#Consumer Affairs
Target:
Eurostar
Region:
United Kingdom
Website:
www.eurostar.com

This petition concerns the new policy on Eurostar trains for musical instruments, notably 'cellos.

I recently took the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord on Thursday 29th August 2013 at 17h31, train 9044.

Just as I reached the check-in barriers, I was approached by a Eurostar member of staff who asked if what I was carrying was a 'cello. The answer being yes, I was informed at that moment that I must buy a seat for the 'cello, according to a new policy.

I was escorted to the business premier desk where this purchase was forced to be made. I asked at the desk how long this policy has been in place. The answer; 3 months. I made a journey from Paris to London on 16th July at 17h13, train 9047, at which time no mention of the policy was made, nor a purchase of an extra seat made obligatory. It seems this policy depends on the keen eye of whoever happens to working at the check-in barriers at the time.

The Eurostar website does not by any means make it clear that an extra seat much be purchased for a 'cello. The statement that can be found is extremely misleading.

"If your instrument is over 85cm long and can fit on a Eurostar seat
If you and your instrument would prefer to sit together, you can buy a companion fare ticket (in the same travel class), which means your instrument will travel on a seat in your carriage."

No-where in this statement do I see any sign of obligation. May I also add that there was no effort made to make this new policy known to those travelling by Eurostar.

Having traveled with my 'cello before on the Eurostar, I know that in it's particular case that it fits in the overhead luggage area without any problem, which I explained. I was still forced to buy an extra ticket because that's "policy".

Would this be the same for other large musical instruments? I feel that 'cellists have been put in a position of discrimination. If for example somebody with a trombone or tuba wishes to travel by Eurostar, would he/she also be targeted in the same manner? I would think not, since their instruments are often less recognizable and their cases could pass for general luggage.

We, the undersigned, call on Eurostar to revise their new policy on musical instruments.

We wish to travel with our instruments hassle-free, as was the case previously, and without extra cost.

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The Review the Eurostar Musical Instrument Policy petition to Eurostar was written by Melanie Rothman and is in the category Consumer Affairs at GoPetition.