Hard case dimensions for air travel

[memilanuk]

Hello all,

I was wondering if one of you might be able to settle some thing for me. In the past I've flown with a heavy-duty airline-approved cases (Storm IM3300), and had no problems. It made just under weight with the barreled action, stock, scope, etc. all securely nestled in the foam layers.

I've never gotten any hassle about the physical *size* of the case, but one person I know (who also flies with their firearm) is adamant that the '62 inches' limit described by most air lines is not just length, but length plus width plus height, i.e. all three dimensions added *together* must be under 62".

I've yet to see any airline personnel measure my case, but lets just say that I really, really don't want to get to my destination and find out my gun didn't make it because somebody was bored and had a tape measure handy...

TIA,

Monte

 

[ERGJ]

Your friend is correct. However, some airlines allow oversized cases with sporting equipment at no extra cost if such case is not over weight limit. Most airlines allow a hard shell golf case to be checked as a normal bag. Southwest has been good with oversized rifle cases that are no more than 50 pounds; no extra cost. Check the airline and book accordingly.
Normally, you would find out any additional fees when you you check your case in at the counter.

 

[memilanuk]

After more digging... it appears the airline I'm using for my next flight (US Airways) is one of those that does *not* cut you a break on gun cases being 'sporting equipment', and does hold to the 62" = l + w + h.

Problem is, there appear to be *very* few hard cases that meet that dimensional requirement - the Pelican 1700 is just under, but with fixed handles it has even less interior space than it would seem, or a Storm IM3100, which my friend uses but going by the published dimensions it comes out just over the limit @ 63" but with fold-down handles it has a bit more internal room.

For me the problem is trying to fit a competition rifle with a 30" barrel inside one of these little things without *completely* disassembling it like something out of a spy movie. Barreled action out of the stock is one thing, but when the total internal length is only 35.5-36" and you have to start turning stuff diagonally to make it fit...

As for the additional fees... yeah. $175 for over-size baggage, *each way*. $350 in added fees starts making a new gun case @ $200-$250 look a little more 'affordable'. :-\

 

[hmcsr]

Monte,

In July of 2012 I asked a Delta counter agent about the gun case size and was told that weight was the limiting factor not dimension. Up to now I've been traveling with the 2SKB-4009 ATA Short Double Rifle Case. That has worked extremely well. I do have to take the barreled action out of the stock. I have a "v" block in a Mastin stock so it's not much of a problem. Usually load the case up with "stuff" until I'm just under the weight limit to give me a margin for error.

Regards,

Bill 8)

 

[JeffT]

Montie
I have a aluminum case that was custom made for such. If you are intrested, let me know i can send u pics

 

[memilanuk]

Chris,

Thats pretty much where I'm at... everything I've read indicates that most airlines have the same 'limit' - 62 inches. Some - Delta, specifically - seem pretty lenient on the interpretation of that, or waive it for 'sporting goods'. Others - like US Airways, when I spoke with a ticket agent yesterday - seem to hold tight to the length + width + height thing.

At this point, I went ahead and ordered a Storm IM3100. The one 'benefit' to the smaller case is that with less length to lever against it should, in theory, be more rigid and harder to hurt the contents (like a stock). Simply unscrewing the barrel and re-installing it wouldn't be a big deal... but that might be the one 'problem' with a Savage setup with a barrel nut. Re-indexing things and getting everything tightened down the same each time might be interesting. Not impossible, just... interesting.

Monte