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"United Breaks Guitars," by Sons of Maxwell, whose guitars were broken by (you guessed it) United

by Aaron Hotfelder (RSS feed) on Jul 7th 2009 at 9:30PM

Back in early 2008, the band Sons of Maxwell was traveling on United Airlines from Halifax to Omaha when they stopped to change planes at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. While they were seated in the airplane, the woman behind them shouted, "My God, they're throwing guitars out there!"

Sure enough, the band members looked out the window just in time to see the baggage handlers tossing around their $3500 guitars like they were grandpa's suitcases. When United Airlines refused to take responsibility for the significant damage that happened to the band's Taylor guitars, the band promised the airline they'd write three songs about the incident. The video for the first song, which is pretty funny and also quite catchy, can be seen above.

A United spokesperson says the airline has contacted the band directly to "make things right." The spokesperson also says she "loved" the video.

Filed under: Activism, Airlines

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mandino Jul 8th 2009 1:31AM

This is really cool! :) lol, $3,500 guitars... it's as if it's just a toy... Would love to share this in http://www.baraaza.com/contest/ to give more information for travelers... :)

David Jul 8th 2009 12:28AM

This isn't a new idea:
http://www.last.fm/music/Tom+Paxton/_/Thank+You,+Republic+Airlines

Beth Jul 12th 2009 2:01PM

Hi there! I visited the link you posted. Though the music is fabulous, it is really nothing like what these talented artists have put out in the wonderful video.

Mike Barish Jul 8th 2009 11:42AM

It's a shame that it takes producing a music video, making complaints public via the news or getting your voice out there on a blog is what it takes for companies to respond to legitimate complaints. Customer service used to mean something w/o having to jump through hoops.

I will now step off my soap box.

Shannon Jul 8th 2009 9:56PM

Why am I not surprised that it happened on United and at O'Hare. It is absolutely the worst airline/airport for lost luggage that I've encountered. Last year, they "lost" my suitcase at O'Hare - for four days. They kept telling me it was scanned and at O'Hare but didn't really know why the baggage people couldn't get it on a plane to me. On the 4th day, it was delivered to the hotel 3 hours after we checked out.

mandino Jul 13th 2009 8:24AM

@Shannon

Try using twitter, I know a lot will hear you :) Also, you could probably do a review in http://www.baraaza.com/contest/

Erin Jul 9th 2009 4:19PM

Like Shannon, I lost my luggage on the same airline in the same airport. Not sure why one of the biggest airports would have this type of service. And even more so, why an airline wouldn't take responsibility for something they clearly did (with witnesses). After this video, it is becoming clear who wears the pants in customer service relationships.

mandino Jul 9th 2009 11:28PM

Erin

I'm sorry to hear about that... maybe you could do a review in http://www.baraaza.com/contest/ so that travelers would also get to know about your experience... You could also try to twitter and talk to people... that way, that airport will get what it deserved for being jerks...

Petaluma Pete Jul 11th 2009 12:20PM

Here's a tribute video we put together as a company team effort in response and support of all the Dave Carrolls of the world. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hRr0YlHsjo - Enjoy!

Beth Jul 12th 2009 1:54PM

Sad isn't it? Wow--and they denied it even after witnesses brought the problem to your attention. I love your music. Do you have an album out? I'd like to buy one. WONDERFUL harmony and music.

Beth Niquette
Beth@niquette.net

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