United Airlines hits the wrong note with musician
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – A Canadian musician has become an Internet sensation after posting a song on YouTube about United Airlines breaking his guitar.
Dave Carroll’s video for the song "United Breaks Guitars" received more than 1.5 million hits in the first few days after he posted it on the Internet.
"I was thinking I’d definitely get some action on (YouTube) because the song has been resonating so well with audiences as I’ve been performing it, but I didn’t know it would take off like this," Carroll said.
Carroll, a guitarist for the pop-rock group Sons of Maxwell, has since been fielding calls for appearances around the world, including a call from the Oprah Winfrey show.
The song recounts Carroll’s year-long struggle to get compensation for what he calls "a vicious act of malice" at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago last year.
Carroll was flying between Halifax and Nebraska when he switched planes in Chicago. The passenger next to him noticed baggage handlers tossing guitar cases outside the plane.
Carroll’s guitar required US$1,200 in repairs.
The 41-year-old songwriter spent the past year trying to get compensation from United Airlines. When the airline refused to take responsibility, the songwriter made the humorous music video and posted it online.
The video featured his friends posing as indifferent flight attendants and butter-fingered baggage handlers.
A United Airlines spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times, "His video is excellent and we plan to use it internally as a unique learning and training opportunity to ensure that all our customers receive better service."
United Airlines has also agreed to make a donation to charity to make up for its mistakes.
"United will donate $3,000 to the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz for music education for kids," a spokeswoman said.
See video
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo
Story composed from various sources
Ian Jarrett
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