Wingshooters Beware
July 10, 2012
New American Airline Policy Restricting Air Travel with Firearms
It is a constant effort to keep travelers updated on new policies and restrictions implemented by the airlines that affect domestic and international travel. In the last 30 days, American Airlines has internally implemented a new policy that severely restricts shooters traveling with guns internationally. This policy states, "we (American Airlines) do not allow firearms as checked luggage on an interline ticket situation any longer." This means that if travelers are booked on a flight on any carrier other than American Airline exclusively (this includes other flights by airline partners who code-share with American or other carriers in the Oneworld Alliance), the bottom line is that at the check-in desk American Airlines will not allow travelers to check guns onto the plane.
In the past, shooters heading to Cordoba, Argentina routinely flew on American Airlines to Santiago, Chile and then connected as transit passengers to LAN Chile, a Oneworld partner of American, from Santiago into Cordoba City as their ultimate destination. Now, according to American's new policy, travelers transferring from American to LAN on this route are no longer eligible for checking firearms at their point of origin. It is also important to note that this policy is worldwide and not just limited to South America.
Unfortunately, this situation was recently uncovered when a Frontiers traveler was turned away at the check-in counter on his trip to Uruguay and told he couldn't check his guns to his final destination. After a lengthy investigation with countless sources and many hours on the phone with American Airlines by Frontiers staff, we still could not obtain a direct answer as to "why?" Finally, we received a note from "Customer Service" several days later with a one-line explanation of the new international policy and a brief statement that read, "the change of policy took effect within the last 30 days and should have been advised to you (Frontiers) by our reservations staff when you inquired."
Sadly, despite supporting American Airlines with substantial business over the years, our offices were never informed and it was only at the expense of a loyal traveler that the important issue was finally brought to light. To add insult to injury, we were told this was an "internal policy" and thus the airline could not even offer Frontiers the "official statement" which was circulated internally to American Airlines staff. Instead, they offered the aforementioned brief and vague statement telling us it would have to suffice.
After much deliberation, with the exception of Bolivia (which is only serviced by American Airlines from the USA and requires no further commercial flights beyond Santa Cruz), Frontiers strongly recommends to passengers traveling with firearms that they do not book any American Airlines flights whatsoever. Even if the flight is a "direct" trip there is still the possibility of a delay or change of aircraft en route onto a partnering carrier resulting in the possibility of the traveling sportsman meeting with delays and trip disruption. Instead, Frontiers will endeavor to work with each traveler for suitable alternatives on more "firearm friendly" carriers.
Undoubtedly, this situation will evolve as further details are revealed. Frontiers will update our website and offer additional e-mail notifications. Currently, American is the only airline that has dictated this mandate; no other airline has followed their path. World travelers who are affected by this are also encouraged to contact any shooting affiliations they may have such as Safari Club International or the National Rifle Association and many others, and encourage them to make their voice heard with American Airlines hoping for a more viable plan for the future.
July 10, 2012
New American Airline Policy Restricting Air Travel with Firearms
It is a constant effort to keep travelers updated on new policies and restrictions implemented by the airlines that affect domestic and international travel. In the last 30 days, American Airlines has internally implemented a new policy that severely restricts shooters traveling with guns internationally. This policy states, "we (American Airlines) do not allow firearms as checked luggage on an interline ticket situation any longer." This means that if travelers are booked on a flight on any carrier other than American Airline exclusively (this includes other flights by airline partners who code-share with American or other carriers in the Oneworld Alliance), the bottom line is that at the check-in desk American Airlines will not allow travelers to check guns onto the plane.
In the past, shooters heading to Cordoba, Argentina routinely flew on American Airlines to Santiago, Chile and then connected as transit passengers to LAN Chile, a Oneworld partner of American, from Santiago into Cordoba City as their ultimate destination. Now, according to American's new policy, travelers transferring from American to LAN on this route are no longer eligible for checking firearms at their point of origin. It is also important to note that this policy is worldwide and not just limited to South America.
Unfortunately, this situation was recently uncovered when a Frontiers traveler was turned away at the check-in counter on his trip to Uruguay and told he couldn't check his guns to his final destination. After a lengthy investigation with countless sources and many hours on the phone with American Airlines by Frontiers staff, we still could not obtain a direct answer as to "why?" Finally, we received a note from "Customer Service" several days later with a one-line explanation of the new international policy and a brief statement that read, "the change of policy took effect within the last 30 days and should have been advised to you (Frontiers) by our reservations staff when you inquired."
Sadly, despite supporting American Airlines with substantial business over the years, our offices were never informed and it was only at the expense of a loyal traveler that the important issue was finally brought to light. To add insult to injury, we were told this was an "internal policy" and thus the airline could not even offer Frontiers the "official statement" which was circulated internally to American Airlines staff. Instead, they offered the aforementioned brief and vague statement telling us it would have to suffice.
After much deliberation, with the exception of Bolivia (which is only serviced by American Airlines from the USA and requires no further commercial flights beyond Santa Cruz), Frontiers strongly recommends to passengers traveling with firearms that they do not book any American Airlines flights whatsoever. Even if the flight is a "direct" trip there is still the possibility of a delay or change of aircraft en route onto a partnering carrier resulting in the possibility of the traveling sportsman meeting with delays and trip disruption. Instead, Frontiers will endeavor to work with each traveler for suitable alternatives on more "firearm friendly" carriers.
Undoubtedly, this situation will evolve as further details are revealed. Frontiers will update our website and offer additional e-mail notifications. Currently, American is the only airline that has dictated this mandate; no other airline has followed their path. World travelers who are affected by this are also encouraged to contact any shooting affiliations they may have such as Safari Club International or the National Rifle Association and many others, and encourage them to make their voice heard with American Airlines hoping for a more viable plan for the future.
