Flying with rifles and ammo

[Je3749]

Tagged

[WyoBull]

Great information here. In my post I said that I put my ammo in a separate locked ammo case in a separate checked bag. The reason I do this is because that is what was required when I went to Africa and I just so the same thing here in the states.
Regarding locks, this is where a lot of folks seem to get confused. I lock my gun case with Master locks but I always carry a couple of the TSA approved locks in my carry on just in case an airline or TSA agent has a different opinions ion than mine. I can always switch out locks in a few seconds if needed.

[pblaetz]

Here is the information you should rely on. From United's web page:
"United accepts shooting equipment as checked baggage in hard-sided shooting equipment cases.
Firearms will be accepted only from a customer who is 18 years of age or older.
International firearm regulations and laws vary by destination and transiting country. Contact appropriate consulates or embassies to obtain specific entry requirements applicable to destination(s). United is not liable for any assistance or information relating to such regulations or compliance with such laws provided by any United employee or agent to any customers, or for the consequences to any customer resulting from his or her failure to comply with such regulations or laws.Firearms are not accepted to and from Bahrain, Israel, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
Customers traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) with checked firearms and/or ammunition must be in possession of a gun import license or a temporary transportation permit, which must be certified and validated by a Guatemalan Consulate. Customers traveling with checked firearms and/or ammunition through Guatemala City do not require a permit as long as their bag does not leave the airport controlled area. Customers must ensure they have all the necessary documents required at their final destination.
Customers traveling to or through Milan, Italy (MXP) or Rome, Italy (FCO) with checked firearms/ammunition are subject to police clearance at their first point of entry into Italy. Security staff will take the firearms/ammunition to the police office for inspection. Firearms and ammunition must be packed in separate containers.
Customers traveling to or through Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) with checked firearms/ammunition must obtain permission from the Netherlands Consulate/Embassy in their country of origin prior to departure. Weapons are subject to confiscation in Amsterdam unless the owner can show all required permits. Customers traveling on military orders with checked firearms may do so without prior consent from Dutch Customs. Checked military ammunition is forbidden.
For travel to and from the United Kingdom, pistols, rifles and shotguns must be packed in a hard-sided rifle case. Customers must have the appropriate license or certificate in addition to a British Visitor's Permit (BVP). A Great Britain resident will need to act as a sponsor and submit a BVP application to their local firearms licensing department on your behalf.

Curbside check-in of a firearm is not permitted.
Firearms must be packed in a hard-sided container with a lock. The container must be locked at the time of acceptance by United Airlines and the key or combination must remain in the customer's possession. If a hard-sided container is needed, see the container section of this site.
Handguns must be packed in a hard-sided container with a lock. The container must be locked at the time of acceptance by United Airlines and the key or combination must remain in the customer’s possession. The locked hard-sized container holding the handgun may be placed inside an unlocked soft-side piece of luggage.
The firearm will be transported in a section of the aircraft that is inaccessible to the customer. Proof of registration is not required.
Firearms carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.
No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container. Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement.

First or second checked bag service charges may apply.

Note: Customer must sign and date a Firearm Declaration Tag declaring that the firearm is not loaded."

[Tony Pic]

Certain LE at airports make a BIG deal about flying with firearms. The last time I flew with firearms I had the Police officers at the airport(who inspected my rifles) get into a argument with each other over whether the ammo can be in the same case as the gun and whether or not if it had to be in a factory box. To avoid hassles keep all your ammo in factory boxes. I am glad I spent the extra $ on a good SKB rifle case. I swear...The marks and gouges I had on that brand new case when I picked it up at the special counter you go to to retrieve your firearms. Convinced me that the animals who handle luggage were ESPECIALLY rough with the gun case. Knowing it was a gun case.
Good luck and safe travels.

[jefandaward]

it was always too difficult for me to flap my arms fast enough...

[Outback]

Now flying to Canada, that's a different story. Both times I flew Air Canada to Saskatoon for bear hunts, I met angry frustrated folks at baggage claim in Canada who had found their bow strings cut and/or hunting stuff lost or destroyed, by someone, presumably an animal rights activist and presumably in Canada. I was fortunate to have no issues with my non-TSA locked bow case except for the loss of my luggage on the return trip both times. Air Canada was gracious enough to deliver it to my house several days later saving me the hassle of schlepping it through the airport.

My new policy is, if Southwest doesn't fly there, I probably don't need to either! And, always use non-TSA locks on guns and bows!

[Boomerang]

Where are you coming to here in Wyoming? I live in Casper and we have a lot of hunters and fisherman fly into our airport.
When I fly with my guns, I have a Pelican case and I take the bolt out and put it in the case next to the gun.
I have a lockable ammo case I put my ammo in separately and place that in my checked luggage.
You will need to unlock and open the case and show it to the agent when you check in. They will then put a paper form in the case showing they checked and approved it.
It is really pretty simple but I would check your airline's website for their most current rules and regulations. You would hate to get there and find out they require something you forgot etc.

^^^ THIS!!!

You can get opinions here. There is a high probability none of the airlines will comment on this thread. I would review what each airline requires (the rules do vary between airlines).