Frankly, given the number of firearms checked on your airline, this will make not even a minor dent in the overall service revenues or special handling costs for the airline, but will certainly score big points politically. The move appears blatantly to be political in nature and potentially legally discriminatory towards firearm owners.

Unless this proposed fee is rescinded and prevented from being enacted, my family, friends and I will certainly not remain customers of Air Canada, and I will use all my powers of influence at my company (we employ over 300,000 people worldwide and where I am an executive) to consider alternative carriers where we would have normally used Air Canada.

A. Ayaz

I travel to Canada at least once a year to hunt. I recenetly learned about your proposed surcharge for shipping guns. I find this offensive and discriminatory, and unless this policy is removed, I will be looking to book all my travel with alternative airlines. I sincerely hope you will reconsider this unfair and unwise policy. Thank you.

James B MacDougall, M.D.

I was very disappointed to hear there was no response from you regarding the firearm fee your airline has imposed. I am not only a hunting outfitter in Alberta but also a large tourist operator here in Kananaskis, Alberta. It will be my direction to recommend my clients use alternate airlines, until such time that this matter is rectified.

Rick Guinn

Guinn Outfitters Ltd.

There can only be one way to combat the actions taken by your airline and that is for all the professional Canadian Outfitters to stand together at Airports all over Canada with sings redirecting traffic to other airlines. Believe me that when their bookings start to diminish, their cries will be herd all the way down the halls of Canada’s Parliament. Please reconsider your actions before Air Canada becomes another bankrupt airline. In the end, the many affected out of work employees will realize the negligent by Air Canada executives siding with antigun lobbyist. Let us faced the truth; these actions have the anti gunners falling over with joy. However, what they do not realize is the true scope of Canada’s hunting industries, and that is the people whom have invested their whole lives to this industry and to see it now receive another low blow. Make it safe, make right for all, not just the ones with deep pockets, we all have the same rights as free sportsman whole like to travel to your beautiful country, CANADA.

JC VINA for FREE AMERICAN HUNTERS all over

I have made several trips to Canada to hunt. My travel arrangements typically involve Air Travel, often with your company.

I was disappointed to learn that your company was increasing its fees when guns and gun cases were involved.

It is difficult to comply with your industry’s rules regarding luggage and baggage, already.

This is another insult to those of us that choose to spend our hard earned dollars in your country.

Please reconsider your new stance regarding hunters traveling to Canada to hunt with their firearms.

We are a very conscientious and committed group of individuals that would much rather work with you than have to work around you.

Sincerely yours,

David DeSantis

I am sending you this e-mail to protest you surcharge on handling of firearms. I have booked a bird hunt for this fall and along with a flight with Air Canada. I plan to cancel my flight if Air Canada is unwilling to resolve this problem.

Thank you.

Bernie Mizrahi

Just a note to let you know I will boycott Air Canada, if you continue to harass the hunting community with your gun fees, and yes I have flown Air Canada before. Please forward the address of your competition for my next hunting trip to Canada. I am planning a caribou trip to Newfoundland.

Sincerely, Dr. Scott Hebertson Anchorage, Alaska

My wife and I travel to Canada quite often as hunters. If I travel with a bike or other sporting equiptment your company has no penality charge. I am sure that your tourism economy will suffer some what from your decision . I will do all that I can to see that our customers do not use your airline in any trips that we book untill you drop this charge. Thank you. Elton Rambin. FTW OUTFITTERS booking agent.

I have traveled on you airline many times both as a hunter and non-hunter. What I have in my checked luggage should make no difference. Your surcharge is discriminatory and in the end will hurt your country’s hunting industry.

Please reconsider your decision and do away with the surcharge.

Sincerely, H. Edward Vallely

I am an avid hunter and I disapprove of your singling out hunters and firearms for your high “handling fee”. I will seek other options of travel in Canada with this fee in place.

Jeff Jonson

I have been hunting many years and have some very good memories about my flights on Air Canada. However, your new “gun-handling fee” has me very concerned about the direction which Air Canada is now headed. My previous experiences with Air Canada were excellent in my previous trips to Canada but upon the news of your fee, I decided to drive to Montreal (from Detroit) in lieu of paying your gun handling fee. As a matter of fact, I am traveling with my son and grandson and now have been able to pay for my gas expenses from Detroit to Montreal as well as my lodging (and possibly meals) in Montreal.

