ORIGINAL: ira d
As far as myself I consider models a hobby but for those who fly in competition I think
to them it can be considered a sport, however no matter what we call it I dont think
airlines should stop anyone from transporting their models maybe the AMA should
work with the FAA to stop this practice.
Unfortunately ira d, what you and I think has nothing to do when governmental agencies hire individuals that have so little knowledge that they would take from a former state govenor (South Dakota) and renowned WWII Marine Fighter Ace's MEDAL OF HONOR away and try to dispose of it. That was the late Joe Foss in Phoenix as he was proud of that medal and carried it with him forever. However it had a pin in it. Look now any form of knife is prohibited in carry-on baggage yet a KNITTING NEEDLE is legal. You cannot discuss a topic with such stupid bureaucrats. [:@]
In addition additional bureaucracies are quickly established with cancerous overlapping authorities issued, and so few actually know their duties that no one does anything except maneuver for photo-ops. While the FAA maneuvers under the National Transportation Safety Board, AMA would actually have to get in bed with the Department of Homeland Security and thus the Transportation Security Administration if AMA should really seek relief in the realm of transporting model airplanes as checked baggage. As of now batteries with any spillable liquid and and any flammable liquid are no-go items in checked baggage. Some airlines refuse a model engine if it has any indication of oil -- spillable liquid!!!
Just back to the old cliche. "Never ask permission from anyone not qualified to answer 'Yes'." In this day and age "NO" is the easy answer.
The key here was the word "sport" that allowed them access to ship.
Right on Jim. A bit off topic however a funny story: There is a guy up in Chicago-land that builds beautiful BIIGGG models and Jim, I am certain that you know who!
He and a buddy that owned an undertaking business use to go out to the big events out west as "Escorts" for a "casket/body" going on a plane. (No big security stuff back then. We carried many caskets during the South-East Asia War-Games days.) There were no additional costs for the large size of caskets. No one checks the contents. Old XXXX and his buddy didn't miss many of the Big Bird events around the country.
I see in the media that he is still getting around. Don't know how.