We are headed to South Dakota for a short pheasant hunt, flying American Airlines to Denver and then Key Lime to Pierre. American now says they won’t check firearms thru to destination, have to claim firearm at Denver and re-check, new rule? Flown same route several times with no such problem. BS.

Bit of an update. Managed to get an AA supervisor who explained that some airlines are no longer accepting firearms from connecting flights. She was nice enough to call someone at Key Lime Airlines and verified that they would accept from connecting flight, so firearms case was then checked thru to destination.
Also, something new to me, when I filled out firearms declaration the agent placed a sticker from my baggage tag on the declaration. Never seen this before. Then at TSA the officer opened my case and removed the baggage sticker from the declaration and stuck it on some sort of form. No idea why unless to make a record of me flying with a firearm. This didn’t happen on last two trips earlier this year on Qatar.

I just got a message from one of the guys that we be hunting with, he flew out of DFW on American and they simply put the declaration in his gun case and put the case on the baggage conveyor. Didn’t have to go to TSA and no baggage sticker on his declaration. I guess it all depends on which agent one happens to draw.

Return trip on same airlines, no problems. Placed declaration form in case and case placed on baggage belt. However, one of our group did not receive his firearm at his destination in Florida and my wife’s suitcase didn’t make it to DFW (even though it showed to be scanned at DFW). Anybody’s guess how one will be treated checking firearm on American Airlines. Also took 50 minutes for luggage to show up on carousel at DFW and first two pieces were my son’s and my guncase, anyone could’ve walked out with them.

Just returned from a few days chasing grouse and woodcock in Minnesota. Flew Delta from Austin to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Worried a bit since both places are a tad liberal but no issues whatever. At the counter I declared my shotgun, signed the declaration at both airports and put them in my guncase. They did tag the case with the CAPGT sticker and escorted me to TSA. In both airports the x-rayed my case but never had to open it. Delta hand delivers the case to the baggage claim area so I had to wait a bit longer for it to show but felt it was handled extremely well. Couldn't have gone smoother which was a relief after our Mongolia trip!

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Originally posted by bwanamrm:
Just returned from a few days chasing grouse and woodcock in Minnesota. Flew Delta from Austin to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Worried a bit since both places are a tad liberal but no issues whatever. At the counter I declared my shotgun, signed the declaration at both airports and put them in my guncase. They did tag the case with the CAPGT sticker and escorted me to TSA. In both airports the x-rayed my case but never had to open it. Delta hand delivers the case to the baggage claim area so I had to wait a bit longer for it to show but felt it was handled extremely well. Couldn't have gone smoother which was a relief after our Mongolia trip!

Bwananmrm, glad you had luck on Delta. My journey was okay but seems like some shenanigans on the way home.

My son and I flew Delta to California by way of Medford, OR to go duck hunting with my Brother in Law. I took a pump shotgun and semi-auto. The check in Boston was fine if inexperienced. This is normal when I fly in unfriendly states and the I had to walk the young man helping me through the declaration process. I got the same CAPGT sticker and had to hang at the checkin counter while they called down to make sure it was good.

It was coming back that the shenanigans seemed to occur. Same inexperience when I checked in in Medford but when I got to Boston the baggage tag had been ripped off the gun case, the CAPGT tag was still on and one of the stickers but the DELTA lady who picked up my bag was grumpy. Fortunately I have an engraved name and phone number plate on my Pelican case so she cheeked that against my ID. Stupid polices that are stupid included putting putting a zip tie in one of the lock holes. When I asked why she mentioned so I don't do what happened in Florida a few years ago. Nice implication that I might shoot the place up.

I do play the paperwork game, and bring printed copies of all regs and airline policies. I also have a Curio and Relics FFL I bring a copy of, it has no bearing as to the shotguns I take but it has made people calmer when I pull out a "federal gun license".