Airport travel with Guns and Ammo

[yellowbeak1]

Sounds like a big pain in the butt to fly with a firearm. Taking more vacation from work and driving to Canada is starting to sound better and better.

 

[ramsey]

The weight/oversize bag restrictions are the biggest pain to traveling hunters. Shells and waders add significantly to weight. Circumventing/working the system: once the firearm has been checked, attach the locked gun case to the suitcase and they'll count it as one. Second item checked - a cooler (shells enclosed on the way up; ducks on the way back). Good luck and best regards.

 

[beandog]

Thanks for the info Kevin and all others. I'm flying to Oregon to hunt divers on the Lower Columbia next week and wondered how much of a hassle it would be. I ordered a case of shells and I'm having them sent to my partners house up there so that makes it that much easier. Again, thanks for all the info.

 

[drycreekvalley]

Weight can defintely be an issue. Trips to Canada for waterfowl and big game trips that involve air travel can get costly. Some airlines are more restrictive than others with respect to weight so it pays to check that out before making a reservation.

On my last Alberta trip Alaska's new policy lowered the weight where charges began, but there was only one fee (I think 25.00) for anything above that all the way to the maximum for one bag (I think the max was 100 pounds).

I was willing to pay the extra money. On the way back the agent at the counter didn't even weigh my cooler so there was no extra charge.

Also, whenever possible I buy shotgun shells when I get to my destination. The difference in cost is minimal and I have been able to find what I am looking for each time.

 

[mouthcallinmatt]

Originally posted by ramsey
: once the firearm has been checked, attach the locked gun case to the suitcase and they'll count it as one. [/B]

Great idea! Do you just duct tape them together or use a rope?

 

[sdbrewer]

I'll put in a plug for Southwest here. I'm not affiliated in any way with the airline but I did fly them this season on a hunting trip to Bear Lake Utah (flew into Salt Lake City). Southwest's policy is that a gun case does not count as one of your bags. The policy reads "Customer is allowed to check sporting firearms in addition to his or her free baggag allowance." Arguably, this means that the gun case does not apply towards your weight limit either.

My tip in general is to print the airline's policy off of the web and take it with you. I've given it to the counter personel on several occasions when discussing what is allowed and what is not.