Chris Sligh Kicked off US Airways Flight: Accused of Making Death Threats!

If someone needed proof of Chris’s innocence, one need look no further than the fact that he was let go. Airlines don’t play. Someone really threatening flight attendants would have been arrested. US Airways would be smart to settle this now instead of getting intangled in expensive legal actions.

Flying has become such a grueling experience for so many reason–overbooked and crowded flights, constant delays, ridiculous surcharges–I’ll usually just opt to drive if its possible.

Agreed.

Reading that I was gritting my teeth the entire time. What a fucking schmuck. If they tell you you can’t take it on, you don’t say “well lets see if it fits” asshole.

Look at me…I’m a 300 pound chubby, funny musician…I’ve never fought with anyone.

What does you being a fat fuck have to do with anything Sligh? I would be worried if I was dealing with you too. You might try to eat me or something.

Pretty crazy. Good point, risalea. Death threats are taken pretty seriously in and around airports.

Chris has shown on several occasions to be a total pain in the ass. I’m sure he is not the least bit innocent in this, and probably had it coming his way!

Gangreen,

How often do you fly? How often do you fly with an expensive instrument? Cuz I do about 200x a year. A gate attendeant’s first inclination is to ask you to put you guitar under the plane, then (normally with every other airline) when you explain that, yes you fly a lot and yes the guitar does easily fit in overhead space and if there is actual overhead space then they don’t make a big deal about it. And on my part, if there isn’t overhead space available I’ll put it below, after making sure they understand the value of the guitar. But my first responsibility is to make sure my high value guitar is (hopefully) within my control. If I break it, it’s one thing. If their carelessness breaks it it’s another. So I always try to stay in control of my guitar…sometimes I can’t -like today flying home to Denver. But today United was very kind & considerate when dealing with putting it under. I have had 2 guitars broken by airlines (one by USAir). I have my right & my reason to be over-careful & over-protective.

Go ahead and blindly bash the fat guy who you didn’t like on Idol, but don’t say mindless drivel to try & make you feel better about hating me. Just kinda silly.

MJ, it’s been a long time since I’ve stopped by the blog…so happy it’s still going strong. Good luck with the new season!

Chris

I really have no sympathy for this. There are published rules for carry-ons, and guitars in big ol’ cases are not on any list I’ve seen. He asked (begged, weaseled) if they would make an exception for him, and was told no several times.

And when he got in the plane, they told him no again and he put up a stink about it and threatened to sue if his guitar got damaged? Seriously, if his guitar is that precious to him personally and professionally, does he not have insurance where his first thought is to sue someone if there is accidental damage to his property? Ugh.

Even if not in the week of the 9/11 anniversary, I think the airline is justified in evicting a vocal and disgruntled passenger who seems to have at least confronted if not harassed their employees.

Chris’s copiously detailed account tries to make himself sound very reasonable & sympathetic, but it comes across like he was quite the primadonna to me and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came across more aggressive to the airline staff than he represents.

(I don’t like US Airways either, totally screwed up something on one of my flights last year and refused to correct it so they are now my carrier of last resort.)

Flying has become such a grueling experience for so many reason–overbooked and crowded flights, constant delays, ridiculous surcharges

The airline industry is a business and its goal is to make money for its shareholders if at all possible. In order to do this airlines have worked to cut down on excess expenses in order to keep their plane’s full at a reasonable expense for their passengers while still staying competitive in a very challenging industry. Some of the “problems” of the industry are because, during the 60s, 70s, and 80s there weren’t enough passengers so the airlines created perks to entice people to fly…and now we have several generations of travelers who still feel that the airline industry owes them free luggage, unlimited carry-on, hot meals, free drinks, blankets and pillows, current magazines, and movies and stereo along with the price of a ticket.

What we are paying the airlines for is to relocate us, the passenger, from point A to B….not our dozen suitcases that are so heavy that suitcases now have built in wheels. And as far as over-booked flights….I can guarantee that most seasoned business travelers make reservations on several flights, eventually only taking the one that is the most convenient. So airlines try to “guess” how many no-shows will book a flight.

And blame the increase in air travel for the delays and the non-regulation of air travel for to many flights into to few airports with limited gates…and the fact that passengers abhor traveling so that they leave or reach their destinations at night when things move with less congestion.

As far as Chris, I said in the headlines thread that by way of flight regulations he is totally at fault for what happened to him. He pushed the boundaries and lost. And yup, his threatening to “sue” someone is threatening their life….if not mortally then monetarily. Chris is not the victim here…he is the entitled aggressor who should have just bought a damn seat for his expensive guitar.

Go ahead and blindly bash the fat guy who you didn’t like on Idol, but don’t say mindless drivel to try & make you feel better about hating me. Just kinda silly.

HAHAHAHA
I didn’t give a crap about you on idol. You didn’t last long enough to make any type of impression. However, ever since I’ve noticed in every post you make what an arrogant, selfish, narcissistic jerk you are. If you were so concerned about the safety of your instrument, you should have found alternate arrangements for shipping it instead of relying on the fact that you thought you could bully your way into getting to carry it on the plane. Your lack of respect for all the people’s time that you wasted is not surprising in the least.

Flying has become an unpleasant experience for flight attendants, too, mainly because so many passengers act like jerks. Four different employees told Chris couldn’t take his guitar on board and he argued with them all and did it anyway. Then he subjected them to a long “intense” rant about how much they and their airline suck. I don’t know whether he threatened anyone, but he was clearly disruptive and belligerent and it’s no surprise at all he was booted off the plane. I bet all the passengers stuck in line behind him were delighted to see him tossed.

Now he’s visiting message boards to insult posters who don’t see things his way. Somehow that makes me even less inclined to believe that he didn’t shoot his mouth off at a flight attendant.

Chris’s copiously detailed account tries to make himself sound very reasonable & sympathetic, but it comes across like he was quite the primadonna to me and I wouldn’t be surprised if he came across more aggressive to the airline staff than he represents.

How many times do you have to be told “no”, before you listen.
What a jerk. I hope he doesn’t try to sue.
And what’s with always referring to himself as the ‘fat’ guy. We know you’re fat, don’t keep reminding us.

Chris has proven to be quite a hot-head online, so I can’t imagine him being any more pleasant in person when things don’t go his way.
Even If I believed his account of this story, that he was polite about the whole thing, he was still in the wrong.
Now even here in the comments, instead of accepting that people are not always going to be in agreement with him, he completely dismisses their opinion, and accuses them of “blindly bashing the fat guy that they didn’t like on Idol”.
Personally, I liked Chris when he was on Idol. Its his behavior since then that makes me not like him.

lol I was totally at the San Diego airport last night, picking up my grandma at this time.

In his defense, US Airways does suck. lol

I agree Mr. Sligh (who I didn’t watch on Idol and have never heard sing) probably made a giant nuisance of himself and more than likely deservedly got tossed off the plane.

What does you being a fat fuck have to do with anything Sligh? I would be worried if I was dealing with you too. You might try to eat me or something.

I’ve noticed that people who are overweight are fair game for many who would never talk that way about gay people, black people etc. People who are overweight are discriminated against everyday in the job market, overweight children are bullied in school and that seems to be accepted. A shame in my opinion.

Chris is not the victim here…he is the entitled aggressor who should have just bought a damn seat for his expensive guitar.

Exactly. Every flight I’ve been on has an ass like this trying to get their oversized carry-on in the overhead bin or in a closet. Just follow the rules and shut up. If you don’t like the rules, find another form of transportation.

I’ve noticed that people who are overweight are fair game for many who would never talk that way about gay people, black people etc. People who are overweight are discriminated against everyday in the job market, overweight children are bullied in school and that seems to be accepted. A shame in my opinion.

Someone who is extremely obese like Chris Sligh got to that point through a lot of poor personal decisions, so I am not understanding the comparison with race and sexuality which are immutable things.

This will be my last post here. But I do want to say this: I fly somewhere around 200 flights a year & have for nearly 5 years. I bring a guitar with me almost everywhere. On every single full-sized plane I never – and I mean ever – have a problem with being allowed to put my guitar on board. If you follow musicians that play instruments and travel commercial (I’ve seen Daughtry tweet about this as well as multiple others) they complain about being forced to put a guitar underneath because it so rarely happens. This isn’t just Chris Sligh asking for special treatment…this is me asking for regular treatment amongst those of us who travel worh guitars regularly. We carry guitars on b/c it is unsafe to check & isn’t financially or time-feasible to ship everywhere. So when 1 flight out of a hundred won’t let you at least search for a spot for an instrument worth more than a flight attendant’s monthly wages, it’s hard to understand why. You can sit here & attempt to pass judgement but here’s a correlation. People (maybe you) buy Starbucks & bring it on to planes. No problem. A year or so ago, on a (strangely enough) USAir flight, a woman in front of me tried to carry on her Starbucks coffee. She was told she couldn’t bring it on. Her reply, “What? I’ve done this a hundred times before…why would you not let me bring my coffee on?”. Was she wrong for being upset? No. Apparently, technically USAir had a rule at that time that outside drinks werent allowed. Why? I have no clue. Stupid rule. I think wr’d all agree that she had the right to be pissed off (and we all most likely would feel the same). Why then am I wrong for being protective of a $4000 instrument when 99/100 I have no problem putting it in an overhead bin if there is actual bin space (which there was)? Take away your inherent hatred for me & at least be fair.

What am I saying? Haha…fairness amongst the readers of this blog? Too much to ask. ; )

And for those who think I’ve been a pain, you should really research your stuff. I wrote a blog people didn’t like. I’ve never been accused of mis-treating anyone. I didn’t mistreat anyone here…I was mistreated.

Anyhoo…again, MJ, I am thankful for your blog. At one point it was great fun for me!

Chris

Lol what a douche, with his pathetic 4000 dollars guitar and his 3000 loss. I see sligh hasn’t changed a bit.

So when 1 flight out of a hundred won’t let you at least search for a spot for an instrument worth more than a flight attendant’s monthly wages, it’s hard to understand why.

And this is exactly why everyone thinks you are an asshole. You say asshole things like this.

What does his weight or his personality or insuring guitars have to do with anything? The relevant questions is “Did he threaten the flight attendant?”. Period. If he didn’t do that, they were not justified in lying about it. If he did do that, he deserved to get kicked off the plane. The end.

tls62 says:
09/17/2011 at 4:19 pm
Chris is not the victim here…he is the entitled aggressor who should have just bought a damn seat for his expensive guitar.

Exactly. Every flight I’ve been on has an ass like this trying to get their oversized carry-on in the overhead bin or in a closet. Just follow the rules and shut up. If you don’t like the rules, find another form of transportation.

The reason why you always see someone getting an oversized carry-on into the cabin is because no airline ever enforces the rule 100% of the time. It is the epitome of bad customer service to slavishly follow a rule for the sake of following the rule. Good customer service involves flexibility and accommodation whenever reasonable, not dogmatic adherence to a rule. As I said in the headlines thread, Chris should sue, or at least threaten to sue the airline for slander. No jury would ever side with a US airline on an issue relating to customer service. Never. The fact that they let him go after allegedly making a death threat in the post 911 era would be great evidence at trial. If I were US Airways, I would quickly offer an apology and some financial compensation before Chris gets to some pit bull contingency lawyer wanting to get some free press.

Chris probably didn’t threaten anyone, but he was being just as rude and arrogant as the flight attendant. It’s funny that his account has him mouthing off, yet he says that the flight attendant was a cocky jerk. He was being a jerk, so the attendant gave it back to him. While saying that he threatened someone was wrong, I don’t blame the attendant for not wanting to put up with him during the flight. You can’t treat people like crap, and expect them not to do the same to you.

Go ahead and blindly bash the fat guy who you didn’t like on Idol, but don’t say mindless drivel to try & make you feel better about hating me. Just kinda silly.

Looking at the whole situation, and the events that led up to being kicked off the flight, I would feel you were wrong. It has nothing to do at all about your weight or your popularity on Idol! :roll: I would feel it was warranted no matter who the passenger happens to be. Your being on Idol has nothing to do with it at all. Really.

Someone who is extremely obese like Chris Sligh got to that point through a lot of poor personal decisions, so I am not understanding the comparison with race and sexuality which are immutable things.

Actually obesity is due to a myriad of factors including genetic and biological as well as behavioral, so actually there is a comparison which can be made.
Of course if he was being rude and arrogant then he has to take the consequences for that. Flight attendants have to put up with a lot-I certainly wouldn’t want that job!

On every single full-sized plane I never – and I mean ever – have a problem with being allowed to put my guitar on board. If you follow musicians that play instruments and travel commercial (I’ve seen Daughtry tweet about this as well as multiple others) they complain about being forced to put a guitar underneath because it so rarely happens. This isn’t just Chris Sligh asking for special treatment…this is me asking for regular treatment amongst those of us who travel worh guitars regularly.

Is there a protected class of guitar-carrying passengers? This is not very persuasive to me that because airlines sometimes or even often waive a particular rule, anyone is entitled that they must always waive it or else they have the righteous option to carry on about it, threaten to sue, etc.

We carry guitars on b/c it is unsafe to check & isn’t financially or time-feasible to ship everywhere.

So there is a calculated decision to save money and time by betting that the airline will let you do this against its published rules. Or can be persuaded / bullied into it if they don’t initially choose to let you. That’s an option on how to do things but I don’t find it reasonable to be outraged and possibly unpleasant when your betting calculation occasionally comes up on the wrong side of the bet.

So when 1 flight out of a hundred won’t let you at least search for a spot for an instrument worth more than a flight attendant’s monthly wages, it’s hard to understand why.

What do the flight attendant’s wages have to do with the treatment your guitar is supposedly entitled to?

You can sit here & attempt to pass judgement but here’s a correlation. A year or so ago, on a (strangely enough) USAir flight, a woman in front of me tried to carry on her Starbucks coffee. She was told she couldn’t bring it on. Her reply, “What? I’ve done this a hundred times before…why would you not let me bring my coffee on?”. Was she wrong for being upset?

