Checking a Firearm
Hey guy's I'm taking a trip to Texas in a few days and I was thinking about bringing one of my pistols with me. I went over the Alaska Airlines firearm procedures, which pretty much says I need to keep the pistol in a hard case, unloaded and locked which isn't a problem, the one thing I'm a little fuzzy on is transporting the ammunition. I was planning on just taking 2 boxes of 40 S&W with me, they said it needs to be in a manufacturers container which I'm guessing is just the box it came in or a hard case, I was just going to pack it in the stock boxes it came in. It said it needs to be packed securely which is what I have a question about, will I be able to pack 2 boxes of ammunition inside my checked bag or do they require a different method of transporting it? I was going to call them directly but I figured I would ask on here before waiting on the phone for 30 minutes to talk with a customer support rep
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Your first idea was the best. THEY are the ones that will accept or reject the shipment. [:)]
But, from personal experience on a different airline, all I needed was the ammo to be in the original factory box, or a plastic ammo box. I used the original 50 rd box from the store. The gun was in a small plastic case with a small padlock. Both the gun case and the ammo box were simply packed in my check luggage. I notified the counter agent, she had a TSA rep look in the suitcase to ensure the gun and ammo were packed correctly, deposited an approval form inside the luggage, and placed the suitcase on the conveyor belt. Pretty simple overall. No hassle. [:D]0 -
Yes, they are the ones that will approve/disapprove it but I figured I would just ask on here before going through the hassle of calling them. Their customer service is atrocious. Since I can take up to 50 pounds of ammunition with me I'll probably be taking 3 boxes of .40 and 3 of 9mm and I'll just bury it deep in my checked luggage. When a TSA agent comes over to check your baggage do they do that at the counter before the airline agent throws your bag on the belt? I have a couple of little key locks, I was just going to put 2 of those on the pistol case (It's the stock sig sauer hard case that the pistol comes in) it and call it good. 0 -
In most airports, there is a counter where oversized luggage is taken. These typically include items larger that "standard" luggage like: golf clubs, fishing poles in a "tube", etc. Even though a pistol and ammo is a much smaller item than those I just mentioned, it will most likely be checked into this counter, NOT the same line you would go through to drop off luggage larger than carry-on. I have inquired at airports with this same question because I like to travel with my carry pistol when going to states that reciprocate to Florida's stand your ground OOPS... I mean Florida's concealed carry laws.
I think you have the right idea, and should be safe unless you have a clown that leans too far left and wants to give you a hard time.
Aaron0 -
quote:Originally posted by DerBarbarian
Yes, they are the ones that will approve/disapprove it but I figured I would just ask on here before going through the hassle of calling them. Their customer service is atrocious. Since I can take up to 50 pounds of ammunition with me I'll probably be taking 3 boxes of .40 and 3 of 9mm and I'll just bury it deep in my checked luggage. When a TSA agent comes over to check your baggage do they do that at the counter before the airline agent throws your bag on the belt? I have a couple of little key locks, I was just going to put 2 of those on the pistol case (It's the stock sig sauer hard case that the pistol comes in) it and call it good.
No,we didn't do the inspection right at the counter, where all the lookyloos might get excited. They had me take my luggage down to the end of the counter and step inside their office door. There the TSA agent asked me to unlock the case and demonstrate the gun was unloaded. I was fortunate in that he was "one of us" and appreciated a nice gun. We chatted for a minute about shooting and he put a document in the suitcase saying it had passed inspection. Then he carried the bag back out front and put it on the conveyor with everyone else's luggage. BTW, this was with Southwest Airlines. I think the procedure is the same with others. Good luck.0 -
Different Airlines, different procedures.
I personally wouldn't rely on any verbal communication, with their customer service dweebs. If you can't find anything pertinent, to your specific questions. Send them a e-mail with your plans on taking the ammo, see if they are OK, with it? Keep the e-mail when you go to check your bag(s)?, in case of problems. Always a possibility they require the ammo and firearm, to be in separate checked bags?0 -
Sounds good, the ONLY thing I'm honestly worried about is the ammunition. The ammo that I have is all in cardboard boxes but they don't have hard plastic trays which each round fit's in a spot. So I'm not 100% sure if they would have an issue with that or not. 0 -
Are you visiting family or friends or just traveling? If it's the family/friends deal just ship the ammo common carrier to their address and it will be there when you arrive. Would probably be the same cost when it's all said and done and alot less hassle. 0 -
I'd just buy the ammo after I land. Use up all the ammo and no take backs. 0 -
rufe-snow has a good suggestion in terms of getting the airline's policy in writing; sometimes you can find it on their website. However, don't be surprised if the employees you talk to are not familiar with their airline's policies. Best bet on the ammo is to put it (in original factory boxes) in a lockable box (the plastic ammo boxes sold at Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc. work fine) and put that inside your checked luggage. Some airlines want the ammo locked in a separate box; others just want it separate from the gun and anywhere in checked luggage is ok. If you're on Alaska both ways you're probably in good shape as they likely see as many checked guns as any airline. Traveling to Africa with guns and ammo and passing through several countries on several airlines can get real interesting given the different and sometimes conflicting requirements. . .and the confusion of their employees. Alaska Airlines shouldn't be a problem. 0 -
I flew many times with firearms on Alaska Air. They are quite used to handling guns in transit and are not as anal about it as most other airlines are.
Pack it well protected in the original factory boxes wrapped in bubble wrap and claim it in your luggage.0 -
quote:Originally posted by DerBarbarian
Sounds good, the ONLY thing I'm honestly worried about is the ammunition. The ammo that I have is all in cardboard boxes but they don't have hard plastic trays which each round fit's in a spot. So I'm not 100% sure if they would have an issue with that or not.
In checked luggage, they might ask to see it. Or they may take your word for it that it is in the ORIGINAL UNOPENED PACKAGING.
So 100 white box bulk pack all jumbled about. No problem.
50 rnds federal in plastic square base in a box. No problem.
5 rnds in a reloading box you bought at Gander Mtn. Problem.
49 rnds in a box you opened and resealed with tape. you are taking your chances.
CHECKED LUGGAGE. THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. ORIGINAL PACKAGING. NOT PROBLEMS.
other than that, perhaps problems.0
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