The Accurate Reloading Forums
Urgent - Charge for rifle case?!
14 September 2009, 11:09
SevensUrgent - Charge for rifle case?!
I've got an urgent question in regards to rifle cases and flying. I'm flying a domestic flight tomorrow on United Airlines. According to their website, "shooting equipment" is considered a normal bag. Checked bags are subject to a 62 linear inch limit (L+W+H). My pelican 1750 case makes the weight limit, but it is in no way going to make the size limit. There is a $175 charge for exceeding the size limit.
I think I know the answer to my question, but will my rifle case get me an extra $175 charge or is there some exception? If it is, I'm just going to go down to the post office and ship it USPS in the morning - $175 is almost how much my ticket cost round trip! (I'm not going hunting, so I'm not time sensitive to when the rifle arrives.)
14 September 2009, 16:18
bwoodieI have the same Pelican case as you do and thus far I have not had any additional charges when flying Domestic or International. No one has questioned the size of the case- as long as it is not over weight the ticket agents have not given it a second look. Good Luck
14 September 2009, 16:52
mstarlingMany domestic carriers now list sizes for rifle cases that only a takedown case can meet.
As a result, I have been taking a rifle apart and using a Pelican takedown case for transit within the US. No problems so far. Will be interested to see how it works for you.
American/Delta did NOT charge me extra for a TuffPack going to Africa earlier in the year.
Mike
--------------
DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ...
Knifemaker,
http://www.mstarling.com 14 September 2009, 20:58
SevensWell, spent some time on the phone today and United's answer was there is no size restriction in regards to size (same as skis and golf clubs). Unfortunately there is nothing about the size requirement (or lack there of) on the website I can print out, but I got confirmation that there is no size restriction from 2 people.
14 September 2009, 21:07
graybirdquote:
Originally posted by Sevens:
Well, spent some time on the phone today and United's answer was there is no size restriction in regards to size (same as skis and golf clubs). Unfortunately there is nothing about the size requirement (or lack there of) on the website I can print out, but I got confirmation that there is no size restriction from 2 people.
The information you received should be correct. Just remember that United's main western headquarters is in Denver, which has plenty of guns, skis, snowboards, etc. going thru this airport during the winter months. I've travelled with guns several times on United and never been charged any extra for the gun case.
Also, did the same with American Airlines in March for a hog hunt in Texas.
Good luck,
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
14 September 2009, 22:58
GusteauxSevens:
Didn’t fly United but…on 12 Aug on Delta from Tampa to Atlanta, Delta hit me with $300 in overweight fees for one checked bag and my rifle case – 65 lbs each (5 lbs over) and that was all the checked bags the two of us checked. Tried to reason with the ticket agent that we were authorize two checked bags each and that we were still under the total weight – should have been talking to the carpet. Also had to explain to her the ammo regs and how to check bags all the way through to Windhoek and that we were taking the next available flight out of out of J’berg despite the fact that it was 15 hours later.
It becomes the point of beyond ridiculous when you have to have copies of doc/regulations in your hands to show an employee how to do their job.
14 September 2009, 23:01
MCHURCH470I JUST FLEW UNITED SAN DIEGO TO DULLES TO JOBERG WITH AN SKB FULL SIZE DOUBLE RIFLE CASE WITH NO PROBLEMS OR COMMENTS!
15 September 2009, 01:00
sdirksI have twice flown United with firearms, though not since 2007, and the gun case merely counted as a piece of checked luggage. I too was told over the phone that the size restriction did not apply to the gun case. I never had the issue of oversized luggage come up at the airport. Obviously one is always at the mercy of the person at the counter, but you "should" be ok.
15 September 2009, 01:28
buckeyeshooterI think you will find it will vary by agent. I flew in June with a riflecase. Leaving, I was not charged, however, the agent wanted to charge on the return. Fortunately, I was able to show I was not charged on the way out and logic ruled.
15 September 2009, 01:42
L. David KeithThey ripped us off (United) in June at the tune of $150 each to fly Nashville to Dulles. You pay it..period. They had previously charged $50. This was my last flight with United. For several years now they have failed to issue my airmiles. They are the pits and could care less what your story is...get in line and shut up is their attitude.
Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris
http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333
Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com
NRA Benefactor
DSC Professional Member
SCI Member
RMEF Life Member
NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor
NAHC Life Member
Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer
Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more:
http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added
http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#926103994110 days in the Stormberg Mountains
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017
http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson
Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running......
"If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you."
15 September 2009, 07:57
gunnyFlew united in august Sacramento to Harare with no added charges for a cabelas two gun case.
15 September 2009, 08:53
BlankHave only flown once with United in the last year, and no charge for gun case. Flew July and August this time with Delta, had 2-gun Pelican and also an ICC aluminum case for us both. No extra charges to or from Harare.
15 September 2009, 18:35
safari-lawyerFYI: I've logged about fifty flights on various domestic and international carriers with Pelicans and TuffPaks, and never incurred a charge to this good day.
Will J. Parks, III
15 September 2009, 20:55
SevensI got in last night and have nothing bad to report. I didn't incur any charges because of the rifle case; both the ticket agent and the TSA official were very courteous in getting my rifle inspected and checked on the plane. Nothing bad to report (knock on wood).
Hopefully everyone else flying this hunting season has a similar experience.