And now an update on an interview I published last week with United Airlines regarding the viral video controversy, United Breaks Guitars.
The sequel to the first music video has been released this morning, and it’s a … polka.
In the interview, United’s Barbara Higgins said she had high hopes for the follow-up.
We expect the second video to be as light-hearted as the first, and have only asked that it not attack specific people. As Mr. Carroll has said directly, the agent he encountered is a great employee, unflappable and acted in the interests of the United policies she represented, and we couldn’t agree more. But in all candor, Mr. Carrroll has made his point, we have incorporated the experience into our training.
Apparently Carroll isn’t done making his point.
In the video, he not only names his United adversary, but he calls the airline’s policies “flawed” and adds, “I think you owe me for wrecking my guitar.”
Carroll seems to delight in showing United staff destroy musical instruments. But perhaps the most memorable scene at the end of the video depicts a crowd of disenchanted passengers who are apparently unhappy with the way in which they’ve been treated by the airline.
Light-hearted? Yes.
Devastating? Without a question.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I cant tell you how many passengers with Guitars, gate check them on the jetway in CLOTH CASES. I look at them and shout, “What are you, nuts?……that cloth case wont protect your guitar. And, since it’s not packed properly, the airline wont admit liability. I’ll find a place for it. I once had the singers, Brooks and Dunn on onboard. Unfortunately, they boarded last and all the overheads were FULL. He looked at me and I knew the only place left onboard would be the cockpit. The Captain agreed under one circumstance. He could get an autograph. I took the guitar to the cockpit. I took a piece of paper to the guys in First class and said, “Sign this!”
The Captain made sure he got out of his seat to delivery the guitar at the cockpit door. Ironically, the singers both thanked the Pilots on the way out.
Me? nothing (no thank you or autograph) =(
But, is it going to make any sort of difference with United Airlines? I honestly doubt it.
Breaking this guitar was probably the best thing that ever happened to this guy. He should thank United. A quick show of hands: How many of you ever heard of David Carroll before this incident?
When listening to the United spokesperson’s comments about these things. (Is this happening to anyone else?) I’m reminded of the scenes in various movies where the bad guy is suddenly at the mercy of the good guy and they become apologetic and try to weasel out of their just deserts.
(I’m specifically thinking of Jack Nicholson’s jocker, when he gets into the final confrontation with batman. “Common Bat’s were all costumed freaks here.. uh….. You wouldn’t hit a guy with glasses would you?” )