I am probably posting this on the wrong site but I didn't know where else to ask it. What exactly is the criteria for meeting FFA standards for a gun case that will be heading into RSA?????? Thanks in advance and God bless.



cordell

OOP'S that should read FAA standards. TC&GB


cordell

Cordell, The big problem is weight...Two rifles and ammo..You will not go wrong with a tuff pack rifles can be inserted with clothes and be removed from soft cases packed inside of tuffpak..The bow tuffpak is a little larger and even IMO be even better...Is same size just a little wider..
Ammo must be in another case away from rifles... baggage not more then 70 pounds..

Mike

The FAA requires that it be hardsided, and lockable. That means a $20 Doskocil qualifies, but I recommend you get either a TuffPak, or an aluminum case, such as those offered by Kalispel Case Line, Ziegel, BearTrack, ICC, et al.

George

Inspection is another consideration.

You might also consider these new "TSA approved" locks... apparently they have a secondary combination that the TSA has and can thereby open your bag without knowing your combination.

The alternative (although I haven't tried it) is to "insist" that they inspect your bag, (guns) label the case appropriately and re-lock it with your locks.

Yes, I see the opportunity for abuse with a secondary combination, but the alternative is that they end up cutting your locks and throw them away... leaving your case with no lock at all.

FAA doesn't regulate guncases. Neither do the Future Farmers of America! The ATA and individual airlines set minimum safety standards. Check with the airline flying you to RSA. Although GeorgeS has it all wrapped up in a nutshell: hardsided, and lockable.

There is also bad advise out there. One such came from the NRA. "It is important to note that some gun cases approved for use on domestic airlines are not allowable for international travel. Hard-sided gun cases with full-length hinges and secure locks and/or padlocks are required by international airlines." According to the NRA/ILA contact I talked to, this info came from the TSA. It is wrong!! Full-length hinges are not a requirement of any airline flying to RSA.

TSA personel have a skeleton key to open the TSA locks. The locks then will show red in a 'window' that they have been opened without using the combination.

Air France requirements : ammo in another case(<10 pounds) and baggage no more than 40 pounds. 70 pounds only for PH.

Next month I’ll fly to the CAR with my cousin. We can bring only 20 kg of luggage each. A case containing 2 rifles + a case containing 1 shotgun and a bow and arrows are weighting 29.5 kg. 1kg = 2 pounds
I wanted to use my pistol alu case for our ammo : no way, the case must not exceed 5 kg. Just 2 boxes of 416 Rigby and the whole reaches 5.2 kg,
So I chose a shabby plastic rigid case (plastic hinges, 2 flimsy plastic closings) which can contain 2 boxes of 416R and 2 boxes of 375HH without exceeding 5kg (exactly 4.8 kg). I’ll tape this case and put a tiny padlock.
Worst, only 5.5 kg left for one more case with our clothes, toilets bags, knives, pharmacy…..
I am expecting a serious bashing at the checking desk concerning my hand luggage which will be too heavy : fragile items :2 scopes, 1 binocular, 2 cams, 1 videocam, 2 battery loaders. Heavy items : hunting boots and books.

Another solution: paying the overload? What if the company refuses any overload on this very flight?

My question : how many ammos in an acceptable case can You pack without exceeding 10 pounds?

TSA approved locks can be bought at www.tamperseal.com Please review the airline policies that you will be using at their respective websites regarding ammo storage and so on. Some airlines require your ammo to be locked in your guncase not in your checked baggage.

John

quote:

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Originally posted by new_guy:
the alternative is that they end up cutting your locks and throw them away... leaving your case with no lock at all.

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According to the TSA guy I talked with (a floor-level supervisor), they X-ray the case and if they see a gun, they will not cut the lock off. They make a terminal-wide announcement for you to come open the case. If you don't show up, then the case stays right there and you travel on without it. Lotsa luck in trying to figure out where it is and how to get it back, though.

