Musicians to benefit from new airline luggage rule

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Calif. (KGO) -- There are new rules for the kinds of carry-on baggage you can take aboard an airplane. 7 On Your Side is keeping track of these things, and explains how this is actually good news for many flyers.

For passengers walking through San Francisco International Airport, luggage in tow can pretty much depend on their luggage arriving in one piece at their destination when they arrive.

But for those traveling with musical instruments, not so much.

"I am a singer-songwriter," said Jessica Kilroy. "I have traveled internationally with my Gibson hard body case guitar all over the world and usually it is a pain."

Airline workers have long been accused of being pretty hard on musical instruments.

Though it isn't just United Airlines, a video called "United Breaks Guitars" went viral back in 2009.

But things are about to change.

Those traveling with guitars or any instrument have just won a huge victory.

"It is great news," said Joe Ridout with Consumer Action. "The Department of Transportation just issued its final rule that is going to clarify that passengers have the right to take onto a plane and use as part of their carry-on a small musical instrument like a guitar or violin that fits inside an overhead bins."

And that's the rule, even if the case is bigger than an allowable carry-on suitcase.

Which brings us back to our singer-songwriter, Kilroy.

Finney: "I have good news for you."

Kilroy: "What is the news?"

Finney: "In two months' time you can take your card case on any instrument that fits in the overhead. Even if it doesn't fit in the little carrier check, you can take it.

Kilroy: "That is wonderful. That is really great news for me."

For passengers traveling with larger instruments that are not too heavy and not too large, they will now be allowed to buy a seat and strap their instrument in next to them on flights. The new rules go into effect at the end of February.