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USA 3000 Airline bans guns in baggage
From Don Causeu of The Hunting Report, via Todd Rathner:
USA 3000 Airlines, has changed its baggage policies to prohibit passengers from transporting any firearms or ammunition as checked baggage. That’s right – any kind of firearms or ammunition.
We learned of the shift in policy from subscriber Rob Hoskins, who tells us he spent some time arguing with a company representative via e-mail about the wisdom of such a move. We haven’t done the same, but we have confirmed with the company that it has imposed a blanket ban on the transport of firearms as checked baggage. That’s enough for us to call for a boycott of their services until the company changes its mind. We are going to make sure the NRA knows of this, and perhaps they will join the crusade.
In case you haven’t heard of USA 3000, it operates from cities in the Northeast and Midwest to Florida, The Dominican Republic and Mexico. The company also operates many charter flights to the Caribbean and other Mexican cities in conjunction with a tour operator named Apple Vacations.
To contact them: 1-888-479-3001, or send e-mail to [email protected]
UPDATE: a reader reported that the email address doesn't work. Their contact us page shows "CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-479-3001 Call us if you wish to share an experience with us, or send e-mail to [email protected], a letter to the address below Attn: Customer Services." Perhaps the message bounces back unless the subject line is "Atten: Consumer Services"?
Their Restricted Items page indicates:
"Before you pack your checked or carry-on luggage please see the list of restricted items below. You may not realize common everyday items that may be classified as dangerous goods which are restricted for transport by USA3000 Airlines:
Oxygen Needs: USA3000 does not carry passengers who are Oxygen dependent while in-flight.
Fireworks: Signal flares, sparklers or other explosives ...
Flammable Liquids or Solids: Fuel, paints, lighter refills, matches ...
......
Weapons: Firearms, Ammunition, gunpowder, mace, tear-gas, or pepper spray ..."
Now, it's not 100% clear whether that's warning that these items are restricted, but not totally verbotten -- obviously, you can't put a .45 and two clips in your carryon without attracting a lot of attention from TSA. At the end is "Firearms and Ammunition may not be carried by a passenger on USA3000 Airlines," but once again, what does "carry" mean?
A quick Google turned up 2004 report of the airline refusing to carry a trap shooter's shotgun in baggage: "The airline, based in Newtown Square, Delaware County, decided not to carry firearms as it focused on its primary business of transporting leisure travelers to sunny destinations, Spokesman Trevor Sadler said. The company, started more than two years ago with two planes, now has a fleet of 10. "We made a conscious decision to not do that at this time," Sadler said, adding that the policy is under review. He couldn't say if or when it might change."]
By the way, here's evidence that this is NOT a problem with Southwest.
5 Comments
Baggaged guns banned on Airlines, what next, rental cars, hotels, motels, your neighborhood association? This the thin edge of the wedge! The baggaged guns are harmless and can't be accessed in flight, or even in the terminals, so this is pure socialist ripe once again! I agree, BAN the airlines!
They have every right to refuse to carry firearms or ammo if they so desire. Just like every one of us has every right not to use their airline. To hell with them, there are plenty more airlines that want our business.
I don't believe they have a right to ban oxygen for "passengers who are Oxygen dependent while in-flight" as this would seem to violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. Interesting though that Second Amendment RIGHTS most likely won't hold up as well as statutory rights under the ADA.
I worked in their corporate headquarters for two years. They definitely do not allow firearms to be in either carryon or checked luggage. At first they did allow handguns only to be checked, if they were in a locked container with the ammunition separate. However, after a few incidents with passengers either trying to bring firearms other than a handgun or not having a locked container, Trevor Sadler decided he didn't want the "hassle" of dealing with them, and changed the policy. He stated that they are not "required" to allow people to carry them on, and is unlikely to change his mind unless the FAA forces him to do so.
Also, the reasoning I was given for the no-oxygen policy was that their carrier license only allows a certain amount of hazardous materials on board, so no oxygen other than the emergency supply is permitted. Apparently, since passengers are "welcome" to book on another airline, this is somehow legal.
I think you would be better off going through a consumer or government agency, as customer input matters very little and isn't likely to result in a change. Last I heard, the customer service department consisted of one person.
Thank you for this bit of distressing news. I have sent a e-mail in protest and will inform friends and CCRN here in Minnesota. Hopefully we can join together and persuade the airline to review it's policy.