I was reading the Delta baggage regulations just now awaiting my trip to Africa in June 2014

My question however silly I'm sure.

My rifle case exceeds the 62 total inches allowed for my checked bag so I assume this will cost me extra.

Opinions?

Unless you are flying first class or business everything will cost extra.

There are other cases that fit the length.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

My rifle case exceeds the 62 total inches allowed for my checked bag so I assume this will cost me extra.

In the past there were exceptions for "sporting equipment" such as guns, golf clubs, surf-boards, etc. Those exceptions may have gone by the way side. I would read the regs. very carefully.

quote:

Rifles and shotguns must be packaged as follows:
•One hard sided case containing up to four rifles, shotguns, shooting materials, tools

•One hard sided case containing up to five handguns, one scope, tools
•One bow and quiver of arrows and maintenance kit enclosed in a case or container strong enough to protect the bow and quiver from accidental damage
•No more than 11 lbs. (5 kg) of ammunition

An excess baggage fee will apply if checking more than one gun case.

I've flown to Africa from six or more different starting locations: IAD, NYC, JAX, BQK, SAV, MCO to name a few. Never once has a Delta employee even thought a second about charging me anything for a TuffPac or other gun case as being oversized.

A few years ago, when airlines began charging for luggage, I had printed out the regulations that existed on the date I bought the ticket, and when asked for a baggage fee for a bag (not a gun case and not en route to Africa), I showed them the date of the purchase of the ticket and the rules at the time I bought it. Delta honored the earlier policy.... So, I'd print out the rules that exist when pay your fare.

That.... and the language of the gun restrictions (in bold above and in the Africa baggage notes on Delta.com) seem to imply that you don't pay an extra fee for the gun case unless it is:
1. A third bag on an Africa flight (two free bags less than 50#'s are allowed as of today) or
2. You are carrying two gun cases.

Now, once I've gotten to JNB, spent the night there and was connecting for my flight up to Bulawayo or Vic Falls... I've had to pay South African's fee for the second bag, but never an oversized fee.

Others may have had different experiences and I've had my problems with Delta, but gun case has never been an issue.

Or, to solve the problem, just buy a vintage Westley-Richards .470 N.E. double for the big stuff and a a Dakota Traveler in a smaller caliber, have Americase build you a custom two gun takedown case, and think of all the money you'll save on possible baggage fees.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:

Or, to solve the problem, just buy a vintage Westley-Richards .470 N.E. double for the big stuff and a a Dakota Traveler in a smaller caliber, have Americase build you a custom two gun takedown case, and think of all the money you'll save on possible baggage fees.

And that one friends, is worth its weight in gold. My last two safaris have been two doubles broken down in an Americase. Very small and doesn't look like a gun case in the least bit. It garners NO strange looks in the terminal and always comes out with the regular baggage to no additional fan fare!

Todd, how is that case looking and holding up after two trips, e.g., the corners, handle?

My gun case is an Aluminum Kalispell for 2 scoped long guns and exceeds those dimensions and after 8 trips over on Delta I have never been charged extra.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Todd, how is that case looking and holding up after two trips, e.g., the corners, handle?

Still looks good Mike. Handles and locks are still 100%. The canvas cover is still in really good condition, a little dirtier but that's all. No issues with corners of the case and everything inside has traveled without problem. I'll try to take some current pictures and post them a little later today.

Todd - Great looking case by the way. My Delta experience with gun cases the same as many above have posted. No problem with a Tuff Pak being charged any "oversize" fee. I do usually check it and one other bag, so two bag fees apply when dictated by an airline.

Larry Sellers
SCI (International) Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Todd, how is that case looking and holding up after two trips, e.g., the corners, handle?

Still looks good Mike. Handles and locks are still 100%. The canvas cover is still in really good condition, a little dirtier but that's all. No issues with corners of the case and everything inside has traveled without problem. I'll try to take some current pictures and post them a little later today.

Todd last year your advise ruined me for ever traveling with a non take-down gun ever again. I had a case made by americase very similar to yours, right after you posted the photo's last year. Just slightly bigger so I can carry scopes in both sides. I have done 4 trips with it now and it is holding up extremely well. Canvas is worn just a bit on a couple of spots but I will NEVER go back to a long case again. Hope you know now gun purchases are going to get very expensive from now on. I am in talks with Joe Smithson about building me some take-down bolt rifles now.

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Todd, how is that case looking and holding up after two trips, e.g., the corners, handle?

Still looks good Mike. Handles and locks are still 100%. The canvas cover is still in really good condition, a little dirtier but that's all. No issues with corners of the case and everything inside has traveled without problem. I'll try to take some current pictures and post them a little later today.

Todd last year your advise ruined me for ever traveling with a non take-down gun ever again. I had a case made by americase very similar to yours, right after you posted the photo's last year. Just slightly bigger so I can carry scopes in both sides. I have done 4 trips with it now and it is holding up extremely well. Canvas is worn just a bit on a couple of spots but I will NEVER go back to a long case again. Hope you know now gun purchases are going to get very expensive from now on. I am in talks with Joe Smithson about building me some take-down bolt rifles now.

No kidding Mac!! I've been lusting after one of Butch Searcy's stalking rifle single shots for a couple of years now. I'm finally ready to make a move on it but the take down version is $6K or $7K more than the standard. I just can't go back to the full sized travel case after using the little Americase, even if I end up having to save an extra year or do without something else. I'm thinking the take down stalking rifle is going to be the only option I can live with.

What the hell do we do to ourselves with doubles, take downs, safaris, and the like! Hell, I might have even been a "rich" man if my Dad hadn't introduced me to hunting all those years ago!

BTW Mac, do you have any pictures of your case?