Whether she was upset is not the issue I see anyone objecting to. If she verbally accosted the airline employees and threatened to sue them over taking away her Starbucks (lol), then maybe there would be a parallel case.

This all reminds me of a Canadian musician who had his guitar destroyed by an airline (United) and they finally settled up when the song he wrote about the incident went viral.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqoz (United Breaks Guitars).

If there is room in the overhead bins, I wouldn’t care if somebody brought a guitar on. Usually, when I fly, there is space (provided I’m not transferring through O’Hare which always seems to attract people with mountains of carry-ons like no other airport I’ve ever been through. Maybe it’s just part of the bad luck I always have at that little slice of hell).

I have no doubt Sligh was a pain, but you can’t make false criminal complaints even if he was a mega-pain. Cops have better things to do than to save you from grumpy customers. If he did threaten the life of an employee, the airline is wrong not to press charges.

This isn’t just Chris Sligh asking for special treatment…this is me asking for regular treatment amongst those of us who travel worh guitars regularly

So…because someone has broken the “rules” about carry-on luggage religiously, the one time he is asked to obey the “rules” Chris gets all huffy and put-out…that isn’t a defense, again that is entitlement. And just because Joe Blow gets away with it time and again doesn’t mean it is right.

So, should a forester be allowed to carry-on a chain saw because it is expensive and part of his lively hood, or should a chef be allowed to sit with his special knives because, heaven forbid, if they get lost in the luggage hold his career is ruined. All the excuses and precedence in the world doesn’t make it right. And, by the way, if anyone has ever taken the time to read the provisions from the airlines when they purchase a ticket all of these rules are mentioned. Sometimes on the web sites there are pages of these…and being ignorant of that fact doesn’t make it the airlines responsibility to overlook it.

So I guess my question is, if there wasn’t any overhead room, or closet room available, what did he plan on doing? If that guitar was so valuable, seems he would have had a firm plan in place for it. Like buying it a damn seat, as he should have in the first place. If I were that concerned about my valuable carry on, which was oversized, I’d sure as hell cover my bases before boarding.

The flight attendant was having a bad day, then so was Chris. It happened, we all get testy at one time or another. The only thing I see in this is that the flight attendant lied about Chris threatening his life, he surely lied. I wonder what other band members do, as a lot of them fly and I am sure their instruments are more expensive that Chris’s $4000 one. The airlines should try to settle this with Chris tho, kicking him off the plane was a little excessive tho, they need to get the attendant there and discuss it.

Surprised Chris thought he would get some sympathy and he got roasted instead!!!!

By the way, Chris Sligh is lucky he was recognized by cops, otherwise this could have been much worse. What scares me is that this flight attendant said she got death threats from a passenger and clearly she was lying. Where’s her punishment?

lol this guy is so pathetic, he’s retweeting everything negative about US airlines he can find, and he’s tweeting about MJS, saying MJ posted this in a “negative light” on him.. LOL how? MJ posted exactly what he posted, oh, and he had this to say about MJS commenters

“eh, those commenters are mostly a subculture of losers trying to live life through their fav Idol. It’ll blow over ASAP.”

He keeps saying he was wronged and he is bashing anyone who doesn’t agree with him. It’s funny because his next airline he went on, they made him put his guitar in the bottom too, and now he’s saying “THANK YOU SO MUCH SOUTHWEST (?) AIRLINES FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF MY GUITAR, THEY PUT IT IN THE BOTTOM BUT TOOK GREAT CARE OF IT” omfg I just can’t MOST DELUSIONAL PERSON I’VE EVER COME ACROSS. Pathetic.

Sadly, he’s enjoying this story as “publicity” as well

Chris…just a question.

Do you have a copy of the police report with the name of the person and his signed affidavit where he stated that you threatened his life…or is all of this your “understanding” based on your conversation with the police officer (or was it airport security). Just curious.

And again…the airlines can escort anyone off of a plane for any reason what-so-ever as long as they refund your ticket price.

What scares me is that this flight attendant said she got death threats from a passenger and clearly she was lying. Where’s her punishment?

Christ says that it was a death threat, but since it seems like they were always willing to let him go, more than likely the attendant said that he was threatened, but never said that it was a death threat.

I doubt he was recognized by the cops. No way, what cops are gonna remember some douchebag who couldn’t even place top 9 with the likes of SANJAYA in a season 4 years ago? If anything I’m sure he was like “HEY! DONT YOU REMEMBER ME??? AMERICAN IDOL 6 I MADE THE TOP 10??? HASSELHOFF???? IM FUNNY AND FAT!!!” and they probably said “ehhh sure buddy whatever you say” He’s pathetic. I honestly wouldn’t doubt he made this story up to get attention. He’s that kind of person

What scares me is that this flight attendant said she got death threats from a passenger and clearly she was lying. Where’s her punishment?

We’re getting one side’s version of the story here, let’s not forget that.

What scares me is that this flight attendant said she got death threats from a passenger and clearly she was lying. Where’s her punishment?

This is Chris’ version of the story. Not saying he is not being truthful, but there are two sides of every story. I believe if the attendant had actually claimed a death threat (which obviously would have been heard by witnesses on the plane) it would have been thoroughly investigated. Maybe she claimed that she felt threatened by his behavior? But just reading his version, I cannot defend him. Unless there was a news story about this with witness statements, this remains Chris’ story.

What a drama queen. Seriously, he has always came off as an entitled p.o.s., but this is just sad. To be frank, the way he has handled this whole situation, makes me more likely to believe that he did something deserving of being removed from the plane, rather than him being a victim.

Thanks for finding that song. I was going to look for it. Guitars seem to be a bit on the fragile side.

Oops – won’t work for me.

Maybe this will open.

http://mashable.com/2009/07/15/united-breaks-guitars/

saying “THANK YOU SO MUCH SOUTHWEST (?) AIRLINES FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF MY GUITAR, THEY PUT IT IN THE BOTTOM BUT TOOK GREAT CARE OF IT” omfg I just can’t MOST DELUSIONAL PERSON I’VE EVER COME ACROSS.

Now that is funny, did they have someone sit down there with the priceless guitar, and rock it??
It was ok to put it in the bottom on Southwest, but not ok for US Air to but it in the bottom???
Chris you are a piece of work.
I will continue to live thru my favorite idol, WHY? cause it fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He’s pathetic. I honestly wouldn’t doubt he made this story up to get attention. He’s that kind of person

I don’t see that happening. 10th place finisher from Idol vs million-dollar airline? If Chris is lying, those lies will be quickly exposed and he’ll likely be sued for slander, both by the airline and the flight attendant. Not to mention criminal charges.

It sounds like a case of over-reaction from both sides. And since they had the power, the airline kicked Chris off the plane. Don’t know who’s right, don’t really care. But I imagine the truth is, as always, somewhere in the middle.

This issue affects many of the Idols we love. David Cook had a guitar damaged last year. Many of these istruments are very special to their owners. I wonder if the airlines will let you buy a seat for your instrument? Might be a rule against that, too. I wonder what all our WGWG’s do when they have to fly? There must be a lot of musicians flying on any one day. How do they handle it? I do agree that the airline industry needs to address the care and handling of ALL baggage – especially now that we have to pay those baggage fees.

Sounds like this situation could have been handled better by everyone involved.

I’m curious, wouldn’t an airline have to reimburse Chris Sligh if they damaged his $4000.00 guitar? Or is that a risk the passenger assumes when they fly? I know that would be small comfort to a musician who lost their instrument but at least they would have some kind of compensation.
Also with all of Kris Allen’s travel woes we’ve never heard about his guitar being left behind with his lost luggage. They must usually let him store it in the overhead-maybe he tells his sad stories and they take pity on him :).

…don’t say mindless drivel to try & make you feel better about hating me. Just kinda silly.

Take away your inherent hatred for me & at least be fair.

I didn’t mistreat anyone here…I was mistreated.

So everyone hates him and is out to get him – that’s not a rational reaction to a disagreement, that’s paranoia.

Again, I don’t know if Chris threatened the flight attendant or not. But the way he’s overreacting here is making it seem more and more likely that he did. If so, the airline may not have filed a criminal complaint because they decided he was more of a jackass than a real threat, and didn’t want to delay the flight.

I wonder if the airlines will let you buy a seat for your instrument?

If you buy a seat you can put what you want in it as long as it can be secured and does not block the exiting potential of any other passenger….I’ve seen lots of people buy seats for instruments, pets, audio-visual equipment, sample suitcases, and even an extra one for themselves if no first class is offered.

And as far as things like guitars…these go through the security check point and are allowed to be carried through the restricted part of the terminal. They are usually handed off to the gate attendant and hand carried by an employee to the luggage hold…just like wheel chairs, strollers, and other specific luggage. They are then brought from the hold at destination and are available to the passenger on the jetway rather than sent through to baggage claim.

Most smart people have a rider on their home owner’s insurance that will pay for damage caused by mishandling of an instrument by airline personel or hotel porters or cabbies.

I know I’ve seen pictures of Cook carrying his guitar through security, so what happens after that, I don’t know. However, the guitar he played on Idol tour for Billie Jean was damaged on a flight to England. He tweeted the picture. It was later repaired and put up for auction for charity (with description that it had been damaged & repaired).

I think getting reimbursed from the airlines for a damaged guitar is not the easiest thing to do. If you don’t report in the correct way as mandated by the airlines, they will disallow your claim. Case in point, David Carroll’s experience with an airline that damaged his guitar which I read on his blog was unbelievable. He made this video and only then, did the airlines settle his claim, IIR. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

So, should a forester be allowed to carry-on a chain saw because it is expensive and part of his lively hood, or should a chef be allowed to sit with his special knives because, heaven forbid, if they get lost in the luggage hold his career is ruined.

Thanks Tess, I now have a funny visual of these people buckling in their chainsaws and knives in the seats next to them lol!

While this is true, Sligh has pretty much shot himself in the foot by rebroadcasting the slanderous statement. If what was said was so bad, why repeat it?

We only have Chris’s version of anything in this incident. While he relates it in great detail, that doesn’t mean to me that his is the only relevant version of the events. And clearly his emotions are pretty engaged on it still so I don’t really count his lengthy blog or comments here as detached witnessing.

Just going by stuff that happens in my workplace and the rules we manage to, it is conceivable that someone can make a comment that is not meant to be literally threatening but that can be perceived or characterized that way. Especially if there are gestures, raised voices, etc. that add to that interpretation. And if there is the slightest doubt, an employee can raise it as hostile work environment and we have to temporarily remove the employee from the situation and conduct a review. I’d expect nothing less, and a lot more, in an airline situation when someone alleges feeling harassed or threatened and you are in a closed environment — not even to mention the obvious antiterrorism and airline safety concerns these days.

Although I don’t know what exactly happened here, and I highly doubt Chris actually intended”death threats” — from what I have seen here we have only his version of it that the employee claimed “death threats” vs. some other degree of verbal / physical threatening conduct. Or, that the only reason he was or should have been tossed off the plane must have been due to “death threats.” I believe (and hope) that an airline can remove someone who is simply unruly or acting in a manner that the pilot or other official finds unacceptable or unsafe.

It is within the realm of plausibility to me that some comment was made that could be perceived as threatening, and/or that Chris got too close to the flight attendant’s personal space when he was confronting them about his guitar outrage. An airline employee may have perceived his words or body language as threatening. If the remedy they wanted was Chris and his precious guitar off the plane, they may not have chosen to press the matter much beyond that. The airport security appears to have successfully resolved it quickly after that as the stupid dispute it seems to have been.

US Airways policy on musical instruments:

http://www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/baggage/specialitems.html
Musical instruments

Musical instruments are considered a fragile item. Fragile items will be accepted as checked baggage if they are appropriately packaged in a container/case designed for shipping such items. Fragile items without appropriate packaging will be accepted upon the execution of a release furnished by US Airways relieving US Airways of liability for loss/damage of checked baggage.

Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

US Airways allows customers to carry their musical instrument in the cabin with them if the instrument exceeds the size restrictions for carry-on baggage and/or the customer believes that the instrument is too fragile to be handled as checked baggage. To do this:
•The customer must purchase an extra seat for the instrument. Cost of the seat is the applicable adult fare for the portions of the flight that the extra seat is requested plus sales tax.
•The musical instrument must be secured in or against a window seat (not in an Emergency Exit Row).
•The customer must be seated in the seat directly next to the instrument.
•Seat baggage must not weigh more than 170 lbs/77 kg and must meet the size restrictions based on aircraft type.
•Cellos and bass violas will only be accepted as seat baggage.

If you buy a seat you can put what you want in it as long as it can be secured and does not block the exiting potential of any other passenger….I’ve seen lots of people buy seats for instruments, pets, audio-visual equipment, sample suitcases, and even an extra one for themselves if no first class is offered.

How does one secure such items in a seat? You can put a lap belt on a guitar, but that is hardly going to secure it. The physics are all wrong. It would just be cosmetic. Are there special straps the airline requires? I’d far rather have the guitar in an overhead bin then flying about the cabin when we hit turbulence.

I know you can get fancy seat belts for dogs, but given the outrage the airlines get when the allow small dogs hidden away in carriers under the seat, I want to know what airline has no problem allowing my pet lab to park his butt on a seat and try to charm the guy next to him out of his ham sandwich. I’ll totally fly them.

Also with all of Kris Allen’s travel woes we’ve never heard about his guitar being left behind with his lost luggage. They must usually let him store it in the overhead-maybe he tells his sad stories and they take pity on him

Kris is young and attractive. Chris is not. If you ever watch the 20/20 specials, you will see that companies are far more willing to bend the rules for good looking people. So I doubt Kris’s experience would be representative of Chris’s.

That is interesting that his alternate carrier made him stow it too. :)
.

Kris is young and attractive. Chris is not. If you ever watch the 20/20 specials, you will see that companies are far more willing to bend the rules for good looking people. So I doubt Kris’s experience would be representative of Chris’s.

