Guns and mags on flight?

[UrbanWolf]

I'm planning to travel the Alaska and do some hunting. Thinking of bringing my Norinco M14 for that. What do i need to know when checking them on to the flight? I'm asking here first because the airline's phone are always too busy when i'm not.

[HoneyBadger]

It varies from airline to airline, so check the rules on the airline's website.

[UrbanWolf]

Just some common knowledge will be helpful.

[Hoser]

Ammo and mags go in your checked bags. Trust me. You wont be taking them in your carry on bags.

You are limited to 11 pounds of ammo. It has to do with the net explosive weight (primers) in the ammo. They dont care if its 50 BMG or 22 LR. Put the ammo in original packaging. It isnt 100% mandatory, but it makes life easier.

Get a good hard-side case to ship your rifle in. Consider pulling the bolt to make it easier to verify it is unloaded. Ticket agents are not gun people and can get twitchy when you start racking the bolt back and forth to show them it is unloaded.

[Monky]

Go up to the ticket counter and tell them 'I have a gun' and wink.. that's the way they'll know you're serious.

[jerrymrc]

To add to what Hoser said. A TSA approved case. Also as said check the online rules for the carrier. My case was 3" too big for United and they tried to charge me an extra $175 one way. Check all the rules for firearms and oversize cases as the two charges can add up.

Basically when you go to the counter declare that you are traveling with a firearm. You will get a card to fill out. Make sure it is unloaded. none has ever asked to touch or handle my firearms. You then are directed to the TSA part and for me at least they ask to see the card and if it is unloaded. They ask to open it they look and have you place the card inside and lock it. Done. I have only got complements from the TSA gang that handles firearms.

Once coming back from Portland the guy said close it, no open it.... He looked and said "very nice" you can lock it.

[th3w01f]

Go up to the ticket counter and tell them 'I have a gun' and wink.. that's the way they'll know you're serious.

I've heard that's also good to do at banks when you're concealed carrying, that way they know you're there to help if anything shoudl happen.

[Great-Kazoo]

NM...............................

[HoneyBadger]

Once flying out of DIA, I had some goon ask me to take my rifles out of the pelican case so he could make sure I wasn't hiding anything under the foam in the case. I was standing in the middle of the ticketing area with an AR-15 in each hand while the idiot pulled on the foam, which I had glued in. After several minutes of poking, pulling and prodding, he had me put the guns back in and lock it. This was my worst experience flying with firearms, but honestly it wasn't even that bad. At DFW 2 years ago, I got a hard time for having 4 loaded mags in the pelican case with a rifle and they made me unload the rounds and put them into a plastic bag that they provided. Weird, but it made them happy and I still made my flight.

[UrbanWolf]

Once flying out of DIA, I had some goon ask me to take my rifles out of the pelican case so he could make sure I wasn't hiding anything under the foam in the case. I was standing in the middle of the ticketing area with an AR-15 in each hand while the idiot pulled on the foam, which I had glued in. After several minutes of poking, pulling and prodding, he had me put the guns back in and lock it. This was my worst experience flying with firearms, but honestly it wasn't even that bad. At DFW 2 years ago, I got a hard time for having 4 loaded mags in the pelican case with a rifle and they made me unload the rounds and put them into a plastic bag that they provided. Weird, but it made them happy and I still made my flight.

So you checked an "assault weapon rifle". I think i'll bring my AK too, with a chamber flag just in case.