Posted: 5/25/2008 4:31:01 PM EDT
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I am flying back to Louisiana for a week, and want to take two guns with me to shoot. One is an HK sp89, the other a polytech ak underfolder, will I have any issues at DIA? I bought an aluminum case that has locks built on to it. I think the maker is Plano. All of this is semi-auto, so I hope I don't run into some anto gun nut, that wants to delay my flight because of this. Any suggestions on how to make this easier? Thanks, R |
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Call your airline. You'll need the outside of the case to be locked. Ammunition will need to be in its box. I've had two airlines tell me that inside a magazine is not okay, the ammunition needs to be either in a factory box or in some other box specifically designed for storing it. At least some airlines will also not want those boxes to be inside your gun case, but will tell you to put them inside another checked bag. You'll need to tell the clerk that it's there, but there's not much else to be said about it. Basically, you go through the line to check baggage inside. Tell the counter clerk that you've got firearms in the case. They'll have a TSA goofball x-ray the case to ensure that the guns are unloaded. You then get a red "FIREARMS UNLOADED" tag which goes inside the case. (Do NOT let the airline clerk put this tag on the exterior: it's illegal for it to be on the outside). Close it and lock it and then claim it like any other check bag when you get there. Everything else depends on the airline. Frontier, Continental, American, and Southwest have been very easy to deal with, for me. United, on the other hand...it wouldn't be so bad except they hire people for their baggage check counter who don't speak English very well. The last time I flew with them, I told the lady that I needed to declare a pistol in the bag. She gave me a blank stare and handed me a tag, like I'd be writing my name on it even though I already had one. I said "Ma'am, I already have one. There's a firearm in that bag that you need to check." She gave me another blank stare and handed me a pen, presumably to fill out the tag that I didn't ask for. Then, I just told her to get her manager. It was either that or start yelling "Ma'am, I have a gun!" And this, boys and girls, is why I don't fly United any more. But yeah, call the airline ahead of time. If you're worried about idiots, go to their website and find their policy on transporting firearms and print it. At the first sign of stupidity, politely ask for a manager and be prepared to show them that policy, rather than arguing with the counter clerk. They know what they need to do. |