Headed to hunt Montana and South Dakota in Fall looking to book flight but want to get airline that offers the least amount of hassle when checking a shotgun. Flying out of IAH.
Picture for your time.

I don't recall if SW flies much to that area, but I've never had a lick of trouble with them.

That said, I've never really had a lick of trouble with any airline that I've transported firearms. The main trouble is usually a result of policies that vary from airport to airport.

It mostly has to do with who's working the counter that day, and I can't imagine having a lot of problems with TSA in any of those States, I can guarantee you that most major airports see multiple weapons a day getting checked into baggage.

SW doesn't service IAH. Go United.

I've flow AA with a rifle and had no problems (DFW to Spokane) and flown United with a pistol from IAH to ABQ and had no problems either time. Read the rules beforehand and follow them and it's really not that big of a deal.

I don't think any of them will allow you to fly shotgun...I think TSA requires them to keep the flight deck locked up during the flights.

I have no personal experience, but based on experiences with United's baggage handing system and both airline's customer service departments, I would tend towards flying SW over United if I planned to check anything that I cared about.

I've flown a couple dozen times with guns on SouthWest and never had a problem. (I know, HOU not IAH).

The only time I flew with United I got a bunch of crap from the ticket person, the ticket person next to her, and then their manager about my gun case. They finally put my case on the belt after I showed them all the rules and argued for 20 minutes, while they walked off they declared that TSA won't allow it on the plane anyway. Guess what, it was fine with TSA.

lexofer said:

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I've flown a couple dozen times with guns on SouthWest and never had a problem. (I know, HOU not IAH).

The only time I flew with United I got a bunch of crap from the ticket person, the ticket person next to her, and then their manager about my gun case. They finally put my case on the belt after I showed them all the rules and argued for 20 minutes, while they walked off they declared that TSA won't allow it on the plane anyway. Guess what, it was fine with TSA.

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What was their concern with the case?

Never had any issues with AA or United.

The Denver American ticket counter had no idea what the policy was, but her Manager was sure to take charge pretty quickly and he was 99% correct. He was confused on the ammo part, but I just rolled with it.

Use real locks on your case, not TSA locks. That's the only thing I wouldn't budge on if I was you. I've heard some of the ticket people are idiots about that one.

It was a hardside suitcase, not a specifically made gun case. It still locked up tight, locks on all 3 sides. They said since it wasn't a "gun case" it wasn't legal. They also said there were too many guns in it and a few other stupid things.

Southwest has never said anything about that same case. Interestingly enough I never get called back to open it for a TSA inspection when I use the suitcase but I do almost every time when I use a gun case.

Sounds like a duh, but you have to comply with both the TSA, FAA and the individual airline policies. They can vary but should all be available online. Not that big of deal. I work for SWA and have flown down to Corpus from Dallas for a couple of dove hunts with my shotgun. I was talking with the customer service agent in Corpus (they have lots of time on their hands) and she said she like to hear passengers say something along the lines of:

I have researched the policies of the TSA and your airline and I believe I have met or exceeded the requirements before coming to the airport.

I think doing that and saying the words tends to put them more at ease. I would imagine it applies to all airlines unless you find the random anti-gun fool or someone who really doesn't know what they are doing. They don't want to make mistakes either

Now since you are flying IAH, will United or American lose your gun in their baggage handling system....probably ;-)

That's interesting, I know more than a few guys who fly with cases intentionally pick gun cases that don't look like gun cases, the tuffpak presentation cases are popular.

Might also consider using a shorter hard case like a AR case and then disassemble your shotgun by removing the barrel. Makes weak minded people less nervous and the case looks less "gunny"

Fly a private plane and you can take all the guns you want.

I have flown United and Alaskan with firearms. Alaskan was by far the easiest. United was okay. Print off all the airline rules and regulations and have them with you (as was recommended on here to me) and make sure you have the gun locked correctly and no sweat.

Oh wuddup cammiecakes

highvelocity said:

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Oh wuddup cammiecakes

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Was wondering how long this would take...

