Strike a dodgy chord for flying guitarists

There's AI, and there's the original AI - Air India. The airline's travel policy has hit a sour note - and not the kind you can fix with a quick retune or a bluesy riff. Recently, musicians travelling on AI discovered that they are allowed to carry their guitars as cabin baggage only if they're willing to fork out for an extra seat. Otherwise, their six-strings are banished to the aircraft's belly, forced to mingle with unmusical suitcases and duffel bags. AI insists this isn't a new rule, citing carry-on dimensions of 55 cm height, 40 cm length, and 20 cm width - just perfect for a ukulele, but not a Fender Stratocaster.

To musicians, a guitar isn't just luggage, it's a soulmate, a muse, a security blanket. Tossing such a cherished companion into the cargo hold feels like sending your Golden Retriever to summer camp in a cardboard box. And buying an extra seat? That's a budget for U2 and the Rolling Stones, not your New Year's Eve special night at the hotel band. If AI sticks to this tune, musicians may have to get creative to dodge the cabin baggage police. Charm the check-in staff? Play the 'This instrument is my therapy' card? Surely, there's a way to make policy more harmonious - for example, vertical stacking. Until then, will guitarists have to swap their guitars for harmonicas? At least they fit their pocket. Gibson, lose some.