Airline refuses to transport trap shooter's gun

TRIBUNE-REVIEW (Pittsburgh) ^ | March 22, 2004 | Craig Smith

[neverdem]

James Mautino concedes that the idea of carrying a shotgun onto an airplane might sound a little crazy in the midst of a war on terrorism. But that's how trap shooters get from tournament to tournament. And it's allowed by many air carriers serving the United States and some foreign countries.

[neverdem]

Please learn what airlines to avoid, and plan in advance, i.e. have a plan B.

[neverdem]

BANG

[Bob Mc]

Avoid them all.

[lilylangtree]

This is sad. On an airline, Trapshooters declare and check their shotguns in a locked hard case. The unloaded guns are dismantled or taken apart before being placed in the traveling case and placed in the baggage compartment. There's no harm to anyone.

[GovernmentShrinker]

"We made a conscious decision to not do that at this time," Sadler said, adding that the policy is under review.

Perhaps freepers should help him with his review :-)

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

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[MineralMan]

"This is sad. On an airline, Trapshooters declare and check their shotguns in a locked hard case. The unloaded guns are dismantled or taken apart before being placed in the traveling case and placed in the baggage compartment. There's no harm to anyone."

And most airlines allow this and transport firearms all the time. This particular airline apparently has a policy against it. Since they are a private concern, I suppose that is their right.

[Puppage]

Airline refuses to transport trap shooter's gun

Well, everyone knows that the shotgun could very well hop outta it's case, crawl thru the baggage compartment, come up in coach & start shooting all on it's own.

Hey, look out...THE SHOTGUN'S GOTTA KNIFE!!!!

[mvpel]

It's anybody's right to believe in voodoo and evil spirits - we have freedom of religion in this country. The airline is just exercising it.

[MineralMan]

I went to their website and found an item entitled "Restricted Items" in the Passenger Information menu. Firearms are listed there.

This is a very small airline, and passengers should check these things.

While I think the policy is wrong-headed, it is their right to restrict firearms as luggage, if they wish. There are many other flights between Phillie and Florida.

[ArrogantBustard]

Since they are a private concern, I suppose that is their right.

They are, and it is.

Furthermore, it is our right to decline business with them, if their policy offends us. And it is our right to inform other, like-minded folks of their policy. And it is our right to inform the airline of our policy of declining business with them.

Perhaps, if they learn that their policy is driving away potential customers they may choose to change their policy.

This has happened in the past, regarding legally permitted concealed handguns. I will not voluntarily do business with any concern which forbids me to carry my concealed handgun on its premises.

Isn't freedom wonderful?

[demlosers]

Yup, that's the way it works.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I've checked a shotgun into baggage on Northwest Airlines more than a dozen times. They made me open the case for inspection, check the shotgun at a special NWA window, but other than that, I never had a single problem.

[stevio]

And the number of gun enthusiasts in Pennsylvania is growing.

This is some good news.

[MineralMan]

"Furthermore, it is our right to decline business with them, if their policy offends us. And it is our right to inform other, like-minded folks of their policy. And it is our right to inform the airline of our policy of declining business with them. "

Absolutely!

[Myrddin]

This is a very small airline, and passengers should check these things.

Certainly. Patronage by gunowners won't be a contribution to becoming a bigger airline. No point in squandering an opportunity for frequent flyer miles on an airline that won't transport firearms. There's plenty of airlines that will.

[neverdem]

LOL

[Blood of Tyrants]

This is because that $12,000 Perazzi shotguns are a terrorist's weapon of choice, of course.

[Teacher317]

"Our position is, basically, as a private company they have the right to throw away business," said John Frazer, a federal lobbyist who follows the issue of gun transportation for the NRA.

Well put, LOL

[ApplegateRanch]

It seems that the airline, as 'customer service' could have assisted him in getting the shotgun to Florida by other, timely, means had they cared to. Failing that, they could, had they wished, have assisted him in getting an alternative flight at a reasonable price.

It seems their only 'customer service' was to eventually give him a refund.

I can only conclude that not only won't they carry firearms, they are more antipathetic to firearms owners than they admit. Any guesses about what the results of their 'policy review' will be?