Lawmakers Criticize FAA for Not Protecting Musicians

A bipartisan group of Tennessee's Congressional delegation issued a joint statement today criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for not doing enough to protect musicians and their instruments, the Nashville Business Journal reports. The statement was issued by Democratic U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper and Steve Cohen, Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander and Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn. It said that airline policies fail to protect musical instruments, which are sometimes lost or damaged. In 2012, Congress approved language meant to help musicians by requiring the FAA to set standards for the transport of guitars, flutes and other instruments. The legislators contend, however, that the FAA hasn’t event started the rulemaking process.