Gun cases for airline travel?

[Greenhead329]

Guys,
Know some of yall travel frequently to shoot ducks, and other creatures; Lord willing I have two trips in the works for this season and need some recommendations for a case.
The case will need to be able to hold a scoped rifle, as well as a shotgun (at different times)

Also any heads up to make the process at the airport easier??? would be much appreciated. I have never flown carrying a firearm before.

[Hambone]

I have full-length and breakdown airline cases from Cabela's and have flown guns in them many times. Both have proven to be high quality. There are a number of other cases on the market, such as Tuffpak, Pelican and Negrini, which have gotten good reviews, but I can't speak of them personally.

Traveling tips: Study your airline's firearms and ammunition policy and make a copy to have at the check-in counter in case you run into a dispute. Be sure your guns are unloaded and ammunition packaged according to airline specifications. Make sure your travel documents are in good order and easily accessed. Get to the airport earlier than you would without guns, as the check-in procedure sometimes takes a little while. Be friendly, cooperative and helpful to the airline and TSA personnel. And I think that it's a really good idea to dress nicely - how you look gives you credibility.

[arduckslayer]

Dad has an SKB that holds up to 4 shotguns. We've flown with it for the last 15+ years from Alaska to Iceland to Argentina with no problems. I know that the gun case with 3 shotguns in it will still be under the 50 pound luggage weight limit. The case has 4 independent locks for added protection. They also sell different sizes if you think that size is too big for your needs, but it makes it easy for my dad, brother, and I to put each of our guns in one case for just one of us to claim it as baggage with all the new restrictive baggage rules as far as charging for extra.

[the tree]

if by chance you're headed to Argentina, leave your guns at home and use a lodge gun!

[Hambone]

There is something to be said for avoiding travel hassles by using lodge guns....unless you like to use your own guns!

[teul2]

Flying into Canada with guns was no big deal. To the point I was surprised it was so easy. Maybe an extra 30 minutes total on the leg there.
Flying back with missed flights was a different story.

[arduckslayer]

if by chance you're headed to Argentina, leave your guns at home and use a lodge gun!

I'll definitely agree with this now, but our first 2 trips to Argentina in 2000 and 2001, most lodges didn't have "lodge guns", and if they did they were garbage. The fees also used to be substantially cheaper to get a gun into the country. Both of these points have changed. Almost all lodges now have "lodge guns", and good ones at that. And now getting guns into Argentina is expensive.

Flying into Canada with guns was no big deal. To the point I was surprised it was so easy. Maybe an extra 30 minutes total on the leg there.
Flying back with missed flights was a different story.

Unless you fly AirCanada. They charge you extra to fly guns.

[ScottyLee]

http://www.starlightcases.com/AllCases.html

that's what i use. they are pricey but they have a lifetime warranty as well.

make sure you have 2 tsa approved locks. and write your name and contact info on the inside of the case for the off chance that something goes wrong and the case gets opened when your not around and it gets lost in travel. it's relatively easy to fly with guns, just make sure you have the right forms for canada. and firearms are unloaded.

[teul2]

make sure you have 2 tsa approved locks.

I used commercial grade master locks.

[Greenhead329]

Thanks guys.
No not going to Argentina as much as I would like...maybe in my next 30 years...or if I find me a sugar mama
Flying back out west to hunt with a buddy for Harlequins, and hopefully to New Mexico for an antelope and mule deer trip

[yankee]

As someone mentioned earlier--make sure you have TWO locks. I had a close call at the airport a year or so ago. I have been flying with guns for 30+ years, always with a lock on a Pelican case. Now the TSA wants locks on both ends. I also travel with a roll of duct tape. After I put the locks on, I throw a couple wraps around the case. It may never matter, but it makes me feel better.

[rjohnson]

Whatever kind you get don't be surprised if it beaten to hell and back after the trip specifically if flying any on Delta. They pretty much destroyed my last one. Having said that it wasn't too expensive of a case (aluminum sided) but there were several puncture holes through it and the underlying wood, handles broken off, and combo lock almost destroyed. Definitely can't fly with it any more. I would suggest you spend some decent coin and get a tough one.

[Law Duck]

I have an SKB that I really like. Also, I agree with rjohnson....Delta is rough on luggage. In fact that is how I got the SKB. I had another case that Delta destroyed and they replaced it with the SKB.

[rjohnson]

Wait those a-holes replaced your case? I threw a fit with the Delta lady and she basically told me to eff of that they wouldn't do anything about it. I loathe Delta.

[GulfCoast]

I have become a fan of the Pelican cases. Cut out a form for your gun, and rock on.

On the TSA locks, check the regs. There is an "internet dispute" on if TSA locks are appropriate under their own rules. By the text of the rules, they are not, as any jackleg with a TSA key like Ahmed the Terrorist can then unlock your case. By the way the cheeseburgers randomly enforce thier own rules which they may or may not have read, who knows what they will want you to do.

Lodge Guns: Find out what brand lodge guns they have where you are going. If its say a 391, just take YOUR STOCK, and leave your gun here. That way, you get no gunfit issues, and don't have to worry about loosing YOUR gun to gorrila baggage handlers, et al.