gun cases and air travel

[DMP]

Will be doing some traveling this spring.  I have one of the plano pro max double gun cases.  Anyone ever used when with the airlines?  Would it hold up?

http://www.planomolding.com/product.php?BCCID=118&PID=883

[GSLAM95]

If you seen what the airlines have done to some of my bow cases you wouldn't eeven consider taking that Plano case on airline!
I have a Vanguard case that was inside a SKB roller travel bag that they dented the crap out of.  My most recent flight was to Campeche, Mexico where I had a Pole Mountain BII hard case.  This thing was bullet proof (I thought), on the return flight to Houston it come out on the conveyor with the hinged door flapping open.  You could see where they took a screwdriver or something and pried the latch/lock open.  It was inspected and sealed with their security tape when I left Campeche to come home so there was no reason to open it.
My suggestion is to buy the best hard case you can afford or at least borrow one from a friend as I have that same case you are describing for transporting my Muzzleloader and the latches will even pop off sometimes when closing and I have to pop them back on.  No way I would send a gun onto an airlline with it.

[strut-stopper]

 It might but if I were you I would invest In a good metal hard sided one if your gonna do a lot of traveling. I work at an airport and I see how bags are treated everyday.  If you've never traveled with a gun before Ill give you some advice.   When you check in for the flight you have to "declare" to the ticket agent you have a firearm. They will have to give you a slip to put in the case.  Put the slip in and lock the case.  Be sure any place on the case for a lock has a lock in it. Some places are worse than others but that is the rule. Also when you drop the case off for screening wait around and make sure it clears screening.  After that you should be good to go. I worked in Arkansas and come duck season there were as many shotguns as people in the airport so I try to help get the rules out there to help fellow hunters out cause I've had to tell some that their 10 dollar Walmart soft side case isent gonna work.

[DMP]

It might but if I were you I would invest In a good metal hard sided one if your gonna do a lot of traveling. I work at an airport and I see how bags are treated everyday.  If you've never traveled with a gun before Ill give you some advice.   When you check in for the flight you have to "declare" to the ticket agent you have a firearm. They will have to give you a slip to put in the case.  Put the slip in and lock the case.  Be sure any place on the case for a lock has a lock in it. Some places are worse than others but that is the rule. Also when you drop the case off for screening wait around and make sure it clears screening.  After that you should be good to go. I worked in Arkansas and come duck season there were as many shotguns as people in the airport so I try to help get the rules out there to help fellow hunters out cause I've had to tell some that their 10 dollar Walmart soft side case isent gonna work.

Can you put other items in the case with the gun?  Items like bino's, shells, etc.....  I know the shells must be in the box they were bought in.  I've done a bunch of air travel but never with a gun...

[strut-stopper]

Yeah you can put whatever in there and your right about the shells.

[fallsflight]

Yeah you can put whatever in there and your right about the shells.

You don't necessarily have to have them in original box.  Check airline's website.  I just flew down to the gulf for a diver hunt and put my shells in those plastic hinged top boxes that hold 25 rounds each and seperate them.  Website said original box or a wood, plastic, etc box that has shells seperate.  I put those boxes in my suitcase that was checked.

[Old Gobbler]

I have that case ,and wouldn't dream of using it for airlines -

airline handlers are brutal , font forget to tip the porter if you want it to make the flight

[honker22]

Pelican makes a great gun case. It's on the pricy side but it will last forever

[land cruiser]

Another vote for Pelican. Mine has been used extensively w/o any problems and still looks new

[Wingbone]

Pelican Double Shotgun!!!! It is on the pricey side but built like a tank. I have one and would never use anything else considering what has happened to my buddy's case over several flights(metal case), and mine still looks brand new. Of course I'm sure one day they'll probably throw mine under the jet's tire just to see if they can destry it like they do the others, but until then it will be carrying my guns.

[Stoner]

I do a fair amount of traveling every year with hunting rifles and shotguns. I purchased one of the steel cases made  under the Cabelas name. I would highly recommend getting the one with the built-in wheels. It will definitely save your back when running around airports. It is a tough case and with all the traveling that I have done with that case it has not even suffered a dent. Not sure if they still make the steel case anymore.