Actually, Chris’s story might be evidence in the other direction, lol. Since he claims that he is nearly always given leniency to bring on his guitar despite the rules.

The only “blind stubbornness” I see is coming from Chris. I’m sorry, but he always seemed like a real tool to me.

Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

So if Chris’s guitar was within the guidelines in that post, he would not have to have an extra seat and should have been able to carry it on. I know nothing about guitars and their measurements, but it seems some guitars would qualify from what I could find on google.

What we are paying the airlines for is to relocate us, the passenger, from point A to B….not our dozen suitcases that are so heavy that suitcases now have built in wheels.

Just for the record, I always under-pack, so that’s not the problem. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the airlines to transport ME and a reasonable amount of luggage for ONE PRICE.

Also the constant delays and crowded planes make flying an arduous and uncomfortable experience. Flying in the 80′s and and 90s vs now is like night and day.

I don’t think my expectations of the airlines is unreasonable. If their business plan to make as much money as possible means treating their customers like a herd of cattle, I’ll just skip it for some quiet time in the car.

Pretty simple—it’s called following the rules, Chris. You don’t have to like them or agree with them, but you do have to follow them. And how expensive your guitar may be really doesn’t matter. Sounds like a major case of entitlement.

If you are rude, act belligerent or threatening toward an airline employee, he/she can have you removed.

Wow, this is quite the hot topic lol.

So here is what I don’t get … if each person along the way did not acquiesce to Chris’ request, how did he get by them and get seated? At the gate he could have been stopped but he was let through. At the entry to the plane, he could have been denied, but he was let through. And so on.

A couple of years ago, my daughter and I presented for boarding at Heathrow. We were carrying a rugby ball we had purchased in Picadilly Circus. We were denied boarding until we met one of 2 criteria: we give up the ball or go to the sport shop and have it deflated. Despite having travelled extensively, I had no idea why a ball would be denied, nor had I travelled with balls for that matter lol. Apparently, balls are prone to explode in flight and while not really a danger, they would certainly cause unnecessary commotion at 30,000 feet. I complied and had the ball deflated.

My point is … I was denied entry to the gangway. Had I been permitted through I might have interpreted that as agreement to allow me to take my ball onto the plane. He was allowed past 4 separate points. If I were representing Chris, that would be the argument I make.

Now it is possible that he made enough of a commotion, they allowed him through until they could get security to remove him but I find that hard to believe in today’s strict security environment: it’s everywhere within easy reach and it’s certainly easier to detain someone at the gate than to remove them once seated.

Sounds to me like there’s plenty of blame all around. JMHO YMMV

I have little patience for people who bring on board huge bags that clearly do not fit in that stupid little “does your carry on fit here” box. A guitar case is certainly far too large for what the airlines say you can store in the over-head bin. I’d be pissed if I couldn’t fit my legitimate carry-on, because someone had a huge guitar case up there. (And, I don’t give a crap how much said guitar costs).

Traveling these days is an inconvenience for all of us. And, flight attendance take more abuse than I’d ever want to put up with. It sucks more for them than it does for us.

If Chris’s story is true, and the flight attendant lied, then I too would be looking for some kind of consideration from the airline. But, I wouldn’t be writing a 5,000 word blog about it. Or, telling my readers I’d let them know if they could “help”.

ChrisSligh Chris Sligh
@
@DebJinAL so far everyone has been very supportive…some ppl on a blog whose opinion I trust 0% about anything? Who cares?

Well, he doesn’t care for sure. Look at him not caring so much that he posted in this thread twice.

I often have a hard time believing long recounts that consist of quotes of full conversations.

I don’t know what actually happened but I also do find flying these days to be a very unpleasant experience. I have always kind of appreciated Chris’s honesty whether you are a fan or not of his. I do not follow his career but I always think Chris tells it the way it is. I kind of side with Chris and his twitter comments made me laugh.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the airlines to transport ME and a reasonable amount of luggage for ONE PRICE.

I only fly airlines that allow me one “suit” size suitcase weighing less than 50 lbs. and a carry-on item and a purse (and those purses can get really big). This will do me a 10 day cruise. My sister, on the other hand, would cart a couple of steamer trunks, a few suit bags, several cosmetic cases and think she would run out of clothes on a weekend trip to San Fran. One’s reasonable luggage is not anothers….especially when you have students flying from home to school with all their “stuff”.

Actually, airlines make “more” money from the stuff, besides passengers, that they carry so they are very aware of trying to keep luggage to a minimum. They make a lot more money carrying US mail packages, and other shipping items….airlines almost never take off without a belly full of “paid” items. And these “paid” items help to keep airline tickets affordable.

I remember paying $800 for a round trip airline ticket from NY to London in 1967 when I was making $1.05 an hour. I worked half a year to pay for that damn ticket. Today, I can purchase that same flight for the same price and work considerably less to pay for it. I think the airlines have done an amazing job keeping flight affordable for almost all of us…and I’ll put up with a bit of inconvenience to be able to make it from here to NY in 4 hours….but then I could be stuck in a car for 3 days and pay $400 or $500 in gas plus food and lodging.

If Chris’s story is true, and the flight attendant lied, then I too would be looking for some kind of consideration from the airline. But, I wouldn’t be writing a 5,000 word blog about it. Or, telling my readers I’d let them know if they could “help”.

You tell your supporters because the airline will ignore 1 person but not 100 or 1000 people. The airline will respond soon. Can’t wait to hear what they have to say.

The flight attendant was having a bad day, then so was Chris. It happened, we all get testy at one time or another. The only thing I see in this is that the flight attendant lied about Chris threatening his life, he surely lied.

Yeah it sounds like one of those situations where people on both sides are irritated, but then escalated into crazy town. It was probably a pain for the flight attendants to deal with someone kicking up a fuss, but jeez not cool to retaliate with a story about some kind of threat.

I have mixed feelings because I think so many airlines are just keeping their heads above water profit wise, and all the charging for the things we used to take for granted a perk of travel is keeping them on the black side of the balance sheet. On the other hand, like so many other professions with a bit of power over their fellow humans, there are always bad apples that take the slavish attention to rules rather than common sense too far.

For several years I’ve traveled with crappy ipod shuffle, no more than a memory stick really with zero features and no ability to interfere with any signal. A couple months ago my flight attendant said that no electronic items would be allowed during take off and landing, and actually went up and down the landing making sure any people with earbuds actually took them out and stowed whatever they were listening to. When I asked him if that was necessary since my shuffle couldn’t interfere with any signals and that was always the reason given before, he said it was an FAA rule so that passengers wouldn’t be distracted if there was an emergency. I complied, but frankly me with music in my ears was paying more attention that the dude across the aisle with a really engrossing book or the lady next to me who took a valium and put a mask over her eyes to sleep.

No flight attendants on the same airline have attempted to enforce this rule on my last two flights. Are they slackers? Was the stickler guy the only one doing his job? Or was he a total liar? I have no idea, but when rules don’t make sense or are arbitrarily applied, people get pissed.

Just because it’s been done a thousand times before doesn’t mean it’s right. I don’t know the dimensions of his guitar, but if the terms clearly states you have to check in the item, then you can’t knock a flight attendant for enforcing the rules.

And, flight attendance take more abuse than I’d ever want to put up with. It sucks more for them than it does for us.

This. He had the nerve to say that his guitar costs more than the FA’s monthly wage. Come on. That’s just being a douchebag.

When I asked him that was necessary since my shuffle couldn’t interfere with any signals and that was always the reason given before, he said it was an FAA rule so that passengers wouldn’t be distracted if there was an emergency. I complied, but frankly me with music in my ears was paying more attention that the dude across the aisle with a really engrossing book or the lady next to me who took a valium and put a mask over her eyes to sleep.

I think there are devices where the effect is trivial. But it makes sense to me that they ask passengers to turn off all devices. The flight attendants should be focusing on safe takeoff and landing, and getting passengers to their seats ready for flight. Plus they aren’t electronics recognition experts for all the millions of gadgets out there so it must be easier to just say they are all to be shut off.

And it’s only a minor inconvenience to turn off my iPod for the few minutes from near takeoff until they let you turn it on again.

The airline will respond soon. Can’t wait to hear what they have to say.

Airlines, like almost all consumer driven enterprises, get tons of “complaint” letters all the time…and they really don’t have the time or the resources to handle petty little differences like Chris is drumming up. Unless Chris can prove that he was “right” and the airline was “wrong” the most they will do for Chris is send him a voucher for a future flight….which, as much as he hates USAir, now, he will probably never use. They won’t offer him a public apology, nor should they.

If he wants to sue and gamble that he can win this…that is his only option to get any monetary compensation. And really his supporters aren’t going to make a dent in the airlines “sales”. Most people book an airline because of price and schedule….very few people will really decide never to fly an airline because of someone else’s story of woe.

This. He had the nerve to say that his guitar costs more than the FA’s monthly wage. Come on. That’s just being a douchebag

I don’t know the details but just for that comment, I’m siding with the flight attendant. Screw him and his expensive guitar.

I’m going to side with Chris to some extent. I don’t know about the “intense” conversation and whether or not he should have been taken off the flight, but I think it’s entirely reasonable to want to bring a valuable musical instrument with you on the plane.

As noted above, it was (almost certainly) within US Airways own policy guidelines.

I agree that air travel has gotten really awful. So much so that it was a toss-up for me whether to take a three-hour flight or a thirty-hour train ride in the near future.

That’s not anyone’s fault, really. The airlines were bleeding money trying to provide good service and cut ticket prices. And then they had to implement a ton of new security rules since 9/11. Something had to give. It turned out to be the customer service.

Better than than safety, I would say.

I don’t blame Chris for being upset. Maybe he should write a song about it. Worked for that Canadian singer. :)

If he was flying to/from gigs it was a legitimate business expense and he could have booked a second seat for the instrument as per airline guidelines as part of that business expense. Anyone who flies with delicate baggage (like instruments) knows it is not an ideal environment for that baggage. That’s why there are options like booking an extra seat or insuring fragile objects, etc. Yeah, the “insurance” of an extra seat costs more, but does it cost more than replacing a $4000 guitar on an urgent basis when you need it at the end of the flight?

So perhaps the help that Chris needs from his fans is a kick in the butt to take a little more responsibility for exploring airline guidelines and other options for getting his valuable instruments where they need to go.

I might have been willing to take his blog post with a grain of salt – when people are in a confrontation, they can often over/underestimate the effect they had in that confrontation (could be Chris underestimated his reaction and the flight attendant overestimated). The defensive reactions he posted to criticism since make me tend to believe he may have been disruptive enough that the airline did right in refusing him service.

but I think it’s entirely reasonable to want to bring a valuable musical instrument with you on the plane.

I think the airline is very definitely talking about cased instruments such as flutes, and clarinets, violins and brass instruments that break down into parts for travel. I don’t think they were talking about drums and tubas and guitars and full sized keyboards. A reasonable person would deduce that size plays a part in the transport of musical instruments.

You tell your supporters because the airline will ignore 1 person but not 100 or 1000 people. The airline will respond soon. Can’t wait to hear what they have to say.

I get the whole united front thing, when one has a legitimate beef. I’m not sure Chris does here. (And, historically, I’ve actually liked Chris – although clearly his opinions about those of us here at mj’s indicates he may not like me).

Admittedly, watching people walk on a plane with those rolling suitcases they call carry-on bags is a pet peeve of mine. My local airport is a busy one, with lots of full flights. I’m never on a flight that has enough room in the overhead bins for a guitar case to take up the space of 3 or 4 regular carry-ons.

I too hate flying these days, but it is the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Plus, 12 hours with my kids in a car is the suckage. I’m a little surprised that flying is still as economical as it is. After the hit the airlines all took on September 11th, I assumed several of them would go out of business, and that we’d all be paying $1,200 to fly round trip from FL to NJ.

It’s quite a successful story to me, from a business perspective. I don’t like the way things are now. But, I try to give those people in that business (who’ve survived some pretty tough bumps) a little benefit of the doubt.

Maybe its karma for biting the hand that used to feed him(idol)-Ju’Not, Amanda O, James, Tim H-You’re next! ;)

I actually have no problem with airlines charging for luggage. It was either do that, or raise the ticket price for everyone, which isn’t fair. I travel with one little carry-on and one piece of luggage. I’m glad my ticket price doesn’t reflect someone who needs 5 pieces of luggage.

I flew from MI to FL in 1980 as a high school senior. I still remember my excitement finding a ticket for just under $500. Today, $99 round fares are common to Orlando. I couldn’t drive there that cheap. I think the airlines are doing a great job. I have no complaints.

$249 cost of airfare from San Diego to Raleigh-Durham on US Airways. $379 for SD to RD to Denver on US Airways.

I don’t know the dimensions of the guitar, but if it met requirements to go in the cabin without a seat, I would have had a copy of the airline policy and a tape measure with me.

It’s an expensive lesson, but it pays to know the rules and to be prepared to abide by them. The airlines changes rules pretty often, so checking in the days before a flight might be wise.

Here’s my take, as a somewhat frequent flier who doesn’t carry around a guitar: If I’m on a flight and there are empty overhead bins I have no problem at all with letting a musician store their instrument or anything else that might be fragile. If the bin isn’t needed by those with legit sized carry ons, well it’s no skin off my nose. So regulations or not, the exception to the rule doesn’t bother me. It’s when the bins are full BECAUSE people have been allowed to store their oversized items before people like me even board the airplane that I have an issue.

In this case, I think it was handled badly on both sides. The airline probably should have either not allowed him on the flight until he agreed to store his guitar OR they should have taken a wait and see approach by telling him they’d hold onto the guitar until they determined (once everyone is seated) whether there would be bin space. Chris, on the other hand, upon realizing he was getting resistance maybe should have foreseen a problem and stopped pushing for them to let him store the guitar. Of course, hindsight is 20/20…Airlines do take advantage of customers but it’s the lowly flight attendants that deal with the brunt of that hostility. In return the customers often feel like the attendants are pissed off and unhelpful, and the circle just goes ’round and round.

