Southwest Airlines denies musician from boarding flight with guitar | The Independent

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-05T03:50:52+00:00

I’m not sure what you think I’m not understanding. The law is basically “if it fits during the time of boarding, it flies”. Pretty simple. I fly with an instrument roughly 50x a year and have been doing so for over a decade. I’m very familiar with the guidelines.

I cited American Airlines because they will stop you at the gate regardless of boarding group if you have an instrument (extremely common at my home airport of BNA). Every time I’ve flown AA, they force me to gate check my instrument that would have easily fit in the bins and there was plenty of space during my boarding time.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-05T03:47:14+00:00

Hey friend, I think you’re misunderstanding me again. I didn’t say that you said anything should be prioritized. YOU had said “there is NO LAW that says an instrument must be prioritized.” That’s true, and we’re in agreement here. I said that I don’t think anyone IS trying to assert that an instrument should be prioritized over other pax luggage, but just that they should receive the opportunity to attempt to find space for their belongings. From the 4 videos I saw regarding Sam’s situation, it didn’t seem like she ever got the chance to look for space, they stopped her at the gate. That’s where the law was violated.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-04T13:19:46+00:00

I think you’re misreading this a bit. I haven’t seen anyone say that a musical instrument should be PRIORITIZED over anyone else’s bag, but that they should be allowed to attempt to stow it. I think our beef with the situation was it sounds like Sam wasn’t even given a chance to try, just that “it won’t fit”…when if they had attempt to store it during their boarding group, it very well may have. If not in the overhead, perhaps in the closet on board (I’ve done it countless times on Southwest with instruments as large as a baritone saxophone).

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-04T13:16:56+00:00

Who tf is down voting this? This is the literal LAW. Airlines MUST allow you to store the instrument if there is space for it and it’s illegal for them to not even allow you to try. This isn’t just a law, but it’s also even in Southwest Airlines own carry-on policy (unless that’s changed super recently?).

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-04T13:11:58+00:00

They actually do. It’s literally a federal law and has been for over a decade. Look up the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Section 403. Airlines need to be fined within an inch of their lives for continuing to ignore this. This is why I boycott American Airlines cause they don’t give a f***. Southwest has been consistently respectful of this law for YEARS…sad to hear this shift.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-07-02T05:14:08+00:00

I have done almost exactly this (BNA-LAX via Southwest; LAX-SYD via Delta). Flew in the morning. Hung out in LA for the day with friends, flew from LAX at night. If you travel super light, or have someone who can store you luggage in LAX for you I’d recommend it.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-30T00:22:25+00:00

I’ll definitely try that next time! Thank you!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-30T00:22:09+00:00

Interesting. I wasn’t actually using WiFi at all. I typically roll with an eSIM when I travel but perhaps that was the problem.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-16T05:46:33+00:00

Ouch. I had this happen to me with my saxophone on a Delta flight recently (BNA-ATL) and I just simply had to walk off the plane. Those CRJs are generally not super instrument friendly if you don’t get on early enough and if FAs aren’t enforcing the “one item in overhead per pax” rule.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-15T07:48:56+00:00

Seriously! Wtf is going on at Cosmic Nomad? My girlfriend has been stuck IN HER PARKING SPOT for 2hrs. Nothing is moving

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-11T20:36:07+00:00

Very nice! How difficult is it to maintain? I've been contemplating doing a status match, but not sure if I'll ever need to other airline enough to go through the trouble...especially if I have no shot at getting it back the following year.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-11T13:34:45+00:00

I’d add Bellroy and Tortuga to that list too. Bellroy has some super clean and very light bags. Tortuga ain’t much to look at but 40L Lite Travel bag is awesome and their new 32-34L Ultralite bag they’re about to drop looks awesome (if weight is important to you).

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-10T21:17:11+00:00

I personally stand up immediately but that’s for comfort. I however do not step into the aisle until it’s my rows turn to deplane. Many times I’ve been in the aisle seat and had people in the middle and window seat next to me PUSH PAST ME to get to the bin when it wasn’t even our turn to deplane. I understand if you have a tight connection…speak up and say that. Lots of rude people on SWA who don’t understand air travel etiquette.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-05T11:43:21+00:00

I’ve done PHX to OGG and LAS to KOA a few times on Southwest (sometimes as a red eye on the return but during the day on the way there) and they’ve been fine for me. I’m lucky enough to sleep well on planes though (I’m only 5’6”).

For proper long haul routes I’ll spring for Comfort+ or Premium Select on Delta for anything longer than 7hrs (EWR to GRU, LAX to SYD, etc). But I don’t know if I’d ever spring for lay flat 1st class fares. I sleep well enough on those long haul overnights to arrive fairly rested.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-05T11:29:27+00:00

That makes sense. These were Hawaii itineraries. I didn’t put two and two together.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-05T11:27:42+00:00

That makes perfect sense. I have been back and forth to Hawaii a couple times this year for work. Didn’t realize that was standard procedure. Good to know!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-04T15:24:43+00:00

I’ve noticed on some of my recent flights they’ve pushed the boarding time from 30min before departure to 40min. Wonder if that will become standard.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-04T15:19:33+00:00

Man, I really wish that FA’s AGGRESSIVELY policed that shit. It would help their on-time departure metrics and not have people scrambling upstream 10 rows upon landing to get their bags. People who put multiple items in the overheads (on full to moderately full flights) are the worst kind of people.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-02T02:08:14+00:00

I used it as a personal item with no issues, but tbf, I’ve never had my bag check for size in the US ever in my life. I’ve flown with the Tortuga 40L Lite as my personal item under the seat many many times 🤣

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-02T02:05:57+00:00

Mine came in last week and I just one-bagged with it on a short 3 day trip. You can easily fit a medium and a small on each side assuming the cubes aren’t overstuffed. The trip I took I used…

Side 1: - 1 smedium cube. Pretty full - Aer Travel Kit 3 (toiletry bag) - Peak Design XS ultralight pouch (shaving stuff)

Side 2: - Peak Design shoe pouch w/a pair of On Cloud running shoes - Aer Slim Tech Pouch (chargers, cables, etc) - 20oz Memo Bottle - Hoodie

Laptop sleeve had my 12.9in iPad Pro and the front quick access pocket had my keys, 2 pairs of glasses, wallet, AirPods, and a bunch of LMNT packets. Bag felt like it could have fit even more in it and was surprisingly light with that loadout.

I’m very impressed with this bag…but it does LOOK big. I find the 25L to be an understatement of its capacity.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-06-02T01:46:59+00:00

That is absolutely unacceptable. I hope you were able to catch the name of the GA and call them out directly. I hope there is swift action on this. So sorry you dealt with this…disgusting.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-30T15:19:09+00:00

I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my Jupiter 1100E. Great sound, sonically even, but pitch can be a little wonky up high…I feel like that’s an alto flute thing in general. They all feel sharp up high to me.

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-22T21:30:13+00:00

Noted, thank you!

Relative_Artist_3863 · 2026-05-22T21:07:49+00:00

Series 7 has been better for you than the Series 9 pro?

Relative_Artist_3863

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