Don’t mess with musicians: Growing fed up with United Airlines’ refusal to take responsibility for the destruction of his $3500 guitar, one singer decided to take his protest to YouTube in the form of a viral music video.
When Canadian band Sons of Maxwell flew to Nebraska for a tour, they watched in horror from the windows of the plane as United Airlines’ baggage handlers carelessly threw around familiar-looking instrument cases while loading up the aircraft. Upon reaching their destination, singer/songwriter Dave Carroll found that indeed, his expensive Taylor guitar had been severely damaged.
After spending nine months unsuccessfully trying to get United to accept responsibility for the damage, a fed-up Carroll told uncooperative United representatives that there would be repercussions. No, he wasn’t going to sue them – like a true musician, he was going to express his anger through song.
Then, he was going to post that song on YouTube for the world to see.
It’s hard to imagine this having any sort of actual impact – or at least, if it does dissuade anyone from flying United, I can’t see it being enough people to make the airline reconsider its (admittedly infuriating) stance towards Carroll’s situation.
Even so, it’s a very clever and entertaining form of revenge. Even if Carroll never gets the compensation he rightly deserves, he deserves points for trying.
Update: Well, well, well. This might have done something after all. A post to the official United Airlines Twitter indicates that the airline will be attempting to recompense Carroll for his loss: “This has struck a chord w/ us and we’ve contacted him directly to make it right.”
Good for you, Dave.