Gun cases cannot exceed 53 inches in length, they do no count as luggage,so you get a freebie there...Ony two guns per case is allowed. Ammo must be in your checked through luggage and in factory "type" boxes with a seperator between each round, plastic boxes are fine.

You do not need a TSX lock on a gun case as you sign a unloaded firearms form and lock the case in front of the airline attendent and you have the only key. they do not search gun cases unless something in the case sets off a bell, so be carefull what you put in the guncase, in which case you will be paged to unlock the case....

Some gun cases like the tuff case have no means to use TSX locks for whatever that is worth....

Mike, George, new-guy, Dave, Jean, John, RupertBear, and Ray.
Thanks for the input. I have looked at several cases and some have been marked FAA aproved while others that were aluminum with locks didn't. Probably a marketing strategy of some sort. Take care and God bless.


cordell

Cordell,
the Tuff case is your best case, get one from mims who posts here...Mine has made over 30 trips and its still like new short of some scratches, but remember airline baggage guys can screw up an anvil with a powder puff..

Ray,all,


Thanks to You all, I am now allowed no longer 40 lbs but 60 lbs.
My fault was to have dealt with the outfitter without using an agent. Now the travel agency (who provided only the fly) agrees to take care of the whole package (for free) and this permits to push the maxi load from 40 up to 60 pounds.


Ray You are a pro and fully right. I couldn’t find any definition of a gun or ammo case. These cases should be hard-sided and in my knowing no padlock or lock is mandatory.
About ammo, some countries require that the ammos be in the maker packing, that means no reloaded ammos.

I didn’t understand how one can waste 17 pounds or more in tuff pak or “bulletproof alu gun cases. Add 9 pounds rifle and a 10 lbs ammo case. Total 36 pounds and little remaining for the rest.
In fact, You North American are taking advantage of the PIECE CONCEPT. Only 2 pieces of luggage, (gun case not counting according to Ray) . Maxi weight : generously 70lbs.

My question : WHAT IF YOU TOUCH IN EUROPE DOWN?There You may have as many pieces of luggage You want ,but You have to stick with a ammo case under 10 lbs and baggage no more than 40 or 60 lbs?

Jean B. We should talk before you go to CAR. Here is how I comply with the ammo regulations: find any lockable and lightweight box just big enough to take 5kg of your ammo. Lock it and put it in your suitcase with the rest of your personal stuff. This way you can use a lighter "ammo carrier" and I have never had an airline refuse it. For reloaded ammunition, put it in an old box of commercial ammo. Nobody at the airline counters will even notice that you've got Federal headstamps on Norma cases. The gun case is seperate of course.

quote:

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Originally posted by Wink:
Jean B. We should talk before you go to CAR. Here is how I comply with the ammo regulations: find any lockable and lightweight box just big enough to take 5kg of your ammo. Lock it and put it in your suitcase with the rest of your personal stuff. This way you can use a lighter "ammo carrier" and I have never had an airline refuse it. For reloaded ammunition, put it in an old box of commercial ammo. Nobody at the airline counters will even notice that you've got Federal headstamps on Norma cases. The gun case is seperate of course.

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Thanks Wink,

But sorry, I obeyed the Air France’s regulations. One month in advance, one have to declare the very size and weight of the gun cases and ammo cases.
I cannot imagine one can “smuggle†an ammo case in a suitcase ? May be I am too law-abiding? Our North Forks Bullets will be available in a couple of weeks. A pity the Norge refused to deliver and we have to deal with an American via an Englishman through Germany to get them in France???????????????????? It will to late for my reloading, I’ll keep with PMP solids and Swift A frame. Thanks jb

Within the last year I had several instances where TSA screeners in the U.S. DID insist on looking into the gun case. Fortunately, I was right there to unlock it. Despite TSA denials, procedures do vary considerably from one airport to another within the U.S., even more so in other countries.

A good idea is to buy a set of several padlocks that all use the same key, leave a couple of them inside your gun case, unlocked, with no key; but a note to security screeners that they may use these locks to secure your case if they had to cut off the original lock. Stuff happens.