By John Farnam
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- American Airlines
I flew out to the East Coast last weekend. Back to CO yesterday.
I flew on American Airlines. One connection on each leg of the round trip.
In all fairness, flights were comfortable and mostly on-time.
There was one problem:
AA now insists on putting a bright, red tag on all checked luggage that contains guns. The tag says:
“Return to BSO” (Baggage Security Office)
At AA, luggage containing guns does not go out to the carousal, as it does with most other airlines I fly. It is delivered directly to the AA baggage-claim office and must be surrendered personally to the legitimate claimant (after showing identification). I notice that it arrives at the baggage-claim office after all other luggage is out on the carousal, so you can now add at least ten minutes to your stay at the airport.
I guess I can understand their concern, but I don’t like this latest version of “steal me” tags hanging-off my luggage.
SW doesn’t do this to me, and they also don’t gouge me with luggage fees!
Again, in all fairness, both I and my luggage made both legs of my trip safely, and we both arrived at our destinations, mostly on-time. My checked bags contained my customary complement of guns, magazines, and ammunition, and none of that was any kind of problem.
However, as long as they insist on putting bright, red “steal me” tags on my checked luggage, I won’t be flying American Airlines!
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
How are airline employees able to leave work with loot ? My supermarket grocery warehouse job has exiting employees screened and lunch coolers emptied. Airports are fenced, patroled, and under tower observation.
Are they mailing loot from some postal facility on airport ?
Say what you want about the vitures of flying SW, but its really the worst airline out there. Pretty much the public buses of the skies.
Rules on firearms were put in place for safety reasons. A military traveler had a loaded handgun in his duffle bag until declared. The eastern airlines agent threw the bag on the conveyor belt. It discharged killing one employee. The airline policies differ but it’s for employee safety in the terminal and on the aircraft.it’s to encourage special handling when loading and transfer to connecting flights it has nothing to do with the passenger. The way t.s.a. works you’re lucky to be able to have a gun at all. By the way I would not advise you to go to… Read more »
I had a similar experience with AA this week to Key West and back with my firearm. I called AA and was told that the red tag is used for 3 circumstances: firearm being transported, oversize luggage and expedited luggage ( I.e., lost luggage). My bag had to be claimed in person with claim check in Key West but was put out on the carousel in Denver. That was a big problem according to a baggage supervisor and should not have happened. There is more follow up to be done. Will post results.
Actually, all of you are idiots…As a fleet service employee I appreciate knowing there is a gun and or ammo in a bag, That way I can be especially careful with the bag, and not get shot cause some passenger idiot diidnt unload it like they should of…Hence the employee at Southworst who didnt know there was a firearm in the bag, and it went off and shot him…Keep up the good work American and Delta, love your concern for safety..
at least it wasnt United. theyd probably shoot you with your own gun
I had heard that it was “illegal” (or against FAA regulations) to specially mark luggage containing firearms. This used to be a requirement and routine, but it did result in a rash of thefts.
18 U.S.C. § 922(e) provides:
“. . . No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.”
https://blog.princelaw.com/2017/04/03/does-delta-airlines-new-policy-to-zip-tie-luggage-containing-firearms-violate-federal-law/
I thought TSA regs mandate that the luggage containing firearms are not to be marked as containing firearms. Did this change? Funny thing most folks don’t realise.. I KNOW both Seattle and Atlanta do not restrict firearms from the baggage claim area in any way. I’ve gone into both airports to collect inbound passengers, and have been armed both places… walk right on in, no metal detectors, no security, walk in from the car park or the street… armed… right up to the carousels, help my arriving friend with their luggage…… and we walk on out together. So WHY the… Read more »
Delta is doing the same process that AA does with tagging luggage that contains a firearm. Delta also will strap the luggage with a fairly thick tie to prevent access to anything inside the piece of luggage. Makes it difficult to see if your forearm actually made it to its destination.
On a good note, each time I have flown with Delta and a firearm, the check in was hassle free and the firearm arrived within the luggage. I still like the way SW does it with no identifying tag on the luggage.
American Airlines refuses to carry my hunting rifles from the UK to the US & back on the grounds that UK laws are ‘too complex’.
No they’re not. they may be onerous & restrictive but they in no way affect the airline itself.
Delta have no issues flying me & my firearms, either internationally or domestically within the US.
needless to say, AA has seen none of my $ in the past 12 years.