Norwegian Air Shuttle Sparks Anger Over Cello Ban
As a cellist, I have a lot of experience transporting a fairly large instrument through various means of transportation: subways, cars with small trunks, busses, and the like. Airlines, however, are the greatest challenge. Navigating the airport to find your terminal with all of your luggage and a cello on your back is tough enough, and you haven’t even put your case through the X-ray machine yet!
The safest way to get your cello from point A to point B is to buy a second plane ticket so it can sit with you. For years, this has been the standard practice of cellists around the world. A decision by Scandinavia’s second largest airline, Norwegian Air Shuttle, however, is causing an uproar among cellists. The airline is currently considering a policy that would ban passengers from bringing cellos into the cabin. Naturally, Norwegian cellists have been pushing back, including a few heavy hitters:
Despite his unwillingness to become the ‘face’ of the resistance, cellist Truls Mørk lambasted the decision, commenting in the Norwegian press that the new rule would force him to consider moving away from Norway. ‘It is the first time someone has threatened to move away from Norway if they cannot fly Norwegian, and that makes an impression,’ said the carrier in response as it reviewed the situation.
Naturally, the airline should be worried about safety risks. We live in uncertain times and a large case in the cabin filled with who-knows-what could possibly scare some of the other passengers. But as cellists will attest, there is nothing dangerous in the sleek, shiny, carbon fiber shell. It’s just a cello. You can even ask! We love to talk about cello, and given the opportunity we’ll probably play for you too.
So, do cellists look as dangerous as they seem? If Norwegian passes its policy to ban cellos from the cabin, are other major airlines next in line? Comment below!
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