Scopes and Binos in airplane cabins?

22 March 2006, 09:28

I have not travelled with guns in the last two years and I was wondering whether one is still allowed by the airlines, TSA, nonUSA airportÂ´s security, and others to travel with binoculars and riflescopes (just the scope of course...) inside the cabin or whether for instance the scopes have to travel in checked baggage together with the guns.

I use quick release mounts in my rifles and can take the scopes off easily.

Thanks, Antonio

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22 March 2006, 11:54

ozhunter

I have always carried my scope and Bino's as hand laggage, that is until last year where I packed the scope as checked Laggage, not risking trouble with some one who argues that they are a component of a firearm.
ozhunter.

22 March 2006, 13:07

Stefan

To carry a scope in the cabin SHOULD be ok but since I work at a airport I know that you can run into troubble about this.....

A friend of mine had to check his scope on a trip to NZ a few years ago. We got all the way to Sydney AU but there we run into a security officer that decided that the scope was "a part of a firearm" and had to go into the hold the last leg to Aukland

My experience is that itÂ´s not of much use to argue with the security people........ If they donÂ´t know about it they just stick to their version of the truth

Sad but often true......

I would not bring a scope as carry on luggage anymore, I use a good box with proper filling and hope for the best.

Stefan

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22 March 2006, 14:18

mho

I always travel with my scopes and binocs in my hand luggage. Sometimes I have interesting conversations with airport security personnel, but thus far I have not experienced a real problem. It is quite often I have to unpack my (normally STUFFED) hand luggage and show my "goodies", but that is a minor hassle compared to the added safety of keeping my toys out of the checked luggage. I guess it would be possible to run into a real bone-head security officer, but thus far I have been spared - touch wood.

- mike

*********************
The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart

22 March 2006, 15:52

Wink

With Air France you will not have a problem with binoculars but you may experience a problem with a scope. It is sometimes considered as part of a weapon, associated for security reasons as part of a snipers firearm and therefore subject to the same security considerations as a rifle.

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22 March 2006, 22:00

baboon

quote:
Originally posted by Wink:
With Air France you will not have a problem with binoculars but you may experience a problem with a scope. It is sometimes considered as part of a weapon, associated for security reasons as part of a snipers firearm and therefore subject to the same security considerations as a rifle.

Air France was so confused by double set triggers on my Steyr that they were convinced that there was another gun hiding inside the other.

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That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.

22 March 2006, 22:24

ROSCOE

It may not be illegal, but I would stay away from bringing a scope. 70% of the time you may have no problem, but the one time you do could cause you a lot of problems.

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22 March 2006, 23:31

loboga

Ditto, what the others have said. I ALWAYS take my binos, camera, lenses and GPS in my carry on bag, but with the scope it dosn't even matter if its OK or not if the security person just wants to give a hunter a hard time and its a very good chance that they will not even know whether its OK or not. As far as Sidney airport security goes, I try to avoid that place at any cost, Brisbane has been much more shooter friendly.

A shot not taken is always a miss

23 March 2006, 03:00

Antonio

OK, so the general conclusion seems to be that binoculars are still allowed into the airplane cabin but that scopes are better checked in together with the rifles.

I understand that, because as we say over here:

"You may have the green light, but heÂ´s got the lorry"...

Thanks to you all...

23 March 2006, 03:02

Chugach

why would one wish to detach their scopes to begin with? any good quality scope can adjust to tempature changes and the best place for the scope is in a rifle case to begin with. Surely better protected there than in an overhead cabinet where someone can bash your bag with a pram or such.

bye
Stefano
Waidmannsheil

24 March 2006, 16:18

NitroX

I carry my binoculars with me and the scope if QD. Plus it is fun to pull it out in the cabin and practice aiming at people (only joking!

).

I was really surprised at Melbourne Airport when I didn't have the correct paperwork. The girl at the desk fixed it up, and also said she was interested in taking up shooting herself. Stupidly I did not ask her for her phone number (

) or at least put her in touch with the right people.

Got to be lucky sometimes and find the good staff.

__________________________

John H.

NitroExpress.com - the net's double rifle forum

24 March 2006, 20:42

Pathfinder

I have carried a scope, binos etc in my carry on as recently as last summer and have yet to have a problem. I traveled through Amsterdam to joberg to bulawayo and no one said a single word about it. Zimbabwe customs was far more interested in my laser range finder but lost all interested when a supervisor showed up,

immediately handed it back to me and proceeded to tell me how much they liked Americans.

24 March 2006, 23:58

oupa

Personally speaking, I think I'd get a good secure box for the scope and pack it with the guns. After the "issues" experienced with BA last year I plan to do whatever I can to make future trips as uneventual as possible. There are some crazy rules being applied!

I can carry four packs of matches in my pocket but wasn't allowed a new, unfueled, still in the package Zippo lighter (as a gift) in my checked bag even though four guns, 200 rounds of ammo and a four inch knife were OK!!!!!

An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams.

25 March 2006, 00:05

fredj338

I have always traveled w/ camera & binos as carry on. The scope, well if the scope gets buggered in the case the rifle is probably a write off as well. I put some extra bubble wrap around the scope inside the rifle case. No problems so far in 3 trips across the pond.

LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!

25 March 2006, 06:39

Will

Like Chugach said, why bother? The scope is suppose to take all these 100's of ft-lbs of recoil, is air tight, and you are suppose to worry about it in padded luggage?

Just leave the thing on the rifle!

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Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
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