Hello all. We are flying from Florida to Kansas this spring for our first out of state hunt. I have read lots of previous posts that has some great information. I understand that each individual airline can be different when interpreting the TSA gun rules. Is any one airline better or worse to select when traveling with a gun? Thanks for any advice you would be willing to give me.
Ray
I have a Plano AW Tactical case. The gun has to be taken apart but it requires no oversize baggage fees. An additional benefit is that when the TSA and or airport employees see the gun in 2 pieces it eases their minds. Beyond that, all I got is be early.
Southwest gets high marks from me. No problems at all. I like that they allow ammunition in the same case as the firearm. I also appreciate their policy of rescheduling flights without a change fee.
Thanks for the quick responses. That is in fact the case I have ordered. I have always heard good things about Southwest Airlines but have never flown with a gun.
Ray
Delta has never given me any problems....way easier than you think it would be.
In my limited experience every airport is different. I've flown Delta, American and United. As was said not as hard as it seems. It might ease your mind to call the airport you are flying out of and just ask. That is what I did the first 2 times I flew with a firearm.
Airlines aren't the problem. It's the TSA agents at the airport that don't know the rules. Philadelphia is the worst!
I fly every year, always on Southwest. Never had a problem with them, but sometimes the TSA agents have no freaking clue. They are the ones who may cause problems.
Quote from: tha bugman on January 07, 2019, 05:10:50 PM
Delta has never given me any problems....way easier than you think it would be.
I have used Delta five times Now from MPLS MN to Orlando Florida. Last year was the easiest not sure if because TSA was more organized or what. Your gun is checked as if its one piece of luggage, thats my free bage with delta and then I have a carrie on and backpack. You go to checkin, open it up to show them and declare its empty, then they lead you to the TSA xray scan. This is where it changes off and on sometimes. Some times in past they had me reopen the case. Last year they told me to lock it or what ever I needed to do to it yet, and then stand there and wait till he ran it through the machine, he would waive to me when good to go. Last year he told me that I could put anykind of lock I wanted to put on it that it didnt need to be TSA approved locks. I suppose they would cut them off if they did think there was a problem anyway. I have TSA locks the only thing I do is when he says he done looking inside, I have a roll of Duct tape with and I put about three wraps, all the way around it on both ends. Just incase someones haveing a bad day and takes it out on my gun case, and if the tape is broke I know someone was inside it. With Delta you also can have two boxes of shells but must be factory boxes. Always interesting in 2009 the first time down my gun came out with the rest of the luggage. Everysince you will find it at the luggage service counter where all the golf clubs come out.
Something it took me 2 trips to figure out. Take a soft case so you can put the gun in a case while traveling from cabin, camp, or motel to hunting area. Without taking your gun apart.
Great information guys, I appreciate all the responses. We booked with Southwest and will definitely call the Tampa airport before our trip. Looking forward to hunting in a different state. We pretty much only hunt Swamp bottoms so Kansas should be interesting.
Thanks, Ray
Quote from: wade on January 09, 2019, 06:23:17 AM
Something it took me 2 trips to figure out. Take a soft case so you can put the gun in a case while traveling from cabin, camp, or motel to hunting area. Without taking your gun apart.
Never thought about that Wade. Will have to look into that.
I just flew with a gun (muzzleloader) last month on Southwest and it was a lot easier than I thought. Obviously the gun has to be i a locked case, mine is a Plano. My advice is to use the locks on the case (if it has them) AND padlocks in EVERY hole. Be sure the case cannot open even a fraction of an inch or TSA may balk.
You also have declare the firearm when you check in. Don't just walk up and say "I have a gun", say "I have a firearm to declare". They will have you open the case to put a check slip in with the gun, then re-lock the case and take it to TSA. TSA will X-Ray and will either say you're good to go or they will have you open the case to ensure it is unloaded. I disassembled my gun so they could easily tell it was unloaded. They had no issues.
As far as ammo, TSA regulations say you can bring up to 11 pounds (yes, pounds) of loaded ammo in either the original box or a container designed for ammo. Per TSA you can actually included the ammo in the locked case with the gun, however each airline has their own rules on this so you will want to research that. It may be easier to buy ammo in Kansas or ship it somewhere if you have that ability if your airline has stricter regulations.
