Shipping gun as baggage?

UnclePat

Has anyone recently shipped a pistol as baggage on an airline? What were the procedures, hassles, etc.?

v35

Last winter we flew from Newark NJ to Biloxie Miss. and returned. We took a Remington 51, .380 and S&W Chief Special.On checking in with the unloaded pistols in a locked box,within a suitcase (not carry-on), the guns were declared at the counter. The ammo was in a ziplock bag inside the locked guncase. I was taken into a small room to demonstrate that they were unloaded and locked in a secure pistol carrying case. I filled out a form and that was it. I later read the ammo should be in a separate locked case but no one made an issue of it. Procedures were the same in both states.Since there may be changes due to heightened security, it might be wise to call the airline and find out.

TaiChi

A friend just flew down from Alaska and brought his 40 S&W with him. The airline required he declare the pistol, package in a lockable gun case, mags. in a seperate bag and no ammo at all. He had no problems.

UnclePat

Thanks,I did call Delta and the bozo informed me that it is not possible to ship a firearm as baggage and that I should mail it to myself to my destination. Can you imagine that?! I am so frustrated with these ignorant burger-flippers being put in charge of our airline security. Will things improve when the feds take over?

Iconoclast

Uncle Pat - When the Feds step in for private industry or state govt, the result is usually higher-paid incompetence and less common sense. JMHO

rick_reno

I've done this a lot, with handguns I use a Peiican case with two padlocks on it. Show up at the airport with the unloaded gun in the case - at checkin you're asked to demonstrate the firearms are unloaded. Lock the case and give it to them. The next part is where you need to pay attention. Many airlines will tell you to go to a special baggage handling room to get your gun case,when you and your gun case reach their destination. When the plane lands - walk briskly to the baggage carousel and wait there until ALL the baggage has been unloaded from that plane. Don't worry if you don't see your gun case, it'll either be stolen or in the special baggage handling room - and if it's there you have usually have to show ID + baggage claim ticket to get it. It's safe there. The problem I've had is often your gun case will kick out on the carousel with everyones bagggage and if you're in the special baggage handling room having them look for it someone has the opportunity to rip it off at the carousel. Rifle cases have a much higher probablity of landing in the special baggage handling room; small cases used for pistols can go anywhere. Someone mentioned ammo requirements - it used to be ok in the case with the firearm - but you were limited on quantity.

UnclePat

Can I put a handgun in a locked case INSIDE a checked suitcase? or does it have to be in a separate piece of checked baggage? No ammo, just 2 pistols.

rick_reno

Yes, you can put a locked case inside your suitcase. Just be sure to tell them what you've got in it when you check in. I'd lock the suitcase too...

UnclePat

Rick,Have you done this since Sept. 11th? I would think that the paranoia would be much higher now and that the airlines would be reluctant to carry so much as an empty mag.