Flying again? US airline smashed my doublebass

Kaden Henderson is a double bass player who subs with the Oregon Symphony and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Last weekend he flew to an audition in Milwaukee. Here’s what happened:

Over the weekend while flying to Milwaukee for my first orchestral audition in almost two years, Southwest Airlines cut me from the audition before I even left the airport.

I unpacked my bass at baggage claim to make sure it was okay only to find that my worst fears had been realized. When I unstrapped my bass I found the neck had been completely snapped off and the top damaged by the negligent handling of my instrument by Baggage handlers at Southwest Airlines. My bass was properly packed inside a soft case inside of my David Gage flight trunk and strapped in at the neck and endpin with airbags inflated.

Now I find myself without my beloved instrument that I have played for the entirety of my college and professional career just as job opportunities were starting to open up again.

Avoid Southwest Airlines, if you can.