Flying Jet Blue with Firearms

[CJJohn]

I've flown Jet Blue with firearms, very easy. Print TSA requirements and keep them with you, as well as the carriers requirements. piece of cake every time I've flown.
The worst thing I've encountered was a United gate agent asking for my key. As soon as I showed her she was asking me to commit a felony she was done. same with a TSA agent who wanted my key. I showed him the printed law FROM the TSA website and he STILL argued with me. We compromised and I went on my way. LAX has always been very easy to go through.

[DolphinFan]

Thank you to everyone who actually answered my questions.

In addition to the procedures I outlined in post #9 I will print out both TSA & JetBlue Regulations.

[Jimi Jah]

After reading all this I would break it down and ship it UPS unassembled.

[dwalker]

After reading all this I would break it down and ship it UPS unassembled.

Way cheaper to just carry the guns with you on the plane, especially since UPS will only ship pistols overnight, and to FFL's.

[asymmetricalwarfar3]

Way cheaper to just carry the guns with you on the plane, especially since UPS will only ship pistols overnight, and to FFL's.

No. You can ship a firearm to yourself.

[dwalker]

No. You can ship a firearm to yourself.

Go read again, you cannot ship a handgun to yourself via UPS. You can ship a long gun, but not a handgun. You cannot ship a handgun via USPS to yourself period, there must be an FFL involved

[tanks]

dwalker---Try doing what you have said when flying to South Africa and then let me know.
Ammo can only be in ammo boxes(plastic ones OK)
Put ammo in the firearm case and you will have problems.
I have spoke with others that have had the locks cut. I do not think they lied.
I have had my ammo checked and weighted. They will also check to see that it is for the firearms (2 only) that you are bringing in. You cannot bring other cartridges in. In SA they want it out of your checked bag and it will be picked up at the SAP along with the firearms when your permit is processed and checked. They also check serial numbers.
I had my rifles checked for serial #'s matching my 4457 in Atlanta just this month. This was also in a guns only pick up place. In SFO they were at the oversize baggage place again.
...

I have yet to have anyone check my ammo to make sure they fit the rifles I am bringing in at RSA. Though I let "Afton House" do the clearing of my firearms for something like an extra $100 and their guy speeds it through and I don't have to deal with it. Now, in Zimbabwe they have actually counted my ammo going in and out.

In Atlanta they always have checked the serial numbers against the 4457. They also have given me a hard time about the bolts being in the rifle. I always explain that they could disappear if packed separately.

The process of traveling domestic/internationally with firearms is pretty straightforward if one follows the rules. Now, one personal rule I have is not to have any transits outside of the country, especially EU. Even if the layover is just a few hours EU countries want more paperwork and permits, not to mention it is not guaranteed that the firearms will be on the next flight. So, I'll go LAX to ATL/JFK and then RSA. if going to another country after RSA I do spend the night at Johannesburg (Afton House) and leave the next morning making sure my firearms go with me.

[DevRogue]

1. check airline restrictions on their website
2. arrive at least an hour before you normally would arrive (i do 2hrs to play it safe)
3. declare at check-in counter
4. ensure items dont weigh above 50lbs or whatever weight limit
5. get combo locks, non-TSA

they put the declaration within the case and put a sticker on your checked luggage tag saying it's been reviewed by security. Vegas makes you wait 10min until security has verified it w/o actually opening the case, SFO you get taken to an area where they can review the contents.

once it gets to a certain value, invest in something like Tile or a bluetooth tracking device to confirm your item has arrived on the plane, etc. I've cut my Pelican 1650 to fit 4 rifles taken down and a good chunk of change can easily roll away.

as for ammo, i either ship it to the location where i'm going to use it or buy local. less weight to carry, your limit is 11lbs anyways. Magtech boxes are the best to keep rounds in since they're pretty compact (compared to Blazer); TSA wont try checking make of round to manufacturer on box.

[Divernhunter]

Tanks--This year I used a gun service and they did not even look at my ammo
The last time I did the paperwork myself and they did. That combined with the 2 hour wait in line and almost missing my next flight caused me to use a gun service this time. I also stayed over at Joberg this time.
I will always use a gun service in the future. In and out in just a couple of minutes and ZERO hassles or asking for bribes. Well worth the cost. Since I load my own ammo I use the plastic reloader boxes and I have all the load info on them.

[tanks]

...
I will always use a gun service in the future. In and out in just a couple of minutes and ZERO hassles or asking for bribes. Well worth the cost. Since I load my own ammo I use the plastic reloader boxes and I have all the load info on them.

Yeah, the service is worth every penny and then some. I have two trips scheduled for next year, elephant in one and lion (for me) and plains game (for the girlfriend) on the other. Already looking forward to them.

Of course, if an good elephant comes up in the fall (my PH is looking around, I want something around 70+ lbs to the side) I'd be on a plane to Zim at a moment's notice.

[DolphinFan]

It was a breeze no issues. Opened bag, opened case, signed declaration, locked case and locked bag. Took all of 5 min.
Boarding now.
Thank you again to everybody

[L84CABO]

It was a breeze no issues. Opened bag, opened case, signed declaration, locked case and locked bag. Took all of 5 min.
Boarding now.
Thank you again to everybody

Bring me back a sweatshirt! Size XL!

[ImmortalOne]

Despite the fact that the thread is old, it helped me to solve my own problem. Thank you, OP. I was looking for this information because I've rented a private jet for my next trip to Wisconsin. I've found private jet rentals for a good price, but I didn't ask them about what do I have to do if I need to ship a gun with ammo. Now I know more about this stuff. BTW, does it matter what kind of gun do I want to take with me? I have a pistol and a rifle. I don't think that they will allow me to take a rifle with me, right?

[george223]

1. check airline restrictions on their website
2. arrive at least an hour before you normally would arrive (i do 2hrs to play it safe)
3. declare at check-in counter
4. ensure items dont weigh above 50lbs or whatever weight limit
5. get combo locks, non-TSA

they put the declaration within the case and put a sticker on your checked luggage tag saying it's been reviewed by security.

I've flown a few times with firearms and have never had a sticker placed on outside of my luggage or gun case. The signed declaration went in the gun case and that was it. However, the last time was 5 years ago so maybe the rules have changed?