Traveling to FL from OH to hunt. Mail my gear, or bring in checked luggage?
- Thread starter osujudoman
- Start date
Play the lottery. UPS is the only one not having issues in my experience right now. USPS is the worst I have ever seen it. took 7 days for priority mail to go 40mins away. took 4 days for priority mail to go 2 hours away. had others take 17 days to get to other areas of the USA and not too far away. It will evetually delivery via USPS but I wouldn't trust them with a blank piece of paper right now.
Upvote 0
That's definately what I'd do..If I lived in OH
This was relatively recent news to me too.
I used to work for a guy that would give us bricks of frozen crappie fillets that he caught while away in FL during the winter. I wonder if I could do something like that? According to Wall of Voodoo BBQ iguana is worth traveling for. At least the Tijauna iguana is
Upvote 0
Josh I'm going next week I am shipping them then renting an air tank in Florida
I did extensive research on this. It's very very rare but it has happened see the video below. It is possible that they can ask you even even if you have 100% of the air removed from the cylinder some airports are requesting that you take the cylinder off the gun so they can see the empty cylinder. See the video below Jim Chapman. I think he said he traveled 50 times and had no issues but was that one airport and they wanted him to take the cylinder off period.
Unfortunately All it takes is 1 ignorant TSA person and what if you have nobody to ship it for you what are you gonna do miss your flight period see both videos below period
this woman below reports they made her tack air cylinder off thttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVK0GwKuUDIoo
I did extensive research on this. It's very very rare but it has happened see the video below. It is possible that they can ask you even even if you have 100% of the air removed from the cylinder some airports are requesting that you take the cylinder off the gun so they can see the empty cylinder. See the video below Jim Chapman. I think he said he traveled 50 times and had no issues but was that one airport and they wanted him to take the cylinder off period.
Unfortunately All it takes is 1 ignorant TSA person and what if you have nobody to ship it for you what are you gonna do miss your flight period see both videos below period
this woman below reports they made her tack air cylinder off thttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVK0GwKuUDIoo
Upvote 0
I did a trip last year in March and the wife and I drove. If I was going to fly, I would probably ship my rifle to arrive a day or two after my arrival. Yes there’s always a chance of something getting damaged, but think of all the rifles that are shipped every day around the globe.
No need to take your air tank. I’m sure the guide could supply that for you.
Enjoy your trip and hunt!
No need to take your air tank. I’m sure the guide could supply that for you.
Enjoy your trip and hunt!
Upvote 0
That has not been my experience at all routinely sending parcels to AK over the course of years. I've literally never had an issue other than delays due to weather or holiday volumes slowing things down, which is beyond anyone's control.
I'll stick to playing this table..
Upvote 0
That was my conclussion as well.
I know people check guns in all the time without issues. But w my luck I'd get taken into the back for a cavity search over it, so have opted to send ahead for travelling.
There is also the common issue of having baggage not arrive on time or at all. That would probably harsh my mellow if I were travelling.
The flying experience absolutely sucks enough when things go your way, but removing that potential monkey wrench ahead of time will make it somewhat less so....I think
Upvote 0
I’ve flown with rifles, pistols and muzzlerloaders and never had an issues for a few years now. I bought a double hard case that is TSA approved with good locks and hinges that are protected on it. My rifle case has wheels on it. You’ll what one that can be thrown at full weight and not come unlocked or break or crack open. Plan to hang out at the ticket counter for 30 minutes after you declare the contests inside your case before you go through TSA. You’ll have to fill out an information card that goes on the inside of the case after your inspection. Most have no idea what they’re looking at on the other side of the counter. TSA only has 30 minutes to scan your gun case, if they have issues they will call you back for an inspection within that time frame. Plan your time accordingly. I personally never use TSA locks on my gun case to keep honest people honest and if they cut the locks you’ll know it. I use 2 locks for my case. Yes, I’ve been called back for an inspection, no big deal to unlock the case and they will feel around for what ever showed up in the X-ray. After you land at your destination, you’ll have to declare your gun case with what ever your airline you flown on at baggage claim. I always wait till I get on luggage before I pick up my gun case. Buy a quality case because it will look like it’s been beat up after it’s first use.
Upvote 0
But what about airguns?
The gun itself probably just causes a yawn, but what does a bottle in that X-ray do to the pucker-factor?
My philosophy is that less explaining is the better option.
Upvote 0
Off TSA website.
- Carry On Bags: No
- Checked Bags: Yes (Special Instructions)
I‘ve flown with my paint ball equipment and never had an issue. I always took off my regulator off the bottle.
It’s not that complicated to fly with guns once you’ve done it a few times. I personally will fly my guns with me before I ship them using USPS.
Upvote 0
I know that Im probably being unreasonable & that the odds of there being any real issues are low.
If I were taking a serious gun I'd probably check it in. It's supposed to be a ski trip too, so I considered putting the gun in the ski bag but worked around that also (wouldve weighed a lot) As it is the stuff that's going is staying there, so it kind of made sense to break it down into box sized pieces & stuff it out w extra things to be sent.
Travel tips is a really good topic and should get a stickey
Upvote 0
If you fly and are checking in a rifle, air or powder burner, use padlocks that require key in lock until lock is latched. I have had to cut off combination locks latched by TSA. When using padlocks, use locks with different keys if you cannot acquire padlocks that require key in lock until latched. In my experience I had to wait until key was removed from lock and returned to me, which allowed my observation of the closing of gun case. Things do change with TSA but within interior Alaska TSA has been very competent dealing with powder burners, PC's will need air cylinders detached for inspection. Air rifles are treated like Powder burners in Canada and no LDC's allowed. Hope this helps. Travel tips should get a sticky!
Upvote 0
Another idem I put in my rifle case is extra zip ties. I use them in every available hole to keep the lid closed just in case a lock would fail.
I used a cheap pistol case from Harbor Freight to care some electronics for work. I would make sure the latches were locked and then zip tied it shut. Every time I got it off the belt at baggage claim they would be unlatched.
Lesson learned, don’t buy cheap cases to fly with. You get what you pay for.
I used a cheap pistol case from Harbor Freight to care some electronics for work. I would make sure the latches were locked and then zip tied it shut. Every time I got it off the belt at baggage claim they would be unlatched.
Lesson learned, don’t buy cheap cases to fly with. You get what you pay for.
Last edited:
Upvote 0