I am not threatening Air Canada. However, I am a business man similar to you. Good business is meeting and exceeding client expectations. I don’t see that happening with your newly imposed fees.

Please reconsider your position and maintain your competitive edge by maintaining you’re your price competitiveness.

Sincerely,

Lou Trama

NRA and SCI Life Member

Jerome P. McCauley, CPA, President

I will not fly your Airline and pay your ridicules gun handling fee.

CHEERS JOHN DAVIS

Please reconsider the Air Canada policy of an extra fee for guns as baggage. I hunt Canada often and will not fly Air Canada if the fee is not ended.

Tom Van Diepen

Hey, cut those fees or we will fly Westjet.

Ken.

This is an absolutley ridiculous add on fee.

Sincerely: Dr. Gordon K Green

My wife, Jackie and I have 3 separate hunts scheduled in Canada this fall beginning with moose & caribou in Newfoundland in September, moose & caribou in Yukon Territory in October, and then a moose hunt in northern Alberta in November. As a newly elected board member of Ducks Unlimited, I'm going to make sure that all of the board members are aware that they will have to pay an extra $130 to attend the fall board meeting in Regina with their shotguns if they fly with you and hopefully they too will seek other carriers. Your decision to charge us hunters will add an unnecessary expense to each of these trips and as a result, we will not be flying with your company except where there is no other carrier going to our destinations. If you are trying to get hunters and other shooting sports enthusiasts to stop flying with you, this should do it. Hopefully your bottom line will reflect our displeasure and maybe your investors will also "rattle your cage". You're punishing law abiding citizens for no reason.

Ron Bartels, Louisiana

As a result of your currently instituted policy to charge a tariif for transport of firearms accompanying travelling sportsmen, I will no longer choose your airline when visiting Canada, nor for any other travel.

A reversal of this clearly biased policy will lead to reconsideration of my position on flying with Air Canada. I travel internationally every year with firearms, 2005 saw me in Mozambique and Alberta province of Canada, and have never paid any kind of additional fee for transport of my firearms. I never will!

Mike Nice NRA Life Member SCI Life Member

Dear Mr. Brewer:

My name is Ron del Toro and my Aeroplan number is 599 708 963.

I would like to tell you I have been a loyal Air Canada customer for all of my hunting trips to Canada. I went to Saskatchewan for geese in 1999, Alberta for deer in 2001, Saskatchewan for deer in 2002 & 2003. Most recently I flew Air Canada to Alberta this past fall, in 2005, for a Goose and duck hunt. On this last hunt, I alone flew Air Canada even as my hunting companions flew America West, because I have been so happy with your service. Sure enough, they had bad flights, mine was great and I convinced them Air Canada was the only way to go for 2006.

But if you impose a $65 surcharge for transporting firearms this year, I can assure you I will not fly Air Canada again. I am respectfully asking that you reconsider this position. By imposing additional fees on us hunters, you will eventually do a dis-service to our outfitter friends in Canada who rely on our business, and whose business is hurt when our travel expenses increase. Please think of them also. I am 100% in support of the efforts of the NRA and SCI, of which I am a member of both organizations.

Thank you for your consideration and I hope I can a fly on Air Canada again soon.

Sincerely

Ron del Toro

26271 Amapola Lane

Mission Viejo

CA USA 92691

I will avoid your airline unless the anti firearm policy is discontinued.

I fly to hunt in Canada annually.

Sincerely, Dale H Robinson

I write to express my protest Air Canada's institution of a $65 charge for transporting firearms.

If Air Canada insists on exacting this surcharge, I will take alternative transportation.

I hope you will reconsider this decision.

Very truly yours,

A Molina

I am sure you are being swamped with E-mails regarding Air Canada's new policy of charging visiting outdoors men a fee for bringing sporting weapons on an Air Canada flight. As a frequent visitor to Canada for both fishing and hunting, I am disturbed by this new policy. If this policy remains, I will be forced to look at routes with your competitors for all my travels to Canada. I would suspect there are many business travelers from the U.S. to Canada, who also sportsmen. As a matter of protest, some of these folks will probably seek other airlines to reach their destination in Canada.

