PRS Talk Flying to Shooting Matches - Right Place to Post this ?

[Mr.Horsepower89]

Anyone have any input on flying to a match (PRS) in this case but any info or help is appreciated. Flying United.

What locks to use ?
Check rifle case in w/ ammo or load ammo in separate bag ?
My case and my rifle will probably get me close to the weight limit as it is I assuming. Have not weighed them yet if I have room I will pack ammo in rifle case.
I am planning to fly with my range finder and binos in my back pack...I dont think there is any issues.
Is there insurance that anyone adds ?

 

[Supersubes]

I fly to hunt once a year. As much as I want to use good quality locks, the TSA locks will be the easiest. They’re total crap, but have proven to be less hassle. I flew with United from Canada to LAX with a stop in Denver once upon a time. We went through customs in Canada, so there should have been no issue through to LAX. Apparently the firearms needed to be scanned again on their first stop in country. My layover was less than 30 mins, and I was on my way to LAX. My rifle case got the red light through some machine, which by their policy required a physical inspection. Since I was using non-tsa locks, and I had the keys, the case sat there for about a week in Denver. It took a bit to sort everything out including shipping them a key. It was a big saga, which really pissed me off. Dealing with their call centers and overall bad communication within the company was maddening.

Any gun that travels with me gets insured.

Ammo packs separate, but still in checked baggage.

 

[Mr.Horsepower89]

@ Supersubes I can imagine the frustration dealing with your Denver rodeo. How did you insure your rifle ? Through United or a 3rd party? Thanks for the info.

 

[mercracing]

I flew once with a rifle last year. I want to say it was Southwest. I used non TSA locks. I used 4 locks each with a separate 4 digit combination. The airlines don’t have a set number of locks needed, I’m pretty sure their criteria is the case can’t be opened more then 1”. I basically went to the airport rolled my case to the counter and said I need to check a firearm. I opened the case and showed them it was unloaded(I opted to have my bolt completely out of the rifle), they made a tag saying it was good to go and I locked it up. When I got to my destination, there were a bunch of zip ties around the case. I guess that’s their way to say it’s locked. I didn’t fly with ammo but I’m pretty sure it’s a weight limit as to how much you can bring. It also must be in its original case or a hard case if I remember correct.

 

[combatgrunt84]

My buddy flew Delta and they require a lock in every hole that a lock can go in. Also you can only bring so much ammo and must be in a factory like box. If you need a nice case Sams club has some with wheels.

 

[Supersubes]

I used the NRA insurance, which is by a group called Lockton Affinity.

The ammo weight limit is 11 pounds. I’ve never run into packaging type issues either. I use standard plastic ammo boxes like any handloader would.

My rifle case is a tuffpak, which looks a bit like a hard case for a golf bag, and has wheels.

My issue was really due to traveling internationally. In country is easier for sure.

The airport personnel have been nice, but utterly clueless about guns. They have no idea what they’re looking at.

 

[V-Ref]

Try to book a ticket that's either non stop or doesn't change planes.

Show up early, to give yourself reaction time if the Customer Service agents don't like something with your setup, so that you go grab another lock, or shift your load between boxes.

Each airline has it's "ism's" regarding compliance with the regs and dealing with the nuances of the local TSA. Here's a good article with the different airlines linked.

https://www.nraila.org/articles/20170731/flying-with-firearms-get-the-facts


Ammo in rifle case is ok. Factory type boxes is what they're looking for, or have the reference ready for "securely stored" if using MTM type boxes. Pissing matches don't work out very well regarding making your match, but calm elevation to a Supervisor with a printed reference can go a long way regarding ammo transport. Any clinky clinky raises eyebrows and gets attention.

Optics/laser in carry on is ok. You'll likely get a 2nd screening after that goes through the scan for it.

Enough non-TSA locks on the cases so when the inspectors open the hasps on the case they can't reach in and touch any of your items in the case, shake them out, or attempt to manipulate the items out of the case.

