Originally Posted by Piedmonster (Post 1181637)

By Neale Gulley | Reuters
(Editing by Tim Gaynor and Eric Walsh)

BUFFALO, New York (Reuters) - An airline pilot was arrested Friday morning at Buffalo Niagara International Airport after security screeners discovered a loaded revolver in his baggage.


Brett Dieter, 52, of Barbersville, Virginia, arrived at the upstate New York airport Friday to pilot a flight to New York City's LaGuardia International Airport for Piedmont Airlines, a passenger airline that subcontracts under U.S. Airways.


While at a security checkpoint, a scan of Dieter's bag revealed a .357 magnum revolver loaded with five rounds. It was not immediately clear if the pistol was in his carry-on luggage.


Federal prosecutors in Buffalo allege he began traveling with the weapon when he reported for work on May 16 on a flight from Charlottesville, Virginia, to LaGuardia, but skipped a security screening of his baggage.
"The defendant did not submit this bag to X-ray screening at the Charlottesville airport," the federal indictment states.
Deiter, and the gun, traveled on "several other flights" over a two-day period, prosecutors allege.


He is charged with unlawfully possessing a concealed firearm, a charge punishable by 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul, whose office in Buffalo is handling the case, said Dieter shouldn't have been allowed to carry the gun, although sometimes, exceptions are made for law enforcement officials.


"In this day and age, we simply can't afford to have anyone ignore these important regulations," he said in a statement issued following the arrest.
Dieter is due in court next week to answer the charge.


U.S. airline pilots who receive special training may carry guns in the cockpit but are not allowed to have them elsewhere in the plane or in airport terminals. The program began some 10 years ago following the September 11, 2001 aircraft hijacking attacks.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 1191337)

There have been a few cases of wives wanting a divorce to hide stuff in their spouses luggage like this.

Originally Posted by skyxbomb (Post 1191328)

Wow I guess you guys move up a number...

Originally Posted by l1011 (Post 1191346)

If this is true, the wife deserves to be thrown under the jail. Absolutely no excuse for trying to destroy someones life.

Originally Posted by frmrdashtrash (Post 1191344)

Really bad deal with this happening to him in NY State. Not exactly a gun friendly place. I could see him getting some sort of pass from the Feds, but NYS will likely go after him.

Originally Posted by frmrdashtrash (Post 1191344)

NEVER use one of your travel bags for your range bag!!! Really bad deal with this happening to him in NY State.

Originally Posted by AtlCSIP (Post 1191342)

That would be plain vindictive.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp (Post 1191337)

There have been a few cases of wives wanting a divorce to hide stuff in their spouses luggage like this.

Originally Posted by FlyJSH (Post 1191369)

For that matter, don't use your racket ball bag for trips. Prior to my 121 days (longer hair and a beard), I was stopped when flying home from Key West when the security folks (pre TSA)found a small bag of white powder.

After an hour or so, they finally figured out it was rosin, and I was released.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1191357)

Don't confuse NYS with NYC. Totally different animals when it comes to gun laws.

But getting snagged on the next leg? (in LGA) - he'd be in Riker's before they recrewed his plane.

Originally Posted by Salukipilot4590 (Post 1191355)

Dude what are you talkin about? This is America! She will most doubtably get a commendation and alimony.

Second point... Divorce laws/family law is specifically set up to ruin a mans life. She didn't even need to plant the gun to take everything.

Alimony brah.

'Murica!

Originally Posted by RunnerMark (Post 1191441)

Well, so much for the Known Crewmember program.

Originally Posted by dashtrash300 (Post 1191443)

This is one of the few captains here that I respect and actually look up to. Something much deeper must have happened here. He is an extrememly fair captain, excellent pilot and from talking with him over the years he is a great father. He is going through a terrible divorce and I feel very bad for him that his will affect his chances of getting custody of his kids.

Originally Posted by mike734 (Post 1191534)

Would everyone relax! His life is not over. IF he is as described by the people on this forum who know him, and IF the incident was a truly an innocent mistake, then he will be released with a slap on the wrist. That's what judges are for.

Originally Posted by PDTpilotXX (Post 1191568)

Would it make sense that if he's going through a NASTY divorce his soon to be ex could have stashed it?

Originally Posted by Piedmonster (Post 1191324)

It was not immediately clear if the pistol was in his carry-on luggage.




U.S. airline pilots who receive special training may carry guns in the cockpit but are not allowed to have them elsewhere in the plane or in airport terminals.

Originally Posted by usmc-sgt (Post 1191566)

It does sound suspicious (not on his part). What man would knowingly carry a gun with 5 shots that holds 6?

If I carry any of my guns, they are always full for accountability. Doesnt make sense that he would load 5 out of 6 rounds in the gun and pack it away for a trip. Unless....its a Taurus or Ruger..they like the goofy 5 round revolver.

Originally Posted by mooney (Post 1191619)

he already aimed one at his wife but missed :) but I'm guessing it is one of the smaller 5 shot ones, no man in their right mind would leave a round out.

Originally Posted by RunnerMark (Post 1191628)

If he didn't place it there himself, how did he not notice a three pound dead weight in his bag? I'm sorry, but I would notice that flapping in my rollarboard cover or in a pocket. Was it stuffed in a running shoe that he never wears but brings just in case? Was it a short overnight? Hmmm intriguing.

Originally Posted by Cessnan1315efw (Post 1191656)

isnt BUF an outstation for Piedmont??? so I'm assuming he prob didnt get the gun in BUF or have a gun stuffed in his bag from someone in BUF.. Another MAJOR TSA FAIL as he most likely had gone through security somewhere else with it lol.

Originally Posted by l1011 (Post 1191658)

BUF was the first airport on the trip he had to clear. Even at outstations we are allowed to skip security and go in through ops, at most airports anyway.

Originally Posted by RunnerMark (Post 1191441)

Well, so much for the Known Crewmember program.

Originally Posted by usmc-sgt (Post 1191566)

It does sound suspicious (not on his part). What man would knowingly carry a gun with 5 shots that holds 6?

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 1191737)

Some guys choose to carry five rounds so the hammer is on an empty chamber. It goes back to the first revolvers in the mid-1800s.

Less chance of a shattered femur.

Originally Posted by PDTpilotXX (Post 1191659)

Gone through TSA with it prior...? No. I'd say 100% no.