By JEANNE A. NAUJECK
Staff Writer

Rock guitarist Audley Freed has seen a lot in his years on the road, and it takes a lot to make him angry. But he's still livid over the treatment he got when Delta Airlines lost his pedal board.

The $3,000 custom-built case, which contained effects pedals for his electric guitar, went missing a year ago between Raleigh, N.C., and Newark, N.J. Freed borrowed equipment for his gig, thinking his gear had just missed his Atlanta connection.

But it never showed up. When Freed questioned Delta, the airline said its baggage policy didn't cover electronic equipment such as cameras, computers or — in this case — guitar gear.

''It's like a carpenter losing his tools,'' Freed said. ''Yet if it had been a suitcase full of Armani suits they would have reimbursed me. It's beyond the realms of logic or reason. Or good business — that goes without saying.''

Lost or damaged instruments are an occupational hazard for Nashville musicians. But in the two years since Sept 11, 2001, touring has become especially tough. New restrictions have caused greater scrutiny of instrument cases, less cabin space for items that used to be carry-ons and plenty of anxiety for musicians giving up control of their beloved instruments.

''This is post-9/11, and the airlines are pickier about how they handle things,'' said Mike Bub, bass player for The Del McCoury Band. Bub said police once intervened during a fight with airport personnel over who was going to tape up his travel case.

Mike Farris, lead singer of locally based Screaming Cheetah Wheelies, recalls bringing guitars on board in the 1990s. Those days are over.

''Early on they wouldn't ask questions. You would just get on with your guitar, and they would find some place to put it,'' Farris said. ''Since September 11, there's no way.''

After the terrorist attacks, the American Federation of Musicians union worked with federal security screeners to ease security restrictions. But most of the airlines have dragged their feet on a consistent policy for instrument handling. AFM union Legislative Director Hal Ponder said he has worked on the issue for more than a year, with only four airlines responding.

Harold Bradley, the most recorded studio guitarist in music history and head of AFM Local 257, said he will only check a cheap guitar as baggage.

''For all the years I've spent in the studio, I've collected a lot of instruments,'' he said. ''I would not ship an expensive guitar. It's a risk unless you can carry it on.''

An airline burst the top on a classical guitar twice while Bradley was traveling with pianist Floyd Cramer, he said. And when he was coming back from an AFM convention in Las Vegas, a guitar had its bridge broken.

''I commiserate with the guy who lost the pedal board,'' Bradley said.

Atlanta-based Delta did not return a request for comment on Freed's case. But its Web site reiterates the policy he said he was told and has a liability exemption for ''fragile articles.''

Freed, who moved to Nashville from Raleigh, took up the matter with the Better Business Bureau, a Raleigh TV station and the North Carolina attorney general. But the best compensation Delta would offer was 3,000 frequent flier miles.

''I was like, 'I'm never flying on your airline again,' '' Freed said. ''I don't think you should have to risk your possessions when you fly.''

That airline is particularly unpopular among musicians in the national AFM union, which represents 100,000 of them, Ponder said. The AFM Web site has a section devoted to issues surrounding air travel.

''I get hundreds of letters. I work so hard on this,'' Ponder said.

''We respect the security concerns of the airlines, but at the same time our musicians need to transport their instruments to the next job. Our members are losing money because they're losing jobs.''

Bub almost missed a gig because of America West's refusal to take his upright bass last summer. Bub was flying to Phoenix and had packed the $3,000 instrument in its oversize fiberglass trunk that he usually uses.

''The first reaction is, 'That will never fit on our aircraft,' '' he said. ''They just flat out wouldn't take it.''

The band went ahead while Bub booked a flight on another airline. After the show, the band headed to Denver with Bub again on a separate flight.

''I said, 'You can't tell me that in Phoenix, world-class musicians don't come through here with instruments. You're acting like you've never seen one before,' '' he said.

''I said, 'Look at the case. It's been all over the world. This is what I do for a living.'

Bub said he has fared better with Southwest Airlines, Nashville International Airport's largest carrier.

''They're friendly, happy to see me with it, and they charge the least for excess baggage,'' he said.

Three years ago, though, Nashville Symphony concertmaster Mary Kathryn Vanosdale was confronted by Southwest attendants who wanted to check as baggage a 1718 Stradivarius violin valued in the millions during a flight to New York.

Southwest will pay as much as $2,500 for the loss or damage of checked instruments. Most major airlines have similar policies although many have a long list of exceptions. Baggage policy is posted on most airlines' Web sites.

Freed's homeowner's insurance didn't cover his lost pedal board, and he didn't have any other coverage. And Bub, who said Delta broke his bass on an overseas flight but reimbursed him, also doesn't have instrument insurance.

But some companies cater to musicians. Long Island broker Clarion insures more than 12,000 musicians and is endorsed by the Country Music Association. Woodbury, N.Y.-based MusicPro is endorsed by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and ASCAP. The local AFM chapter recommends Seabury & Smith.

Farris' instruments are insured through his manager. But money isn't the only concern.

''Every time I put my guitar on there I worry to death. It's like, 'Will I ever see this again?' These are guitars that you grow to love; you know them and you trust them.''

Bradley said he has heard too many complaints of rough handling by airline baggage personnel.

''They do not pay attention to the 'fragile' sticker,'' he said. ''I don't have a problem with them checking the instrument and explaining what's in the case and so forth.

''We all want them to check the instruments so we can be safe. But there's a lack of respect, because they do not realize how expensive these instruments are.''

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[This message was edited by chas smith on 10 September 2003 at 09:23 PM.]

Also since the events of 9/11 the goons at La Guardia (NYC) have been having a big party stealing stuff from peoples bags. The security guys there are cretinous scum.

I know I feel way safer knowing that some jerk off with a badge ate half a box of gift cookies and pocketed a multi tool from my checked baggage.