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AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION
International 

July 27, 1948

Subject: Transportation of Hazardous Baggage 

To     : All Local Councils

Dear Chairman: 

Several of the air lines are still having trouble with the transporting of live animals, reptiles, birds and fish as baggage. An example as to the extremes this can go to is that recently on an American Airlines plane two poisonous snakes escaped and travelled around the cabin. Eventually one was killed and the other captured, but for a short time excitement was at an all time high.

Bart Cox, while in Washington as ALPA's representative, contacted Josh Lee, then Acting Chairman of the CAB, in regards to correcting this hazard to air safety, and his reply is attached hereto. Please read his letter carefully and bring this subject to the attention of your membership. You will note that Mr. Lee states that all air lines except four have amended their tariffs to prohibits the transportation of poisonous and dangerous reptiles. 

This subject, though, is of sufficient importance that it should be adequately covered in the CAR and not left to the individual discretion of the carriers. However, ALPA will need all the information we can gather from the membership on the transportation of such hazardous baggage before proceeding further.

Please list on the attached questionnaire all incidents encountered by members of your Council in the transportation of such hazardous baggage and any other pertinent information that will be of aid presenting his factual information before the CAB.

Sincerely yours,

AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION

Scruggs A. Colvin
Scruggs A. Colvin
Council Co-ordinator

SAC/sg
att.