Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

[9H_Cracka]

SWA's luggage policies clearly state the bags over 62" combined are oversized. My im3200 is slightly over this.

Any direct experience with them would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Have flown them before and never had a problem with a Starlight. Usually they don't mess with rifle cases and the 62" combined rule. Just don't bring it up to them when you check in and check it like any bag but just tell them it's a rifle so they can get you to sign the declaration.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Thanks Rob - I was hoping you would comment given your experiences.

 

[ECH]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Does Southwest have any issue with a rifle and pistol in the same case?

 

[phxfa]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

no, but ammo has to be in a different case

 

[jyd]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

You can have ammo in the locked case as long as it is in a approved container. No loaded mag. I have flown SWA for several years with ammo in my case, no problems.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tom Olson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">no, but ammo has to be in a different case </div></div>

From SWA's web site:

"The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm"

 

[jyd]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Just be sure and have the ammo in the box you bought it in or in a case designed to carry it. Don't have a loaded mag. Personal experience.

 

[223ai]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

I fly with Starlight cases, and tend to stick with SWA if I can. Like Rob, I've had zero problems, and the length has never come up at all. I also flew with 4 loaded AICS mags in the case...they didn't even look, thankfully. SWA is a great airline for us competitors...my good friend had nothing but problems flying to Score High last year on AA, while SWA gave me zero issues.

 

[223ai]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

I also shipped my ammo via ups beforehand, FWIW.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JYD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just be sure and have the ammo in the box you bought it in or in a case designed to carry it. Don't have a loaded mag. Personal experience. </div></div>

From SWA's web site:

"Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition). "

and

"Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed."

 

[DT1]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

My partner and I flew out to TX on Southwest last Oct. with the large Pelican rifle cases. Guns, ammo etc all in the case. Zero problems.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Although Im a huge fan of Southwest and fly them mostly, I have flown US Airways for 4 years to hunt in PA. I have never had a problem with them either. Ammo and Rifle in Pelican case. I put the ammo in a plastic shell case with unloaded mags and no one has given it a second thought.

Matter of fact this year the ticket agent is the only one who inspected the case, threw the orange ticket in there and said "Lock it" TSA never winked.

 

[mumford]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

If I am transporting the rifle and ammo in separate hard cases, should the hard case containing the ammo be locked with personal keys or combination?

 

[Rob01]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

Doesn't need to be. I toss boxes of ammo in my luggage.

 

[JRWALLSIII]

Re: Southwest Airlines and rifle cases

I flew southwest to the finalie. No issues

I packed 100 rounds in my rifle case and 125 in with my checked bag. Tape the boxes of ammo good.

I was concerned with having over 11lbs of ammo. Never was a issue