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Criminals in Flight From: "Cox, William R" <[email protected]> Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 18:04:29 -0800 To: "'[email protected]'" Subject: Being treated like a criminal when checking a weapon through your baggage on a flight I have found that counter personnel at the airlines don't receive any training on checking weapons through in baggage. I find this unimaginable considering the risk. I also find being treated like a criminal at the counter from someone who has never even handled a weapon to be insulting. Here is a copy of letter I sent to Southwest Airlines in regards to the ineptness of the counter personnel in regards to checking weapons through in your baggage. Thanks, W. Cox Scottsdale, Arizona W. Cox Scottsdale, Arizona 85250 January 15, 2002 Southwest Airlines Customer Relations P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR Dallas, Texas 75235-1647 Dear Sir or Madam: Over the Holidays I made several hunting trips that involved checking weapons through the check in counter. I was alarmed at the inadequate handling by the counter personnel. Of the three times I checked a weapon through only one counter agent knew the proper procedures as defined by the FAA and handled the procedure professionally making no disparaging comments about "guns". The two times the weapons check in task was handled incorrectly, the counter agents acted as though I was a criminal and stated they didn't know anything about how to check in a firearm or how to verify the weapon was unloaded as per FAA regulations. I pointedly asked if they had received any training on the proper way to check weapons through and both said no. I find it unimaginable that SWA doesn't take a couple of hours in training to cover this important procedure. You could very easily have a local police department come in and provide a hands on class so they would know how to verify that various weapons are safe to stow. It would also help them react more professionally when they have a customer that needs this service. As it stands now I don't feel assured that the weapons being checked through are being checked correctly. I hope SWA can find a few hours to provide this invaluable training to its employees. Sincerely, William R. Cox To Get Your Letters Printed Here Click here and read submission guidelines.