On 25-May-24, I travelled from Delhi to Pune on an Air India flight. The PNR number for my trip was 6GG7FB. I travelled with my family. Along with me, I had my wife, Son and daughter. We checked 3 bags as checked-in the airport.
For a carry-on bag, we planned for a toy gun (as this was a gift pack), Laptop bag, camera bag and kid’s bag. We went for a security check. The CISF authorities at the security check told me I cannot have toy guns in my carry-on bag. The CISF inspector suggested I can request Air India staff to carry toy run as a checked-in baggage.
Since we were 4 people travelling and we have only 3 checked-in bags, so from security check and I went back to Air India counter to check-in Toy-gun. I could officially have 4th item as a checked-in item with no fees.
The staff at the Air India counter redirected me to the Air India supervisor counter to check in the toy gun, as boarding was scheduled to start at 15:55 Hours. I explained my situation, and requested to check-in the toy gun. She simply rejected the option of checking-in the toy gun, stating that it was against the rules and toy guns are not allowed. Air India supervisor was not aware of Air India guidelines for UNSAFE AND RESTRICTED ITEMS. Air India’s website clearly states that toy guns are allowed to be checked in, according to their guidelines. Here is the website reference
https://www.airindia.com/in/en/travel-information/baggage-guidelines/restricted-baggage.html
I read UNSAFE AND RESTRICTED ITEMS guideline later and it gave me deails that toy gun is allowed as checked-in bag. After that I raise incident 06280943 with Air India but I did not get satifisfied answer.
Here is the reply which I got from Air India.
Dear Mr. Pant,
Greetings from Air India!
We would like to inform you that based on our investigation and records, any actions taken by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are related to security protocols. As an airline, we cannot interfere with their decisions or procedures. We have already communicated the response after an investigation please consider this final response as we do not have other inputs to add to it.
We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
Regards,
Abhishek Malhotra
Team Air India
CISF reference is valid for carry-on baggage but not correct for checked in. I agree with CISF’s security point, which aligns with Air India’s rules and guidelines, stating that toy guns are not allowed as carry-on baggage.
My grievance is not for carry-on baggage. My grievance is that Air India did not allow me to carry a toy gun as a checked-in luggage.
Since I am not getting satisfying response from Air India, so looking forward who can support me getting answer why I could not carry toy gun as a carried-in luggage in Air India and why I am not getting a proper responses from Air India staff.
Regards,
Bhupesh Pant