When you arrive your case may come out in the "oversized" baggage section. I was the last one at baggage claim and I began to get real nervous when mine never came out on the carousel, but they called my name over the intercom to come get it.
Good luck!
Quote from: backwater on January 09, 2019, 06:55:20 AM
Great information guys, I appreciate all the responses. We booked with Southwest and will definitely call the Tampa airport before our trip. Looking forward to hunting in a different state. We pretty much only hunt Swamp bottoms so Kansas should be interesting.
Thanks, Ray
It will be! The first time I hunted Kansas I didn't think there could be a turkey within 100 miles of me - open terrain, wheat fields, very few trees, but we kill the crap out of them and have done so several times, all on public land
I've only traveled once with a firearm and as others have said follow the TSA/airline rules and you'll be fine. The only issue I ran into was we got our outbound flight times incorrect and were running late and we were hastily trying to get on the flight, our sense of urgency raised some red flags while checking in my shotgun and I was asked ALOT of questions that I was not asked on the flight in. Once we got on the plane and I relaxed it clicked, they thought I was up to no good. They wanted to know what I had been hunting, where I had been hunting, what gauge my shotgun was, what kind of ammo I was using, how many rounds it would hold, all while wiping my shotgun and case down with a circular pad. I later realized they we checking for any kind of residue and were making sure I was legit. My advice is don't just be on time be EARLY so you don't go thru what I did.
As long as you are not flying through or to JFK or LGA, you should experience no difficulty. If you are, take an attorney and bail money...
Delta in the last 1-2 years has begun requiring all firearms be picked up at your destination's baggage claims office (rather than at the baggage carousel). While that may take a few extra minutes, the peace of mind that secure chain of custody provides is well worth the added wait (if any).
Rather than disassemble and risk POI changes with my optics, I transport my shotguns fully assembled in a full-size (52") Pelican case. Knock-on-wood, I've never had to pay over sized luggage surcharges or encountered difficulty with TSA inspectors. And, I routinely pack shells in the same case.
Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like it won't be as bad as it first appeared. Come on spring.
I have flown to Canada a bunch, usually Delta. The only problem has been TSA and Canada Customs in Toronto. Major pain, will never fly through there again.
Your case (I have Pelican) should NOT be locked with TSA locks. If someone tells you that, they have not read the rules. It clearly states you should be the only one able to open them. Get a badge plate (from Pelican) or paint your cell phone number on the outside of the case so TSA can call you to open it, once it leaves your immediate supervision. This is the single best piece of advice I was given by guys that fly, a lot, with firearms. Also, someone above said fill all the holes. 2 years ago, this became a point of emphasis with TSA - it should be locked so you can't slip anything in or out. Fill all the locking holes and you will be fine.
It is really not a big deal.
Thanks for all the good advice.
Ray
Quote from: g8rvet on January 10, 2019, 05:52:37 PM
I have flown to Canada a bunch, usually Delta. The only problem has been TSA and Canada Customs in Toronto. Major pain, will never fly through there again.
Your case (I have Pelican) should NOT be locked with TSA locks. If someone tells you that, they have not read the rules. It clearly states you should be the only one able to open them. Get a badge plate (from Pelican) or paint your cell phone number on the outside of the case so TSA can call you to open it, once it leaves your immediate supervision. This is the single best piece of advice I was given by guys that fly, a lot, with firearms. Also, someone above said fill all the holes. 2 years ago, this became a point of emphasis with TSA - it should be locked so you can't slip anything in or out. Fill all the locking holes and you will be fine.
It is really not a big deal.
This is good advice. If it has a hole for a lock put a lock on it. I carry an extra lock with me in case one goes missing. TSA lost a lock on mine one year and I had to buy a crappy TSA lock from the airport.
Vet how's it going? How's your duck season? I haven't been out yet. Bubba
TSA lost one of my 4 locks on my Pelican case last year also. It's a pain locking and unlocking 4 locks every single time I go through TSA...
