Not sure what airline. Doesn't matter whether Major/LCC/Regional. Pretty serious issue.
Pilot caught with loaded handgun at Calgary airport
By Clara Ho, Calgary Herald April 3, 2014 10:41 AM
A Utah pilot has been charged with carrying a loaded handgun at Calgary International Airport on Friday. (Calgary Herald files)
An American pilot was charged with multiple weapons-related offences after screening officers at the Calgary International Airport discovered a loaded handgun in a piece of luggage.
The bag was passing through the X-ray machine at the U.S. security checkpoint about 7:30 a.m. Friday when officers with the Canadian Airport Transport Security Authority saw what they believed was a firearm, said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque.
As per standard procedures when they see something illegal like a firearm, they immediately contacted the Calgary Police Service present at the airport, Larocque said.
The firearm was confirmed to be a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380-calibre handgun, according to court documents.
The crew member, believed to be the pilot or co-pilot, had flown into Calgary from the U.S. the day before and was preparing to fly back to the U.S. on Friday when the small loaded handgun was found and seized, said police spokesman Kevin Brookwell.
Utah resident Joshua Petty White, 38, was taken into custody and charged under the Firearms Act with unlawful storage, handling and transport of a firearm, as well as unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
White was also charged under the Customs Act with failing to declare a prohibited firearm to the Canada Border Services Agency upon his entry into Canada on Thursday, said department spokeswoman Lisa White.
Upon learning that he was allegedly trying to clear security with a loaded firearm, officers with CBSA criminal investigations also charged White with smuggling under the Customs Act and importation of a prohibited firearm under the criminal code.
Canadas laws are clear: travellers must declare all goods, including any firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada. Failing to do so may lead to prosecution under the Customs Act, CBSAs Lisa White said in an e-mail.
The accused was subsequently released on a $4,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on April 29th.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, an agency created following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that oversees travel security in the U.S., eligible flight crew members are authorized to use firearms to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy attempting to gain control of an aircraft.
The TSA says these federal flight deck officers may be pilots, flight engineers, or navigators assigned to the flight, and are trained by the Federal Air Marshal Service.
Brookwell said he couldnt confirm whether the accused pilot is part of this program.
There may be some laws with regard to flight crew members and weapons in the cockpit. I understand there is some form of licensing and some form of training and some form of approvals on U.S.-based flights that there are certain circumstances, Brookwell said.
Whether or not he had that training or that authority in the U.S., I dont know. But certainly that doesnt extend into Canada ... Those would be discussions that happen as part of the court proceedings.
From a policing perspective, these types of incidents happen very rarely at the airport, said Brookwell.
Passengers flying to hunting destinations will often transport firearms, but a lot of paperwork and security is involved for that to happen, he said.
For somebody to have a weapon in their carry-on or their luggage that theyre trying to take into the cockpit, especially in this day and age, it certainly doesnt happen very often.
Jody Moseley, airport spokeswoman, said this incident demonstrates that all systems in place with the airports partners worked exactly as planned to ensure everyone is safe at all times.
This was a good reflection of all processes in place to keep passengers safe and secure, Moseley said.
Authorities were unable to confirm which airline the pilot worked for
Pilot caught with loaded handgun at Calgary airport
By Clara Ho, Calgary Herald April 3, 2014 10:41 AM
A Utah pilot has been charged with carrying a loaded handgun at Calgary International Airport on Friday. (Calgary Herald files)
An American pilot was charged with multiple weapons-related offences after screening officers at the Calgary International Airport discovered a loaded handgun in a piece of luggage.
The bag was passing through the X-ray machine at the U.S. security checkpoint about 7:30 a.m. Friday when officers with the Canadian Airport Transport Security Authority saw what they believed was a firearm, said CATSA spokesman Mathieu Larocque.
As per standard procedures when they see something illegal like a firearm, they immediately contacted the Calgary Police Service present at the airport, Larocque said.
The firearm was confirmed to be a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380-calibre handgun, according to court documents.
The crew member, believed to be the pilot or co-pilot, had flown into Calgary from the U.S. the day before and was preparing to fly back to the U.S. on Friday when the small loaded handgun was found and seized, said police spokesman Kevin Brookwell.
Utah resident Joshua Petty White, 38, was taken into custody and charged under the Firearms Act with unlawful storage, handling and transport of a firearm, as well as unauthorized possession of a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon.
White was also charged under the Customs Act with failing to declare a prohibited firearm to the Canada Border Services Agency upon his entry into Canada on Thursday, said department spokeswoman Lisa White.
Upon learning that he was allegedly trying to clear security with a loaded firearm, officers with CBSA criminal investigations also charged White with smuggling under the Customs Act and importation of a prohibited firearm under the criminal code.
Canadas laws are clear: travellers must declare all goods, including any firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada. Failing to do so may lead to prosecution under the Customs Act, CBSAs Lisa White said in an e-mail.
The accused was subsequently released on a $4,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on April 29th.
According to the Transportation Security Administration, an agency created following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that oversees travel security in the U.S., eligible flight crew members are authorized to use firearms to defend against an act of criminal violence or air piracy attempting to gain control of an aircraft.
The TSA says these federal flight deck officers may be pilots, flight engineers, or navigators assigned to the flight, and are trained by the Federal Air Marshal Service.
Brookwell said he couldnt confirm whether the accused pilot is part of this program.
There may be some laws with regard to flight crew members and weapons in the cockpit. I understand there is some form of licensing and some form of training and some form of approvals on U.S.-based flights that there are certain circumstances, Brookwell said.
Whether or not he had that training or that authority in the U.S., I dont know. But certainly that doesnt extend into Canada ... Those would be discussions that happen as part of the court proceedings.
From a policing perspective, these types of incidents happen very rarely at the airport, said Brookwell.
Passengers flying to hunting destinations will often transport firearms, but a lot of paperwork and security is involved for that to happen, he said.
For somebody to have a weapon in their carry-on or their luggage that theyre trying to take into the cockpit, especially in this day and age, it certainly doesnt happen very often.
Jody Moseley, airport spokeswoman, said this incident demonstrates that all systems in place with the airports partners worked exactly as planned to ensure everyone is safe at all times.
This was a good reflection of all processes in place to keep passengers safe and secure, Moseley said.
Authorities were unable to confirm which airline the pilot worked for
