came to be vulnerable to the charge that

[Sepmre]

Hi,

Anyone please could help me to figure out what the underlined part means?

It’s been a YouTube hit and made the e-mail rounds for a long time—the “United Breaks Guitars” video. It’s the story of a musician who made
a trip on United Airlines (UA) and was compelled to “check” his Taylor guitar as baggage—which is how UA came to be vulnerable to the charge that, in the handling of it, they damaged the instrument.
When asked to make it right—to pay for fixing the Taylor guitar—UA declined.

Thanks

 

[SoothingDave]

He had to check his guitar. When he claimed it, it was broken. Therefore, United Airlines is responsible.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, that would be "He had to check in his guitar/He had to check his guitar in". "Check" on its own would mean to examine it.

 

[Sepmre]

I appreciate alot your responses but I wanted to know the meaning of the underlined part.

 

[Tarheel]

I appreciate A LOT your responses but I wanted to know the meaning of the underlined part.

The claim was that United Airlines mishandled the guitar and broke it.

 

[teechar]

It’s the story of a musician who made
a trip on United Airlines (UA) and was compelled to “check” his Taylor guitar as baggage—which is how UA came to be vulnerable to the charge that, in the handling of it, they damaged the instrument.

which = UA compelling the musician to check in his guitar as luggage.

in the handling of it = when UA staff (presumably the baggage handlers) loaded the guitar onto the plane.