Thanks

David E. Combs

Due to the fee your company has chosen to place on firearms, I will not be traveling on Air Canada. Also, I am the Sales Manager for North America for the largest Manufacturer in my industry, your airline is not to be flown by any of my 400+ traveling sales and service personnel. Best of luck to you and your political statements.

Shaun Nelson

This fee is unwarranted and unfair. Air Canada should apply a uniform baggage handling fee within the cost integral to the airfare and not single out any demographic. Air Canada must drop the fee for transporitng firearms immediately. If not, I fully support a boycott of Air Canada by myself and my extended family - all of whom are Canadian hunters and / or competitive shooters.

While growing up in BC, I remember that at one point Canadians, per capita, owned more firearms than Americans. Hunting is as much a Canadian tradition as it is a North American one, and charging a handling fee for baggage containing firearms is agregious and anti-Canadian.

Passengers from within Canada and abroad with checked baggage containing firearms will be in compliance with the Firearms Act - so how is Air Canada impacted to the point that a fee is warranted? I hope that you are not implying that checked baggage without firearms be treated carelessly, and that baggage will only be handled appropriately if an exhorbidant fee is paid? All passenger baggage should be handled appropriately with no additional fees leveed - irrespective of to whom it belongs or regards its contents.

Fortunately for me, I avoid flying Air Canada to Vancouver by flying on another carrier to Seattle and driving up to BC. I do not need Air Canada... and when I fly my family members from Vancouver to Ottawa or elsewhere, like Denver, they fly on Northwest through Minneapolis or on Delta through Salt Lake City. My family members fly a lot each year, but examples such as this are exactly why we switched from the Star Alliance to the Sky Team, of which I am a Platinum Medallion member, and have been for years.

It takes years to build up a loyal customer base and only one stupid policy such as this to ruin it for twice as many. Have you seriously considered the long-term impact on Air Canada of this fee for handling baggage with firearms? It doesn't seem so.

Sincerely,

Malcolm Quentin

I am aware of Air Canada’s decision to charge extra baggage fees for handling firearms. Firearms are no more cumbersome and bulky than golf or ski bags. My father and I have planned a bear and deer hunt in your country in September. Obviously now, we have not decided to fly with your airline.

In the future, should you decide to rescind this punitive firearms surcharge, we may reconsider flying with your airline.

Sincerely,

Clint Wilder

Neil Endler

I am writing to voice my displeasure in your decision to implement a "handling charge" for firearms. I cannot see where the cost to process a firearm is any greater then other types of passenger cargo including other sporting equipment. And even so, I would tend to believe that American hunters visiting your country account for a sizable portion of your seasonal business.

I purchased my Air Canada tickets literally two days before this announcement was made public by SCI and others. Although it is "only" ~$50USD, it is each way, so the total cost of deciding to fly your airlines has gone up by ~$100.00. My tickets cost $553.00 excluding tax and booking fee…which means that this represents a ~20% increase. Considerable, don't you think, especially when implemented after-the-fact.

I respectfully ask that you please consider abandoning this surcharge. At the very least, delay it until next year so that potential passengers have adequate warning and can select an alternate airlines.

Regards,

Bill Campbell

Unfortunately your explanation is for someone who has never flown with a firearm or understands that most of your excuses are in the normal course of baggage handling and the rest are mostly preformed by the passenger.

i.e.

Verification is done when I open my case to show the agent and at the same time I fill out the release forms and include them in my baggage. I have never had ammunition stickers placed on baggage and I flew 900,000 miles last year on hunting trips. All bags are currently separately x-rayed I have watched on every occasion my firearms being included with the rest of my baggage 90% of the time my firearms comes off the conveyer like there rest of the baggage unless the conveyer is short and in that case are handled just like a longer item which are not being charged for like skies and fishing rods. This lame excuse is more of an insult than an explanation. I am sure that your time spent attempt at explaining you fare structure in the context of baggage handling would be better served worrying about West Jet taking your market share. Sincerely, Thomas M. Lavelle

Incidently the fee is USD$50. each way, for a total roundtrip fee of USD$100. We can appreciate that this added cost to an already expensive hunting trip may limit the accessibility of those trips for the less affluent hunters. Rest assured that I will convey your comments, and suggestion of a lesser fee, to the persons responsible for implementing this policy.

