The Musicians Union says that the current strict security measures being operated at Britain's airports are having a "devastating impact" on their members because they are unable to take their instruments on with them as hand luggage. The rules mean that musicians have to put their instruments in the hold, but many say their instruments are too fragile and valuable to make that a viable option. As a result they say they are unable to travel internationally with their instruments, and therefore cannot work outside the UK.
The BBC quote a US violinist who is suffering in this way. Olivia Hajioff told them: "We have been in Europe this summer performing at various music festivals. We are planning to return to the States on 27 August, but have been informed by the airline and by the Department for Transport that we will not be able to take our violins with us into the cabin. Our violins are extremely valuable and delicate. There is no way that we, or any other serious musician, could consider putting them in the hold. This means that we would have to return home without our instruments indefinitely. There should be a dispensation for travelling musicians. There are so few of us and it is so easy to screen the instruments carefully that I cannot see how this would be a problem."
The Musicians Union adds that this situation may leave many musicians facing legal action for contracted work commitments they are unable to fulfil.
The UK's Department Of Transport, who coordinate the airport rules, seem unwilling to make any exceptions, though the Department For Culture, Media & Sport has recognised the problem, telling reporters: "We understand that the situation is urgent and we are working very closely with the Department for Transport on this issue. We have made progress on chartered flights, but the issues surrounding commercial flights remain to be resolved. We do also understand that this is a security situation".