Well, I don't know about how all of you feel but, speaking for myself I would be livid! To me a guitar just is'nt some peice of equipment you use for business purposes (I guess you could look at it that way) but each and every guitar has it's own character, it's own feel. it's own personality. He will never be able to look or feel the same way about this guitar again, something he has spent alot of hours with and enjoying it's company. I am truly sorry for your loss and I hope that the airline rectify's this problem to your liking.