Jim Cammack and Delta Airlines

Eric Hochberg · #1 10-14-2009, 10:50 AM

I thought TBers might be interested in this email I got from Jim Cammack, bass player with Ahmad Jamal and his experience with Delta Airlines and their exceptional representative, Lacy. Jim gave me the go ahead to share it here.

From Jim to Lacy,

"thanks for you response lacey, i am in milan now starting a three week tour thru to france. we are constantly here in europe. i wish i could truly travel with my string bass all the time, but the excessive charges imposed on me for the bass have destoryed all possibilities...

is'nt there any consideration for us as traveling, working musicians and the necessity for our own personalized instruments?? my bass is taliored for me, only. when i have to use a rented bass any where, it is a hit and miss when finding the right instrument, 98% of the time it is a miserable miss and physically debilitaing and destroys my ablity to perform... instruments, especially an acoustic string bass, difficult to play unless they are made specifically for the player.

i have encountered carpal tunnel syndrome and tendenitous because of poorly maintainted basses, this is the problem. and i am not working with just any amateur musician...... i work for a great and well known jazz pianist named Ahmad Jamal, you can see us on youtube.....this has become a very very sad time in my career as a traveling musician. it is letdown for many of the fans who know how i perform with my own bass... i am always quick to explain to fans, critics and interviewers all of the world the problem is the excessive charges the airlines have imposed on me..and i must say there are many many other musicians who suffer the same problem.... we are not all wealthy enough and funded well enough to keep up with these excessive charges.

i would hope you will send this humble letter off to the higher management and indeed to the ceos of the company. to be sure, it is a heartfelt cry for consideration for us as hard working musicians who need to travel to make a living. our traveling and working are no less important than the normal business travel salesperson, consultant or executive........

i have tried to explain the dilemma in my own humble words........it saddens me to tears...

thanks for your time, lacey"

Jim Cammack

From: lacey friis Delta Airlines
To: jimcammack
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:22:27 -0500
Subject: acoustic bass

Jim,

We were disconnected while you were holding for an exception answer from me. I apologize for the long wait…it took quite a bit of digging. J Yes, we would gladly accept your guitar for your travels with us. We understand this is your livelihood and want to encourage the arts as well as the source of your income which logistically would only help our business further as well. As for the size…we would need to pre-document your record stating that you are bringing it. It would exceed the accepted size for carryon dimensions unless you wanted to buy an extra seat for it. We would gladly accept it as checked luggage and would count it as a normal piece within the normal luggage fees if any. Please call us back to let us know if you would like to bring it so that we can correctly document your record for the airport staff. I’ve also added your miles number to this reservation. When you get a chance, please call our Awards Travel department for your questions regarding what you can do with all the miles you’ve earned with us. We appreciate your business and look forward to you flying with us. Have fun in Italy…ciao! ~Lacey

And another

Mr. Cammack,

I have filled out a form for you on Delta.com and forwarded your email to them. I hope they sincerely take your concerns into consideration so that you may be able to REALLY share your gift with the world…not some watered-down, borrowed instrument version. I do indeed know of the group you play with. Just as a business passenger brings his or her briefcase, I hope that in the future you livelihood will be shown the same consideration. We obviously have no control over other carriers and their fees, but hopefully Delta can help to lessen the burden for you in your travels. Good luck with all of this. ~Lacey in Sioux City, IA reservations

Gornick · #2 10-14-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

J Yes, we would gladly accept your guitar for your travels with us.

Is Lacey replying about a DB or a guitar or a bass guitar?

Eric Hochberg · #3 10-14-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gornick

Is Lacey replying about a DB or a guitar or a bass guitar?

Yeah, maybe she doesn't really understand what she's dealing with here.

salcott · #4 10-14-2009, 12:30 PM

It'll be interesting to hear what happens if he shows up with his bass in a soft case having bought a seat for it or shows up with a trunk expecting to check it like regular luggage. My experience with recent air travel is that one should believe nothing an airline rep tells you in advance. It all happens at the checkin counter.