In the spring of 2008, musician Dave Carroll and other passengers watched from the plane as klutzy United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago broke his(Amazon link) $3,500 Taylor acoustic guitar on the tarmac.
After the incident, Carroll contacted the airline to ask for compensation. For the next few months, Carroll was given the runaround until United Airlines finally said they wouldn’t pay for the damages. Before hanging up the phone for the last time with United Airlines, Carroll made a promise.
“I promised the last person (from United Airlines) to finally say no to compensation, Ms. Irlweg, that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world,” Carroll said on his website.
“United Breaks Guitars” Music Video
It’s been almost a year since Carroll’s Taylor guitar was smashed on the tarmac, but he’s finally making good on his promise. This week, Carroll uploaded a song he recorded with his band Sons of Maxwell to YouTube. It’s called “United Breaks Guitars.”
Here are a few lyrics from the chorus:
United, United
You broke my Taylor guitar
United, United
Some big help you are
You broke it, you should fix it
You’re liable just admit it
I should have flown with someone else or gone by car
‘Cause United breaks guitars
YouTube Video For “United Breaks Guitars” Goes Viral
Unfortunately for United Airlines, the music video and the story behind it has caught the attention of the Internet. “United Breaks Guitars” is currently the top link on Reddit.com and Carroll’s song has prompted an onslaught of negative comments about United Airlines across the Internet from Twitter to YouTube. Our favorite so far is “Revenge is a dish best served with country accompaniment.”
Doesn’t United Airlines know that the customer is always right? The amount of money and time United Airlines will have to spend dealing with this PR nightmare will far exceed $3500.
United Breaks Guitars: Additional Song Versions
Dave’s first song “United Breaks Guitars” was so popular that he did two additional songs. You can definitely add this incident to the list of ultimate PR nightmares.
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Frank Wilson is a retired teacher with over 30 years of combined experience in the education, small business technology, and real estate business. He now blogs as a hobby and spends most days tinkering with old computers. Wilson is passionate about tech, enjoys fishing, and loves drinking beer.
Man Without Arms Plays Guitar Perfectly With His Feet
Great song! Really frustrating, airlines are, and I am so glad you took matters into your own hands. This video is everywhere!
Gosh! What an awesome video…. United Airlines, You better be sorry for breaking this guy's Guitar! Catchy tune too!
what a PR disaster! hahahaha. hope that taught them a lesson!
Taylor Guitar $3000
United breaking it – $3000
Video about these pricks… Priceless
Go Dave !
My only hope is that the other airlines get the message! United isn't the only airline that has baggage handlers who should spend a few minutes listening to this video.
I look forward to the next two videos.
great songs and video,I love it
It means pretty much every dime they have spent on advertising to date is crapped out by this one song.
The "Rhapsody in Blue" series that they spent millions on has been nixed by the Sons of Maxwell.
Bravo!
We should all try and buy 1 song from Itunes … this would go a long way for one Canadian Artist, eh?
kinda funny, but really long for a joke song.
i practically fistfight airline people who try to make me check my guitar. i
have a taylor that's worth half that and i would NEVER check it. that dude
is crazy.