stickers, and paid the new bag fees. When I opened the case, the headstock was completely broken off.”
She continues: “I filed a report at the airport, provided photos, proof of value, and repair estimates. Despite following their process exactly, I was told they are not responsible for anything inside the case and that instruments are considered ‘fragile items.’”
Wolfe then calls on the airline to take responsibility, noting the wider consequences for touring musicians should this continue: “If airlines can damage professional-grade instruments, charge us extra to check them, and then refuse to take responsibility, it puts every travelling musician at risk.”
“This is not just about one guitar. It is about protecting the tools of our craft. Southwest Airlines, you can set a better example by doing the right thing. Cover the repair costs. Do better for all of us who fly with our gear.”
Wolfe’s post also drew reactions from fellow musicians, many sharing strikingly similar experiences. Gibson executive Mark Agnesi, for one, told the airline to “do better,” while guitarist Pete Thorn recounted his own mishap: “My last trip to Vegas, Southwest Airlines, same deal. Les Paul, Broken headstock. Also, the same thing happened to Gilby Clarke’s LP on the same trip!”
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A post shared by Emily Wolfe (@emilywolfemusic)
As you can probably tell, Wolfe’s case is just the latest in a long line of musicians facing airline mishaps. Last year, blues rocker Tyler Bryant, too, had a close call with Southwest Airlines when a guitar case containing his “Pinky” signature Fender Strat was significantly damaged in transit. And prior to that, singer Madi Diaz claimed the guitar she played alongside Harry Styles was destroyed by Delta Airlines.
The post Another guitar destroyed in transit: Emily Wolfe calls out airline for “refusing to take responsibility” after instrument arrives with headstock “completely broken off” appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
