United Breaks Guitars

This was my very first guitar, an Alvarez. It was flying the friendly skies with me, under the label of 'special handling', on a return flight from Montreal.

It never had a name. Eddard would be appropriate, if I were to name it now. I certainly didn't see it coming.

These punctures in the base of Ned essentially render the entire guitar unsalvageable, as they breach through to the inside.

My favorite photo of him and I. Taken sometime in early 2012, my senior year, and months before his watch was ended. United reps in my landing airport showed no sympathy when I presented them with Ned's remains and little more in terms of compensation (a small amount of credit towards another United flight.) I curtly told them where they could put their credit and told them to special handle my joy-pouch.

Thanks for the support, friends.
Having read many of the comments, I understand that it could have easily been my fault. It happened so long ago that I can't remember whether or not I loosened the strings.. but I probably didn't. It was, however, in a sturdier case than the one pictured. I only returned it to the original after the incident and there it's rested all these years.

The last photo was taken by my beautiful sister, Miranda. If you like it, then feel free to check out her instagram @mirandamcleroy