Hello, I'm going to hunt in new mexico from my home state of Florida. I have never traveled with a firearm on a commercial flight before. I understand you need an approved case and lock, where do you get one and what is the cost. What type of paperwork do you need. How early should I show up to anticipate delays. What about the ammo, is there a separate case and paperwork to be done? I hope it not to much of a pain. Any information would be appreciated.

Get a hard side case that will protect your rifle, like a Pelican case or similar. Any padlock(s) will do as long as they don't have the TSA, second keyhole (TSA Lock). You are not supposed to have any indication on the outside of the case that there is a gun in it.

You have to show that your rifle is unloaded at check in. There they will fill out a red card showing that and put the card in the case. That is the only paperwork required. They will probably have you hand carry it to TSA for inspection.

What I do, is after the check-in I put the locks through the hasps without locking them and hand it over to TSA who will inspect it in a back room. I tell them to lock it when they are through and leave it with them.


The airline will handle it as special handling and you will pick it up at the oversize/special handling counter at baggage claim. You will have to show your baggage tag/ID to pick it up. Some airlines will put a zip tie through the hasps and escort you out of the airport terminal.

quote:

Originally posted by steel:
Hello, I'm going to hunt in new mexico from my home state of Florida. I have never traveled with a firearm on a commercial flight before. I understand you need an approved case and lock, where do you get one and what is the cost. What type of paperwork do you need. How early should I show up to anticipate delays. What about the ammo, is there a separate case and paperwork to be done? I hope it not to much of a pain. Any information would be appreciated.

1. You will need a airline approved case for your rifle.
https://www.pelican.com/us/en/...fle-case/vault/v770#
2. You will be able to place your ammo in the case, make sure that the ammo is in a shell container or the factory box.
3. Have locks that are keyed the same to lock your case. it pays to have a spare lock or 2 just in case they cut your locks off. place the spare locks under the foam in a corner of your case, tape them in place.
4. Place your luggage tags one inside the case and another on the outside of your case.
5. If you have a bolt action rifle remove the bolt from the rifle. Place the bolt in the case, so it does not rub on the rifle.
6. When leaving Albuquerque give your self extra time to check in. the buggers cannot tell if the rifle is loaded or not even with the bolt out of the gun. Then they will call the local police to inspect the rifle. you get to wait near by.
7. Paper work is at checking, you need to let them know that you are traveling with firearms, they will ask you to sign a tag stating that the firearm is unload and you insert the tag in the case. then you lock the case, now your case will go to a scan. (they sometimes tell you it will be a while for your case to be inspected, as another airline maybe ahead of yours) if your lucky they will give you the thumbs up or ask you for your keys.

While Frank has some good points.

you will be asked to lock the case after you place the signed red tag.

you will not take your firearm to TSA, the airline will put it on a roller belt or on a cart. if it goes on the cart you can count on a good time delay.

The airport is small, and out of all the airport ports that I have flown out of in the USA it is the most difficult to check a firearm and travel, I have always used up almost 3 hours just checking in.

There are a couple of good restaurants to eat at, one before you go through security and one after you clear security.

So show up an hour or so early just in case, do they treat your gun like other luggage, as in throw it across the room like they are training for a keg toss or do they treat it like they should. Do they bump your scope out of allinment?

quote:

Originally posted by steel:
So show up an hour or so early just in case, do they treat your gun like other luggage, as in throw it across the room like they are training for a keg toss or do they treat it like they should. Do they bump your scope out of allinment?

I travel with a tuff pak when I fly to Africa, and the last time they dumped my gun out, it was in a soft sided case and the scope cover was off. the bolt was out of the rifle and they call the ABQ police to check my rifle to see if it was loaded. that took an hour or more and I was standing there and they would not let me show them how to se if it was loaded or not. I picked up a good ding in the stock and my rifle needs to be re sighted when I landed in Namibia.

for American travel I use Americase cases and my guns are broken down, same thing they could not tell if they were un loaded.

Your ammo should be in a separate locked case(TSA lock in this instance) and in your CHECKED bag. Weight limit of 5kg's including the case the ammo is in.

quote:

Originally posted by Gundog 64:
Your ammo should be in a separate locked case(TSA lock in this instance) and in your CHECKED bag. Weight limit of 5kg's including the case the ammo is in.

Travel in the USA you can have the firearm and ammo in the same case.

Read your airlines firearm policy. Found in the luggage info on their website. Print it and keep with you. Might have to educate a clueless ticket agent.

This might not be current since changes are made
all the time.

Back in July '11 I flew AA from Co/Spgs, DFW/JAX.