Lols, I had to get out the popcorn for this thread. I got to go back and finish reading all the juicy post. :)

I totally understand where Chris was coming from and if there was plenty of room on the plane, then they should of just let him put the guitar on the plane. They were just being dicks.
He makes a living using his guitar so of course he is going to be overprotective of it.

I hate flying these days too, the customer service has gone downhill and yes I hate paying for my freaking bags. lols I would rather drive but some times flying is the only option. Oh well shit happens. Good luck with everything Chris.

I don’t think they were talking about drums and tubas and guitars and full sized keyboards.

I posted the US Airways policy on the previous page. It does not not specifically address guitars, but does clarify the size of instruments allowed without a ticket.

US Airways allows customers to carry their musical instrument in the cabin with them if the instrument exceeds the size restrictions for carry-on baggage and/or the customer believes that the instrument is too fragile to be handled as checked baggage.

Here are the guidelines for carry-on (free). All other instruments need a paid seat and to meet the list of requirements on the previous page.

Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

I don’t see that this gives an unconditional right to carry on a guitar or other instrument. It would be up to the airline staff to judge what can be safely stowed. And I really would doubt that Chris’s guitar qualified — especially when you consider they aren’t just measuring the (acoustic, I assume) guitar, but the guitar in its protective traveling case.

Chris doesn’t seem to be asserting that his guitar fit guidelines to bring on board. Instead, that he is usually allowed to bring it on even though it doesn’t fit the rules. But this time he wasn’t — oh woe is me :)

It’s a shame he didn’t just let them check it before entering the plane, or hand it to an attendant when they asked once he got in. He would have made his destination, done his gig, and with reasonable probability not had damage to his guitar or his ego.

They were just being dicks.

No, they were doing their jobs.

I think the airline is very definitely talking about cased instruments such as flutes, and clarinets, violins and brass instruments that break down into parts for travel. I don’t think they were talking about drums and tubas and guitars and full sized keyboards.

They’re clear about cellos and bass violas needing an extra seat. A guitar is smaller than a cello.

I know that passengers do try to push the envelope in terms of carry-ons, partially because checked baggage is such a hassle. At the very least, it means another half-hour of waiting — and the possibility that your luggage will be lost, damaged, or stolen.

Even if you’ve insured your guitar, that doesn’t exactly help when you arrive for a gig without it because you can’t replace it in the two hours you had after finding out it’s still in Detroit or whatever. Maybe there should be an extra fee or something — but I still think it’s reasonable to carry on a guitar.

If it weren’t that they could be used as weapons, I would say the same for the chef’s knives and the lumberjack’s chainsaw (although chainsaws are pretty big).

When I moved across country, I was able to bring my cat in a carrier into the cabin with me. There was no way I was going to make him sit alone in the cargo hold for eight hours. I had to arrange it beforehand (there was a limit of 2 animals per flight), and I had to pay an extra $30.

If a dozen people all brought their guitars onto a plane, that would be a real imposition for everyone else. But it there were a limit to the number of unusual carry-ons, and you could reserve your spot beforehand, then I really don’t see the problem. Maybe that’s something the airlines could think about.

I think there are devices where the effect is trivial. But it makes sense to me that they ask passengers to turn off all devices. The flight attendants should be focusing on safe takeoff and landing, and getting passengers to their seats ready for flight. Plus they aren’t electronics recognition experts for all the millions of gadgets out there so it must be easier to just say they are all to be shut off.

When it was happening, I wondered if a new rule had been made because of just that. And then I flew the same airline twice more and there was no mention of stowing ALL electronic equipment and no one cared about my shuffle, I listened to it during takeoff/landing without a problem from anyone. So then I’m left to wonder was the first flight attendant just drunk with his own tiny amount of power and lying, or were the flight attendants on my later flights being totally lazy ignoring the new rule for some reason. But it’s this type of arbitrary application of rules that sets up the scene for incidents like Chris’s to happen.

Actually, airlines make “more” money from the stuff, besides passengers, that they carry so they are very aware of trying to keep luggage to a minimum. They make a lot more money carrying US mail packages, and other shipping items….airlines almost never take off without a belly full of “paid” items. And these “paid” items help to keep airline tickets affordable.

All that “stuff” makes a bunch of the security useless. Ever since the Air India disaster, they’ve required positive bag matching. If you don’t arrive for a flight, they pull your luggage. Makes no sense when they happily take air cargo from whoever. At least they stopped asking “Did you pack everything yourself” (the Pan Am/Lockerbie question. With air cargo, what is the point?)

I’d far rather have the hold full of crap of people who have a vested interest in the plane arriving then whatever caused that plane crash in Florida (canisters of some sort).

Chris was too argumentative but flight attendants can be grumpy too. I was just walking on a flight with my son a few weeks ago and he was carrying a booster seat as his one piece of carry on. The FA at the airplane door angrily snapped at me that he couldn’t use it unless he had his own seat. I was quite stunned as the child is four and a half feet tall. What airline would allow a child in Grade 3 to fly as a lap baby? I want to know because I am totally NOT flying that airline. I figured she was just having a bad day and confirmed with her that he had his ticket. Then she informed he couldn’t use the booster seat at all. Eh? They are only used to prevent shoulder straps from garroting children and as he would not be flying the plane he would not be sitting in a seat with a shoulder strap. I just assured her we would be stowing it and it would fit in the overhead bins or the seat in front. We quickly scooted down the aisle before she had a chance to inform us that we were also not allowed to light ourselves on fire.

I’m sure she has had a rough time with others trying to score free seats for their lap babies and use the wrong type of seats, but as we hadn’t even gotten on the plane we were not the original source of her bad day, but we got the angry attitude. So, Chris was, by his own blog statements, overly argumentative, I can also believe that the FA may too have been having a bad day and over-reacted. Everybody is human.

I want to be as safe as possible on an airplane and want to make it as easy as possible on the employees who have to comply with many regulations. If they want me to do a jig, I will do it. At face value, his demands sound ridiculous.

US Airways Guidelines:

3.1 Refusal to Transport
US Airways may refuse to transport, or remove from any flight, any passenger for the following reasons:

#6 (very broad): Any passenger who may pose a threat to the comfort and/or safety of other passengers or employees including (but not limited to) passengers who:

*Exhibit conduct that is violent, offensive or abusive to other passengers and/or employees including verbal harassment related to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

http://www.usairways.com/en-CH/travel_information/customers_first/carriage2.html

I was always under the impression that only the captain of the aircraft can authorize a passenger to be removed.

US Airways Guidelines:

3.1 Refusal to Transport
US Airways may refuse to transport, or remove from any flight, any passenger for the following reasons:

Exactly. This is why one should never ever argue with TSA agents, border guards or Flight Attendents. They have all the power. Just take it (and make a funny story out of it for later). You might get lucky and get away with it, but the risk is not worth it.

That said, I don’t think that gives them the right to tell the police you committed a criminal offense unless they did actually commit that offense. Just de-plane them. Some customers are not worth having.

What a pain in the arse this guy is!

That said, I don’t think that gives them the right to tell the police you committed a criminal offense unless they did actually commit that offense.

Until I have something other than Chris’ take on what was said by whom I will reserve judgment about words spoken by others and then relayed to Chris. As others have said we are hearing one take on this story and it may be fact or it could be a complete work of fiction. So far I haven’t seen or heard any other interpretations of what happened.

If Chris was as famous as he thinks he is…wouldn’t someone else on the plane be rushing to the press with all the details of what transpired. Heck…if I watched someone being escorted off of a plane I’d be twittering my friends to tell them about it. Anything showing up on Twitter from other passengers?

That said, I don’t think that gives them the right to tell the police you committed a criminal offense unless they did actually commit that offense. Just de-plane them. Some customers are not worth having.

Exactly. This is why I think all this other stuff – (Does Sligh have entitlement issues? Was he rude? Is he a dick? LOL) – is a distraction. The person who escorted him off the plane did not tell him they were doing so because he was mean to the fight attendant. They were doing it because he supposedly threatened someone. If he didn’t, then someone lied. Sligh could have been a huge pain in the ass (or not) but that doesn’t mean folks get to lie, if that is indeed what happened.

That said, I don’t think that gives them the right to tell the police you committed a criminal offense unless they did actually commit that offense. Just de-plane them. Some customers are not worth having.

Once again, we’re only hearing Chris’ side to this story. Me thinks there’s another side that might not align with his version. Lol.

If Chris was as famous as he thinks he is…wouldn’t someone else on the plane be rushing to the press with all the details of what transpired. Heck…if I watched someone being escorted off of a plane I’d be twittering my friends to tell them about it. Anything showing up on Twitter from other passengers?

If they had just yanked somebody of the plane for a carry-on violation, I’d be all like the other passengers on the Airship after Indy tossed the Nazi overboard for not having a ticket in “The Last Crusade”. I would not tempt raising their ire by using an electronic device just prior to take off.

Other than that, Sligh is not as famous as he thinks he is.

Exactly. This is why I think all this other stuff – (Does Sligh have entitlement issues? Was he rude? Is he a dick? LOL) – is a distraction. The person who escorted him off the plane did not tell him they were doing so because he was mean to the fight attendant. They were doing it because he supposedly threatened someone. If he didn’t, then someone lied. Sligh could have been a huge pain in the ass (or not) but that doesn’t mean folks get to lie, of that is indeed what happened.

Doesn’t appear to be much doubt (he seems proud of it :? ) that he at least threatened them directly that he would sue over his guitar if they followed their standard procedure and had it stowed with the baggage.

Whether he was threatening or disruptive in some other way, or perceived as such, he says no but evidently the airline felt there was enough to get him off the plane. Given how hot he still is about it — writing that very long blog, posting defensively here, tweeting up a storm about it after the fact — doesn’t make me feel it is all that big a stretch that he may have been excessively “difficult” to deal with as the situation was actually taking place.

And the airline isn’t in the business of conducting debates about the optimal treatment of guitars when they are trying to get a plane off the ground. It was probably expedient for them and best for the other passengers to take Chris out of the situation if he continued to raise a fuss over it, so that the plane could get underway.

This story is hilarious. I went to Sligh’s blog and what makes it even funnier is that in the blog post before this one, Sligh acknowledges that lots of people’s first impressions of him have been that he’s a jerk. Really? lol

That said, I don’t think that gives them the right to tell the police you committed a criminal offense unless they did actually commit that offense. Just de-plane them. Some customers are not worth having.

Sligh blogged that the flight attendant told him he’d made a threat. There’s nothing in the blog that states the flight attendant told the police that he had committed a criminal offense. Instead, the blog indicates that the police were called to help escort Sligh away from the gate.

It’s not a stretch to think that Sligh badgering just about every airline employee he encountered, culminating with a threat to sue, can be interpreted as threatening. In Sligh’s highly entitled/emotional/delusional state, he could have interpreted “threatening” as “threatening to kill”. Would not surprise me at all. Just because the douche writes an essay, doesn’t mean it’s accurately described.

I’ve had enough of these motherfuckin’ guitars on this motherfuckin’ plane.

They were just being dicks.

No, they were doing their jobs..

LOLs that’s just my opinion. So I guess they weren’t doing their jobs the other 99% of the time when Chris brought his guitar on board? Shouldn’t they enforce the same exact rules on every flight? I have seen guitars on planes all the time and the flight attendants are usually really cool about it as long as there is room. Shoot I have even seen really large bags brought on board too, exceptions are made all the time.

I personally check all my bags except my purse because I hate lugging crap around.

I think Chris just didn’t butter them up enough or asked nicely enough to get pass this crew. Sometimes kissing ass goes a long way. lols. Yeah and he didn’t have the hotness factor on his side either, dang it. :)

Someone posted the guidelines above that certain instruments are allowed on the plane if it met the right size and requirements for the airline. I think most of the time they would let musicians take their instruments on board.

So can the airlines keep the loud ass drunks off the planes too? :) j/k Oh wait they buy all the booze.

I guess threatening to “sue” was enough to kick Chris off the plane. I highly doubt that he make any death threats.

Thanks for this awesome post MJ. This was all quite entertaining and informative at the same time.

Whether he was threatening or disruptive in some other way, or perceived as such, he says no but evidently the airline felt there was enough to get him off the plane.

Sligh blogged that the flight attendant told him he’d made a threat. There’s nothing in the blog that states the flight attendant told the police that he had committed a criminal offense.

According to him, the words used were “threatened to kill” the flight attendant. It’s not particularly ambiguous. That would be a criminal offense and that would be more than just being a disturbance.

If is account is accurate then he was thought to have threatened someone’s life, that is why he got kicked off the plane.

I’ve had enough of these motherfuckin’ guitars on this motherfuckin’ plane.

LMAO! He should totally bring snakes next time! That would be an even funnier story. :D

And then I flew the same airline twice more and there was no mention of stowing ALL electronic equipment and no one cared about my shuffle, I listened to it during takeoff/landing without a problem from anyone. So then I’m left to wonder was the first flight attendant just drunk with his own tiny amount of power and lying, or were the flight attendants on my later flights being totally lazy ignoring the new rule for some reason.

I fly a lot for my job as I’m sure many people do and I can’t remember a time when they DIDN’T request passengers to stow all electronic equipment so I’m a little surprised to find someone surprised. LOL. Still, I haven’t flown on every airline so I can’t really say with complete certainty that the rule exists everywhere.

IMO Sligh should have just stowed the guitar and saved himself the grandstanding. Also his quote about the flight attendants salary was really douchy.

Exactly. This is why I think all this other stuff – (Does Sligh have entitlement issues? Was he rude? Is he a dick? LOL) – is a distraction. The person who escorted him off the plane did not tell him they were doing so because he was mean to the fight attendant.

This may be the first time I mildly disagree with you tinawina :). I agree that the bottom line is, did the flight attendant accuse him of making a death threat? And, did he actually make one?

But, I think that by posting the 18 paragraphs that came before that part of the story, Chris did leave the rest of his behavior open to posters’ questions.

