A couple of weeks ago The Hunting Report reported that NW/KLM Airlines was beginning to charge a fee of $150 each way to transport a firearm overseas.

At that time I spoke to NRA/ILA Manager of Hunting Policy Darren LaSorte about it and since then they have been quietly working to fix the problem. Well.....problem solved! See below.
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http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#fire

Firearms, Handguns, and Ammunition


Northwest accepts one of the following in lieu of one piece of luggage included in the free luggage allowance:

One (1) rifle case containing no more than four (4) rifles/shotguns, one (1) shooting mat, one (1) noise suppressor and tools.
Two (2) rifle cases containing a combined maximum total of four (4) rifles/shotguns is considered as one (1) item.
One (1) pistol case containing no more than five (5) handguns, one (1) scope, one (1) noise suppressor and tools.

When checked piece containing guns is in excess of free weight allowance, appropriate excess charges apply. Checked piece may be larger than standard 62 inch size restriction.

In addition to one (1) of the above items, Northwest accepts small arms ammunition up to a maximum of 11 pounds (5 kg). Guns and ammunition may be in the same piece of luggage. However, ammunition must be within its own packaging.

For trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific travel, firearms may be included in the free luggage allowance as described above.

However, for international travel you must obtain and comply with regulations governing the transportation of firearms for *ALL* countries you are traveling to, including those where only flight connections occur.

Northwest accepts firearms, handguns, and ammunition under the following conditions:


All firearms must be locked in a suitable crush-proof / hard-sided container manufactured specifically for firearms or hard-sided suitcase. Hard-shell gun cases can be purchased at domestic airports.

Ammunition must be in the manufacturer's original packaging or a container specifically designed for ammunition. Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles will not be accepted.

Due to TSA regulations, gun cases must be properly locked. Often gun cases require further TSA inspection.
To avoid the breaking of passenger's gun case locks, NWA recommends the use of TSA approved locks. TSA approved locks (Searchalert) come with a tool that enables TSA screeners to open the lock without damaging it. Searchalert locks are available for sale at NWA stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg.

Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of firearms, handguns, and ammunition. Excess valuation insurance may not be purchased for transport of firearms, handguns, and ammunition.

I think the NRA/ILA staff deserve our gratitude, they work hard on our behalf everyday and many times they don't get credit for what they do.

Todd

Todd,

Even when the TSA inspects your firearms and you or they repack them they can and do still damage protective cases. Even the ones they put inspection tape on. They destroyed my bow case when I flew to Winnipeg from Michigan and never paid up. I had to throw the case out, there wasn't even a firearm in it, just my bow! It was inspected and then locked in front of me before I sent it off to cargo.

When I picked it up in Winnipeg it was destroyed.

Todd: not to argue but the link you provided say MAY NOT be included in luggage for trans Atlantic/Pacific

ALP

I don't see what you see. Here is the direct quote:

For trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific travel, firearms may be included in the free luggage allowance as described above. However, for international travel you must obtain and comply with regulations governing the transportation of firearms for *ALL* countries you are traveling to, including those where only flight connections occur.

Am I missing something?

Todd

Ann

I know the TSA guys have to be watched. I am think you can request to witness any inspection of your luggage.

Todd

Todd: Use your link, 5th paragraph: For trans Atlantic trans Pacific firearms may*NOT* be included in ......

Maybe I'm nuts but I don't see it there. I wonder if you are still seeing the old text. It was changed today. Try refreshing your browser.

Todd

I just noticed that they have also waived the 62" rule.

Todd

As of 7:54 pm EST on 3/23/07 the linked document reads:

"For trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific travel, firearms may be included in the free luggage allowance as described above. However, for international travel you must obtain and comply with regulations governing the transportation of firearms for *ALL* countries you are traveling to, including those where only flight connections occur."

So, I'd say good things have happened here!

Yippie! Just saved me the trophy fee on a warthog!

That is outstanding!!

This is good news!!

Thanks to the NRA!

quote:

Originally posted by ALP#4:
Todd: Use your link, 5th paragraph: For trans Atlantic trans Pacific firearms may*NOT* be included in ......

The quote below was cut, and pasted from the link, and I don't see the "NOT" either!

quote:

For trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific travel, firearms may be included in the free luggage allowance as described above. However, for international travel you must obtain and comply with regulations governing the transportation of firearms for *ALL* countries you are traveling to, including those where only flight connections occur.

That's great news.

Everyone on this web site should be a member of the NRA. I have for been for 35 years. My money is well spent protecting others rights. I will be flying NWA and KLM to Tanzania and your right saved me a little pocket money.

Everyone should also send two e-mails. One to NWA/KLM thanking them for reversing this policy and letting them know that you will consider flying them in the future. The other to the NRA thanking them for assiting NWA/KLM on making tis decision.

Off my soap box...