SW does fly to Spokane. I prefer SW because you get 2 check in bags free. You have to keep the ammo in a separate bag from the firearm. So, United / AA you will pay fees for a min of 2 check-in bags for each way. SW is free.

You've slimmed down, IRT your question I have found it varies based off the training of the staff at each airport.

Seattle has been great on the three airlines I flew, they have a good process with the TSA. Flew out of smaller regional airports and they have made it really painful.

Advice is to have a hardside case with TSA locks and make sure there are no gaps. Be patient and kind of it does get bumpy. Know the rules.

Quote:

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Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.

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Use your own locks for the case, not TSA ones

Source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

This, never use TSA locks, TSA is not allowed/supposed to open your gun case without you present. I have only had it happen once, but they called me and wanted me to open the case for further inspection because shockingly the swab on it tested positive for gun powder.

Have flown many times with shotgun domestic and internationally. United, AA, Delta and SWA are all about all the same. Get a breakdown Pelican case with two decent non-TSA locks (combo or key). Bring duct tape.

Check in at ticket counter with gun broken down in case with locks in your pocket. Attendant will ask to look at gun to verify unloaded. Open case and show that it is broken down and unloaded without removing from case.

You will have to sign a little card that they will slide in case and then they will ask you to lock it up. At that point I put on both locks and use a little duct tape to secure the locks down to the case.

Depending on the terminal and airport you will either:

1. Hand the locked case to ticket person like it was a checked suitcase and not worry about it anymore.
2. Take the locked case over to the baggage drop off area and pretend it is a checked suitcase and not worry about it anymore.
3. Wait for a TSA agent to come to meet you and then take you to a little back room where they swab down you case for gun powder residue and then they take it to be put on the plane.
4. Wait for a TSA agent to come to meet you and then take you to a little back room where they swab down you case for gun powder residue and then they walk with you to baggage area to drop off like it was a checked suitcase.

I have had all 4 of these scenarios. San Antonio usually does 3 and 4. United at IAH did 1 and 2. Austin was 1.

Regardless of 1 through 4 it is generally painless...just plan on extra time getting checked in especially for 3 or 4 for a red eye out of SA to go to Calgary.

Protip: Carry extra locks and don't try to use crappy plastic cases. I had airline actually break one of my locks once (why I started duct taping). There I was in Phoenix and they wouldn't accept my gun because I didn't have two locks. None of the little TSA locks in the gift shop would fit. I had to get a cab to take me to the nearest Wal-Mart to get new locks. Ended up missing my flight. Now I carry extra set...

A friend flew with his Beretta plastic case and the airline broke it. He ended up having to buy a new case in Canada to get his gun home. FYI not easy to find hard gun cases up there.

docb said:

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Fly a private plane and you can take all the guns you want.

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Yeah. And you can ride shotgun

It seems like everything has been covered so I would like to commend the op on following the rules.

This guy knows the drill

One option i didn't see mentioned is you can just mail it to yourself at your destination, if time and the arrangements allow. Less hassle and maybe cheaper than checking it

Wow! What airline lets you fly shotgun and how much does that ticket cost?

It's not how much the ticket cost. It's how much the plane and fuel cost. It would be much, much cheaper to just fly commercial and buy a shotgun at your destination!

Horse with No Name said:

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I don't recall if SW flies much to that area, but I've never had a lick of trouble with them.

That said, I've never really had a lick of trouble with any airline that I've transported firearms. The main trouble is usually a result of policies that vary from airport to airport.

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Pretty much this, I had a desk attendant who wanted something that went against TSA regulations. I briefly excused myself and asked one of them if they could lend a hand.

Of course this was Colorado Springs, and my grandpa's WW2 service revolver turned into a show and tell because they all wanted to have a look. Your mileage may vary.

For you ron white fans:
"they were like, 'ron gets drunk on his plane, he does drugs and has sex on his plane' and i was like, 'it's my plane! '"