If is account is accurate then he was thought to have threatened someone’s life, that is why he got kicked off the plane.

True, it’s just that he could have reasonably been kicked off for “threatening” or otherwise unacceptable language / conduct that fell well short of supposedly threatening to kill someone.

There are also a lot of expressions that normally don’t mean you truly want to do violence to someone, but that use words that when read literally can have that meaning. So I would withhold judgment that the airline was wrong even if they did make that claim that he “threatened someone’s life.”

He might have used one of those expressions in the heat of the moment (possibly not even remembering his exact words later despite the would-be court recorder transcript effect in his blog, lol). And then the airline could have cited it as a rationale to kick him off based on his literal language, more than his presumed intent.

He also could just be exaggerating what he was told when he was asked off the plane, or simply have heard it wrong in the confusion of the moment. And/or, the person he was talking to may have had something garbled if they weren’t part of the situation first-hand. It would be pretty easy to have missed communications / mangled pass-ons on something like this when people were angry and probably rushed in the environment of getting a plane ready for departure. Just from what he did and said based on his own blog, I think the airline had a reasonable basis to take him off the plane if they wanted to.

Also his quote about the flight attendants salary was really douchy.

And wrong. The average annual salary of a flight attendant is somewhere in the $55K range. Many of them are making much more than $4,000 per month.

Chris should talk to Fergie’s husband Josh Duhamel. Josh was taken off an airplane last year after refusing to turn off his BlackBerry. He began texting despite being told by a flight attendant to turn off his phone. They then kicked him off the plane. I would say that Josh is hot. That was all over the media at the time. I think Josh is arrogant but I don’t think Chris is.

Oh, let’s get out the violins! lol It looks like Chris is patrolling the Internet to defend himself and hasn’t finished ranting and whining yet. Feel better now, Chris? lol

I didn’t give a crap about you on idol. You didn’t last long enough to make any type of impression. However, ever since I’ve noticed in every post you make what an arrogant, selfish, narcissistic jerk you are. If you were so concerned about the safety of your instrument, you should have found alternate arrangements for shipping it instead of relying on the fact that you thought you could bully your way into getting to carry it on the plane. Your lack of respect for all the people’s time that you wasted is not surprising in the least.

Totally agree, gangreen. Especially the bolded part.

According to him, the words used were “threatened to kill” the flight attendant. It’s not particularly ambiguous. That would be a criminal offense and that would be more than just being a disturbance.

Tinawina, that’s what Sligh blogged the flight attendant told *him* when they got him off the plane. He didn’t blog that the flight attendant told *the police* that. According to Sligh, the police were called to the gate afterward:

They called the cops to the gate (apparently if someone gets kicked off a flight, the cops are called) and the cops talked to me and to Jo Jo. They had no proof of anything and by the time the cops got there, I was basically calmed down. They were cool and recognized me from Idol and were very very nice. So thanks to the S.D. Harbor Police…very nice guys!

Anyway, one of the cops said to me, “Man, there’s nothing we can do, there’s nothing you can do. If the airline decides not to put you on a flight they can do that. They just see a dude angry about his guitar going underneath and they don’t know if you’re gonna be a problem.”

I don’t see anywhere that the *police* were told Sigh had made a threat to kill anyone.

If is account is accurate then he was thought to have threatened someone’s life, that is why he got kicked off the plane.

Yeah, I just have a hard time believing that the account is fully accurate. If Sligh was thought to have threatened someone’s life, I think a police report would have been filed. Instead, Sligh was just put on a flight on another airline. The flight attendant didn’t need to lie about a death threat to get Sligh off the plane. He could have easily been jusdged disruptive enough without that claim to have justified de-planing.

But, I think that by posting the 18 paragraphs that came before that part of the story, Chris did leave the rest of his behavior open to posters’ questions.

LOL. True dat. Come to think of it that would have happened no matter what anyway!

True, it’s just that he could have reasonably been kicked off for “threatening” or otherwise unacceptable language / conduct that fell well short of supposedly threatening to kill someone.

Yeah. I think that would have been more appropriate if that happened. I’m just taking the guy at his word!

Yeah, I just have a hard time believing that the account is fully accurate.

Well there you go. :D That’s the fundemental difference here I guess.

Anyway, I took his comments to mean the police had no proof that he made the accusations, not that police did not address the allegations at all.

I think Josh is arrogant but I don’t think Chris is.

I, personally, think Chris has always been the most arrogant and entitled of 10 seasons of Idol…he was arrogant on the show, on the tour, in his career, and in his blog. Chris has always seemed to me like he is the center of his own Universe.

And, really, who shows up on a blog to defend himself when comments aren’t running in his favor…what’s up with that.

I guess no one cared enough to film all this? Dang it! :) I was hoping for videos, the idol universe is slacking this weekend. j/k

Chris is a douche at times with his comments so he shouldn’t be surprised with how people are perceiving him. I would love to hear the other side of the story.

I still feel a little sympathy for him since he did lose some money for his family. The inconsistency of the airline to enforce the same rules on every flight is wrong too. I wonder if anything will come out of this? Probably not…

IMO I would say in 10 seasons of Idol there are many idols that were more arrogant than Chris ever thought to be. lol I could name them but I won’t. I always thought Chris was just honest in his opinions.

I’m with gangreen29 et. al. Hilariously pathetic.

I’m having a little trouble with his rant against US Airways. He more or less claims its the worst airline ever and has caused him grief lots of time in the past but then goes on to say he’s flown US Airways at least 30 times. I do believe there are other choices out there, but perhaps he continues to choose them because he likes the price or the schedule, whatever. At any rate, he’s kind of contributing to his own problems by continuing to fly an airline he finds unsatisfactory.

Who knows what really happened, but I do have a little bit of sympathy for people flying with stuff like guitars. It would be hard to check something like that, but a crowded airplane doesn’t have room for them in the overheads and even if the airplane isn’t crowded they can enforce the rule.

On the other hand, It makes me kind of mad when I see people with huge carry ons getting away with it; these same people (like Chris) begin to think it’s okay so when the rules are enforced they get pissed. Entitlement is just as big a problem as over reactive airline employees and in fact “entitled” passengers like Chris can cause airline employees to become “jerks” ~ however, the vast majority of airline employees are great. I am sure the job is not as much fun as it used to be (if it ever was).

This story is hilarious. I went to Sligh’s blog and what makes it even funnier is that in the blog post before this one, Sligh acknowledges that lots of people’s first impressions of him have been that he’s a jerk. Really? lol

And he’s only reinforced that impression with his posts on this blog tonight. lol

Chris is right that you run into people on a power trip that want to prove that they can do what they want to do. I don’t trust all cops or flight attendants. I am glad if others do but I don’t. I would be angry too if a flight attendant said I threatened to hurt them and I did not. I am not even a fan of Chris’s but I have to defend him because I was not there and did not see any of this.

The Chris Sligh sanitized version of events just doesn’t pass the smell test for me.

I think it only happened this way in his parallel alternate universe.

I personally think the story goes beyond what Chris is saying. The way he can’t leave it alone on Twitter, and blogging a short novel, I suspect he continued his ranting and raving after he was told he was being grounded. I am guessing the police being called was more to do about that than a “death threat” complaint!

I also do agree with Chris’s twitter comments about some idol fans. I thought he was right but again some don’t appreciate blunt honesty. I do. lol

It’s hilarious that Chris posted on this blog twice to defend himself, hurling insults at people who post here and being paranoid about people hating him because he’s fat. He’s been far more entertaining tonight than he ever was on Idol. lol

The Chris Sligh sanitized version of events just doesn’t pass the smell test for me.

I think it only happened this way in his parallel alternate universe.

I agree.

I don’t understand why musicians just dont buy insurance. If I can buy a policy for my iPhone in case I drop it in a toilet, then a musician can buy one for their instrument.

Chris responding on this blog is HYSTERICAL! Wow imagine people posting on a blog site other than your own actually disagree with you Chris.. Amazing. Lol

Chris’s story reminds me about this recent article in GQ where a waitress accused food critic of sexual harassment:

http://www.gq.com/food-travel/alan-richman/201109/alan-richman-m-wells-restaurant-scandal-review

I am not even going to bother reading through anyone’s posts on this but as someone who has so many frequent flier miles as to buy and sell any one on this site (mom on east coast Dad on west coast since age of 1) I totally buy what Chris has had to say. These freaking A-holes have so much freaking power now you just don’t have a clue. If you are an under paid flight attendant in today’s environment you can say whatever the freak you want against a passenger who pisses you off and you are way more believed than the passenger. If you do less than five plane rides a year and believe you have a clue than think again. Damn but I can’t believe I’m siding on Chris Sligh for something.

LOL! Chris thinks he is the only one who has been asked to leave a plane for not complying! http://bit.ly/mZABK1
here is a key line I found relevant, however.
“After repeated refusals from Marman, the crew alerted the captain to the disruption and police were called in to assist, authorities said.”

Hmmm… seems to me that someone needs to figure out and acknowledge his role in this; take responsibility as it were. What choices could he have made that would have led to a better outcome? What if he would have checked the guitar when asked the first time? Even if they busted it up, getting to his destination and borrowing a guitar would have been better. Could he have avoided this tight schedule so he could pick a non-US Airways flight? To my eye, so many things could have been done differently. He doth protest too much.

ETA: Ah, I see from reading further through the comments that he could have purchased a seat for his guitar per US Airways rules. A choice that would have resulted in a happier outcome all around.

Also, Gangreen, you say what I think albeit more, um , colorfully.

ituneit: Exactly what I think.

If Chris had spent about another $700.00, he could’ve bought a decent road case and checked it in instead of harassing the staff.

So I guess the rules can be ignored, and passengers are always right because some feel the airline staff have too much power. Okay.

And, really, who shows up on a blog to defend himself when comments aren’t running in his favor…what’s up with that.

Apparently, Chris does, even though he later tweeted:

some ppl on a blog whose opinion I trust 0% about anything? Who cares?

Oh, wait…. that was after he read that people didn’t agree with him, so if people had, then he would have trusted their opinions 100%? lol Seriously. Chris has been more entertaining tonight that he’s ever been on Idol and since.

If Chris had spent about another $700.00, he could’ve bought a decent road case and checked it in instead of harassing the staff.

And for $379 he could have bought a seat for the guitar from San Diego to Raleigh-Durham to Denver and kept it right next to him.

lol I didn’t watch chris sligh on idol and i’ve never heard his music, but it’s making me really uncomfortable to see a grown man act this pathetic. I mean, I get that he’s not a celebrity, but coming onto a blog to argue with the posters for being meanies about you? That’s either really sad or really self-absorbed or both.

IDK. He’s always seemed to me like a guy who’s bitter about how mediocre he is.

If Chris had spent about another $700.00, he could’ve bought a decent road case and checked it in instead of harassing the staff.

True, but why should Chris buy such a case when he clearly feels entitled to carry his guitar on the plane even though it’s against the rules? lol

If you are an under paid flight attendant in today’s environment you can say whatever the freak you want against a passenger who pisses you off and you are way more believed than the passenger.

Unless you have been a flight attendant and witnessed first hand how truly hard it is to get everyone seated and situated so that a plane can take-off you can’t fully understand how difficult a job it can be. You have 20 minutes to seat from 100 to 200 peeps with all the associated paraphernalia they try to “sneak” on board.

The airlines really try to have passengers adhere to an honor code of sorts. The ticket agent where you check in your baggage doesn’t give you the third degree about your carry on, TSA agents don’t verify size or amount, and the Gate agent doesn’t screen each passenger as they head to the jetway. It’s only when passengers are caught in the boondoggle at the door that people may be called to task for bringing oversized items and too many items onto the plane.

Attendants try to accommodate all the stuff but sometimes its a thankless task. And even when someone is courteous about sending oversized items to the belly passengers become irate and defensive….they don’t want there stuff to be sent anywhere because it might cost them precious seconds when they reach their destination.

I know what passengers are capable of…and my hands on experience was during the golden years of commercial flight. Anyone who works in the service industry knows that a remarkably loud and obnoxious minority of consumers can make every day on the job somewhat of a living hell. And whatever a passenger thinks a flight attendant isn’t on a plane to be a baby sitter, or a luggage hauler, or someone who turns a blind eye to infractions. An attendant is there to make sure all safety precautions are taken, that flight regulations are followed, and that all the junk passengers insist on carrying on a plane won’t be a hindrance or a safety risk in case of an emergency. That’s there job…not making sure Mr. Know it Alls like Chris Sligh are happy when they have beaten the system.

I don’t understand why musicians just dont buy insurance. If I can buy a policy for my iPhone in case I drop it in a toilet, then a musician can buy one for their instrument.

From the artists side, having insurance will not help you if you have a gig at your destination and you have no instrument. If will be weeks or months before a claim will be processd. Replacing the instrument would be at your expense in the meantime.

Replacing the instrument would be at your expense in the meantime.

So, the easy answer is buy a seat for the damn guitar and claim it as a business expense. All problems solved, your lively hood isn’t compromised, and your traveling can be relaxed and enjoyable. But then…heaven forbid….why pay for something when you can bully your way into getting it for free.

By the way…legit bands travel with all their instruments on planes. They fork over the money for an exclusive metal travel container where they have their amps, and drums, and keyboards, and guitars, and all the rest of their sound equipment. Its called planning in advance and making sure the tools of your trade end up at your destination in good shape.

I am not even going to bother reading through anyone’s posts on this but as someone who has so many frequent flier miles as to buy and sell any one on this site

I can assure you, you cannot buy me with your frequent flier miles. LOL – it’s going to take a little more than that :).

The funniest thing about this whole business is that a former AI contestant got kicked off a plane for allegedly making threats, and he’s not even famous enough for it to make TMZ. Chris Sligh being kicked off a plane isn’t as interesting apparently, as Heidi Montag’s birthday party.

He comes off as being mouthy and rude in his own blog. And you know he watered it down to make himself look good in the first place. Way to give them attitude too with all his snarky comments and constant attempts to undermine their rules. They tell him something, he keeps saying lets try it my way!

