Leaving for leopard hunt next week. In the past I have had no trouble going through security checkpoints with my scopes in my carry on. Traveling USA, JNB, WHK.

Has any recent traveler had any problems with this issue? Thanks.

Yes. Don't do it. I have seen more than one turned around when leaving JNB. Luckily they were able to get back to their guncase before it was transferred from security.

I once saw a guy in Harare's airport turned away because he had his rifle bolts in his carry on and that was pre 9/11.

Saw him later in JNB airport and ate dinner with him. He and some baggage handlers were able to get his checked baggage back and store his rifle bolts there and recheck his bags with only a few minutes left before take off.

I used to put them in my carry on, but not allowed any more. They said "gun parts." As an aside, I had a couple of spent, mushroomed bullets in my pocket that I forgot to remove before security at the Harare airport in 2005. I had to leave them at security. I'm not sure what they thought I was going to do with them.

I have always carried my scopes in my carry on. Usually I have two. 9 trip over the pond. Never had a problem. Two trip last year. Did they change the rules recently??

jeff h,

I'm gonna say you've been lucky. "Gun Parts" as mentioned above is exactly the issue, and you know there is no sense arguing with those folks. Worst case could be you leave your scopes or miss your flight. Neither option is pretty and each has more ramifications. Why chance it???

Why do you want to put it in carry on? Just leave it on your rifle.

wolfgar - I leave mine on my rifle, just to be of the safe side of the rules. I would however prefer to take them in my carry on because I feel they would be subject to less chance of breakage and thievery there. The rule is a little out of sorts, but so are lot of others, in the fact you can carry a spotting scope but not a rifle scope in your carry on.


Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfgar:
Why do you want to put it in carry on? Just leave it on your rifle.

In 2004 I was turned back at security in Harare. They said I had gun parts in my carry on. They wouldn't let me through. The security man took me back to check in and told me he'd go recover my checked bag's so I could put my scopes back on the rifles. After 45 minutes I asked the lady behind the desk if he was coming back with my bag's, she just smiled and said NO.
I had two carry on's so I took my scopes put them in one with clothes, took all my other valuable and put them in the one I was carrying on, took tie wraps that I always carry and secured all the zippers and checked that bag. I worried all the way home, just sure I'd lose those two scopes. They came through fine.
I always keep my scopes on my rifles now.

Does anyone know the TSA Regulations for rifle scopes in carry on? Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
I used to put them in my carry on, but not allowed any more. They said "gun parts." As an aside, I had a couple of spent, mushroomed bullets in my pocket that I forgot to remove before security at the Harare airport in 2005. I had to leave them at security. I'm not sure what they thought I was going to do with them.

well, if you can throw a 95 mph fastball, i suppose they might be a dangerous weapon.

quote:

Originally posted by Africa1:
Does anyone know the TSA Regulations for rifle scopes in carry on? Thanks.

TSA REGULATIONS ARE USELESS WHEN YOU ARE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. IN FACT, THEY ARE SOMEWHAT USELESS IN THIS COUNTRY UNLESS YOU HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM

Larry,

I understand your logic, too bad we have to think that way isn't it.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by Africa1:
Does anyone know the TSA Regulations for rifle scopes in carry on? Thanks.

TSA REGULATIONS ARE USELESS WHEN YOU ARE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRY. IN FACT, THEY ARE SOMEWHAT USELESS IN THIS COUNTRY UNLESS YOU HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM

Exactly. So don't do it, leave the scope and bolt in the guncase...........

Leave them on your guns. I have never taken a scope off of a gun in 7 safaris and see no reason to do so. If they're thinking of stealing your scope, they'll do it faster with them off of your guns. If they want to steal your scope on your gun, they're going to steal your gun too. In any event, take out good gun insurance which will also cover your scopes.

Thanks for the input, it is greatly appreciated.

My scoped rifle is a takedown with detachable optics. I use a small case that does have room for two scopes and a second barrel, but I hate putting optics in checked luggage.

I have not taken a scoped rifle to Africa since July 07--used my double last year. I had no security check-in problem on any trip up to 07, however, regulations change so rapidly I just wanted to be sure. Maybe I'll put one scope in my gun case and play Russian roulette with the other. I guess both options are Russian Roulette these days.

Anyway, thanks again.

In the last few years ive been twice to zambia twice to namibia 3times to zim once to Moz and once to CAR via Paris and no one has ever even asked to see what they are.

I had trouble at JFK with a spare scope in my carry on. A cop came over to see what the commotion was and fortunately he was a hunter. He talked to a supervisor on my behalf and they cut me a break. It is not worth risking losing a scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
I used to put them in my carry on, but not allowed any more. They said "gun parts." As an aside, I had a couple of spent, mushroomed bullets in my pocket that I forgot to remove before security at the Harare airport in 2005. I had to leave them at security. I'm not sure what they thought I was going to do with them.

I always pick up my spent brass when hunting and had two .338 wm brass in a jacket pocket I had forgotten about that got confiscated at security once.

I shoot a Blaser, so I have detachable scopes as well. I have sent scopes on and off rifles to Africa. I have never had to adjust the scope on my Blaser once I put it back on. I have had to adjust the Weatherby scope that rode in the cargo hold.
That is why I keep them with me.

I have carried my scopes, flashlights camersa and binos in my carry on on all my trips to Zim through SA, overnighting in SA.

On my last trip I had 4 scopes on my carryon and my wife had 3 in hers.

Never a problem.

I pack mine inside of a piece pf PVC pipe inside of my hard case...Never had any damage...

I CAUTION against carrying it on....I got majorly hassled once in the J-berg airport for having a scope in a case on my person....Sketcy proposition at best and best avoided!

JW

I encountered problems with a scope in my carry on once. That was in Paris (Charles de Gaulle). Fortunatly there was time to go back and put it in the checked luggage.
I would not try again, since this "gun part" rule is a person dependent thing..

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I have carried my scopes, flashlights camersa and binos in my carry on on all my trips to Zim through SA, overnighting in SA.

On my last trip I had 4 scopes on my carryon and my wife had 3 in hers.

Never a problem.

This is my experience as well. Nobody has even cared enough to look at them.