-Steve

I must have some sort of crazed PC 'cause as of this very moment the *NOT* is still there...I do not doubt anyone's word and I'm happy as hell for the fee drop. But I would like to be able to print a copy of NW/KLM's firearm as luggage policy to cram down some tight assed anti gun/hunting check in clerk's throat.

Alp,

Try clearing your cache or using a different browser (if you have one). It could also be your ISP. sometimes they cache sites to increase apparent speed.

-Steve

Alp in Internet Explorer go to:

Tools>InternetOptions> Delete Cookies > Delete Files

Then try it again.

Todd

That't great that they have corrected this but look at the very last paragraph --


"Northwest does not accept liability for loss, damage, or delay of firearms, handguns, and ammunition. Excess valuation insurance may not be purchased for transport of firearms, handguns, and ammunition."

It's a good idea to get separate firearms insurance anyway.

There are a few companies who offer it here is a plan for NRA members:

http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/armscare.asp

here's one for SCI members:

http://www.huntandtravel.com/gunins.htm

TJR

I understand that one can buy additional insurance -- the point is -- as far as I know "other" airlines accept responsibility. Thus "other" airlines will be my personal choice -- I am surprised that they are taking the route of no responsibility - - incidentally it looks like golf clubs are an exception -- go figure!

THAT JUST GAVE ME A WARTHOG, TOO! Good news!!

Congratulations to the NRA and All of us who hounded NWA. Steve had a good idea for those of us that e-mailed NWA to sent a followup message.

Nice to see one go our way once in a while!

Studdog is right. It always helps the advocacy groups when the folks they serve speak up.

TJR

FWIW, I sent the following to NWA (via thier website) this weekend:



I would like to thank NWA and KLM on reversing the recent decision to
charge for checking firearms. I am a traveling hunter and also travel
extensively for business. One of the reasons for my flying on NWA/KLM
on business was your extensive routes to both my customer locations as
well as hunting destinations.
Your policy changes to charge for firearms had me reconsidering my
choice in preferred carriers. Since reversing this policy, I am glad to
say that I am a still a loyal customer.
Thanks again,
Steve Holder


I got the following reply this morning:

Dear Mr. Holder,

RE: Case Number 3631564

In your recent email, you alerted us to your appreciation for the change
in our firearms policy for checked luggage allowing one in lieu of a bag
so that hunters would not have to be charged for extra luggage during
hunting trips. On behalf of Northwest Airlines and our affiliate
carriers, thank you for taking the time to write. I understand why you
wanted to bring this to our attention.

I am very glad that the new rules are able to make it easier for you to
travel. Our goal is to offer the best customer service in the industry
by giving close and careful attention to the needs of each customer. We
realized that travel for hunting destinations are very important to our
customers who do and as such we wanted to let them know.

All of us must be dedicated to treating our passengers as very special
guests as we ourselves would want to be treated. I will make sure that a
copy of your email is shared with the executives in charge of making
those changes.

As our very valued Platinum Elite member, Mr. Holder, I appreciate the
opportunity to pass along your praise and hope to welcome you onboard a
future flight. We are grateful for your patronage and look forward to
serving you again soon.

Sincerely,

Bev Vandelay
Customer Care
Northwest/KLM Airlines

Steve,

That's a great letter. I will let you know if I get a response as well.

Todd

SCI - First For Hunters

In the Crosshairs -- e-news from SCI 's Washington Office
The latest and hottest news on federal, state, and international political and conservation events

March 26, 2007


Northwest Policy Change is Victory for Hunters!

Crosshairs is pleased to report that Northwest Airlines has reversed its policy of levying an "oversized" fee of $300 for long gun cases on overseas flights. The airline will now include gun cases as part of the "free luggage allowance" for overseas travelers. In addition, Northwest has specifically exempted gun cases from the 62" linear inch size limit (length plus height plus width) for all of its flights. This exemption makes Northwest more hospitable to hunters than most other airlines. The new policy can be found at: http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#fire

SCI lobbyist John Green made contact with Northwest representatives in the nation's capital just hours after SCI's alert caught the attention of Northwest executives. Northwest then consulted with NRA Chief Lobbyist Chris Cox, who was preparing to send an alert to NRA members. Northwest acted with great speed and haste to address these issues, and posted the new policy to its website within an hour. SCI is grateful to Chris Cox and his staff at NRA-ILA for their assistance in addressing this matter.



"In the Crosshairs" is a free e-mail service to SCI members. To stop receiving this, please respond saying "remove me" in the subject line. Please allow two weeks for processing.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodmnctry:
I understand that one can buy additional insurance -- the point is -- as far as I know "other" airlines accept responsibility. Thus "other" airlines will be my personal choice -- I am surprised that they are taking the route of no responsibility - - incidentally it looks like golf clubs are an exception -- go figure!

Might check the specifics of the liability limits of the other airlines. As I remember in '05, Delta and SAA's limits wouldn't even cover the cost of a rifle.