Loaded handgun at airport gets U.S. pilot arrested in Calgary

A commercial airline pilot from the United States was arrested a week ago at the Calgary International Airport after he was caught trying to clear security with a loaded firearm.

Joshua Petty White, a pilot for SkyWest Airlines, failed to declare his gun when he landed in Canada from the U.S. on March 27, Lisa White, spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed Thursday.

The next day, he tried to board a return flight as a member of the flight crew and was caught at a security checkpoint at Calgary International Airport with the gun in his carry-on luggage.

Security officials called police because he was not authorized to have a gun in Canada.

The U.S.'s Transportation Security Administration said Thursday White used his Known Crew Member status to bypass security at Salt Lake International Airport. 

The TSA said they are investigating the incident and will be in talks with SkyWest.

Charges laid 

Police laid three charges under the Criminal Code and alerted CBSA to the issue. CBSA subsequently laid an additional five charges against White.

The pilot was taken into custody and charged under the Customs Act and the Criminal Code before being released on a $4,000 bond.

The airline said White has been put on administrative leave “while full investigations are completed internally and by authorities.”

White is not part of the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program, whose members are permitted to carry firearms on board planes, according to a senior U.S. official.

The weapon he was carrying, a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380-calibre, is not one of the guns issued to FFDO pilots, the official said. 

White’s next court appearance is set for April 29.