Sincerely,

Jocelyne Henry

It is with great disappointment that I send you this email. I am a hunter who visits Canada on average three times every two years. Your new policy of charging hunters $57 US each way to bring a gun case on the plane is outrageous. For me, it is not the money, as I make in excess of $250,000 US annually. It is however, the discrimination I feel as a sportsman who contributes a great deal to local, provincial, and Canadian national economies. Between flights, outfitter fees, licenses, tags, tips, hotels, meals, taxidermy, and gifts for my family I spend 10 to $15,000 US depending on the hunt. My father also comes so double that figure. I do not mind paying fees that are clearly needed, but what can possible cost $114 dollars round trip to handle a gun case? How are they different from skis, snowboards, or golf clubs? I realize that I represent a miniscule portion of you clients, but you have lost a customer. If other Canadian carriers pick up this policy I will simply hunt elsewhere.

Sincerely, John Banbury

Myself and my support staff have been using Canadian Airlines since 1996, when I established the first Hooters in the West Edmonton Mall. Checking back on our records I see that we use your airlines on a weekly basis for travel to and from our Canadian Locations.

I am a hunter and have also been using your airlines for my recreational travel. I am outraged by your outrageous handling fee associated with the transport of sporting firearms.

I have issued a company directive disallowing the use of your airlines by any member of my company as long as this fee arrangement is in place.

I hope you will reconsider this decision before your June 1 effective date.

Yours Truly Thomas M Lavelle

Am planning a hunting & fishing vacation in Canada 2006. Have cancelled my reservations on Air Canada. Your new fees are unwarranted and very deliberate discrimination against Sport Hunting. All future trips business or pleasure will certainly not include Air Canada.

I will do all I can to spread the word among my fellow Sportsman & Business men, to at all cost boycott AIR CANADA:

This will probably not keep you up all night, however if you have a conscience I certainly wish you would reconsider this thoughtless decision.

Jack Hildner

As a frequent traveler for both work and pleasure, I am disappointed to learn about Air Canada’s decision to implement a one-way special handling fee of $65 CAD for firearm transport as baggage. All decisions have consequences and this one will directly impact my air travel purchase decisions, as well as - I assume, the decisions of thousands of like-minded sportsmen. I will not fly with Air Canada until this policy is reviewed and the fees are set with uniformity for all goods and at a level in proportion to the additional handling requirements that are actually involved.

It is most unfortunate that this erroneous fee will have a very direct and negative impact on the broader hunting and outfitting industry in Canada, which generates millions in annual revenues for many small businesspeople across the country. I am sure you will be hearing from them as their businesses suffer unfairly as a result of this careless policy.

A.K. Collingwood

From the information I received from the Hunting Report it is to my understanding that your airline is going to start charging approximately $57.00 each way for firearm travel above and beyond normal fairs. If this is true then I will do everything I can to use other airlines while traveling to hunt and I will also inform all of my friends in the hunting community.

James A Bradham

A recent article in The Hunting Reports indicate Air Canada is now making charges of $114.00 to bring hunting guns in and out of Canada. Our group normally has two fishing trips and one hunting trip that we always fly Air Canada to Winnipeg.

Unless you revise this excessive charge we’ll book all of our flights out of Chicago to Winnipeg on Northwest Airlines.

Thank you for your consideration & revision – we would prefer Air Canada.

Sincerely,

James Scheer

Thanks for your reply and comments. Frankly, in review of these "special services" I see nothing new or unusual. Indeed, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, South Africa Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, British Air and others seen able to handle firearms in almost the same way they do traditional checked baggage.

The passenger arrives at the gate, opens the gun case to demonstrate that the firearm is not only not loaded but that the firing mechanism "the bolt" has been removed and a notice is placed within the gun case. The case is then locked and checked with other baggage.

Nope, I'll take my business elsewhere. The Canadian hunting outfitters that depend on U.S. hunters, or others who would fly Air Canada, will surely pay a great price from this action when they no longer have paying clients.

