At some point you may need to fly with your air rifle.
In this episode, Tyler Patner gives some advice and shares his experience traveling with an air rifle.
What do I call my air rifle when I check it in? How many locks should I use? What kind of case should I use? If you are prepared, air travel with an air gun can be no sweat- or at least less sweaty....
Great video, Thanks Phil and Tyler!
Three comments:
1.- GOOD cases are lighter than cheap cases. An SKB case weighs about 10# empty, the equivalent size Plano weighs half as much more. So buying a somewhat expensive case will pay for itself in the long run, as it will allow you to travel lighter and never incur in oversize/overweight charges. SKB rifle cases also carry a $1,500 lifetime insurance for ALL articles transported in SKB cases (not all, consult with the local vendor or with SKB), also some SKB cases have been specifically approved by ATA (Airline Transport Association), and so, allow a bit more carrying capacity without being charged for exceeding the max cubed dimensions (62" < length + width + height).
This is my current favorite:
https://www.caseclub.com/product/skb-2skb-4009-case/
If you add the dimensions, you will see that it exceeds that cubed dimensions but, since it has been specifically approved, it flies without surcharge.
2.- Riflescopes CAN travel in the carry-on, with the bases attached. So if you are worried about your $3,000 March, take it with you! If the bases are dovetail they should repeat easily, if they are Picatinny, you may need to test.
3.- Try not to use cases that have recently stored/kept firearms, especially recently fired firearms/cases, as the "swab" may pick up some remnant of the residues/gases and then a further inspection is warranted (time lost). Nothing bad will happen, but they will need to make sure that there are no explosives there. Pellets CAN travel in the same case as the gun IN the original metallic tin. Do not put them in bags, or cups, or whatever. TSA rules are that ammo can travel with the guns as long as they are in a fiberboard or metallic case of their own.
Lastly, and this is something that is advertised to all travelers when entering the USA, even in transit:
ALL passengers MUST pass through customs and immigration when entering US soil. If you are in transit to final destination you will need to pass immigration and customs at your first American airport, you will find re-checking desks just after customs, which is after immigration.
This year, the World's is in Phoenix, so not to much concern about coming back to the USA, but I hope to see many shooters that are not interested in the International side of travelling, to make it Phoenix.
Keep well and shoot straight!
HM
