Well, they’re not being shipped home from Iraq as freight; they’re being shipped home from Dover Air Force Base as freight.

Posted by The Jaded JD on 11 December 2005 @ 6pm

Unless they live in Dover, I imagine that’s cold comfort.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 11 December 2005 @ 7pm

When I worked on the ramp for United Airlines one summer, we received special instruction on handling dead bodies shipped on the planes.

And they were always sent as freight — with the somewhat ominous code name “N-1″

Whoever wrote that article did not ask the airlines how the bodies are loaded onto the plane, nor how they are handled. They do not go along with the bags. They do not go along with the mail. They are usually loaded in a forward cargo bay by themselves.

Happens every day. And it is a harrowing sight to see them on the floor of the cargo hanger, waiting to be taken to the aircraft.

Posted by Norman on 11 December 2005 @ 7pm

While it does seem a little inappropriate to place dead soldiers as cargo, I am curious to know how you would prefer each of the soldiers get transported back.

Posted by CR UVa on 11 December 2005 @ 8pm

That’s really interesting, Norm — thanks for mentioning it.

I am curious to know how you would prefer each of the soldiers get transported back.

I didn’t state any kind of opposition to this practice, but, sure, I can think of some better methods. Horse and buggy. Hearse. Minivan. Cadillac. Dedicated airplane. Helicopter. Humvee. Yacht. Blimp.

I figure any of those would be better than being freight. But better, as Norman explains, in a special hold and marked accordingly than being stacked along with mail and luggage.

Posted by Waldo Jaquith on 11 December 2005 @ 11pm