I don’t even know who this guy is anymore anyway and I don’t really care, just pointing out he comes across as a jerk in his own blog.

So, the easy answer is buy a seat for the damn guitar and claim it as a business expense. All problems solved, your lively hood isn’t compromised, and your traveling can be relaxed and enjoyable. But then…heaven forbid….why pay for something when you can bully your way into getting it for free.

I think that this is the real source of the problem.

ETA:

The funniest thing about this whole business is that a former AI contestant got kicked off a plane for allegedly making threats, and he’s not even famous enough for it to make TMZ.

I’m sure that this is only adding to Chris’ exasperation and annoyance. lol

So, the easy answer is buy a seat for the damn guitar and claim it as a business expense. All problems solved, your lively hood isn’t compromised, and your traveling can be relaxed and enjoyable. But then…heaven forbid….why pay for something when you can bully your way into getting it for free.

I think that this is the real source of the problem.

This would be the sensible thing. Or just check it and count on the probability that things will be ok or as someone mentioned upthread, you can borrow a guitar and get your performance done.

Chris probably does not command a big performance fee, so idk maybe he has to travel on the cheap. He may see it as his best option to count on cajoling / whining until the airlines let him carry on the guitar for free vs. taking steps that he would have to pay out of pocket :?

It sounds to me like Chris has moved on based on his recent tweets. I think that is a smart thing to do. I think that Chris must realize that he can not win on this blog so why bother. lol He should not even care what random fans on a idol blog think anyway.

What a lively discussion with a special guest blogger! In his visit he pretty much revealed his true self, as Maya Angelou told Oprah, when someone tells you who they are, believe them! Even if I were inclined to agree with him fundamentally, which I am not, that opus he blogged was the smokescreen du jour…an ass, is an ass, is an ass!

But then…heaven forbid….why pay for something when you can bully your way into getting it for free.

That sums up the entire farce very succinctly!

Chris, I might not like you as an entertainer, but you are damn sure good for some popcorn moments, and for that I thank you! Loser that I am.

I think that Chris must realize that he can not win on this blog so why bother. lol

What is this supposed to mean? That people here are only disagreeing with Chris because they dislike him? Sorry, but that’s not true for me. Sure, Chris is an asshole, but it’s so clear that he was in the wrong here that what I think of him has nothing to do with whether I agree or disagree with him.

I feel bad for Chris. Some flight attendants seem to have such a chip on their shoulder that I feel guilty for throwing something away when they bring the garbage bags down the aisle. Some flight attendants seem to relish the authority they weild over the passengers (their customers, may I remind them).

But before you guys start assuming that I’m some kind of demanding customer, I’m not. I don’t even bring over head luggage. I just think that someone who has something special like an expensive guitar should be accomodated. What’s the point of flying then??

Referencing connie0128′s posting of the US Airway rules: Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

Chris tweeted his case measured 63 inches, falling well within the allowed dimensions. So, it looks like US Airway doesn’t have a leg (or a wing) to stand on. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. They’d be smart to make it right.

I an not even a fan of Chris’s so I don’t even care that much. I don’t even know his music. I did like him on S6. It just seems to me that Chris is obviously not well liked by many on this blog so why would he even bother to try to defend himself? It is a waste of time for him. Now if anyone said anything negative about a favorite idol than many would just be up in arms about it. That is just the way it is. lol

Chris tweeted his case measured 63 inches, falling well within the allowed dimensions. So, it looks like US Airway doesn’t have a leg (or a wing) to stand on.

I doubt it, if he didn’t address that at the proper time which would have been before he attempted to board the plane.

And the fact that he tweeted that, if he did (haven’t looked after the first long string of tweets), makes me think he possibly may be lurking here. Maybe not, but lol.

The bigger issue though is he seems to have conducted himself in a difficult manner that got him removed from the plane. Ultimately it’s not really about the guitar at all IMO.

Chris tweeted his case measured 63 inches, falling well within the allowed dimensions. So, it looks like US Airway doesn’t have a leg (or a wing) to stand on. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. They’d be smart to make it right.

I think it unfolds by not going beyond the idol bubble. Chris doesn’t have the name recognition for anyone outside of the idol bubble to really care about this.

I doubt it, if he didn’t address that at the proper time which would have been before he attempted to board the plane.

The bigger issue though is he seems to have conducted himself in a difficult manner that got him removed from the plane. Ultimately it’s not really about the guitar at all IMO.

I understand your position, however, if any of the US Airways people he encountered knew their own policies it might never have escalated. There were many mistakes by many people.

Having said that, I do think consumers need to know the rules, too. Maybe even carry a printed copy. Just to avoid this kind of aggravation.

given Chris Sligh’ penchant for pissy and rude behavior I have a hard time believing he’s Mr. innocent in this situation. He’s one of the most entitled people I’ve ever encountered online. He truly believes he’s better than other people.

His attitude and behavior are so counter to the things he preaches that he’s kind of a joke.

The funniest thing about this whole business is that a former AI contestant got kicked off a plane for allegedly making threats, and he’s not even famous enough for it to make TMZ. Chris Sligh being kicked off a plane isn’t as interesting apparently, as Heidi Montag’s birthday party.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm but it’s interesting enough to cause 143 comments at this point in time……. so I gather your point is moot. Ipso Facto.

This exact same thing happened to me except instead of a guitar it was my extremely large ass. I just kept on saying “let’s just see if it fits.” Then the flight attendant said “why fly with such an extremely large ass?” And then my extremely large ass threatened to sit on the flight attendant. Apparently that’s frowned upon in the airline industry and I (and my extremely large ass) were kicked off. Too bad because my extremely large ass had a gig that would have paid $3,000!

Sparkles says:
09/17/2011 at 11:16 pm

This exact same thing happened to me except instead of a guitar it was my extremely large ass. I just kept on saying “let’s just see if it fits.” Then the flight attendant said “why fly with such an extremely large ass?” And then my extremely large ass threatened to sit on the flight attendant. Apparently that’s frowned upon in the airline industry and I (and my extremely large ass) were kicked off. Too bad because my extremely large ass had a gig that would have paid $3,000!

Ok…………..was that humor? I’m not sure?…………..EnLIGHTEN me. Because if it was it was very obtuse.

ha ha Sparkles. Very cute. :)

But seriously, I have seen some really bitchy flight attendants whose actions seem only to be driven by their bitchy attitudes and not the rules. hee hee…. Flying used to be a luxury and now it’s a sky bus. There’s just too many people I guess. Maybe someone will invent some new kind of luxury transportation. I won’t be able to afford it of course. :)

Actually, Sparkles, the flight attendant was offended by your hair and make-up. You aren’t allowed to outshine them.

Here’s one story from a stressed out mom. I had a bouncing 18 month old on my lap who happened to hit the call button. Then he hit it a second time. This is a happy quiet baby, mind you. At which point the flight attendant said to my son, “that is the eject button and you will fly out the window the next time you touch it”. Obviously my kid didn’t understand that, but I did. Then I got to hear the flight attendants rag on kids that are out of control on airplanes. I was ready to puke by the time I got off the plane. Geez, they were so rude. I was also in the last row by the bathroom. So I got to hear their commentary for the flight.

But that is just my little kid story. I have had a lot of rude ass flight attendants when it has just been me. And I don’t carry a guitar, lol… :)

Chris is obviously not well liked by many on this blog so why would he even bother to try to defend himself?

Actually, I’ve met Chris before, and I found him to be extremely kind and personable. I can’t speak for anyone else, but from my own experience, I’ve had no bone to pick with him.

I think he came on a little harsh out of the gate on page one here. And, I think he may have wrongfully assumed that the people who criticized him were “anti-fans” (as opposed to people who may have just been skeptical of these particular circumstances).

Sometimes, something happens, and lots of people comment on it. Not everyone is so entrenched in their own agenda that they cannot form an opinion without relating it to the personal fan-war they’ve got going on in their own head. (Hell, I don’t even remember who my favorite may have been in Season 6, or if I even had one).

I think that I can still think Chris is a good guy, and slightly disagree with the way he’s handled this situation. But, perhaps in the “line in the sand”, “no shades of grey” world of AI, that is not allowed.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm but it’s interesting enough to cause 143 comments at this point in time……. so I gather your point is moot. Ipso Facto.

My point was somewhat facetious. I was sort of making a funny. (Clearly, I failed). And, it was more a comment on the fleeting fame of AI finalists, than on Chris himself (that might have only happened in my own head though, as I obviously didn’t articulate it well).

But, I will respectfully disagree that the point itself was moot. Considering the threads we’ve seen at mj’s that have received well over 500 comments – even 1,000 – I just don’t think 143 is a lot. Nor do I believe it equates to news on the scale of a TMZ story. And, I do not believe that my 4 comments on this thread are ipso facto of squat.

What a fascinating blog piece. I had no idea about the challenges of traveling with a guitar but it seems that it is a lively topic with all musicians. As a starting point, seems like Chris did everything against the advice listed in articles I’ve seen in Acoustic Guitar (April 2010, April 2009). But then everyone has their own style. I must admit that as a fellow traveller, I’ve typically agreed with the flight attendant whenever I’ve overheard another passenger arguing about storage. Sitting there I often think “just sit down already” so we can get going.

As for a “slander” suit, I don’t think any poster who has actually practiced law would urge that course of action. I doubt we’ll ever know the whole story. Right now it’s just a matter of Chris telling the world what the gate attendant told him was told to him by someone else which may have been originally stated by someone else. But I do find it hard to believe that a cop actually said “But some times you run into people on a power trip that wanna prove that they can do what they wanna do. It’s like any job. Some times it’s cops. Some times it’s a flight attendant. And they have the power.” That officer was really a chatty cathy eh?

hahaha good times

superfudge
I’ve had enough of these motherfuckin’ guitars on this motherfuckin’ plane.

LMAO

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Loosen%20Up%20and%20Fly%20Right_%20Tips/

Air Security: Luckily, most musicians don’t find it a hassle to bring a guitar in a gig bag onto a plane. But there are always horror stories. The good news is that the American Federation of Musicians negotiated the right for everybody to bring carry-on-sized instruments—which include guitars that fit into overhead compartments—into airplane cabins in December 2002. Just in case somebody decides to hassle you, travel with a copy of the January 17, 2003 letter from U.S. Department of Transportation assistant security administrator Thomas R. Blank to AFM president Thomas Lee spelling out that right. You can download a pdf of the letter here. Just be sure there’s nothing in your bag that violates current air travel security policy, like more than three ounces of guitar polish. Wire cutters, screwdrivers, and the like are, of course, an absolute no

.

http://www.indie-music.com/downloads/AFM_carryon.pdf

From the artists side, having insurance will not help you if you have a gig at your destination and you have no instrument. If will be weeks or months before a claim will be processd. Replacing the instrument would be at your expense in the meantime.

Musicians have to think on their feet. This is why they have an early soundcheck. If something goes wrong or not working, they have enough time for a different plan of action. I know guys who had to rent a guitar or amp because they had problems with their instruments/equipment.

Oh, and $4000? That isn’t really that much for a professional musician. But, in any case, thousands of bands have travelled all over the world with their instruments. There are easy solutions to situations like Chris’s. Travel case so he can check in his guitar, insurance in case of damage, buying a ticket so he can put his guitar in its own seat. One needs to abide by what security tells him even before he boards so he doesn’t run into problems later. Shouldn’t be so complicated.

So, just to add to the mix of information, I went looking for that Acoustic Guitar article and found a couple:

Chris Smither on Flying with a Guitar
(This one goes into the reasons why you DON’T want to check a guitar on a flight.)

The Unfriendly Skies: How to help your guitar survive your next flight
This one covers the precautions you need to take if you do check your guitar.

And yes, both the articles stress not wigging out on the flight attendants if they say you have to check the instrument.

I think there are two separate issues being discussed here. One is whether Chris was unreasonable in wanting to bring his guitar in the cabin. The other was whether the flight attendant crossed a line by (allegedly) claiming that Chris had threatened him(her?)

I think we can all agree that Chris was a rude jerk about the situation.

I think a person should be able to bring their instrument on board an aircraft without so much hullabalou. Whatever.

And just to add to the confusion, the 2003 letter posted above that claims to concern the “right for everybody to bring carry-on-sized instruments—which include guitars that fit into overhead compartments—into airplane cabins in December 2002″ does not as the Transportation Security Administration later clarified in a separate letter in 2005.

http://www.local802afm.org/about/TSALetter.pdf

The right only extends to security checkpoints and does not concern policies of individual airlines. :-)

So glad I am not a musician trying to make a living. This has given me a headache. I understand now why these guys put up with those uncomfortable tour busses! (Can you imagine Casey flying with his bassy? How did they get it to the Phillipines?)

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the airlines to transport ME and a reasonable amount of luggage for ONE PRICE.

I am in total agreement, MJ. We did quite a bit of traveling in the 90′s and early 2000′s. I am glad they didn’t have these ridiculous fees and no lunches. My daughter was married in Hawaii; between the two of us we had 11 bags of luggage (some take-ons) for the 10 day trip. The airlines were so nice about hanging up her wedding gown in a special closet. Now? I am not so sure.

Chris may have over-reacted, but the airlines didn’t treat him properly under the circumstances. I doubt the airlines will give him any money. Too bad.

Referencing connie0128?s posting of the US Airway rules: Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they can be safely stowed and have dimensions no greater than 75 in/190 cm (length + width + height).

Chris tweeted his case measured 63 inches, falling well within the allowed dimensions. So, it looks like US Airway doesn’t have a leg (or a wing) to stand on. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds. They’d be smart to make it right.

IF the bolded part is true, then Chris was permitted to bring his guitar on the plane and that should have been the end of the “incident”. However, it appears that Chris only determined the measurements of his guitar case after learning about the size requirements for carry-on items (from here? lol). From his blog, tweets and posts, it appears that he was unaware of this information and I strongly suspect that even if Chris’ case exceeded limits, he would still has tried to get his way. This is about entitlement.

