REGULATIONS OFF KEY Check the Cello

Posted on 02/11/2016 | About Vancouver, British Columbia

Nathan Chan is a 22 year old musician. He booked two seats from Vancouver to Toronto - one for himself and one for his cello. The booking was made with American Airlines, (which allows passengers to purchase an extra seat to bring an instrument into the cabin) but the flight was operated by WestJet which does not.

Chan’s story is stirring up anger from musicians and support from the public. According to WestJet, the airline is “not licensed to carry anything in its seats that requires a specialized strap or other device to attach it to a seat.” In the US a passenger bill of rights allows travellers to purchase an extra ticket to take large instruments in the cabin with them. Renowned American cellist Paul Katz spent nearly 50 years touring the world where he estimates travelling on 200 flights a year with his cello. The only airline that did not allow him to travel in the cabin with his cello was WestJet on a flight (booked through American Airlines) from Calgary to Los Angeles. He was not receptive to having his priceless cello made in 1669 stored with cargo particularly when the flight encountered turbulence (the cello suffered no damage). “You just cannot take that instrument with that kind of historic significance and leave it to chance. When you own an instrument like that, I think of myself as a caretaker for the next generation. It’s a treasure for humanity and you feel a responsibility to take care of it.” Said Katz. He wrote about his experience to the Boston Globe where apparently an Air Canada flight attendant read about it, took an interest in the story and approached him for more information. The flight attendant then directed the issue to the airline’s administration. Within a year the airline changed their own policy to allow passengers to purchase an extra seat for large instruments at 50 percent off. Chan is hoping WestJet will also change their policy. He has the support of almost 300 people who have signed a petition asking the airline to do so.