So the date is 9/17/2013 and I send Hawaiian Airlines an email requesting their firearms policy since the link on their website was not working. I send them:
To Whom It May Concern:
I'm planning a trip to Kona and would like to have your firearms policy emailed to me. The like to "Shooting Equipment," on page (http://help.hawaiianairlines.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/677) is inaccessible, and I tried calling web support to find out your policy, but it was a lot to copy down, and the gentleman referred me to request via Contact Us. Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
hnl.flyboy
Hawaiian Airlines emails me back in less than 15 minutes and says:
Aloha hnl.flyboy,
Thank you very much for taking time to contact Hawaiian Airlines.
Firearms:
Conditions of Acceptance
Advanced arrangements must be made, by calling into Hawaiian Airlines Reservations.
Items of shooting equipment will be accepted only as checked baggage subject to the conditions specified below.
One rifle case containing not more than two rifles, with or without scopes
5kg (11 lbs.) of ammunition
One Shooting mat
Noise suppressors and small rifle tools
- OR -
Two Shotguns and two shotgun cases
5kg (11 lbs) of ammunition
- OR -
One pistol case containing not more than five pistols.
Firearms must be unloaded and placed in a suitable container. Firearms packed in a manufacturer's crush-proof type container, manufactured specifically for the firearms
- or -
A hard-sided container specifically designed for the same purpose
Baggage containing hand guns must be locked with a key or lock combination in possession of the passenger only and the bag must be of the hard-side type
Note: Ok to place firearms in a crushproof container with no lock and then in a locked hard side suitcase.
Baggage containing firearms will be transported in an area, other than the cockpit, that is inaccessible to passengers
Baggage containing firearms must be declared upon check-in with an agent.
When in excess, firearms will be subject to the excess baggage charge for a single piece, whether or not presented as a single piece. Any piece over 70 lbs/32 kg will not be accepted as checked baggage for either Domestic or International travel.
Ammunition
Ammunition must be packed separate from firearms (not loaded) in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, or metal boxes, or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. A limit of 11 lbs of ammunition per passenger may be transported in addition to the firearm.
Ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided cases as the firearm as long as it is properly packed as described above.
Note: Ammunition (cartridges for weapons) for sporting purposes, securely boxed in division 1.4s quantities not exceeding 11 lbs gross weight per person for that person's own use, excluding ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles. Allowances for more than one passenger must not be combined into one or more packages.
Officers of the Law/Military Personnel and Couriers:
An authorized person performing a duty on board an aircraft, such as a law enforcement officer or diplomatic courier, may be permitted to retain custody of his firearm and ammunition upon duly identifying himself at time of check in. Prior authorization must be obtained from Hawaiian Airlines (Reservations).
Declaration of Firearms:
Upon check-in at the airport, passenger must declare that their baggage.
To assist you further about this, you may contact our General Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320 open 24/7.
If you have any other concerns, please feel free to contact us again.
Mahalo,
Silvina / GS4
Hawaiian Airlines Web Support
It's a bit much, but it explains everything pretty well. I'm not a fan of this policy so I send go! Airlines an email on 10/2/2013:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am already very familiar with TSA requirements on checking firearms for a flight, but I would like to know your airline's policy for checking in firearms in checked baggage. I'll be flying from HNL to KOA, and would like to have go!'s firearms policy emailed to me.
Respectfully,
hnl.flyboy
When go! Airlines opened that day, they sent me a reply:
Aloha, hnl.flyboy!
Thank you for contacting go! Airlines Customer Care regarding our firearms policy.
Attached is the information you requested as stated in our Contract of Carriage.
We’re here to help if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Mahalo!
Mary Ann
go! Airlines Customer Care
The attachment will be attached to this post below. Note that it makes no mention of the number of firearms contained in any piece of luggage, prior notification, etc. I decide that since go! Airlines has a very lenient policy on firearms like some mainland carriers, I'm willing to overlook (my opinion) their shady business tactics that drove Aloha Airlines out of business. There's a saying, "Friends don't let friends fly Mesa," (Mesa Airlines owns go!) as a passenger OR as a pilot / flight attendant. I wish I listened.
Now, go! Airlines made no mention of prior notification, but the interisland terminal for go!, Mokulele, and Island Air is small and even more distant from the main terminals than Hawaiian Airlines, and I figured I'd send them a courtesy email so it's no big surprise when I show up, and there's less chances of them scrambling to get TSA ready for me. I sent the following email early this morning:
To Whom It May Concern:
I specifically chose go! over Hawaiian because your firearms policy isn't as harsh as Hawaiian Airlines' firearms policy. I do know Hawaiian Airlines does require prior notification to check firearms in the luggage, and as the interisland terminal is fairly far from the domestic terminal, I understand. The terminal for go!, Island Air, and Mokulele is even farther, so I feel it might possibly be an issue as well. Your website is quiet on flying with firearms. I was able to have your firearms policy emailed to me at the beginning of this month, but it makes no mention of prior notification. I'd like this email to be prior notification of myself planning to bring firearms on my interisland flight, if needed.
