Returning to CA with a C&R on a domestic flight.

[MysteryCereal]

Just so everyone knows, you do no always get to bypass the line, at SAN airport, Southwest will usually request the passenger stay around the ticket counter area for 10 minutes. By then if they get a call from TSA, that means the bag alarmed the machines and they need the key or if they hear nothing from us, then the bag went through the automated baggage xray system and they should be good to go. But usually they are not escorted to the front of the line after that. Being dove season and all, I've seen quite a few nicely engraved Berettas coming through lately.

[Crazyhorse]

I love walking into a LAX with my long gun in a hard case with a gun molded into the side. Most of the time I walk in the door and a guard grabs me and asks what airline I'm flying with and cuts me to the front of the line.

Best thing is they ask you to show them the gun is unloaded.... and so far I haven't found anyone that knows anything about firearms... I have had people look at my closed bolt rem 700 and tell me it looks unloaded and ok...

[maxicon]

I just flew last week with a couple of guns, and I got no special line-cutting privileges... What specific procedures they follow seems to depend on both the airline and the airport.

I had 2 handguns in one case, so they were in socks to avoid scuffing due to rough handling, and they didn't even want me to take them out of the socks. I just filled out the paperwork at the counter, and they sent them on, having me wait around until they passed TSA. Then I headed on to the gate, through the security line. This has been the usual procedure in Tucson the last few times I've flown with guns. It's similar in San Jose, though they often don't make me wait.

I had a regular masterlock on the case, which was in the middle of my regular suitcase. I always carry multiple locks keyed alike with multiple keys, so I can hand them the key if they want and still have one in my pocket in case something goes wrong.

At the risk of jinxing myself, I've flown many times over the past 5 years with guns, and I've always got a gear bag in my suitcase with my knives, flashlights, and various tech gear (GPS, cell chargers, laptop accessories, etc). I've never had anything come up missing yet. Fingers crossed...

[moulton]

is there a limit on the ammount of firearms you can fly with in one gun case. In november im flying to montana and I am planing on bringing scoped savage 111, retro OLL, and ruger gp-100 .357 mag

[mxndrnks]

is there a limit on the ammount of firearms you can fly with in one gun case. In november im flying to montana and I am planing on bringing scoped savage 111, retro OLL, and ruger gp-100 .357 mag

Check with your airlines.... Just brought back 7 guns from Alabama last month. Most airlines say the will charge you an extra baggage fee for more than "x" number of guns (usually listed as 2 - 1 long gun and 1 pistol). They will also list how many pounds of ammo you can fly with. The proceedure is just as every one has listed on here..... I got lucky and wasn't charged any extra fees.... It is all listed on their websites...

[Gunhacker]

With the percentage of lost luggage, I don't think I wouldn't even bother using checked baggage unless the firearms is something you wouldn't mind losing. Far better to ship it back to yourself where it will or can be fully insured and not subject to the airline's dollar limit for lost luggage, which varies between carriers.

[maxicon]

is there a limit on the ammount of firearms you can fly with in one gun case. In november im flying to montana and I am planing on bringing scoped savage 111, retro OLL, and ruger gp-100 .357 mag

There are usually 2 limits you have to deal with for guns:

- Weight: 50 lbs per checked bag at Southwest (you can check up to 3 bags). I've had multiple guns and books in a big utility suitcase that took it over 50 lbs, and I had to re-distribute some of the books into another bag.

- Size: There are total size limits (L+W+H) at most airlines, and often long gun cases will exceed this limit.

There's also a limit on ammo weight at most airlines, and some specify number of guns, as mxndrnks said. Many times they'll ignore small excursions over the limits.

Check the airline website and call for details if it's unclear. It's not a bad idea to print out the airline's policies if you're flying with a lot.

[photog]

Maybe save yourself the hassle and just ship it to yourself ?

Not as easy as it sounds.

If you MAIL a pistol, you are violating federal law (unless you have an 01FFL)

If you UPS/FedEx a pistol, you have to go to the appropriate service desk, declare it and ship it red label (overnight), or you are violating federal law. And most ding-dongs at UPS/FedEx don't know their own rules.

I recently bought a Star model B and flew it home. No problems on United (I think). I had the slide apart from the frame and the mags out, all in a locked case. If the gun is disassembled, you don't have to cycle the action to prove it unloaded. No use making a scene in an airport.

[packnrat]

save all the trouble, ship it to your self via u.p.s.
or next time drive.