Haha, my sister travels a lot and she used to say that US Airways is the Mickey Mouse Organization of airlines. Never a good experience and there’s always something dumb and unnecessary that happens. And if you’re arrogant in any way at all, as I can very easily imagine Chris Sligh coming across, things probably won’t go smoothly. I’m sorry that they were so hard-headed and power-tripping about it, but getting kicked off is really his fault. Yeah, their rules may be really stupid and the staff totally unreasonable, but you can’t blame them and accuse them of things (albeit maybe very true things), insult them and the company they work for, and seriously expect them to agree and and be all cool with it. As tense of a situation as it was and frustrated as he felt, had he been able to just suck it up and agree to cooperate with them, I’m sure it wouldn’t have escalated to this degree. Then if he was still felt that they were wrong, he could take it up with the actual airline later instead of arguing with the flight attendants.

I don’t understand why musicians just dont buy insurance. If I can buy a policy for my iPhone in case I drop it in a toilet, then a musician can buy one for their instrument.

I have special insurance for my camera. I still don’t plan on putting it in my checked luggage. I wouldn’t recommend that anybody else check their expensive electronics either.

It’s partly a hassle thing (having to replace it in a country where I don’t speak the language can be extremely difficult and the model I like may not even be available – and shopping to replace lost or damaged items is not my idea of a holiday) and partly that I don’t like having my stuff destroyed. It’s wasteful.

I imagine that artists get quite attached to their guitars. They may have them for years. They aren’t interchangeable with any other old guitar. I’m sure people love their iPhones (though many plan on replacing them every few years). As such, I’m sure many of them don’t drop them in toilets to see what happens (unless the person wants to scam a new iPhone). Guitars get wrecked and lost in many situations, but checking them in the hold greatly increases the odds that will happen. It would be like playing pig-in-the-middle with your iPhone over a toilet. Or checking the iPhone in the hold which I note few people do. Fundamentally, all people really need to bring on the plane is medications and maybe a book. They could just do as you suggest an insure the rest of their crap and buy new stuff if it doesn’t arrive (and arrive in one piece). I’m pretty sure that most of the stuff in the overhead bins of any given airplane is something other than medications.

If there is room, I don’t have a problem with guitars in the cabin. I can see why many would prefer not to take the gamble of checking them.

Reading his blog entry over again, it seems he was asked 4 times to check the guitar. His being asked to leave the flight was not because of his guitar, it was about non compliance and disruption. The fact that it took awhile to eject him is due to the fact that they called and waited for the police to arrive to assure there would be no more of his unruly behavior when he was told he was kicked off. I highly doubt that he was asking things in the way he describes. …”I’d love the chance to see if it fits”… I suspect he had more of a ‘this is the way its going to be, do you know who I am? Don’t care about your rules” attitude going on, and I doubt he was calmly speaking. I would guess he was argumentative and making a scene. You don’t just get kicked off a plane and have the police called unless they feel , based on attitude already witnessed, that things could escalate.

I still think that there are employees everywhere that are unstable and on a power trip. Be they cops, flight attendants or fitness club employees. My daughter had a similar experience in a fitness club although it was not over a guitar. lol My daughter is not arrogant and is very polite. Some employees do not like being questioned about their professionalism and attitude. All the employee has to say is “I feel threatened” and they can then call the police and say they felt “threatened”. They will take the word of the employee as it is their word against the customer’s word. Then the customer can be kicked out and banned over nothing. They do it because they can get away with it. I side with Chris. He makes a very valid point. How do you know this flight attendant is not an unstable and rude person that was having a bad day when you don’t even know her?

You never know when someone has forgotten to take their meds, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. A bad day, for whatever reason, is a bad day. Chris is a realist. Very honest, very vocal, very direct and lots of people don’t care for that. He does not use tact or sugar coat much if anything. Sure, Chris had a bad day too, he admitted it, but it is quite easy to railroad someone. I agree with kmd, Chris has a valid point.

How do you know this flight attendant is not an unstable and rude person that was having a bad day when you don’t even know her?

Because in Chris’ own words, 4 people asked him to check his guitar as he was boarding the plane, and yet he continued on insisting he was bringing it aboard! His behavior was cumulative, he basically told 4 people to get f_’d!

How do you know this flight attendant is not an unstable and rude person that was having a bad day when you don’t even know her?

You can’t, especially since they haven’t been given the opportunity to voice their side of events. Of course Chris is going to make himself seem the victim in this; it’s his story.

Are there people in those positions who act discourteously? Of course, but are you honestly making the suggestion that they all are, and that everyone should just automatically assume them to be jerks? Furthermore, are you making the claim that the clientele are never rude or display obnoxiously entitled behavior, or never falsely blame such individuals when they don’t get their way? In my work experience, the general public can be extremely rude to people just doing their job, and I can guarantee you that most would paint themselves as being justified in their rudeness.

When in retail, I was constantly being treated like the lowest piece of filth by customers who probably all shared Chris’s mentality that my low wage meant I was lacking in worth. I was blamed for everything, from the stores pricing to the availability of items on sale. When I would try to help, or explain why things were the way they were I was declared “mouthy”, “obstinate” or “being smart.”

To be a realist and not sugar coat things, Chris’ own presentation is why I don’t believe that he is a victim. He openly stated that he was told no multiple times, but kept pushing anyways. Not because he was right and knew the rules, but because he had been given special treatment in the past and they should have kept treating him special. He immediately got defensive here, even accused MJ of painting him in a negative light, and when the majority expressed a dissenting opinion, he jumped on Twitter and simultaneously bashed all posters as losers for following AI and as being not important.

Simply put, if Chris didn’t act like a petulant child who was denied an extra cookie, if he had maintained a somewhat respectful discourse with dissenting opinions instead of throwing a temper tantrum, or if he had just dropped the pretentious “Betty-better-than-you” persona, I might have been more willing to believe him. Might have. As it is, his entire demeanor in this incident just paints him as another customer with delusions of entitlement, blaming everyone else for his problems while refusing to reflect on his own actions.

For what it is worth, Chris told those 4 people if it did not fit, he would check it. And they all let him go on. But it did fit and there seemed no reason he should have had to check it. To me the fact that 4 people said okay, go ahead was confirmation that it was indeed allowable.

IMO there is no good customer service in this country anymore. It is no longer the customer is always right. That changed a long time ago. Chris tells it the way it is. I like that.

For what it is worth, Chris told those 4 people if it did not fit, he would check it. And they all let him go on. But it did fit and there seemed no reason he should have had to check it. To me the fact that 4 people said okay, go ahead was confirmation that it was indeed allowable.

Or they were just trying to placate the loud, obnoxious jerk until the authorities arrived?

I don’t know anyone who thinks they could get away with not listening to 4 airline employees when told to check a particular piece of luggage (in this case a guitar). When most of us travel, we listen to whatever security and airline personnel tell us to do. That was pretty bold of Chris to think he could just do and say what he wants. We know that is not the case when flying these days, especially since 9/11. And since when do you accomplish anything when you criticize those you want to cooperate with you by telling them they are the worst airline, yada yada. It doesn’t work that way. I don’t feel sorry for him.

Your are right about things changing after 9/11. Chris would have been booked and arrested if it was an actual threat. How come he was not?

Still not understanding the attitude I was getting,

wow, I’m really surprised why. Also, they were supposed to do him a favor by going against the rules. And when asking for that favor, he basically described in detail why their company sucks. And then he’s surprised when he doesn’t get his way.

To me the fact that 4 people said okay, go ahead was confirmation that it was indeed allowable.

The fact is, according to Chris, is they DID tell him no, he proceeded on with it anyway. I am sure they are trained to report the situation rather than try to force the issue, especially if one is already showing displays of persistence to not comply.

Chris should just invest in a folding guitar for when he has to travel by plane.

Your are right about things changing after 9/11. Chris would have been booked and arrested if it was an actual threat. How come he was not?

I suspect no one actually claimed a death threat. I suspect that is a colorful part of the story. I don’t think he was asked to leave for any other reason except that he would not comply and was acting like a two year old at a store who is having a tantrum because they want something they are told they aren’t getting. The police were called in to make sure it did not escalate into anything more.

IMO there is no good customer service in this country anymore. It is no longer the customer is always right. That changed a long time ago. Chris tells it the way it is. I like that.

You’re right, it did, and good riddance. The only thing that mentality did was to encourage an undeserved notion of entitlement among people who were already geared toward rude behavior. There should be a limit to what a customer can expect, there should be a line in which a business can say, enough.

IMO I have to wonder at the moral center of anyone who believes that being rude or obnoxious towards a business’ employees constitutes a “right.” Bullying isn’t a right, no matter which side you are on.

You’re right, it did, and good riddance. The only thing that mentality did was to encourage an undeserved notion of entitlement among people who were already geared toward rude behavior. There should be a limit to what a customer can expect, there should be a line in which a business can say, enough.

IMO I have to wonder at the moral center of anyone who believes that being rude or obnoxious towards a business’ employees constitutes a “right.” Bullying isn’t a right, no matter which side you are on.

But doesn’t that go both ways? Who here hasn’t had the displeasure of dealing with a rude server, cashier, bus driver, attendant or radio station DJ. Unfortunately, there is no consequence for being rude to the paying customer whose continued patronage your job depends on. Read this article recent article from GQ about a food critic who was the subject of what he said was a false sexual harassment claim from a waitress at the restaurant he was reviewing.

http://www.gq.com/food-travel/alan-richman/201109/alan-richman-m-wells-restaurant-scandal-review

As I posted in another thread, good customer service even on airlines is possible. Try one of the Asian airlines like Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines. I have travelled on each a few times post 911. These are LONG trips. The difference in customer service is night and day compared to U.S. airlines. The attendants are always smiling and almost seem to welcome the opportunity to help you. When I get off these flights, I always feel like leaving a tip. I have NEVER had this urge getting off a flight of a U.S. airline.

And he said he would comply if it did not fit. It did fit. Sagi, While I am sure that you are correct about reporting rather than handling a difficult patron, what harm would it have done since it fit? The issue here is Chris being difficult and the airlines getting things blown out of proportion by the employees he dealt with along the way. In his mind, he just wanted to try. Someone else saw it as a battle and wanted to win. No one likes to lose. Since we only have 1 side of the story, Chris’s, we will probably never know all that really happened. I doubt the airline will ever mention it. Sadly, they have more to do than worry about 1 unhappy patron.

Unfortunately, some celebrities and others who think they are occasionally seem to think they are so special that rules applying to everybody else don’t apply to them. When somebody dares to make no exception for them, they are outraged. I wouldn’t want to believe Chris is that way.

After a while of dealing with this, I am sure it became a battle of wits and principle on both sides.

he’s a hot-head and can be insulting … imo if he was allowed to board the plane with his guitar, so be it. It’s a case of very bad customer service. We should not forget that he was the cllient here.

Man, if he isn’t the most operatic little douche in the world. I’ve read his blog. He’s a smart guy, but what a victim complex. Note that Chris is ALWAYS right, in every blog, always. He never takes responsibility for any of his decisions. That’s his MO. Let me see. He chose to fly US Airways, even though he hates them. He chose to argue with the flight attendant, even though they were not wrong, they were following policy. These were all his choices, so if the end result is that he misses a gig? Sorry, it’s his responsibility. Yeah, it was annoying. But it was equally annoying for the passengers waiting for it to get settled. And acting like you’re more important than the flight attendant because you’re some kind of demi-celebrity with your expensive guitar is the worst entitled bs.

BUY A SEAT FOR YOUR STOOPID GUITAR. That way, you’ll always get it on. I flew next to a guy who kept patting his, like a puppy ;)

I wonder if Chris tells his audience that he is playing on a 4k guitar for their listening enjoyment…and if they can really tell the difference from the $200 one that Joe Blow down the street is playing on. Being self-impressed with the ability to purchase expensive toys is often the mind set of the grown man who is still obsessed with behaving like a spoiled little boy. Reminds me of peeps who keep their sports cars in the garage because it’s too damn expensive to drive out on the streets where everyone else is driving “mundane” serviceable vehicles and won’t move over to give the expensive car the extra road room it deserves.

songsungblue, you’ve pretty much nailed my impression of Chris Sligh over the years.

I personally don’t like US Air, but I haven’t flown with them in ages. I fly Southwest exclusively and have never had a bad experience. Their employees are top nothch all the way. Heck, one time my luggage missed my flight and arrived an hour later. They gave me a free trip for the inconvenience of having to wait for it.

My take, as someone who has flown with valuable instruments that are hard to replace:

- it’s totally reasonable that Chris would hope to find an in-cabin spot for his guitar

- it’s totally reasonable for the flight attendant to ask him to check it

- he could have asked the head of that crew for a second opinion, and then abide by that

- the fact that he got argumentative and insulting about the airline probably guaranteed that they wouldn’t grant his request

- it also comes across as irrational enough that they might not want to risk him on board. He says in his blog that it’s no big deal to have to check the guitar, but it doesn’t sound like that’s what he initially communicated to the crew

- he might want to consider having a less valuable instrument for his flying gigs. You can get very playable instruments for much less, or..

- if his act relies on the virtuoistic playing that necessitates such an expensive instrument, he can probably get an endorsement deal and get good loaners from local shops when he has to fly

- he should consider himself lucky. Guitars can be found in every town. I’ve had friends have checked instruments,in flight cases, ruined, things that are made individually by hand, with a two to three year waiting list, and for which finding a loaner is next to impossible.

He’s a smart guy, but what a victim complex. Note that Chris is ALWAYS right, in every blog, always. He never takes responsibility for any of his decisions.

And if you disagree with him, then he labels you as a loser with no life who hates fat people. lol

It’s a case of very bad customer service. We should not forget that he was the cllient here.

If I try to get into a restaurant barefoot and they say I’m not allowed, but I say I’ll take my chances. Then the waitress/waiter say they can’t serve me, so I become obnoxious and go on a rant. Am I right because I was the client?

