Heads up flying American Airlines to Alaska - 09/29/16
Recently booked a flight to Juneau on American Airlines and ran into some issues transporting firearms and ammo. The flight was booked through American but the last leg from Seattle to Juneau was "serviced" by Alaska Air. The flight was booked through American because Alaska Air does not fly to/from my home airport.
I reviewed both airlines policies regarding flying with firearms and ammo and saw nothing out of the ordinary. I got to the airport at 6:30 A. M. cst for a 7:40 departure and went to the counter to check bags. I was informed by the representative that, because I was switching carriers, they had to have an authorization number from the connecting carrier saying that carrier would accept the ammo. I informed her that I had booked the flight through American and that the firearms info on the website didn't say anything about this issue. She said it was doubtful that she could get an authorization from Alaska Air since it was 4:30 in Seattle. This was a big deal because the rifles I was taking were chambered in 338 RCM and I knew from a previous trip that Sportsman's Warehouse in Juneau did not stock 338 RCM ammo and I would not have time to go look anywhere else before my flight out of Juneau the next morning.
The lady at American called Alaska Air and the representative there had no idea what American was talking about and could not supply a confirmation number but verbally stated that they would accept the baggage containing ammo. The American representative sent me to the gate and either just ignored the issue or decided a verbal confirmation was OK, However, she did tell me that American would NOT accept my baggage on the return trip if it contained ammo without pre authorization and said I would need to call American and get that authorization before I flew home.
Since I was headed into a remote area without much cell service, my wife called and talked to both Alaska Air and American to see if she could get an authorization. Again, Alaska Air had no idea what we were talking about and American refused to authorize it, so she went up the chain until she finally talked to someone who admitted that it was simply an American policy. She was also informed that they had flagged my account with a statement that said they would not accept the baggage transfer from Alaska Air if it contained ammo.
They said I could check my bags on Alaska Air to Seattle, exit the secured area there and claim my bags at luggage claims, go back to the American counter pay the baggage fees and check my bags with them, then go back though security!
So, I left my custom loaded ammo with the guide and he is suppose to ship it to me.
All of this because of a stupid American Airlines policy!!!
I will do my very best to NEVER fly American Airlines again!!
I reviewed both airlines policies regarding flying with firearms and ammo and saw nothing out of the ordinary. I got to the airport at 6:30 A. M. cst for a 7:40 departure and went to the counter to check bags. I was informed by the representative that, because I was switching carriers, they had to have an authorization number from the connecting carrier saying that carrier would accept the ammo. I informed her that I had booked the flight through American and that the firearms info on the website didn't say anything about this issue. She said it was doubtful that she could get an authorization from Alaska Air since it was 4:30 in Seattle. This was a big deal because the rifles I was taking were chambered in 338 RCM and I knew from a previous trip that Sportsman's Warehouse in Juneau did not stock 338 RCM ammo and I would not have time to go look anywhere else before my flight out of Juneau the next morning.
The lady at American called Alaska Air and the representative there had no idea what American was talking about and could not supply a confirmation number but verbally stated that they would accept the baggage containing ammo. The American representative sent me to the gate and either just ignored the issue or decided a verbal confirmation was OK, However, she did tell me that American would NOT accept my baggage on the return trip if it contained ammo without pre authorization and said I would need to call American and get that authorization before I flew home.
Since I was headed into a remote area without much cell service, my wife called and talked to both Alaska Air and American to see if she could get an authorization. Again, Alaska Air had no idea what we were talking about and American refused to authorize it, so she went up the chain until she finally talked to someone who admitted that it was simply an American policy. She was also informed that they had flagged my account with a statement that said they would not accept the baggage transfer from Alaska Air if it contained ammo.
They said I could check my bags on Alaska Air to Seattle, exit the secured area there and claim my bags at luggage claims, go back to the American counter pay the baggage fees and check my bags with them, then go back though security!
So, I left my custom loaded ammo with the guide and he is suppose to ship it to me.
All of this because of a stupid American Airlines policy!!!
I will do my very best to NEVER fly American Airlines again!!
