Posted on 02/28/2017 3:39:08 PM PST by Reno89519
Delta Airlines is now putting big bumper sticker size labels on bas with checked guns. Seriously. Flag the bag and passenger as a target. Nice. /s
I regularly travel Delta Airlines, Diamond level frequent flier and always check a concealed carry gun. This is first time my bags got tagged, A new policy counter staff said was implemented this past week. Searching their Web site and news on the Internet found no mention of this.
I find the move by Delta, and presumably other airlines, to be outrageous. These stickers are big and not easy to remove. Now my bag is marked, and me with it, as having a gun to anyone that sees us. Stupid. I don't appreciate being made a target.
Several years ago rental car companies dropped marking cars as rentals to avoid renters being targeted in Florida and elsewhere. Surely they should recall this before continuing their ill-thought tagging of bags with guns.
In addition to the labels on the bags, now it must be picked up in the baggage office instead of on the bag claim belts. That is okay and I'm actually in favor of that instead of my bag being left out unsecured.
Have you traveled recently and found similar labeling action by other airlines?
Several years ago rental car companies dropped marking cars as rentals
Fla DMV issued tags that denoted rentals..after a couple took a wrong turn and was murdered in beautiful Overtown I believe the practice was ended.
Bring a bigger sticker that says “Miami” to go over it? Seriously, this is stupid, Delta.
I’m a Diamond too and I just flew yesterday. I read the sign at checkin as I was curious about procedures for checking weapons. It said that the weapon must be in its own hardshell case with a lock. How are you checking yours—what kind of case?
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922
(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. 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.
Is the Delta CEO a Hillary supporter?
Why fly Delta? I say this as a Delta Diamond and United 1k - and this is the last year I’ll be with Delta because of how they are devaluing the program. I’ll hit United Global Services (one up from Diamond sort of Delta 360) this year by not flying Delta at all. They’ve made it basically worthless and into something like a grocery store affinity card.
Domestic upgrades, even as Diamond, are not so easy on certain routes. The bag weight limit is lower than competitors. International upgrade certificates are easier to use on competitors. Their load factor is very high so you’ll always have a seatmate when you’re not upgraded while on some of their competitors you still have a chance! The only thing they have going for them is their lounges, which are a superior product to their domestic competitors, and some of their international routes and partnerships.
The gun bit is terrible too. Basically air travel is a huge hassle with a massive security theater inside the United States coupled with miserable staff from check in to security to baggage.
Well that certainly makes it easier for the baggage handlers to have a field day stealing weapons.
Once got tagged at the security checkpoint because of "explosive residue" on my carryon bag--unclear if this was from shooting or picked up because of where I was and visiting for work during the week down outside of Fort Huachuca. Almost missed my flight from Phoenix as the tested and retest and retested my bag and ripped it all apart.
Per #5, delta may have inadvertently offered you a very large check.
Interesting. Wonder how they get past this?
If you fly Delta, protest such tagging, ask to see a supervisor, and get the name of the person who will not agree to your demand to not mark your bag.
Be calm, polite, firm, and call your lawyer as soon as you get home. By their actions, they have endangered not just your luggage, but your person.
If I was arguing your case, I would demand $15,000 cash or $50,000 in flight credits to settle. They would pay it (after about 20 billable hours of "The Lawyer Dance.") because it would cost them at least that to fight it.
BTW, what does the tag look like.
Oops!
I see bonus miles in someones future, and potential lawsuit if can prove harm
Just searching on the entire last paragraph...
“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.”
...pulls up numerous references from the NRA-ILA to the BATFE.
I think you nailed it. Delta is in violation of federal law.
Let’s tag such bags and make it even easier for the perps to know which bag to target:
KING-5 Television:
Guns stolen from checked luggage
September 10, 2013
Two of (Army Ranger) Shannon’s weapons, a Glock 19 and a Rugger SR 22P, were stolen from his duffle bag that he checked before boarding his Delta Airlines flight. Shannon said he did everything by the book.
I had my weapons in a lockbox, checked them, cleared through TSA, and then put my lock box back in my luggage. And when I got to my destination they were both gone, explained Shannon.
Shannon was returning from a trip visiting family in Flint, Michigan and had a lay-over in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He said when he reported the problem to Delta staff, they were less than helpful.
He was asked to fill out an online claim form and leave. Thats not how things work in Ryans world.
In the military, if a weapon is lost, you don’t go anywhere until you find it. So that was my instinct. I’m like, I can’t leave here until I have my weapon. And they’re just like you need to go,” said Shannon.
Happened to me once. I asked "what set off the sensor" in a friendly way, and was told "gunpowder." Sure enough I used one of my flight bags to carry extra ammo to the range! Never again.
The bumper sticker size tag is “CAGPT” and the Delta counter staff said this is a new policy to put on all gun-containing checked bags. I’ve made several calls to Delta, filed written complaint. No joy as every says they have no idea what is going on and that I should call another office.
I think everybody has forgotten that Delta was the airline that just had a passenger collect his checked gun at an airport in Florida, go into the bathroom at the terminal and load it and then come out shooting. He killed five people. So I can see why they might be concerned.
This is illegal under the Federal law.
Cases will not be labeled as containing firearms. That practice was outlawed almost 10 years ago. Federal law now states: “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.” [18 USC Sec. 922(e)] TSA will warn any airline that is marking cases that it is in violation of the law.
As always, since some airline counter clerks may have little training or experience in these procedures, gun owners should contact the airline in advance, obtain a written copy of the airline policy from a reservation clerk or the airline’s website, and bring it to the airport in order to answer any questions that arise at check-in. For further information, see: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
From the NRA ILA.
Temporary tag is also illegal
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