Just checked in and declared I had a gun case full of guns: 4 rifles 3 revolvers. they checked it in right there at the ticket counter and said TSA would see me at the scanning point which he did. One thing I did was take the bolts out and laid them beside the rifles inside the case. I wrapped a padlocked chain around the case as I'd lost the case key and was sent more locks instead of keys by SKB at the last minute. That posed no problem.

Ammo was in my suitcase. I had no idea of a limit. They weighed it and said a limit of 11lbs, I had nearly 20 lbs. I was given a choice: either they'd confiscate OR I could have the excess picked up which I did by calling my local friend to come pick it up. No hassle there. He was keeping my car at his place anyway.

When I got to destination I found the agent had not snapped the lids closed and ammo was all thru my clothing, several different sizes. I've wondered if that was on purpose.

At TSA: I saw the guy across the room and told him I had a gun case coming thru. "I'll check it" I told him I had to use the pisser and would be right back. When I got back he said: "I scanned it and everything is fine you're cleared".
AA missent it to NY. "we will deliver it to your location no charge." They did (60 miles) but, three days later, so it fk'd up our plans. I got to see much more of the JAX area while waiting on it. After all, that didn't really do anything other than delay our leaving. We went to the range, drove to Cedar Key, fished three days, then went hog hunting two days and drove back. Had a great time for ten days.

Coming home the same way. I had three rifles and four revolvers. There was no problems at all. At luggage I waited a longtime and no gun case came out. Finally I happened to look 30' or so behind the belt and a lady was standing there with my gun case. I went over and showed her my tickets for comparison and she turned it over to me. I walked out to my ride.

That's the only time I've flown with guns. Hope this applies and settles some of your questions.
I feel if you don't get mouthy or give them any trouble you won't have any in return.
George

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
Read your airlines firearm policy. Found in the luggage info on their website. Print it and keep with you. Might have to educate a clueless ticket agent.

I know this thread is about travel within US , but yes, print the airline rules and a have a copy with you. Know the regs well.

On my two trips to south Africa I had to educate the ticket agent each time. both times Delta. Second trip I got a lecture about all guns had to registered to be checked outbound. I called for a supervisor who was great and knew the drill. So know your regs to save unwanted grief.
It should go ok, but have a great case for your rifle. i use American Case.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana338:

quote:

Originally posted by Gundog 64:
Your ammo should be in a separate locked case(TSA lock in this instance) and in your CHECKED bag. Weight limit of 5kg's including the case the ammo is in.

Travel in the USA you can have the firearm and ammo in the same case.

Thank you for the correction, I did not know this.

Everyoen here has good points. I would add not all airports are the same. When I leave Kansas City after turkey hunting the TSA inspects the shotgun in a room wehre I can't go. they won't let me see the inspection process or see if the case is locked when they are through.

In Anchorage the TSA inspects my rifle with me there in the room and I can lock it myself after they complete their task.

Just smile, do what they ask even if you think it is wrong, and all will be fine.
Cal

Steel,

At the Albuquerque airport, your luggage will come out on a carousel, now you will need to find the closest over size luggage slot.

There maybe a person there and most time I have not had anyone there and needed to find my gun case. Have your luggage tags ready for inspection.

You will come down the stairs to the lower floor. There will be east or west pick up points for your checked bags, scan the area by the walls for the over size bags pickup locations. Your luggage could be in the same area or in the other area. I have not figured out how they do it, I just walk around and look for my gun case.

Steel,

An idea I've used within the US is to send your rifles ahead via FedEx, UPS or through the mail. Works nicely and you completely avoid any gun related travel hassles. Send to yourself C/O your outfitter.

Mark

quote:

In Anchorage the TSA inspects my rifle with me there in the room and I can lock it myself after they complete their task.

quote:

In Anchorage the TSA inspects my rifle with me there in the room and I can lock it myself after they complete their task.

Yep, my experience many times in flying in and out of Anchorage. In every airport that I have traveled through, I have never had my firearms inspected for the last 3 years without TSA zip tying my gun case as well. Funny thing is watching my TuffPak come out with a zip tie around it and the zip tie connected to NOTHING. My TuffPak looks like it's wearing a belt and it does absolutely NOTHING to secure the case shut! Simply and utterly hilarious! Of course, they're doing it to conform with the requirement for them to attach a zip tie in order to ensure that the firearms case is 'secure', per the tragedy of the shooting in an airport a few years back. That said, this zip tying of a TuffPak is the essence of incompetence and complete 'window dressing' at its worst! There is a way to do it, but I'm certainly not going to suggest it to the Einsteins at TSA!