I know I can check my gun with my baggage. But should I. I've seen people check them in but I don't know if they ever saw them again. I heard somewhere that the case my M&P came in is good enough if I use a good padlock. I hate to go unarmed for two weeks, but if my gun disappears it will be a lot longer than that. Am I being paranoid.
Should I trust the Airline with my gun.
- Thread starter Mark40
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I hunt and travel a lot by air - always ship my guns (rifles, shot guns, pistols) and have never had a problem - hope it stays that way. I ALWAYS check with the specific airline I am using to INSURE I follow their specific instructions - there are some minor nuances between the airlines but of course they all follow the federal guidelines.
There are a few good "Flying with firearms" threads in the Concealed Carry SubForum
Here's just a few I found using the Search function.
airline travel
Flying with Handguns- Hard Luggage Color?
Flying with a firearm...experiences?
Air travel containment
Travel with gun in checked bag...new info.
PLEASE check your luggage!!!! Mrs. Nugent arrested at airport
Here's just a few I found using the Search function.
airline travel
Flying with Handguns- Hard Luggage Color?
Flying with a firearm...experiences?
Air travel containment
Travel with gun in checked bag...new info.
PLEASE check your luggage!!!! Mrs. Nugent arrested at airport
Fox4506
Member
I've flown with firearms several times and never had a problem. They even lost my luggage one time and it had 2 pistols in it. Everything was there when they got my luggage to me the next day.
I just used my plastic case locked with a padlock inside of my locked soft sided luggage. Like was said above though, just check with the airline in case they have something specific they want. When checking in some have asked me to open the case to verify that the gun was unloaded, some don't even care they just take my word for it...just depends on the airline and the agent checking you in.
I think most airlines will cover lost luggage up to $1500 if it's not recovered, and some credit cards will cover even higher limits.
Fox
I just used my plastic case locked with a padlock inside of my locked soft sided luggage. Like was said above though, just check with the airline in case they have something specific they want. When checking in some have asked me to open the case to verify that the gun was unloaded, some don't even care they just take my word for it...just depends on the airline and the agent checking you in.
I think most airlines will cover lost luggage up to $1500 if it's not recovered, and some credit cards will cover even higher limits.
Fox
LDM
Member
I'm waiting for the pay toilets to start. The ultimate insult to injury.
silentflyer
Member
Flown with handguns in my checked luggage several times,never had a problem.
Once TSA had me come and open the locked case, took about 5 minutes and all was good to go.
Once TSA had me come and open the locked case, took about 5 minutes and all was good to go.
changemyoil66
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You have 2 options. 1) checked luggage. 2) FFL.
Anything out of your custody can be stolen or lost.
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Anything out of your custody can be stolen or lost.
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VaTom
Member
I have flown once checking two pistols. No problem - but follow the rules!
My brother in law works for TSA. Said they never ask a passenger to open a locked case in checked bags. If they need it opened they call the LEO (Law Enforcement Officer) on duty at the airport and the LEO takes it from there.
Walkingwolf
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If your worried about theft find an inexpensive firearm to travel with. Then you are not out a thousand dollar handgun if stolen.
You can also ship a gun UPS/FedX to yourself, but fees are high.
You can also ship a gun UPS/FedX to yourself, but fees are high.
I've flown a lot and no problems - then again I don't get "cute" with the regs. You have a couple alternatives: UPS it to a dealer where you're going and go through the background check every time, Drive to (wherever), get a cheap-o to put in luggage, sneak it on board and do some jail time... nope, none of them work for me. You take your chances no matter what you do. This is why we have insurance. It's counterproductive to whine over lost stuff that can be replaced.
Well, a third option is to send it/them to yourself at your destination. No FFL required. Why on earth would you UPS it to a dealer?
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Bakebfr480
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In a word.........NO!
You should look at the "Concealed Carry/Self Defense" section of this site. There are many good posts by folks who fly with checked firearms. Also, you don't say where you are flying to, but that is as big a deal as the airline part. You gotta be legal to carry at that end too. Another good site is 'handgunlaw.us" It's done by a forum member & has detail on the carry laws for each state.
jhnttrpp
Member
There is one very important thing you must consider. Flight connections. Where you leave from and travel to may be legal for you to possess a fire arm. I'm not even talking about concealed carry. Just possession. If you trip gets interrupted and the city you were just making a connection in is hostile to your possession of a fire arm. You have a problem. Your bag will come out in baggage claim and you cannot stop it. You have to make a decision. Leave it on the carousel and go to your hotel without your bags or pick it up. If you pick it up you are most likely a felon. The airline will not keep it for you. Most likely it is very late and you have no way to secure the bag. Don't place yourself in this position. Even if no one knows you have left the airport with and illegal weapon or if you talk the airline into holding it for you, you have to check back in to continue your flight and then must declare the weapon.
This is an important point, and something to think about when flying with a firearm, especially a handgun. You're wrong about "the airline will not keep it for you." That's what they do.
I fly with guns fairly frequently, and here's my plan.
First, avoid connections in LGA, EWR, JFK. Too much risk of missed/cancelled connection, etc. (When I was flying airplanes for a living, we used to say "never land somewhere you're not willing to spend the night.")
If I somehow find myself in the situation where I'm in one of those cities (weather divert, aircraft problem, etc) with a weapon in my checked bags, here's what I'll do:
Get off the plane and contact the airline (either at the customer service counter, ticket counter, or by phone) and find out when my plane departs. If it's the next day, then I will walk right to the exit and leave the airport. I'll return in time to check in for the subsequent flight. At no time will I even enter the baggage claim area, and if the airline tells me the bags are coming off, or that I need to recheck them, I will simply ignore that and leave the airport. The key is, I will ignore all requests/direction to pick up my bags from baggage claim. I won't argue or attract attention to myself. I just won't do it.
One of three things will happen to the bag(s):
1. They will be picked up by airline personnel at baggage claim and placed on my subsequent flight (most likely scenario). Baggage tagging/tracking has come a long way. Best outcome.
2. They will be picked up by airline personnel at baggage claim, held at their baggage office, and after some time placed on another flight to my destination and delivered to me there (very likely scenario). A very close second-best outcome.
3. I will never see them again. I file a claim with the airlines and my insurance company, and get all, some, or no reimbursement (least likely scenario, but a possibility). This is the worst, but still an acceptable, outcome.
I'm fully prepared to accept the worst case scenario, i.e. losing my firearms and not being reimbursed. The most expensive firearms I own cost less than the retainer any lawyer would charge to even take my case, or the impact on my job of being detained, etc.
Again, it's not for everyone, but it's my plan, and I'm comfortable with executing it.
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Guys, I think the OP got his answer 2 1/2 years ago...
jhnttrpp
Member
No I think the worst case scenario is to go to check in at JFK the next morning and the counter person says wait one moment. Then a Police officer comes up behind you and says "Sir is this your baggage". I can't imagine a good outcome.
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