"Get a badge plate (from Pelican) or paint your cell phone number on the outside of the case so TSA can call you to open it, once it leaves your immediate supervision. This is the single best piece of advice I was given by guys that fly, a lot, with firearms."
I've never had occasion for TSA to call me, but rather than paint my case or bother to glue on a badge plate I use a sturdy luggage tag with contact info including cell phone number. What am I missing?
Quote from: Spurs Up on January 11, 2019, 07:24:47 PM
I've never had occasion for TSA to call me, but rather than paint my case or bother to glue on a badge plate I use a sturdy luggage tag with contact info including cell phone number. What am I missing?
I've been called back once, in Charleston SC. Had gone through security and was waiting at the gate when I got the call. They were nice about it and met me on the secure side so I wouldn't have to go back through. Like you, I have my cell phone number on a luggage tag. If you are traveling with a firearm, having TSA pre-check does give some added comfort in the rare event you have to go back out.
I will restate what others said about ammo...have ammo boxes and don't forget a shell in a vest or pocket, We got called to TSA office because my buddy left a couple shells in a vest. Lucky they let me uncase binoculars and put the shells in the optics case. We always open our actions and put zip ties through them, holding them open, and they seem to like that. Again use your own locks not theirs. My buddy got an empty case back once...never recovered his gun, it was a mess. One last thing, at the baggage office ask them if you can open it to check for damage, they may say ok and they may say no....seems every airport is different.
Lots of great information. Thank you. Will definitely put a luggage tag with my cell number.
What exactly is a TSA lock and what are the pros and cons of using them? Thanks.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 12, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
What exactly is a TSA lock and what are the pros and cons of using them? Thanks.
To my understanding, it's a lock that the TSA actually have a master key to should they decide it is necessary to get into the gun case.
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 12, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
What exactly is a TSA lock and what are the pros and cons of using them? Thanks.
Yes it's a lock TSA can open. It's about the crappest lock ever. Cheapest thing I've ever seen. Use your own locks. With guns Once you have TSA inspect it no one should open or be able to open your case. Bubba
Quote from: backwater on January 12, 2019, 07:32:44 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 12, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
What exactly is a TSA lock and what are the pros and cons of using them? Thanks.
To my understanding, it's a lock that the TSA actually have a master key to should they decide it is necessary to get into the gun case.
Quote from: ChiefBubba on January 12, 2019, 08:03:04 PM
Quote from: Sir-diealot on January 12, 2019, 12:38:49 PM
What exactly is a TSA lock and what are the pros and cons of using them? Thanks.
Yes it's a lock TSA can open. It's about the crappest lock ever. Cheapest thing I've ever seen. Use your own locks. With guns Once you have TSA inspect it no one should open or be able to open your case. Bubba
Thank you both.
Quote from: Spurs Up on January 11, 2019, 07:24:47 PM
"Get a badge plate (from Pelican) or paint your cell phone number on the outside of the case so TSA can call you to open it, once it leaves your immediate supervision. This is the single best piece of advice I was given by guys that fly, a lot, with firearms."
I've never had occasion for TSA to call me, but rather than paint my case or bother to glue on a badge plate I use a sturdy luggage tag with contact info including cell phone number. What am I missing?
Not really missing anything, just that something can go wrong when your case is getting thrown like a Scottish caber toss-things get broke! :) If you have a pelican, the plate is free - you just fill out a card and they send you it back engraved like you like it-there is a slot for it and it can't be removed unless the case is opened. I got a nice brass one. It will last as long as the case. Same for a painted phone number on it. But you are right, as long as your tag does not come off, you should be fine. I just don't want to miss a flight!
I have been called once and had to come back to TSA area.
Terrible Chief, I have only been a handful of times and not much happening. So much to do with a hurricane immediately followed by daughter's wedding that I have not had much time for anything else. Did not even make my Canada trip this year since we were still without power at home and office.
TSA locks are junk and TSA has access. I don't want anyone opening my case without me watching them - I value my over/under more than that. The airlines broke one of my locks this year too. I just get them keyed alike and have to only carry one key for all 4 locks.