I wonder if Chris tells his audience that he is playing on a 4k guitar for their listening enjoyment…and if they can really tell the difference from the $200 one that Joe Blow down the street is playing on.

I’m not sure I could, but I’m not a professional musician. Of course there is a difference between the two guitars. Just like there’s a difference between a $200 violin and a Stradivarius. Just like there’s a difference between a $5 paintbrush and a $200 one.

I think guys buying sports cars is silly, but I don’t think it’s silly or bragging when a professional values their equipment. Maybe it’s declasse to talk about how much he paid for the guitar — it’s certainly rude to claim it costs more than a flight attendant’s monthly salary. (It probably costs more than Chris makes in a month, too.)

But if you are a professional, you need professional tools. That means you are going to pay more for them than someone who is doing something as a hobby (unless they’re really serious about their leisure activities).

Maybe it’s unfortunate that, while Chris can clearly see the value of paying $4,000 for a really great guitar, he can’t see the value of paying $50-100 for better service on a different airline.

Chris is moderately successful in he music business. But he is not at the top of the heap, which means he can support himself, but is not rolling in money. I am sure a $4000 guitar is a big deal to him. I am proud of my living room furniture and avoid eating in the living room, because I cannot afford to replace it. I don’t think he was bragging, just stating fact. He should of/could of left the cost out, but it was the thought of loss or damage that enraged him to begin with. I still like that he does not mince words.

I have nothing to say about Chris, but just want to comment on this

Try one of the Asian airlines like Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines. I have travelled on each a few times post 911. These are LONG trips. The difference in customer service is night and day compared to U.S. airlines. The attendants are always smiling and almost seem to welcome the opportunity to help you. When I get off these flights, I always feel like leaving a tip.

YES, Singapore Airlines is the absolute best. And the choices of the movies / programs during the flight (of course you have 20 hours to kill). And after this long flight you will arrive at Changi airport which is the BEST airport.

I think this has been an interesting discussion whether you agree or disagree with Chris.

How on earth is this loser married?! She looks like someone who could do a lot better than him.

And the fact that he takes the time to comment on this blog to people who criticize him shows how much time he has on his hands and how not successful he is.

Actually Chris’s wife is a beautiful blond. I remember everyone talking about how good looking she was when he was on S6. I love wikipeida. wihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Sligh

The guess the link did not post but it had a picture of his wife.

Having a beautiful wife doesn’t make Chris any more or any less a douche bag.

That is true but I thought some fans were rather mean about it when Chris was on S6. It was almost like how could someone so good looking be married to Chris who was overweight and some thought not as attractive. That was my point.

songsungblue says:
BUY A SEAT FOR YOUR STOOPID GUITAR. That way, you’ll always get it on. I flew next to a guy who kept patting his, like a puppy.

I think that’s a musician thing. This is off topic, but when Vladimir Horowitz played a concert in Moscow in 1986, it was telecast live by CBS. When he finished each number and arose to acknowledge thunderous applause, he occasionally patted his Steinway piano. And it was his, from his townhouse in New York. But I doubt he tried to stuff that in an airplane overhead bin. ;)

Dear Chris Sligh, I don’t know you, but you had me at “USAirways”.

Seriously, I rarely travel on USAir but they’ve managed to lose my luggage more times than all other airlines combined! Therefore, I just can’t blame the guy for wanting to hold onto something that he obviously values. Even if he was more argumentative than he should have been, I doubt he was dumb enough to threaten a flight attendant. My suspicion is that he pissed her off and she retaliated. To be honest, I hope I’m wrong..the idea of a flight attendant lying about a threat is kind of disturbing.

To me this highlights the rudeness and poor customer service provided by the us airlines. I am embarrassed when visitors from other countries have to fly to our country. And our airports are disgusting. I am not condoning Chris Sligh’s behavior. Honestly, I think he should have just made arrangements for his instrument to travel safely. I mean, musicians take planes all the time and I honestly don’t see guitar cases in the overhead bins. I think occasionally I have seen them stored in the little closet near the front. But being a traveler, I have no doubt that this situation was not handled professionally by the air craft staff. I would be willing to bet money on it. To lie about a passenger making death threats is unforgiveable even if the passenger was being annoying. That attendent should be fired in my opinion.

To lie about a passenger making death threats is unforgiveable even if the passenger was being annoying. That attendent should be fired in my opinion.

Without even hearing the other side?!? There’s a very good possibility he isn’t being totally truthful. Might be best to hold off hanging the attendent until the whole story is told.

- it’s totally reasonable for the flight attendant to ask him to check it

Sounds like they thought he had attitude, so hard-balled him.

I would want to check the guitar. He’s lucky they didn’t dismantle it; they pretty much did that to a camera and lenses I carried on a flight. I was most upset.

I’m with MJ. If it can be done, go by car; with the procedures and all, it often takes the same or less time, anyway. Ain’t worth it.

ETA: I’m kind of surprised at the responses on this blog. The airline people were customer service people. In their occupation they deal with jackasses all the time; that is how they earn their living. I don’t know if Chris was being an ass and it does not matter; airline employees are supposed to handle situations with grace and pleasantness.

Customer service almost does not exist anymore, and it started leaving ten or fifteen years ago, about the time companies started off-shoring it. I bought an air conditioner that never once turned and in lieu of being able to return it, I had to use LG repair, which, as it turned out does not exist in July without an appointment in May. I had no air conditioner for a month. A sweaty month. A neighbor was just sent $8k worth of the wrong windows for his home and was told he could not return them – it was their error. This stuff happens all the time and we now expect no kind of service. At all.

Consumers are frustrated and testy, and company reps do not have to be pleasant and helpful. It makes for bad relationships and I think all of us should raise hell about the products we consume with no recourse. All are taken entirely for granted.

I travel to Dallas area a fair amount. Travel to the airport (about 30 minutes), arrive an hour (or 2 in a larger airport) before the flight, fly 1 1/2 hours, then wait for bags, then travel to destination, all total takes about 6 hours. Driving only takes 6-7 hours total, depending on speed. 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Flying is not always the best option nor much faster.

I think it is interesting that people are so quick to condemn airline personnel as all being about non-service and not getting the “perks” they still feel they are entitled to even though the industry is trying to keep airline costs down and affordable at the expense of a few archaic services that have served their usefulness. I feel like carrying this entitlement to the absurd by inferring that some passengers probably scream at flight attendants to save their “precious belongings” while the plane is evacuating after an emergency landing in the middle of the Hudson.

Once upon a time a plane sat at the gate for several hours (even on connecting flights…I know I worked them) while all the passenger amenities were loaded and unloaded. We used to have at least an hour to get a half full airplane boarded…we even had time to serve coffee and soda before the plane left the gate. Nowadays a plane is loosing money if it sits at the gate for 45 minutes…and in that time it has to be unloaded and boarded and pushed back from the gate. One nasty customer tying up flight attendants on their “issue” can result in the other 150 flyers being short changed on any service or help. I’ve seen it a thousand times…’cause, you know, there is always that entitled person on every flight who forgets that a flight attendant isn’t their personal whipping boy.

My guess is that Chris never threatened to kill the flight attendant. The flight attendant probably did not like his attitude and stated that she/he felt “threatened” and then exaggerated the “threat.” The incident then got blown out of proportion from that point on. Just pure speculation on my part but again the flight attendant did not press charges or file a police report on Chris as far as I know. Sorry I don’t believe just anyone just because they are flight attendant. There are good and bad in any profession.

If someone threatened to sue a worker over routine actions in their profession, seems logical to me they would feel “threatened” even if not physically.

And no doubt Chris proudly claims he threatened to sue them :?

I’m sure the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don’t know Chris, but from things I’ve read by him online, he seems to have no filter, and seems a teensy paranoid. (But maybe there’s a reason he’s paranoid, lol.)

That said, and acknowledging that we’ve heard only one side of the story, I tend to believe Chris and tend to be (somewhat) sympathetic. But he really should have known that badmouthing the airline and telling them he was going to sue was not likely to get them to cooperate, and that they had him over a barrel, time-wise. Which leads me to . . .

The airline people were customer service people. In their occupation they deal with jackasses all the time; that is how they earn their living. I don’t know if Chris was being an ass and it does not matter; airline employees are supposed to handle situations with grace and pleasantness.

THIS! I am surprised that in all the comments I read, this is the first time I saw someone mentioned this very important point. I don’t doubt Chris was difficult, but airline employees should be trained how to handle things and avoid escalation. And not just airline employees, either. Sometimes when I read stories about police-citizen encounters that end badly, I think it is because of poor communication skills that allow matters to escalate.

That said, I’m sure there are people who are so difficult that no amount of training would make a difference. But a skilled flight attendant should have been able to handle Chris.

I am sure Chris could have handled the situation better as most of us can if we look back at any incident where we get upset or angry at someone. But if someone threatened to kill a flight attendant post 9/11 believe me there would be a police report and there would be charges involved. Chris seems honest to me and readily admits he can be inappropriate at times.

Chris was perfectly free to tell the airline he would sue if his guitar was damaged. That’s what free speech is all about. And no, threatening to sue is not the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded theater. Likewise, Chris was free to sue (successfully or not) if his guitar was damaged. It is incredibly untactful, unhelpful, and not likely to get the airline interested in making an extra effort to be accommodating. But it is in no way is a reason (at least not on its own) for removing a person from a flight.

(P.S.) If anyone were going to sue, they would sue the airline, not the employee. The airline is the one likely to have a deeper pocket. (If you won, would you really want the hassle of collecting a judgment from an individual? Winning is only half the battle.) And the airline generally is going to responsible for the actions of its employees under respondeat superior for anything deemed within the scope of the employee’s employment. A “threat” to sue is not the kind of threat that, by itself, would justify forcing a person off a plane.

Actually Chris’s wife is a beautiful blond.

I know that. Which is why I said she looks as though she could do a lot better than Chris. I am shocked he got married at all, let alone to someone so gorgeous.

Chris was perfectly free to tell the airline he would sue if his guitar was damaged. That’s what free speech is all about. And no, threatening to sue is not the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded theater.

Don’t believe anyone claimed it was.

But…I still think an angry person repetitively (it seems) arguing and threatening to sue to try and force the flight attendants to do what he wanted, would be perceived as threatening by the employees. Whether anyone in the legal system cares about that, maybe not. Just my bias, but someone whose first thought is to sue someone doesn’t favorably impress me.

Personally I don’t think there should be a very high threshold of a person acting out or being hostile before they get removed from a plane that has yet to take off. Who knows if the problem could persist during the flight, and at minimum it is delaying / distracting service from needs of all the other passengers and probably making them uncomfortable.

(P.S.) If anyone were going to sue, they would sue the airline, not the employee. The airline is the one likely to have a deeper pocket. (If you won, would you really want the hassle of collecting a judgment from an individual?

Not sure an individual employee will be confident of that in the heat of an incident. Or, even if suit is brought against the airline the employees who were involved in the incident are apt to be dragged into the situation as witnesses or whatever, and face considerable unpleasantness for a good long time.

But a skilled flight attendant should have been able to handle Chris.

We have NO idea how Chris really acted. Right?

I don’t doubt Chris was difficult, but airline employees should be trained how to handle things and avoid escalation.

Is Chris a child? He’s the one who’s responsible for controlling his temper. Flight attendants are rightly trained that their primary job is to see to the safety of the passengers, not to coddle difficult customers. It’s quite possible that they decided that the best way to avoid escalating the situation was in fact to have Chris removed from the plane.

How on earth is this loser married?! She looks like someone who could do a lot better than him.

Do you really think that an ugly person can’t marry. How judgmental!

I think a few things are a given. It is well documented that he’s an arrogant, selfish jerk. I have no doubt that he escalated the situation as he can’t filter his mouth.

His story can’t be fully trusted either because we can’t confirm or deny anything. There’s is a grain of truth no doubt but as someone who had the experience of dealing with him about an argument about a year ago, he can get very nasty, twists the truth and doesn’t let things go until he’s “right.”

Musician’s of Chris’s caliber travel all the time and deal with the same scenarios, it seems like he should have been more prepared/knowledgeable on what he can and can’t do instead of making assumptions.

In the end I have no doubt US airways had some wrongdoing but I think Chris ultimately made the choice to escalate the situation to the point of no return instead of complying.

One frequently traveling musician-of-about-Chris’s-level-of-monetary-success (most likely) in my family had a custom flight case made for his guitar and then packs that in a fairly hard box stuffed with wadded up newspapers. … and checks the guitar. … This has been going on for decades, and, so far so good. No guitar busts. He carries insurance on it, too. But, of course, that requires significant advance planning, some investment, extra time when packing for each travel leg and a non-entitled attitude. …. I wish this Chris S story didn’t seem pretty all-of-a-piece-with-other-Chris-S stories to me.

iloveoliver says:
09/18/2011 at 10:59 pm

Do you really think that an ugly person can’t marry. How judgmental!

That is so funny. You are still calling him ugly.

I have really enjoyed these posts. Since we only know one side of the story, it’s hard to tell. Although, Chris does seem to go on and on even in his blog. I wonder what the other passengers were thinking. That’s what I would like to hear.

Wait IF Chris was so threatening, then why wasn’t he arrested? Something is off here.

I wonder what the other passengers were thinking.

Get this entitled jerk and his guitar off this plane so we can take off.

This thread may be dead, but I wanted to add one last thing anyway. I hung out briefly with a band last night, and asked them about how they handle their instruments when they fly. They all said they make sure their instruments and equipment are well-protected with hard cases and padding inside. They have never had any problems with damage. They also have insurance. They said they’ve never taken guitars on the plane.

I relayed Chris Sligh’s story, leaving out how much of a jerk he was. W/o knowing who Chris is, they thought he was a pompous jerk for taking his guitar on board after he was instructed not to. They said if Chris didn’t want to check in his guitar, he should just buy another ticket so he could use the seat next to him. They all thought he deserved to get thrown off the plane when he went against all airport/airline staff.