ammunition/firearm in the same case (flying)

[Jay Christopherson]

Is this allowed? I keep seeing contradictory statements - from Alaska Air, I see this:

Ammunition must be securely packed in the original manufacturer's package or in a container designed for ammunition and of sufficient strength to protect it from accidental crushing or discharge (i.e. wood, fiber, plastic, or metal). The projectile must be no larger than 11/16" in diameter, the size of a dime. Ammunition may be checked with or separately from the firearm. Spent ammunition shells will be accepted in checked baggage provided they meet the same acceptance procedures as live ammunition (e.g. packed in a crush-proof case)

which I initially read as packing your ammo in ammo boxes in your Pelican case with your rifle would be fine. But after re-reading it, it just says "Ammuniation may be checked with or separately", which could just mean that you can check ammo at the same time, but in a different container.

Has anyone here actually travelled on Alaska and packed your loaded ammo boxes into the same case as your rifle? Or have you had to use a separate container? The ammo allowance is 50lbs. domestic and I won't be anywhere near that. I'm going to call Alaska directly, but I'm curious as to what people have experienced.

I also read somewhere that using a TSA approved lock (where they have the master key) on your case is actually illegal somehow, so that's something else to check out.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

That's not a bad idea actually - I was planning to use my i3300 case which would put me over the 50lb. limit, but if I wrap my ammo and put it in my checked bag, I could get away with my 1750 case and probably under the 50lb. limit.

 

[mysticplayer]

As I have flown from Canada to the US with firearms, my rules were very simple. Ammo and guns do not exist in the same case.

Both cases have to be secured. Locks are always good. I added zip ties and duct tape for every latch. Some don't care what type of lock. Others care you use a TSA style. Depends on the customs agent you face and where you are travelling from/to.

We also have to had a trigger lock on our firearm.

YMMV.

Jerry

 

[cdparker]

Jay-You are right about Alaska Airlines allowing 50 lbs. of ammo. The folks at Texas Trophy Hunters who sell the Tuffpak gun case talk about using a lockable ammo case in the gun case which is also locked. That way you can put your stuff in the case and use a carry-on for the rest of your stuff. You pay for only one checked bag. I have one of those cases but, I have not tried it out. I bought my case and had it shipped to my stepson in Florida. I loaded it there and flew with it home with three guns in it. Sans ammo. If you fly Alaska, and are a 49 Club member, you get two checked bags free. Take a look here for their idea of a locked ammo case.
http://www.huntersheadquarters.net/MTM_Case_Guard_Survivor_Dry_Box_p/mtm-caseguard.htm
Hope this helps

 

[Jay Christopherson]

Jay-You are right about Alaska Airlines allowing 50 lbs. of ammo. The folks at Texas Trophy Hunters who sell the Tuffpak gun case talk about using a lockable ammo case in the gun case which is also locked. That way you can put your stuff in the case and use a carry-on for the rest of your stuff. You pay for only one checked bag. I have one of those cases but, I have not tried it out. I bought my case and had it shipped to my stepson in Florida. I loaded it there and flew with it home with three guns in it. Sans ammo. If you fly Alaska, and are a 49 Club member, you get two checked bags free. Take a look here for their idea of a locked ammo case.
http://www.huntersheadquarters.net/MTM_Case_Guard_Survivor_Dry_Box_p/mtm-caseguard.htm
Hope this helps

Cool, that gives me some ideas. Thanks!

 

[CoverDog]

I would be inclined to pull the bolt and store it in my carry-on luggage. That way if someone (baggage handler) likes your gun they might think twice about steeling a gun with no bolt.

 

[Gappmast]

You have your bolt in your carry on bag and the TSA people say no now what do you do? Your at the airport your less than a hour from getting on the plane that your gun is already on. I think the bolt should stay in your checked bag. If a baggage handler is going to steal a gun they are not going take time to see if the bolt is there they are just going to take it.

 

[CoverDog]

You have your bolt in your carry on bag and the TSA people say no now what do you do?

Never had that happen, I'm 3 for 3.

 

[M99]

I've traveled the world with weapons for many years. Its a lot tougher now then it ever was though. Airline rules in The U.S. now say that you may NOT carry firearms or "firearms parts" in your carry on. That certainly would include Bolts and even Scopes. You may get away with that, but it is officially against TSA rules. Coming OUT of the U.S. or from any airport in The U.S. if you want to lock the cases (as they recommend or require) you have to use those TSA approved locks that they certainly will open to inspect anyway. Other locks will be cut off by TSA and they won't even bother to tell you that your cases are then wide open to every baggage handler. Coming into the U.S. they don't care because TSA doesn't do the inspecting, but its up to the rules of the Country you are leaving. U.S. Customs doesn't care how the cases are locked, you still must declare the weapons upon entry and open them for inspection. If leaving The U.S. it is also a very good idea to go to a Customs office with your weapons in advance and Declare them prior to travel. Customs will give you a form to fill out that lists them by make and serial number, and Customs will stamp that form. That form is good forever for those particular weapons. Coming back to the U.S., you show that to Customs and you won't have trouble with some anti-gun jerk that decides you are illegally bringing weapons into the U.S. that you acquired overseas. For Ammo, the rules have always been a 5 kgs (11 pound) limit on ammo. That's really not much. Some countries and some airlines within this country want it packed with the firearm. Most want it packed in a separate piece of baggage. I always packed it in a separate checked bag. Don't forget to formally "declare" at check in that "you are traveling with firearms checked." The person at the check in counter will give you a declarations tag to fill out and put INSIDE the firearm case. Don't allow them to have it hanging outside the case where it announces to everyone "I'm a gun, steal me." They changed that rule years ago. They are no longer allowed to actually do an inspection of the weapon at check in after some idiot Delta check in clerk pulled a trigger to test one and it shot a couple people in line in the legs. They do have the right to ask you to have a TSA employee inspect the firearm to be empty in a private area if they want to. One other tip: Do NOT ever fly BA (British Air) and do NOT ever change planes at Heathrow airport in London with firearms. They will be "lost" (stolen.) Safari Club International has published this information for decades from a great deal of experience.

 

[ERGJ]

TSA rules are the minimum. Airline rules can be (and some are) more restrictive. Firearm scopes are not considered to be part of a firearm by the TSA, at least not this past (early) November. I have had a sand filled rear bag to be the cause of a piece of my carry on luggage to be opened up and inspected. For that matter a 3X magnifier with a light source caused a search of my carry on. You never know what catches the eye, and is unusual, to a particular TSA inspector. I try to take out items that may cause concern and place them in a tray to avoid the inspection of a carry on. A rifle bolt? I would never chance it in a carry on! One used .22 long or short case, if noted, will require time for the TSA agent, and you, while paper work is filled out. Best to check out the regs, several days before you fly. I print out two copies. One goes in my gun case, the other I keep with me.
Have a good flight.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I would be inclined to pull the bolt and store it in my carry-on luggage. That way if someone (baggage handler) likes your gun they might think twice about steeling a gun with no bolt.

NO! As a former airline employee, I know the answer to that one - it's a free trip to the big house.

Seriously, If you are worried about baggage handlers stealing your rifle, buy the insurance. Better yet, over-insure it. If it exceeds a certain value (depends on the airline, but $5000 always worked in the past for me), the customer service supervisor goes with the case and makes certain it gets on the airplane. A message is sent ahead, and someone will be waiting for it at the other end.

 

[32mag]

hi folks,
one point that was not brought up, is the transportation of your firearm to the airport. if you are transporting any firearm, ammo and gun must be in its own locked container. most of us have to travel over state lines to get to an airport, why chance it.