Here are some pics of the case, with rifles, AFTER returning home from the second trip to Zim. All is in excellent working order, no issues with handles, locks, corners, interior, etc. The rifles have been well protected as well.



Again, the one thing I do recommend however is that I fill all the voids with socks, T-shirts, or underwear as a bit of extra protection against movement.

I don't have any photos but I will try and get some taken tonight. Your cover looks like it is wearing a little better than mine. However mine is black and probably shows wear more. I know you are not a blaser fan and neither was I but you really should look into a K-95. I bought an older version one from Biebs a year and a half ago that had the straight stock, not one of the ugly hogs back. Think brand new they are about 4K or so depending on model. It will fit in your case in one of your double rifle spots. Lighter than hell and just deadly accurate. Have shot 22 head of game this year with mine.

quote:

Originally posted by McKay:
I don't have any photos but I will try and get some taken tonight. Your cover looks like it is wearing a little better than mine. However mine is black and probably shows wear more. I know you are not a blaser fan and neither was I but you really should look into a K-95. I bought an older version one from Biebs a year and a half ago that had the straight stock, not one of the ugly hogs back. Think brand new they are about 4K or so depending on model. It will fit in your case in one of your double rifle spots. Lighter than hell and just deadly accurate. Have shot 22 head of game this year with mine.

Uh OH! Last time I got into the Blaser discussion, it became an internet lynching with photoshopped pictures offered as blackmail evidence! There were even accusations of riding mopeds involved. Luckily no photos of fat chicks have appeared to date, but I'm not sure the mob is through with me just yet! I'm going to attempt to back out of this one ... slowly ... without making eye contact ... much the same way one would do upon surprising a momma grizzly with cubs at close range!

Todd

They make a great custom case. I have about 8 of them and there shell carrier also. Some new in the box and others for my trap guns. (you win one every now and then) The company owner is very good to work with and talk with to get what you want.

The outer shell is extra and the only way to go. Your name or initials are good on the front side, however, have them stitched your name on up side down. It is easier when opening up your case. Plus have a stitching on both end for ease in spotting your case in the airport. These cases are targeted at known airports when trap shooters fly into. It is easier to spot the end marking than where you have your initials or name embroidered. All it takes is a jacket or towel over the case and it could walk right by you, with out you spotting it.

They will add removable wheels and handle also if you want them. Just have to have another bag to put the wheels in after you get to the airport.

I see you need is some Styrofoam behind your pads to help keep your stock from sliding and tearing your Velcro Tye-down away from it backing. I always add some paper towels in the case to wipe the gun down after use.

They make a great travel case and the the cover is the way to go.

To keep your case from being thrown around you have the ability to tuck your handle behind the flap. Handle up. A few friends have had there handle torn off.

I have 3 Americases: a clam shell case for 2 take down rifles, a case for one Merkel single shot and a case for a double rifle. Both of the one gun cases will fit in the bottom of a drop bottom duffle bag. That is my favorite way to travel with a gun case. The gun (and case) is protected and it is out of sight and out of mind.

If you are flying delta connecting to another airline, make sure that they will transfer your firearm. At one time (recently) the ONLY airline that Delta will transfer a firearm to is SAA. If you are connecting to ANY AIRLINE OTHER THAN SAA, Delta will not allow you to check a firearm.

And another consideration: if you break your trip (say in JNB), you lose your international baggage allowance. In other words, you are restricted to one 35lb bag and one carry on no more than 18 lbs.

There was also a time when the SAP did not want any personal effects packed in with your gun. That put a dent in the tuffpak strategy.

And for those who want to put a takedown case in the bottom of a duffel, this is also now a no-no. I think it's SAA that has a problem with this. They want a gun case to look like a gun case, so they can pick them off the belt and take them to SAPS.

Took Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg on my way to Namibia May 2013.
My gun case is a Pelican for two guns. I only put my .300 WBY in for this trip. It was 2 or 3 inches over, but it didn't matter because Delta charged me for an extra bag anyway.

MauserK98

I have flown to Namibia via Atlanta / Frankfurt FIVE times and Delta has always checked my bags,including my gun case, all the way through to Windhoek. Bags were transferred to Air Namibia in Frankfurt with no problem. My travel agent advised that Delta and Air Namibia have a baggage transfer arrangement with Air Namibia so it was essentially a "seamless" operation. In every case I had a single ticket -including the AN leg- I think the situation is different if TWO tickets or an airline other than Delta is the other airline. Best to check this out with a GOOD travel agent experienced in travel to Africa; like Steve Turner @ Travel With Guns.com

quote:

Originally posted by Mauser K98:
Took Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg on my way to Namibia May 2013.
My gun case is a Pelican for two guns. I only put my .300 WBY in for this trip. It was 2 or 3 inches over, but it didn't matter because Delta charged me for an extra bag anyway.

MauserK98

How many bags did you have to get charged extra?

BTW......Glad this got back on topic

Ted: I also flew Delta 200 ATL-JNB in May'13.
Allowed 1 checked bag and $75 for extra/gun case. Used a
Pelican 1750 also and nothing said about size...just wanted an extra $75 for extra checked luggage.

Ted: My travel was the same as ftg767. I was allowed one checked bag and had to pay $75 for my gun case. Delta never said anything about the measurements.

MauserK98

Todd,

What do you do for your other foot when you only travel with one boot?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Todd,

What do you do for your other foot when you only travel with one boot?

Jim, the other foot is often planted firmly in my mouth!

Bolt rifles 18" barrels.
Anything in Africa can be hunted within less then 100 yards anyway.
No need for sniper rifles like here in the West, where just about everyone talks about shots over 300 yards and up.
And don't get me started on modern ( so called bowhunting, where guys shoot game past 50 yards with garage openers )
Apology for straying from case topic.