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United Breaks Guitars
DaveCarrollMusic.com ^ | July 6, 2009 | Dave Carroll

Posted on 07/07/2009 8:51:59 PM PDT by Daffynition

United Airlines Song Background (short version)

In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didn’t deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say “no” to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise.

United Airlines Song Background (Detailed Version)


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Music/Entertainment; Travel
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VIDEO: United Breaks Guitars


1 posted on 07/07/2009 8:51:59 PM PDT by Daffynition
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To: Daffynition

Just file a small-claims suit my friend. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting a judgment.


2 posted on 07/07/2009 8:55:17 PM PDT by americanophile (Sarcasm: satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language.)
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To: Daffynition

This follows another bad story I heard today about United Airlines at Detroit Metro. An old man was flying for the first time and had to deal with those computerized kiosks for boarding passes, etc. The agent offered no help and told him that if he had that much trouble following the computer prompts that “perhaps he should reconsider flying at all.” The story goes on with other nasty bits, but you get the idea. No way will I ever fly United.


3 posted on 07/07/2009 8:55:45 PM PDT by Sioux-san
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To: Daffynition
Reminds me of a Tom Paxton song,

"Thank you, Republic Air Lines
For breaking the neck of my guitar...
My guitar case was so strong that nothing could go through it
Way to go, Republic, only you could do it."...

4 posted on 07/07/2009 8:55:58 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: Daffynition

Maybe she was in charge of props for the movie “Animal House”!


5 posted on 07/07/2009 8:57:01 PM PDT by charmedone
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To: Daffynition

I paid too much for my Taylor to put it in the hands of baggage handlers.


6 posted on 07/07/2009 8:58:34 PM PDT by South40 (Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. ~Hussein Obama, Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009)
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To: Daffynition

Who trusts very expensive things to airport baggage? I’m surprised it wasn’t stolen instead.


7 posted on 07/07/2009 8:59:34 PM PDT by ReneeLynn (Socialism, it's the new black.)
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To: Daffynition

American Express has no hassle baggage insurance. You can get things replaced the same day.


8 posted on 07/07/2009 8:59:58 PM PDT by Kirkwood
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To: Daffynition

9 posted on 07/07/2009 9:00:24 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( Don't mess with the mockingbird! /\/\ http://tiny.cc/freepthis)
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To: americanophile
I flew Denver to BWI in April. I was seated on the starboard side and watch a gorilla of a baggage handler lift and DROP bag after bag. I wanted to take a bat to the son-of-a-bitch!
10 posted on 07/07/2009 9:03:29 PM PDT by WellyP
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To: WellyP

Live animals hardly fare better. I’ve seen them leave crated animals on the tarmac in 90+ heat, and toss luggage from the belly of an aircraft to the ground 10 feet below. They don’t give a damn - American carriers are flying cattle cars, nothing more.


11 posted on 07/07/2009 9:10:27 PM PDT by americanophile (Sarcasm: satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter, caustic, and often ironic language.)
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To: Daffynition

Here’s a guitar that breaks down to fit into a compact “gig bag”, so you can take it anywhere.

12 posted on 07/07/2009 9:17:16 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: Daffynition
According to the excerpt I posted below from Dave Carroll's local Canadian newspaper, the Chronicle Herald, Dave Carroll says that he was inspired by Michael Moore in creating his videos:

"They're throwing guitars outside"
Sons of Maxwell seek compensation from United Airlines for smashed up guitar
By JEFFREY SIMPSON Staff Reporter

"...So, inspired by the crusading filmmaker Michael Moore, Mr. Carroll told her that he intended to write a series of three songs about United Airlines, make videos and put them on YouTube.com to share his story with people around the world..."

Chronicle Herald: They're throwing guitars outside



13 posted on 07/07/2009 9:18:14 PM PDT by bd476
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To: Daffynition

I’m flying to Spokane next Sunday. I’m sending my compound bow and my air rifle FedEx, because I’ve watched as the animals threw my weapons cases into the cargo hold like they were trying to put it through the other side of the plane.

I’ve already replaced both cases due to the rough handling by the TSA idiots. And they not only don’t care, they think it’s funny that they have total control of your belongings and absolutely no responsibility for taking care of it.

Bunch of frigging idiots!


14 posted on 07/07/2009 9:26:43 PM PDT by airborne (Congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champions! PITTSBURGH PENGUINS RULE!!!)
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To: Daffynition

OMG! This is horrible. I think I would have had to go redneck on whoever busted up one of my guitars. Just because I torture them with my playing doesn’t mean someone else can be mean to them.

parsy, who is hugging his Applause.


15 posted on 07/07/2009 9:36:33 PM PDT by parsifal ("Knock and ye shall receive!" (The Bible, somewhere.))
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To: Sioux-san
No way will I ever fly United.

The rest are just as bad. There was a time back in the '80s and '90s when airlines like Reno Air and PSA made flying not so bad, but between airline takeovers, 9/11 and the sheer obnoxiousness of carriers like United, American, Delta, etc., those days are long gone.

There's a short story by John Varley in which damned souls consigned to Hell find it to consist of an eternity flying domestic routes. Quite frankly, I'd take anything Dante came up with instead.
16 posted on 07/07/2009 9:45:36 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: JoeProBono

But I seriously doubt it has the same acoustic quality as a $3500 Taylor!


17 posted on 07/07/2009 10:01:11 PM PDT by TheBattman (Pray for our country...)
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To: TheBattman

18 posted on 07/07/2009 10:15:50 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: Sioux-san

There is nothing pleasant about flying these days. I don’t think United holds a monopoly on poor service.


19 posted on 07/07/2009 10:38:47 PM PDT by Daffynition ("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
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To: Daffynition
Here's a picture of the baggage handler in questions.


20 posted on 07/07/2009 10:43:11 PM PDT by CougarGA7 (Apparently singing Oliva Newton John's "Heartattack" is inappropriate in cardiac rehab. Who knew?)
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