Airport travel with Guns and Ammo

[Kevin Burroughs]

There have been a few changes in the past few months.

All your ammo has to be in a orginal box or a ammo box that seperate holder for each shell. Don't put your choke tubes with the guns in the case. They don't know what they are and it takes forever to explain it.

Mark your gun gun case so they know what top and bottom is.

When you check your gun case, leave the lock undone so they don't have to chase you for the keys. They will cut the lock if you are not there.

Ask 2 or 3 times if they are done with you.

If you leave loose ammo in your hunting jacket in your baggage they will remove it and write you a ticket.

When you go through the PSA security screen, you might as well take your shoes off if you are wearing anything other than sneakers.

Your guns will taken to the baggage office and you will have to show ID to pick them up at your arrival spot.

All and all its not much more of a hassle.

---------------kevin------------

 

[fat.eatingducks]

Show up an hour earlier than is recomended for the average Joe traveler. If they are saying be there 90 minutes before you flight, show up 2 and 1/2 hours early. Bring your flask and wait it out...When we went to Alberta last Sep we checked through Chico airport and they were very helpful. It helps to go through a local airport like Chico because they like hunters and guns. If we were getting on in SF I would imagine they would have been a lot more difficult to deal with.

At Chico Airport my bag was overweight because I was carrying a bunch of Kent Tungstun Impact ammunition. They suggested we open my bag and spread out my ammo umongst my buddies to rectify the situation. I don't think you'll get that kind of response from the liberals in SF.

 

[morduks]

NP in SF last October for our trip to Canada. Airline regs have always required that ammo be packed in original box or closed container. Original box just means cardboard box it comes it. I did make the mistake of wrapping HeaviShot boxes to regular steel box with duct tape. X-rayer patiently cut/unwrapped package to get to each box and opened each one. They had already Xrayed it and could clearly see each individual shell but she went through the exercise anyway. She then rewrapped package with roll of duct tape I gave her.
I carry my duck calls and other expensive small gear like binoculars and cameras as my carryon. I would add the choke tubes to the carryon bag right on top. Let them inspect them if interested and tell them tubes are part of duck calls and related gear. No muss no fuss.
We did notice that all carriers have become very particular about weight of baggage. It is not strictly a safety issue but a fiscal one as they can charge extra for overweight bags. Suggesting you spread the weight around was nice of them.

 

[drycreekvalley]

morducks and I had a similar experience at SFO around the same time.

Stick with the original conatainers (had issues with this in Canada), keep your keys close and store the choke tubes somewhere other than the gun case (there was a discussion amongst TSA people prior to closing my case after inspection) as Kevin mentioned and you will be fine.

My check-in at SFO was quick and painless.

 

[Chessie]

I recently flew to/from Oregon and had no problem traveling with my firearm. Kev's got it right though, make sure you leave it unlocked and stay with it until they are done with it so you can re-lock it. I did have the chock tubes in the case and neither TSA agent said anything about it.

 

[Lynn Lobb]

Kevin
How long did it take you to get the bags and gun checked in and to get through the security screen?
How much earlrier should someone arrive at the airport to get to their flight on time?
Thx.

 

[Kevin Burroughs]

I think that they normally want you there 2 hrs before your flight. With a firearm I would add at least 30 min to that. If its a busy travel day I would rather be early than sorry.

I try to fly out of Sac airport because its a little more user friendly. SF and Oakland are a pain for me.

Fats was dead right when he said watch the weight of your bags. I got dinged a extra 40 bucks for over weight on a bag. It had all my ammo in it.


----------------kevin-------------

 

[drycreekvalley]

Like Kevin said watch the weight of your bag to avoid extra charges. Alaska Air changed their rules just before my last Alberta and each airline may have different "rules" re: weight.

 

[OLY]

done it many times Kevin,to go thru you have to have your ducks(no pun intented)in a row. OLY

 

[N.E. Zone Hunter]

I fly 5 or 6 times a year with a shotgun. In fact I was in San Antonio Tx. at a shoot on 9/11. That trip home is a whole different story Anyway, here are some tips I would have. Let TSA and the gate agent know you have a firearm. The gate agent is still responsible for checking to make sure it is empty and you have to sign a form stating so and place it in the case. Have the case unlocked going to the counter. TSA will most likely want to open the case after it runs through the x-ray. At least in Reno, the TSA agents are not supposed to touch the firearm, they are supposed to call over a uniformed officer to check it. This may be different at other airports. Always verify that if they inspect your case that the case is locked afterwards. I have them put security tape over the locks after also. Ammo in a suitcase has to be declared and in an original box. Even with it declared, it is a 100% guarentee that they will go through your bag after the x-ray. Watch the weight of your bags, for whatever reason they have become very tight on weight limits the last 8 months or so. Ear plugs, glasses, calls etc. I take in a carry-on. I would not take choke tubes in carry-on. I once had a screener pull out my choke tubes and not let them through. She knew that they were "part" of a firearm and nothing was going to change her mind. You might get away with choke tubes, but if someone decides to get picky, your bags are already gone and there is no way to get the tubes into your checked luggage. I have always been fine with 2 hours before a flight time. Remember, if too early, your gun is sitting around somewhere where others can see it and you cannot. As stated before, some airports will take firearm cases to the baggage office but some will just send it out on the belt. I would watch the belt first before automatically going to the office.

As an observation, they have gotten better at airports on how they handle firearms now than from 2 years ago. If you follow "their" rules, the hassles are usually minimal, if you have questions, ask one of the TSA agents. I hope all this helps and still plays true, I'm flying out to Texas for a few days of goose hunting on Monday