A production manager at the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) called out a budget carrier for reportedly prohibiting its musicians from carrying violin cases as hand baggage on a flight.
Rona De Leon, who identifies herself as a production manager and voice and performance coach, claimed that Cebu Pacific Air did not allow MSO violinists to bring their instruments as hand-carried baggage during a trip to Palawan on Wednesday, June 17.
She said that the airline required the musicians to check in their violin cases as cargo, a policy she described as “non-negotiable.”
“Our orchestra has traveled multiple times via CebPac, as well as other local and international airlines, and this has never been an issue. We were always allowed to carry them [onto] the aircraft,” De Leon said on Facebook.
“This is the first time we were held up at the gates by security. The solution — check in the case, and bring just the instrument and the bow [on] the aircraft. CebPac has just lost a client. The MSO, the country’s oldest orchestra, is not gonna fly CebPac anymore,” she added.
Some commenters echoed her concerns, pointing to the delicate nature of musical instruments.
“That’s ridiculous! The violin cases are not even oversized and can fit the overhead compartment. Didn’t they imagine the inconvenience it caused all of the musicians?” a Facebook user wrote.
“They most definitely fit in the overhead cabin. They would rather have us carry the violins and bows on our musicians’ laps rather than allowing [them] as carry-on with a proper case,” De Leon responded.
“I had the same experience with them before. Iloilo-Manila route. I insisted on bringing my instrument at masyadong delicate ito para icheck-in, and not knowing if it will be handled properly and with utmost care,” another wrote.
“Hindi mapapalitan ng pera o ano mang halaga ang instrumento ng isang musikero! Sa huli, nagawa ko pa ring i-hand carry, kung hindi, I will file a case!” the Facebook user added.
De Leon did not share further details, but according to a post of the MSO, the group was able to travel to Palawan, where it is holding a free orchestral workshop and concert on Thursday, June 18.
“Despite the unexpected challenges that our musicians encountered, MSO Symphonic Explorations is now bound for Puerto Princesa, Palawan,” the orchestra said in a Facebook post uploaded about 30 minutes after De Leon’s update.
Cebu Pacific Air has yet to respond to Interaksyon’s request for comment regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, a report by the Daily Tribune said that none of the passengers had included their musical instruments in their checked-in baggage prior to the flight.
“For violins that exceeded the size limit, our airport team worked with the passengers to find a practical solution,” the airline was quoted as saying in the report.
“The violin cases were checked in free of charge, while the instruments themselves were carefully hand-carried by the passengers into the cabin,” it added.
It was also reported that, according to the airline, the arrangement allowed passengers to continue their trip without additional charges.
According to its website, Cebu Pacific Air allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kilograms, with maximum dimensions of 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.
The airline lists several exceptions that may be brought in addition to carry-on baggage, including extra bag for parents if traveling with children, medical-related items, goods purchased at the airport, gadgets or food items that cannot be checked-in and a small bag that can fit under the seat.
