Quoted:
Here is what you do.
Have your AR in a hard gun case. It can be assembled if you want. It is your choice. Remember that tens of thousands of passengers check in rifles and handguns every year.
You don't need a police escort. Don't waste the officer's time. They will know you have a rifle just by seeing your case.
Keep the gun unloaded (common sense). Tell the ticket agent that you have a rifle you want to check in. Have your locks with you that way you can lock the case after they place an "unloaded firearm" paper inside.
It's a real simple process. Don't sweat it.
If you have ammo, it has to be in orginal packaging, and in a crush proof container(hard suit case). You can usually check in 5lbs of ammo. Like I say don't sweat it. Also to have it shipped to an FFL is absolutely silly, when you can legally have it fly in the belly of the plane with you.
Have a safe trip.
View Quote
Basically what I did today, flying America West.
I told the ticketing lady "I have firearms to check in", she just asked me if my weapons were unloaded and had me sign the statement to that effect.
They did want the ammo and weapons separate, it didn't matter in what checked bag the ammo went in.
Mr. Supervisor then took my case and key in the back, probably physically cleared them, locked the case then came back out front and gave me my keys.
Then he and another ticketing girl gave the original girl a hard time because she put the firearm tag on the outside of my case, which they said is a NO GO.
My case did come out of the baggage carousel, along with everyone else's bags.
An easy, relatively painless experience.
Chris