|
[ Return to Contents
| Post a Reply
| Post a new message
]
Firearms Transport by Air (regulations)
Posted by Michael Strahan on Mar 12 2006
Gordo,
The airlines fall under several sets of regulations regarding the transport of firearms and ammunition. There are FAA regulations, DOT regulations, and TSA regulations. In addition to those rules, each carrier has its own internal regulations. Generally these mirror the federal guidelines, but in some cases they may be more restrictive. Each carrier publishes these guidelines for the public, in what is called their "Contract of Carriage". Find the carrier you're traveling on and check this out for the latest details, as these regulations change frequently.
There is a perception out there that the standards are arbitrary and inconsistent; if you read some of the experiences of travelers, it would seem that this is the case. As a career airline employee I can tell you that the standards are not arbitrary, but there are times when, because of inexperience or human error on the part of individual agents (airline or TSA), the standards are inconsistently applied. In some cases you will be told one thing, and something else will happen. These accounts are decreasing as the system adjusts itself to ever-changing standards, however you should be aware of this. Protect yourself by printing the most current TSA guidelines, and your airlines' Contract of Carriage. If you run into a problem during your trip, you can pull these regulations out and show them to the person involved. More than one mistake has been prevented by this practice. Here's the lowdown right now:
Alaska Airlines currently allows you to transport one rifle case, shotgun case, or pistol case in lieu of your "one piece of free baggage" allowance, or of course you can transport firearms in your two pieces of checked luggage. Firearms must be transported in a hard case that is locked with either a key lock or combination lock. My personal suggestion on locks is that you purchase "TSA Approved" locks, in the event that a TSA agent needs to open the case in transit. Otherwise, in some cases, your locks may be cut. TSA Approved locks will carry either a diamond or a torch symbol. Here's a link describing it: < http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0234.xml > Several manufacturers make these locks and you should be able to find them in a luggage store or online. I just did a Google search on it and came up with 117,000 hits. While you're at it, get a few for your other bags too.
PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS
A firearms case may contain any number of firearms, scopes, noise suppressors, small tools,, and up to 50 lbs of ammunition. Speaking of ammo, ALL ammunition transported with checked luggage must be contained in crush-proof wood, fiber, plastic or metal containers designed for ammunition. You are not allowed to carry loose ammunition in your luggage! This includes .22 rimfire ammunition in bulk containers. The container must be crush-proof and must prevent the ammunition from accidental discharge. Ammunition may be packaged with the firearm(s) or in another piece of checked luggage. Note that Alaska Airlines requires ALL checked luggage to weigh no more than 50lbs. per piece. If you go over that, you will be charged excess baggage fees. In some cases, excess baggage may travel standby. Naturally, all weapons must be unloaded. In the case of bolt-action weapons, the bolt MUST be removed, when possible. If the bolt cannot be removed, the action must remain open.
FIREARMS DECLARATION
You will be required to declare all firearms you are transporting, and will have to sign a firearms declaration form, stating that the firearms are unloaded. If you refuse to sign the form, the carrier will not transport your firearms. In the old days, a firearms declaration tag went on the outside of the container, with the intent of warning baggage handlers that a firearm was inside. This was a huge help during the loading process because it allowed agents to use greater caution when loading it, to prevent accidental discharge of "unloaded" weapons. You may not be aware that accidental discharges do occur during the loading process (there was one in Kodiak a few days ago). Current regulations no longer require a tag on the outside of the bag, so it will usually go inside your ticket jacket instead. The agent checking you in will place another copy of the declaration inside the weapon case. Please, and I cannot stress this enough, please triple-check to make sure your weapons are unloaded. If you have a handgun in your duffel bag, there is no way for the loading agent to know or to protect himself from having that muzzle pointed directly at his chest. It's safe to say that the Anchorage airport transits more sporting arms per passenger than any airport in the world. Some of those firearms are, through passenger carelessness, cocked and UNlocked.
You are allowed to transport firearms in your regular luggage, however the weapon must be contained inside a hardsided, lockable case or in a hardsided container inside a soft-sided case (your duffel bag, for example). In all cases, all firearms must be contained inside a hard-sided case that is locked.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BY AIR
As a side note, prohibited items include aerial flares, pepper spray (with the exception of one 4-oz. container of MACE in checked luggage), flares, Dragon Breath shotgun shells, strikes-anywhere matches, butane lighters, MRE meals (because of the heat pack), and a host of other items that could cause problems in flight. Check the contract of carriage for your air carrier for details on this. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT trying to transport any of these items in your luggage, you could be arrested. Don't try it! If you need some of these items, contact your air charter in advance of the hunt and arrange for them to pick them up for you. Presently this is the best solution to the issue.
You may ship certain hazardous items by commercial air, but it will cost you a $50 HAZMAT fee, and there may be additional surcharges.
Well, that's a lot more info than you were looking for, but others read this stuff too. Hopefully it will help someone out there!
Regards,
-Mike
Previous: Flying with guns? Gordo Mar 12 2006
Next: Handguns Gordo Mar 13 2006
 Message Thread:
|
