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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

British Airways discrimination against cellists

181 replies

londonmummy1966 · 31/05/2016 18:16

Before I start I will admit that this is very much a first world problem but it is still really annoying.

My Dds are going on a music tour in Europe this summer and they are flying with British Airways. Dd1 needs to take her cello with her which is not an immensely valuable instrument but as is the way with cellos it is still worth more than the £1000 maximum compensation BA would pay if it went in the baggage hold and got damaged. There are so many horror stories about what happens to cellos on flights. So the only option is to book an extra seat for the cello.

I thought this would be fine as DH has loads of airmiles so we could add Mr Cello to our family account with the BA and use the airmiles to pay for the extra seat. Apparently not - you can't use airmiles to buy a seat for a cello. So then I thought that we could use the airmiles to buy the seat for Dd and pay for the cello. Apparently also not. IF Dd was travelling minus cello that would be fine but apparently BA have a rule that a cellist travelling with their cello cannot book a flight with airmiles . I asked why not and was told it was because it is a faff for the airline to allocate two seats together. However, if Dd was just really fat and needed an extra seat for that reason she could have used airmiles.

AIBU or is BA just taking the proverbial with this? Its not as if dd is a professional cellist or anything - just a school kid who was really excited about being able to play abroad. Also what jobsworth at BA has so little to do they have had time to dream up all these complex rules for the fairly small number of people wanting to travel on airmiles with a cello?

OP posts:
Lurkedforever1 · 31/05/2016 18:58

I'm with you op, the discriminatory bastards wouldn't even let me use air miles for seats for dds polo string, and don't get me started on how hard it is to order a forage option for the meal. I'm still waiting for compensation from last time, discovering the thrice baked pasta didn't agree with your pony part way through a chukka is no laughing matter. It's a disgrace how they discriminate against such vulnerable groups.

Fiddlerontheroof · 31/05/2016 18:59

Who are they going on tour with? Is there not a truck going from the uk with percussion on etc? Or are they not going with an orchestra?

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 18:59

Look these threads always lead to treble

paniniswapx3 · 31/05/2016 19:00

I can see why you'd be frustrated Op as it seems completely unfair, but not sure what you can actually do about it though unfortunately except pay both fares. Most airlines seem to be complete rip off merchants these dad!

SwearyInn · 31/05/2016 19:00

My mate smuggled her cello onto a flight once but the found her Haydn it.

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:01

I feel this case is just the prelude before they hit their major development. Don't scale it back or all your efforts will just fall flat

Originalfoogirl · 31/05/2016 19:01

When we flew BA, we were told our disabled child could 'just walk up the aisle" and wasn't allowed to sit in the emergency exit, meaning in an evacuation her life would be sacrificed for the sake of able bodied passengers.

That's discrimination.

But hey, at least we allowed to use air miles to pay for her seat 🙄

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:01

I hope you've got a Handel on the situation OP

SwearyInn · 31/05/2016 19:01

Could she put it in a bag and say it was her duty free Chopin?

OooLookShoes · 31/05/2016 19:01

I'd look sharp if you want to get those seats booked.

You'll be feeling a bit flat if you miss out.

Might have to do something fun to stave off the boredom in flight though.

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:02

Make sure when she packs she makes a Liszt

ZippyNeedsFeeding · 31/05/2016 19:02

Cellists get no sympathy from me. My son is learning the bagpipes, so I get all the music-related sympathy!

sidsgranny · 31/05/2016 19:03

It's not discrimination. Its a policy that you don't like. Get real.

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:04

I fear the op is haydn or throwing a tempo tantrum

StickTheDMWhereTheSunDontShine · 31/05/2016 19:04

Last I checked, playing the cello wasn't a protected characteristic under the equality act.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 31/05/2016 19:04

Oh OP, did you expect a bit more support when you posted?

The word 'discrimination' is a bit touchy to use with regard to a large,wooden instrument not having its' own seat.

I do get that you and your dd are pissed off and worried about it.

OhSoggyBiscuit · 31/05/2016 19:04

Think you could paint a little face on the cello for the Daily Mail sadface article OP?

PortiaCastis · 31/05/2016 19:04

Is the discrimination major or minor

Bolingbroke · 31/05/2016 19:04

This could be your solution OP:

SpaceUnicorn · 31/05/2016 19:05

I think you've had the usual bag of spiteful responses

Spiteful? Grin

Oh come one, people are piss-taking due to the ludicrous squealing about 'victimisation' by the OP.

Still, I don't believe for one second that anyone is genuinely so lacking in self- or social awareness that they would post this 'problem' with any degree of seriousness.

We're having our strings plucked here - someone's taking the pizzicato Wink

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:05

Sorry is this all too Straussful for you right now? Do come Bach!

nuttymango · 31/05/2016 19:05

Which airline would be best to transport me and my grand piano?

Queenbean · 31/05/2016 19:06

OriginalFoofGirl

I'm not sure if Ive read your post wrong but whoever sits in the emergency exit of any airline has to be able bodied, not too old / young etc as they have to be able to open the exits in an emergency. It's about the safety of the passengers as a whole, not about your daughter being "sacrificed".

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:06

She's got to be careful on here. I keep Messiaen up

ToxicBits · 31/05/2016 19:07

Perhaps it was her first Faure onto mumsnet?