Does anyone know if there is a cost to check rifles? I know there wasn't a few years back, but I know that has changed with checked luggage on a few airlines so I'm curious if that pertains to firearms now as well. I didn't see anything on United's website, but wanted to double check. It's a domestic flight (CA to TX) on United if that makes any difference.

Thanks for the info!

NW airlink , Delta, and SAA didn't charge me any extra this month, but may have just gotten lucky.

Everything has changed in the past few months....since June/July of this year 2009. Most of the major airlines are now charging extra for that rifle or shotgun case. If your airline codeshares with another airline which does make a charge, then the originator airline may also charge. But costs vary from one outfit to another - some charge by total weight of ALL your hold baggage (so you add your suitcase together with the rifle/shotgun case) and you pay excess baggage over whatever weight threshold they have. Others just make a fixed price charge for the rifle/shotgun case. Looks like it will take a while for things to settle down. Lufthansa seem to have one of the highest surcharges once you go over the 'normal checked in baggage allowance.

I'll need to update the relevant pages in the reference section of my site www.countrysports.co.uk