For musicians in Goa, travel is an essential part of their careers as they perform across the country and internationally. Whether it’s for corporate events, weddings, or concerts, Goan musicians are constantly on the move. However, while their talent knows no borders, the journey itself often involves navigating logistical challenges, especially when it comes to transporting their instruments.
Goan musicians, particularly those in bands, have to travel with a lot of gear, including guitars, keyboards, and sometimes even drums. The recent announcement by Air India that it will no longer allow guitars in the passenger cabin has added to their woes. Musicians are now required to check in their guitars or pay for an additional seat to accommodate them in the cabin. This policy change became apparent when renowned guitarist Ehsaan Noorani was not allowed to bring his guitar on board, though he eventually managed to resolve the issue after some discussion.
Lester Rodrigues, a musician with the band A 26, travels extensively for performances both within India and abroad. He shared that he typically carries his guitars in soft cases, which have worked well for his band. He prefers to take them as cabin baggage along with one hand luggage. According to Rodrigues, they’ve had minimal issues so far. “We traveled back from Abu Dhabi on Air India and didn’t face any problems. Most of our flights are on Indigo, which has great connectivity. For international shows, we’ve flown with Qatar Airways and Oman Air, and everything goes into luggage. We pay extra for special handling, and some airports charge for it, but it’s generally smooth,” he said.
On the other hand, Colin D’Cruz, a seasoned musician with nearly five decades of experience, expressed frustration with Air India’s new policy. “Air India is probably the first airline in the world to impose this ridiculous rule,” he said. D’Cruz, who has always carried his guitar in a soft case as cabin baggage, explained that flight cases are often mishandled by baggage handlers, making soft cases the safer option. He plans to buy an extra ticket for his guitar to avoid any potential damage. “My instrument is my lifeline, and I can’t take any chances,” he emphasized.
Agnelo Mascarenhas of the band 24K shared a mixed experience. He typically flies with SpiceJet or Indigo within India and hasn’t traveled with Air India yet. However, he noted that airlines often have issues with the size of the instruments, especially guitars, which can be difficult to accommodate in the cabin. “Sometimes, airlines will store them in the overhead cabinets, but other times there’s no space, and they end up in the hold. The problem is that the staff often mishandles them,” he said. Mascarenhas recalled an incident in which his mixer was damaged during a trip from Goa to Mumbai and then to Dubai, though it was repaired in Mumbai under warranty.
Edmund Gomes, a member of the popular band Black in White, shared similar concerns. He explained that Air India’s decision to stop allowing guitars and other musical instruments in cabin luggage has created major inconveniences for musicians. “We have no choice but to check in our fragile and expensive instruments, risking damage,” Gomes said. Unlike Air India, other airlines like Indigo continue to accommodate musical instruments, which he considers a relief when traveling both domestically and internationally. “Airlines should take responsibility for damages, but unfortunately, they don’t. I hope this situation changes for musicians, and we can travel without jeopardizing our livelihood,” he added.
Singers like Natasha Pereira have found ways to ensure the safety of their instruments during travel. She often uses priority pass services, which offer additional protection for delicate items like musical instruments. By paying extra, her instruments are handled with more care, and in some cases, they are not sent through the conveyor belt, providing a safer alternative.
For musicians in Goa, ensuring the safety of their instruments during travel is critical to preserving their livelihood. While some opt to pay extra for services that guarantee better handling, the ongoing challenges highlight the need for a more musician-friendly approach to air travel, allowing them to perform without risking damage to their essential equipment.
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