I hope this isn't true

[Trip Confirmed]

November 30, 2006 7:17 pm — The U.S. Army today is looking into the handling of a soldier's casket at the Greater Rochester International Airport, after a witness last month said she saw the casket put in a baggage cart with other luggage.

Northwest Airlines, on which the casket was flown, said in a statement tonight that a military escort stood at attention as three airline agents transferred the casket from the aircraft to an empty cart, then closed the privacy curtains. Northwest said it complied with all military and airline procedures.

"There were four of us there," said Kathy Jamison. "We couldn't believe that it was happening."

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/p...EWS01/611300369

 

[RobertD]

November 30, 2006 7:17 pm — The U.S. Army today is looking into the handling of a soldier's casket at the Greater Rochester International Airport, after a witness last month said she saw the casket put in a baggage cart with other luggage.

Northwest Airlines, on which the casket was flown, said in a statement tonight that a military escort stood at attention as three airline agents transferred the casket from the aircraft to an empty cart, then closed the privacy curtains. Northwest said it complied with all military and airline procedures.

"There were four of us there," said Kathy Jamison. "We couldn't believe that it was happening."

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/p...EWS01/611300369

What can't get any lower?

 

[Trip Confirmed]

What can't get any lower?

You need no explanation, you are smart enough :unsure: to figure this out, this question is your form of humor, right?

 

[RobertD]

You need no explanation, you are smart enough :unsure: to figure this out, this question is your form of humor, right?

We do everything to ensure that proper respect is given to the fallen service members and their families," Smith said. Airport officials said it's a problem that notification of the airport is not required when a soldier's casket is en route. Airport Director David Damelio said he wasn't aware that the soldier's body had been transported through Rochester until Hoag's letter was published.

"We're not notified unless the military or the family chooses to notify us," he said, adding that the airport often makes special arrangements at the request of soldiers' families.

Yet Damelio said Hoag's story doesn't make sense and said the Defense Department has always shown great care with soldiers' caskets. Procedurally, a casket wouldn't come down a luggage belt with other baggage, he said.

Also, a baggage cart isn't large enough to fit a casket and other luggage, he said. "It couldn't happen. It's physically impossible," Damelio said.
He said the airport was unable to find video of the incident. Nonetheless, the witness' description prompted Brooks to urge the Defense Department to change policies on the transportation of the caskets of dead soldiers.

"It is unfathomable to me that our federal government would allow a fallen military hero to be returned home in this manner, and then transport him along with someone's checked luggage," Brooks, a Republican, wrote in a terse letter to the Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England.

Brooks said the Defense Department should be required to notify an airport when the casket of a fallen soldier is being transported so that proper arrangements are ensured.

"I am asking you to do whatever is necessary to end this abhorrent practice," Brooks wrote. "Our military personnel and our veterans deserve better."

I have the utmost respect for the dead.
If a Hurst goes by, the hat comes off and a prayer is said.
I guess it would be low for the Defense Department to allow this to happen. There, feel better?

 

[Kev3188]

FWIW, NW bag carts can fit a casket in them. The policy is that a casket have/has it's own cart with the curtains drawn (serviceman or civilian-makes no difference) to be transported to Airfreight or other facility for pickup. If a hearse is meeting the aircraft, then you can transfer the remains directly.

In my time working here, I have seen my share of human remains (including military). Never once have I seen anything that would indicate disrespect or a policy failure.

Rare is the day that I defend NW, but in this case I think it's warranted.

 

[RobertD]

BTW, boy genius, "HURST" makes gear shifts, do you pray for a speedy trip between first and second??

Thanks A..wipe for the long winded analogy and the spelling bee. 😛

 

[LGA Fleet Service]

FWIW, NW bag carts can fit a casket in them. The policy is that a casket have/has it's own cart with the curtains drawn (serviceman or civilian-makes no difference) to be transported to Airfreight or other facility for pickup. If a hearse is meeting the aircraft, then you can transfer the remains directly.

That's pretty much the standard at AA as well.I've never seen anything else go into a cart with a HR shipment under any circumstances.

I don't think anyone would be unthinking and unfeeling enough to load checked baggage in a cart containing HR,especially military HR with an escort.

Passengers looking out the window see a casket coming down the belt, look away for a second then look back and they've missed the cart containg the remains pulling away and the rest of the bags being loaded into a another cart.

 

[Kev3188]

That's pretty much the standard at AA as well.I've never seen anything else go into a cart with a HR shipment under any circumstances.

I don't think anyone would be unthinking and unfeeling enough to load checked baggage in a cart containing HR,especially military HR with an escort.

Passengers looking out the window see a casket coming down the belt, look away for a second then look back and they've missed the cart containg the remains pulling away and the rest of the bags being loaded into a another cart.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[finman]

Always glad to help 😛 😛 😛

NWA is both financially and morally Bankrupt, Grandmom always said "you're judged by the company you keep" and if you work at NWA in a management position those words and recent actions speak for themselves.

Get a grip Bob; conducting one of your tirades off of this supposed incident is just plain silly. You realize you're only insulting that frontline workers when you make these accusations, as they are the ones that would be handling this situation. Thanks Kev and LGA for providing some insight into this situation, and not jumping at the chance to demonize NWA workers (frontline and management).

 

[RobertD]

Here ya go.....

http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...D=2006612020343