Janne Schaffer is a Swedish guitar player. He played in 55 ABBA tracks, published 12 solo albums and took part in more than 5,000 sound recording sessions.
“As is the case with most professional guitar players, I constantly travel abroad.
There is actually no other way for a musician to develop an international reputation: you must be ready to move as soon as your phone rings, especially at the beginning of your career.
But there’s a problem… You think you’re well prepared because you’ve been practicing 12 hours a day 7 days a week and your public will love your playing. But you’re not quite ready yet: you need to be authorised to fly with your instrument in the cabin and that is often a big challenge…
A musical instrument is not a piece of luggage
A musical instrument is not a piece of luggage. Not at all. I and my colleagues regard it as part of the musician’s body that you can’t allow to be transported in the cargo hold of a plane. It is absolutely vital to professional musicians that appropriate rules apply to all airline companies which ensure that they receive a fair treatment when travelling on planes with their instruments.
I strongly support the FIM campaign and encourage all musicians to do the same. I also urge European Commissioner Siim Kallas to listen to our request. It is time for airlines to be fair to music performers!”
Janne Schaffer