Flying with guns - Delta

[littlejerry]

Question for anyone with experience:

I'll be flying to a match next week. Previously I've always locked everything in the same case - ammo, mags, pistol (s), holsters, etc. I'm flying with a rifle this time so I'm running g out of space in my pelican.

-Have you ever run into problems checking support gear(holsters, mags, mag pouches) in an undeclared bag?
-What about ammo? Do you technically have to declare ammunition in a checked bag(assuming there are no firearms)?

All mags are empty, all ammo in factory boxes.

[fatdog]

I have had zero problems with support gear including mags and holsters in an undeclared checked bag, but when I inquired once, I was told that the ammo is supposed to be in the declared bag with the firearm. That was several years ago. It is what I always do now.

Last time I flew, Delta is still being a PIA by making you check the declared bag at a special station at some airports (eg one position in ATL) for special handling and depending on the airport it may have to be picked up at the baggage office, at least that was still true a couple of months ago. I found that the Delta checked, declared bag tends to just pop out on the regular carousel in certain airports (e.g. SLC) like a normal bag and I have to go ask for it in (ATL, DFW) at the baggage office. They have gotten a lot of flak for their unique firearms policy and may change the policy back at some point.

[Leroy]

You can take and holster, belts, non pointy metal type stuff in a carry on. As long as it is not a gun, ammo, or make shift weapon it can go anywhere.

Had to put holsters, pouches, belt in a carry on flying back from a match because I shipped ammo then brought the remaining back and my bag went overweight.

[Qaz98]

One of the better descriptions of flying with firearms. Although, it doesn't sound like you really need it. I basically walk away with the acceptance that 1) anything can happen, even if it's not supposed to, 2) TSA is completely unaccountable for their actions, even when they act outside of policy or their jurisdiction

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/05/basic-training-flying-firearms/

For 2 firearms plus mags, what Pelican model do people prefer?

[iveschris]

Last time I flew Delta, they segregate bags with firearms and indiscreetly mark them so. Upon arrival, my bag went to the baggage office where I had to show ID to claim it. Ineffectively they'd put a huge, ill-fitting flex tie around it a four-year old could have circumvented. It went from another piece of luggage, in my mind, to a a steal-me piece of luggage.

All that other kit can go in another checked bag. Loaded magazines have to be in mag pouches or "securely packed." There is a weight limit, IIRC, on checked ammo of 11 pounds; not 10, not 12, but 11 was the limit. Be sure to use OEM or better ammo packaging.

I've taken kydex, etc in my carry on with no looks or issues. No lithium batteries in checked bags (like in your gun lights).

Hope this helps.

[SAWBONES]

As noted, Delta will now externally mark (!) and zip-tie your gun-containing checked bag, and you'll pick it up at the baggage claim office, not from the carousel, even in SLC. I've had bags tied with single zip ties and double (vertical and horizontal) zip ties on different trips. Pointless.

I'm not sure of Delta's actual regulations, though the reps have always insisted that the ammunition may NOT be transported within the same internal locked case as the firearm itself.

I always put ammunition within the same "outer" bag, though, either within magazines which are themselves contained in carriers, or in plastic MTM ammunition boxes, with no disagreement from the reps.

[SouthNarc]

I’m a Diamond Medallion with Delta and fly them exclusively. I’ve had zero problems with support gear in a bag without a firearm declaration card. I wouldn’t sweat it.

[Cool Breeze]

No problems here with holsters etc. I would keep gun, ammo, and mags in declared luggage though

ETA - I've always assumed mags in declared luggage but I am technically not sure. I play it safe.

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[DC_P]

As noted, Delta will now externally mark (!) and zip-tie your gun-containing checked bag, and you'll pick it up at the baggage claim office, not from the carousel, even in SLC. I've had bags tied with single zip ties and double (vertical and horizontal) zip ties on different trips. Pointless.

Keep in mind - the zip tie could be there as a tamper indicator just to show that the bag has not been opened (ie your gun/ammo stolen or something else put in while out of your control) rather than something to keep someone from removing the contents.

js

[littlejerry]

Thanks for the replies all. I'll pack my mags separate which will free up a lot of space.


Keep in mind - the zip tie could be there as a tamper indicator just to show that the bag has not been opened (ie your gun/ammo stolen or something else put in while out of your control) rather than something to keep someone from removing the contents.

js

In my experience they have added the zip ties at your final destination immediately prior to giving you the bag.

[LSP552]

I'm not sure of Delta's actual regulations, though the reps have always insisted that the ammunition may NOT be transported within the same internal locked case as the firearm itself.

I always put ammunition within the same "outer" bag, though, either within magazines which are themselves contained in carriers, or in plastic MTM ammunition boxes, with no disagreement from the reps.

I made probably 20 flights on Delta last year, all with ammo inside the same locked pelican case as the handgun and mags. Each time I had to open the case and no one said a word about the ammo being in the locked case. Flights were in and out of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, LA and Providence, RI and Boston, MA.

Zip ties were done at the destination baggage claim office. I started carrying a serrated spyderco in the outside luggage pocket so I could cut the ties as soon as I got to the car. Delta is placing an additional luggage tag on bags with checked firearms.

[Shoresy]

As noted, Delta will now externally mark (!) and zip-tie your gun-containing checked bag, and you'll pick it up at the baggage claim office, not from the carousel, even in SLC. I've had bags tied with single zip ties and double (vertical and horizontal) zip ties on different trips. Pointless.

I'm not sure of Delta's actual regulations, though the reps have always insisted that the ammunition may NOT be transported within the same internal locked case as the firearm itself.

I always put ammunition within the same "outer" bag, though, either within magazines which are themselves contained in carriers, or in plastic MTM ammunition boxes, with no disagreement from the reps.

Interesting - I flew Delta a handful of times about 15-18 months ago (and haven't since) and my experience was about 180 off from that. I typically put the boxed ammo in the same case with pistol and two mags and had no issues; certainly no external markings or special pickup arrangements, just declare at the counter and put the card in the luggage on top of the pistol case.

Not trying to dispute anyone experience; just observing that this seems to be a shift in their practices.

[SAWBONES]

I made probably 20 flights on Delta last year, all with ammo inside the same locked pelican case as the handgun and mags. Each time I had to open the case and no one said a word about the ammo being in the locked case.


Yes, after specifically checking multiple Delta info sites, I found specific mention of allowance for ammunition to be contained within the same lockable hardside case as the firearm itself; allowable, not mandatory.

The issue of where the ammunition is packed within the checked luggage doesn't usually even come up, but I have had the Delta rep at the counter insist that ammunition could not be inside the same locked hard case as the firearm.

Since I pack it separately, it made no difference to me anyway, but it's just another example of employees knowing less about their own employer's regulations than they think they do.

[vcdgrips]

FWIW,
If I was cutting airline placed zip ties on a regular basis, I would use the same pre positioning as mentioned above though my cutting tool of choice would not be nearly as nice. Perhaps a Stanley brand Utility Knife with the segmented blade. They are 2-3 bucks, wicked sharp and each segment would only have to make two cuts. If it gets lost or stolen, no biggy.

[Cool Breeze]

Guys over at primary and secondary claim they carry the large non curved toe nail clippers in their carry-on and say they work on zip ties.

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