NRA membership has $2500 worth of insurance.

https://mynrainsurance.com/insurance-products/firearms-no-cost-armscare

https://mynrainsurance.com/getmedia/1a1cd9e3-a788-4cd8-b6b4-cd7e590053d5/armscare-firearms-insurance

Recommendnd you add some traveler insurance through your homeowner's policy if your happy with how they take care of if you have that option.

 

[davsco]

Enough TSA locks on the cases so when the inspectors open the hasps on the case they can't reach in and touch any of your items in the case, shake them out, or attempt to manipulate the items out of the case.

haven't flown with firearms yet, but my understanding is that TSA locks are not allowed on firearm's cases, they have to be your own locks with your own keys or combos. now if you have your firearm's case within another case, my understanding is that outer case must use a TSA lock if you choose to lock that.

 

[Midwestside]

haven't flown with firearms yet, but my understanding is that TSA locks are not allowed on firearm's cases, they have to be your own locks with your own keys or combos....

This has been my experience, not understanding.
See #3 here: https://www.wikihow.com/Travel-on-Airplanes-With-a-Gun
And I've read contradicting experiences and instruction on this site in the past.

But it is as confusing as hell when you might have two different inspecting officials (departure city/destination city) interpreting what is required differently. Sad to say, but it would be time & money well spent having both lock types available at the time of the inspection to avoid a missed flight.

 

[V-Ref]

haven't flown with firearms yet, but my understanding is that TSA locks are not allowed on firearm's cases, they have to be your own locks with your own keys or combos. now if you have your firearm's case within another case, my understanding is that outer case must use a TSA lock if you choose to lock that.

You are correct Sir. Fixed my post. Non-TSA got auto corrected out or I jacked my post typing from a phone.

I just travelled. On my way to the match from HOU no issues. After the match heading home PHX TSA wanted another lock on the case (it had 3 out of 4 spots full) as he attempted to crack it and it exceeded his critera. Purchased a $12 Master padlock at the terminal. While I was in the inspection area I saw a couple cases with TSA locks that we're inspection complete and headed to the plane. I think there are a pile of funny anacronyns for TSA that all seem applicable. It's a moving Target...it seems as the airport TSAs get different training or focus. I keep a copy of the regs (CFR, TSA guidance from website, and Airline) in the gun case, just in case something goes awry. Often times elevation to a Supervisor in a Professional manner gets a training issue resolved on the spot.

I forgot to add... definitely declare to the agent that issues you your case at baggage claim that youre going to open and verify contents. Best to discover a damage or theft issue on the spot vs leaving the airport.

 

[mercracing]

That’s another good point. Make sure you are following the rules online, and print off the rules and keep them with you. Then if a clerk or even a supervisor questions something you have printed proof of what the airline or tsa says.

 

[davere]

I fly with regular locks at all four points on my Storm case, but I've plastered my contact info all over the outside of the case, and I make sure I'm paying attention to the PA and my phone until I'm on the plane and gone. I do my best to take directs wherever possible, or at least not change planes. I try not to connect through airports known to have baggage theft problems (ie, like Chicago).

I've only flown with a long gun a handful of times, but that's worked well, so far. I've run into most issues you can imagine flying with a handgun (done that way more times). I ended up with a setup for my handgun case that locks the outside of the case with TSA locks, but secures the gun to the case and the case to my suitcase using regular locks. It can be defeated with a stout wire cutter, but it requires them to hunt up a tool, etc, which takes time. But, it helps avoid things like getting called by TSA when I'm literally walking onto the plane, and things like that...

Ammo limits are airline determined, not TSA. Alaska Airlines has a 50# limit on ammo, for instance (for domestic flights). Almost all of them follow the 11# limit, however. That's about 200 rounds of rifle ammo, give or take (6.5CM w/ 140 gr bullets ends up at just under 11 pounds for 200 rounds in boxes for me).