My name is hnl.flyboy, and I ordered the ticket on Priceline.com. I will be departing Honolulu this Friday, October 18, 2013, at 4:25 PM, on Flight 1036 to Kona, and I will be returning from Kona on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at 5:30 PM, on Flight 1037, returning to Honolulu. Priceline gave me the Trip Number 000-000-000-00, Ticket Number 0000000000000, and Airline Confirmation XXXXXX - Go!. I plan on checking in one case containing two (2) rifles and five (5) handguns on both flights. I understand they must be in a hard-sided and locked case, and I understand I will have to pay any overweight fees should my case exceed 50 pounds.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
hnl.flyboy
When I got up this morning, I had this in my inbox:
Good morning,
Here is a more detailed explanation of our policy. Keep in mind that ammunition must be packaged separately in an approved ammunition container.. Five handguns can be packaged together, and the two handguns can be packaged together- so you would need two separate containers just for the firearms. Hope this helps. Please let us know if you have further questions.
Amber
go! Customer Care
DANGEROUS ITEMS AND AMMUNITION
A. Firearms
Shooting equipment will be accepted as checked baggage provided the following criteria is met.
(1) Passengers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to check any type of firearm as checked
baggage.
(2) Firearms require a Firearms Unloaded Declaration Tag to be read, signed by the passenger,
and placed inside the case.
NOTE Agents will not physically inspect the weapon.
(3) Rifles or shotguns must be in a crush proof container manufactured for such use or in a
suitable rigid container.
(4) Baggage (e.g., suitcases, etc.) containing handguns must be the hard-side type, and must
be locked with a key or lock combination retained by the passenger.
(5) One item of shooting equipment is defined as either:
(a) One rifle case containing not more than two rifles, with or without scopes, 11 lbs. of ammunition,
and one shooting mat, noise suppressor, and small rifle tools;
(b) Two shotguns and two shotgun cases and eleven lbs. of ammunition per passenger;
(c) One pistol case containing not more than five pistols, eleven lbs. of ammunition per
passenger, noise suppressor, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools.
(6) An item of shooting equipment will be included in the free baggage allowance. When in
excess of the free baggage allowance, each item will be subject to the appropriate excess baggage charge.
(1) Firearms in Checked Baggage
1 Federal regulations require firearms in checked baggage be declared to the aircraft
operator. This may be accomplished either orally or in writing before the passenger checks the
baggage.
2 Each firearm must be unloaded and carried in a locked, hard- sided container to which only
the passenger checking the baggage retains the key or combination.
3 Passengers failing to declare firearms or transporting loaded firearms are subject to
substantial civil and criminal penalties.
4 Unauthorized explosive or incendiary devices are prohibited in checked baggage at all
times.
Small Arms Ammunition - If transporting
Small arms ammunition intended for personal use by a passenger may be accepted for transportation in the passenger's checked baggage (excluding carry- on) subject to the following restrictions:
(1) Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package, or securely packed in a
fiber, wood or metal box.
(2) Not more than 11 pounds of pistol, shotgun or rifle ammunition will be accepted per
passenger.
(3) The passenger must accompany the baggage on the same flight.
NOTE Small arms ammunition failing to meet this criteria will not be accepted for transportation or it will be held for the passenger's return.
I replied with the following email:
Amber,
Thank you for your reply. I'm attaching the "Firearms policy" that was emailed to me on October 2, 2013. It does NOT suggest in any way that I will be needing more than one piece of luggage checked in. The "Firearms Policy" emailed to me suggested that as long as firearms are checked and locked in the manner required by TSA, it's approved. I feel I was lied to. I do not wish to pay extra for another baggage, nor do I wish to buy another hard-sided case for them. I am highly disappointed, more so than with Hawaiian Airlines (as they provided me their full firearms policy instead of hiding it until the last minute), and would like to know what my options are for a refund of my ticket.
Respectfully,
hnl.flyboy
Ms. Amber replied again with:
Mr hnl.flyboy,
I apologize you feel you were lied to, as I assure you that was not the intention. When traveling with more than one firearm and more than one type of firearm, there are further policies and procedures that apply. In the first email we did not understand that you were flying with multiple firearms as you only asked what the firearm policy is for go!, and the policy that was sent to you refers to a single firearm throughout the documentation. In this email, where you clarified multiple firearms, I tried to get the most detailed information for you regarding your specific request.
Again, I apologize that you are unhappy with our guidelines. If you would like a refund on your ticket, please respond and we can process this for you.
Amber
Go! Customer Care
About half an hour ago, I sent a reply:
Amber,
Thank you for your reply. I expected the full firearms policy when I first emailed. In my first email, I requested "to know your airline's policy for checking in firearms in checked baggage" (emphasis mine). I don't think any further clarification was necessary. I do wish to have and request a refund of my ticket. Please let me know what other information is necessary to process this request. Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
hnl.flyboy
Was I wrong to expect their policy to be similar to Hawaiian's? Should I have clarified further?
Regardless, I'm NEVER flying with go! Airlines or with any airline associated with Mesa ever again.