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Urgent - Charge for rifle case?!
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Picture of Sevens
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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.)


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Posts: 2789 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: 27 January 2004Reply With Quote
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I 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
 
Posts: 115 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 20 January 2008Reply With Quote
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Many 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

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Posts: 6199 | Location: Charleston, WV | Registered: 31 August 2002Reply With Quote
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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.


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Posts: 2789 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: 27 January 2004Reply With Quote
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quote:
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

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Posts: 3722 | Location: Okie in Falcon, CO | Registered: 01 July 2004Reply With Quote
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Sevens:

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.
 
Posts: 572 | Location: Somewhere between here and there. | Registered: 28 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I JUST FLEW UNITED SAN DIEGO TO DULLES TO JOBERG WITH AN SKB FULL SIZE DOUBLE RIFLE CASE WITH NO PROBLEMS OR COMMENTS!
 
Posts: 66 | Registered: 20 January 2009Reply With Quote
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I 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.
 
Posts: 567 | Location: southern Wisconsin, USA | Registered: 08 January 2009Reply With Quote
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I 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.
 
Posts: 5700 | Location: Ohio | Registered: 02 April 2003Reply With Quote
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They 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.


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Posts: 6804 | Location: Tennessee | Registered: 18 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Flew united in august Sacramento to Harare with no added charges for a cabelas two gun case.
 
Posts: 914 | Registered: 06 January 2005Reply With Quote
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Have 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.
 
Posts: 1517 | Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho | Registered: 03 June 2004Reply With Quote
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FYI: 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
 
Posts: 2988 | Location: Alabama USA | Registered: 09 July 2009Reply With Quote
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I 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.


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Posts: 2789 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: 27 January 2004Reply With Quote
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