Sincerely, Steve Camp

Air Canada’s proposed surcharge to handle firearms as part of a passenger’s baggage is an unacceptable and potentially dangerous precedent setting policy. This exorbitant handling fee is inconsistent with my experience traveling on Air Canada with firearms in the past. It has been my experience that Air Canada personnel have been friendly and helpful in assisting hunters while traveling on your airline. I can only conclude that this new charge is a thinly veiled attempt to make a political statement related to firearms.

It shall be my intention to boycott Air Canada until such time as the policy is reconsidered. I shall advise friends and colleagues to do the same.

A reasonable handling charge for firearms that would be effective industry wide is, and would be, an acceptable alternative to what appears to be a blatant attempt at extorting money from individuals whose recreational pursuits include firearms. I trust that Air Canada’s Board of Directors will have an opportunity to discuss what I understand is a considerable, and growing, protest to your proposed surcharge on firearms in the near future.

Very truly yours,

JOHN J. CRONIN III

JJCIII/kbc

I think it hard to justify levying a special handling fee. I certainly cannot be for security risks. Mandatory gun registration has addressed this issue. Guns being transported by air are required to be in locked hard cases and do not represent any more of a problem that transporting a set of golf clubs, so it is not added bulk or protection of a fragile product which necessitates additional cost for handling.

So what is it that has precipitated such a policy? And why so much money? I think those of us who use your airline regularly deserve justification.

Regards

Roger Wendel

Dear Mr. Milton

The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society is the Delegated Administrative Authority for professional Outfitting in Alberta. We have 440 outfitting firms in Alberta and issue over 10,000 game allocations for Non Resident Alien (NRA) hunting in the province. Most of the clients engaged by our members are from the United States. Outfitted hunting is a significant economic activity contributing to the diversification of the Canadian economy.

We understand that effective June 1, 2006, hunters will now be charged a one-way handling fee of $65 to fly Air Canada with their firearms.

We fail to see how a cased firearm is treated differently from any other piece of checked baggage. We are in a very competitive international hunting market and a fee on the transport of firearms is a competitive barrier that will be viewed as a cash grab by NRA hunters

We ask that you do not implement this unfair fee and will advise our members to recommend carriers to their clients that do not charge the fee.

Sincerely,

Colin W. Reichle Managing Director

Donald L Braddock

Ray Bonar

Richard M. Young, Jr.

We looked into it further and it is an across the board fee. We have put out a press release also and several boycott notices are under way through various CDN web sites and newsletters. Several organizations have also sent letters directly to Mr. Milton.

With highest regards,

Sheldon Charron

C.C. WILLIAMS

I FEEL COMPELLED TO PROTEST THE FIREARMS HANDLING FEE YOU HAVE NOW SUBJECTED ALL CANADA AIR TRAVELERS TO IN THE FUTURE.

I SIMPLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS FEE WHEN I CAN BRING MY GOLF CLUBS FOR NOTHING. IT JUST SIMPLY SHOWS ANOTHER INDICATION WHERE HUNTERS ARE BEING PENALIZED IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SPORT, WHEN SOMEONE IS AGAINST HUNTING. CONSEQUENTLY IHAVE YET TO MAKE MY RESERVATIONS TO FLY IN CANADA THIS YEAR FOR MY NOVEMBER WHITETAIL, MOOSE, AND MULE DEER HUNT.

THIS FEE MEANS THAT I WILL ATTEMPT TO MAKE RESERVATIONS ON ANOTHER AIRLINE, AND I WON'T FLY YOUR AIRLINE IN THE FUTURE.

PLEASE CONSIDER REDUCING THIS FEE TO A MORE REASONABLE FEE OR TO ZERO.

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.

JERRY BAKER MENARD, TEXAS

I was shocked to learn about the "special handling requirements" initiated by Air Canada. As a businessman, fisherman and hunter who travels extensively internationally for each of these purposes I wanted to express my opinion.

I share the view of The Hunting Report that a modest handling fee might be appropriate for handling gun cases provided this fee applied to ALL baggage of equal or greater size. However, to single out the hunting community by charging an exorbitant fee while not charging for larger, more cumbersome baggage such as skis, golf clubs, etc. reflects an apparent anti-hunting sentiment by Air Canada.

