What Airline NOT to fly with a Firearm

[Bolt2Bounce]

I go to Canada each year to do a little hunting with my uncle. I made the mistake of booking my flight with Air Canada. They charge $50 each way to transport a Firearm... as a handeling fee, it's not oversized or heavy it's because it is a firearm...Bastards..:mad:..that will never happin again.... B2B

[moulton]

Tommorow I am flying with 2 guns up to Seattle and then catching a puddlejumper to Bozeman on Horrizon Air (subcidiary of Alaskan). They are pretty Chill about firearms.

[CSACANNONEER]

Hey B2B,
Sorry to hear that you got charged. Last July, when I flew to Oregon on Alasksan and back on United? I didn't have any problems or charges and got to bypass a long line and check in at the VIP line. It could be some new Canadian import tax thing. You should have brought some Amaxs with you for our Canadian brothers that can't get them.

[Fjold]

Flying with guns on US Airways, United, AIR New Zealand, Alaska, Delta and Continental have been no problem for me.

[bigthaiboy]

Yes, this summer, Air New Zealand was happy to let me bring an air rifle back from England, and checked in as one of my pieces of luggage. It was easy and absolutely no fuss.

[kuhjäger]

Anyone have any experience with southwest. When I fly home for thanksgiving, I am bringing my XD and don't want any hassles.

[CSACANNONEER]

Anyone have any experience with southwest. When I fly home for thanksgiving, I am bringing my XD and don't want any hassles.

Call ahead of time and find out their requirements. Each airline is a little different. Also, unless you have a special load, it's easier not to transport ammo.

[M. Sage]

Their website lists their restrictions, ditto with all the airlines I know of.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/guns.html
Guns and Ammunition
Guns

* Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through.
* Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and prove that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.
* Paintball guns are allowed in checked baggage and are not subject to the container requirements of firearms. Customers must declare the paintball gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter. Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carryon only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end). TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.
* Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, LOCKED container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
1. A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
2. A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
3. Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made.
* Firearms may be checked and will count toward the three piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.
* Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.
* Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.

Ammunition

* Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
* The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
* When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
* Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
* Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage!
* Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.
* Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed.
* Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be conditionally accepted.

[Suvorov]

USA3000 is the only US airline with a no-firearms policy. Just make sure you declare the firearm, keep it unloaded in a locked hard case container (handguns can be in a locked container inside your suitcase - just follow the above rules). There is a limit to how much ammo you can take. You shouldn't have any issues as long as you don't have a ticket agent with an agenda or your firearm is not stolen. As far as foreign carriers such as Air Canada, they can make their own rules and in general they tend to be less gun friendly.

[Socal858]

Anyone have any experience with southwest. When I fly home for thanksgiving, I am bringing my XD and don't want any hassles.

theyre good people as far as my experience goes

i brought ammo in my pelican case. just keep it in boxes with dividers inside or whatever. they just want to make sure its not loose ammo rolling or rattling. even though the case is locked ill still throw on an extra cable lock on the firearm to ease their minds (extra lock means they dont think itll jump out by itself and eat their babies)


tell them you have a safe empty locked firearm to declare (sounds redundant but it makes them more comfortable), youll fill out a tag and stuff it INSIDE the case. they may want to peep in your case. just let them, they have no clue what to look for, except loose rounds rolling around. youll pack it back up and theyll send it in. some guns will beep for an x ray. theyll tell you to wait in a waiting area. wait half an hour just to be sure. theyll tell you like 15 min or some small number. ive flown with my OLL AR 4 times and and only once did they ask to use my keys to unlock and inspect my case. i just give them the one key for the locks on the case, never the other key for the weapon.


any questions just PM me, its really not a difficult or stressful process

[kuhjäger]

Awesome. Good to know, thanks all.

[Kiba]

Anyone have any experience with southwest. When I fly home for thanksgiving, I am bringing my XD and don't want any hassles.

Flying Southwest with a handgun is easy. I just did this about a month ago. Very friendly & knowledgeable people at each airport, didn't have a single problem. Declare locked & unloaded, sign the card, tape it to your locked hardsided case, hang tight for a few minutes at the baggage check counter until they give you the thumbs up that your bag made it through TSA and you're good to go. Took an extra 5-10 minutes at most.

[4 Brigada]

firearm friendly policy on Southwest. Good to know