I have enjoyed numerous trips to Canada for hunting, fishing and vacation over the years. As a 3 million mile "lifetime platnum" member of American Airlines Advantage program, and a frequent flyer member of several other airlines, I always try to patronize travel friendly airlines. Your anti-hunting stance will assure I will NOT fly Air Canada under any circumstances as long as this policy remains in effect. There are too many airlines with "hunter friendly" policies and too many other beautiful places besides Canada to spend time and money rather than tolerate this abuse.

I hope you will re-evaluate the cost/benefit of this policy. Should you revisit this move and adopt a more "hunter friendly" approach I will gladly consider Air Canada for my future travels. In the meantime, I will not allow my travel advisor to book air travel on your airline.

Sincerely,

Pryor Blackwell

In light of your new charges which I consider very unfair, I will now book my flights for the coming year and going forward with one of your competitors. In addition, I plan on telling all of my family members, friends and business associates to no long fly on your airline going forward.

Kurt Fetzer

I understand that Air Canada will charge an additional fee for handling firearms when coming to hunt in Canada. As a hunting and fishing consultant that sends a good number of clients to hunt in Canada every year I must protest this charge. I lost a number of clients when Canada decided to charge a gun registration fee, although I did not see a problem especially when that fee was lowered to reasonable fee. Now a fee for special handling? $65 CDN one way? Ridiculous!

I would like to know the special handling that is involved? Is it because we have to check in at the counter? The cases are not over size and normally not overweight. They are special, being hard, locked cases that are handled, if somewhat poorly, like any other bag. What other items do you charge a special fee?

I have used your airline on a number of occasions but will now book my clients with other airlines where possible. Believe me when I say my clients have already told me to do so even though there may be some inconvience in their travel plans. I think you are only hurting your company and the outfitters, guides and lodges and many other Canadian businesses that benefit from the US visitor. I personally believe that clients may think twice about coming to Canada. Canada certainly benefits with the number of hunters (and fisherman) from the US and if a good relationship is to continue I think cooperation from all parties involved. Until your policy changes I will not use your airline for my clients unless absolutely necessary.

Sincerely,

Jim Lopresto

I've drafted a letter (embedded in the article). If you concur I'll send it today.

Cheers! Colin Reichle

Together with my hunting friends, I strongly suspect that the Air Canada fee is undoubtedly unnecessary and unfair. Baggage handling facilities should already be secure, and rifle cases do not require special handling techniques.

The Canadian government has made Air Canada a monopoly, and we all know what that means. You should be aware that Air Canada ceased being concerned about it's service to Canadians when the government squeezed out private airlines, such as Canadian Airlines and Ward Air. Air Canada is currently making superficial efforts to do the same to WestJet, a popular airline, by creating special names for certain flight services (e.g. Jazz, Tango) without any noticeable difference in service. I believe it would be impossible to retrain Air Canada staff to be courteous, respectful, and appreciative towards their customers. The highly unionized work environment has created a mentality among staff which borders on insolence because they are overpaid and overprotected. No one I know enjoys flying Air Canada. Personally, I fly WestJet, Alaska Airlines or virtually any other airline when I have an option to do so.

If a premium cost at least resulted in a premium service, I would begrudge it less. But, I am certain we cannot expect superior handling or courtesy at the counter in exchange for this charge.

All the best,

Harm

Richard A. Arnold

As all airlines are having a difficult time making a profit, if the fee is charged to all types of sporting equipment, then it would be difficult to complain.

If this fee is for all firearms, then is a hunter allowed two additional bags as luggage at no charge or are we being discriminated against and only being allowed one free bag?

Brian Dam New York State

Outfitters that want to survive may have to provide shotguns to hunters to encourage them to come to Canada. It is sad to see airlines and governments “shoot themselves in the foot” to develop a short term additional revenue stream that will have such a negative effect on hunting/tourism (and the flow of dollars) into their country.

John Wilhelm

They are already charging an extra fee when you consider that if you have to travel with a second duffle that you have three bags when you count your gun case and they charge for anything over two.

Will they count it as an extra piece of luggage too and charge another $80?

Now with your obviously anti-hunter and anti-gun agenda, I can assure you that I will inform all my friends and associates of your company’s practices and new policies. I will encourage them to never fly your airline if preventable, even if only from a cost perspective. While I doubt a non-customer’s complaint will impact your company, I will gain the personal satisfaction of costing your significant income in the future. Only a fool would continue to go where he was informed that he was not welcome.

Rex Baker, Jr.

LloydPhillips

5828 Miller Crk Rd

Missoula, Mt 59803

Paul Isenberg Oklahoma City, OK

I’m international hunter and partner in Camino Real Hunting Consultants , Spanish international hunting agency. In the last three years I went 3 times to Canada, last time was in February in Yukon for wood bison hunt and I will return on September to BC for mount ain goat hunt. Despite of this every year we have some Spanish hunters going there , in fact this year we will send 8 hunters to BC, plus 9 hunters to Alberta.

Untill now we suggested to our customers to fly with Air Canada in any of the possible combinations departing from European capitals, but now with this new “antihunt tax” I think that we will change our recommendations to our customers. Because if to the import permit tax you pay when you entry in the country you have to pay this “antihunt tax” to this air company is clear that everybody will refuse to book the flights wit AC.

Plus coming from Europe where is mandatory bring the ammunition in a separate metallic box , which means 1 rifle box, 1 ammunition box and at least 1 bag you are also obligated to pay for the extra third bag. .The average cost of one ticket in-out to Whitehorse or Prince Jorge is something around 1.000 to 1.100€ that means the hunters will pay a “penalty” of 6 or 8 % more to be hunters and not golf players¡¡¡¡¡¡ All together plus the “normal” security procedures after 9 of 11, become travel with rifles a horrible and expensive experience.

I hope the GOABC , SCI, and other hunting institutions take care about this complaint against AC, which don’t benefit at all the hunting industry.

Congratulations Don, one more time , to be always at front with the “hot” news.

We will publish this new also in the most important hunting magazines in Spain .

Best regards and good hunting

JUAN ANTONIO GARCIA ALONSO

Hampton Pitts

I agree that the gun handling charge imposed by Air Canada is excessive and appears to support an "anti hunting" stance. Last year I flew Air Canada on a Rocky Mountain Bighorn hunting trip to Alberta. I intend to hunt Canada in the future, but would be hesitant to fly Air Canada if another choice in airline services exists.

Best regards,

Chris Jackson

Steve Bruggeman

I TO BELIEVE EXTRA CHARGES FOR HANDLING FIREARMS IS OK. THAT MAY HELP PROVIDE SECURITY TO PROTECT FIREARMS IN TRANSIT. BUT WHAT IS REASONABLE? FIFTY, ONE HUNDRED, TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS TO PROTECT FIREARMS WORTH SEVERAL TIMES THAT? THIS SUBJECT MERITS A LOT OF THOUGHT.

THANKS,

GORDON

Don Walters

Obviously, Canada does not want hunters from other countries coming into Canada. This exorbitant fee is beyond comprehension. I know of nothing they do special in Canada and I have been there many times. It is just another piece of baggage and one I sometimes feel they treat roughly simply because it is a weapon. I will pay more to fly another airline if need be but I won't be held ransom by rediculess fees!!

James Scull Rapid City, South Dakota

I have two hunts planned in Canada this year. I’m leaving on the first on before the Air Canada fees go into effect but you can bet that I’ll use ANY carrier other than Air Canada for my next hunt. I hope there are alternative carriers for most if not all the routes Air Canada flies and I would urge ALL hunters to boycott Air Canada unless this discriminatory policy is rescinded.

Lorin Peterson

It is for this and the aggravation I endured once before flying Air Canada that I never fly Air Canada. I have some Air Canada nitwit here in Houston tell me that I could not brink my firearm to Newfoundland and then upon her station manager telling her otherwise, having to listen to her grouse that hunters are bad, immoral and should not be allowed on here airlines! To top it off, the flights to Newfoundland were a DISASTER. Took me longer to get there than to Tanzania! I am going to Saskatchewan later this year and am paying more to avoid this second rate airline. Canada on the whole seems to discourage hunters from coming. Fine by me..........there are plenty of other places in the world where our presence is wanted and welcomed!

Mike Axelrad

Michael H. Grieb

Tom Lundgren