Problems shipping gun related equipment_WTF?

[tzone]

I have the least amount of trouble shipping guns and gun related items through USPS. I know most folks don't like them but I've had virtually zero problems with them.

 

[tzone]

I think anyone flying with guns would be well advised to purchase a gun case that does not look like it holds a gun. Of course the airline tags gun cases special but if a person doesn't look close, it's easy to not notice the labels. A gun case in the shape of gun/bow is asking for trouble in my opinion.

Canadians don't like guns. So I'm not surprised.

 

[OldSnort]

I think anyone flying with guns would be well advised to purchase a gun case that does not look like it holds a gun. Of course the airline tags gun cases special but if a person doesn't look close, it's easy to not notice the labels. A gun case in the shape of gun/bow is asking for trouble in my opinion.

What case do you recommend?

 

[OntarioHunter]

What case do you recommend?

I flew with a Kalispel case. Plain aluminum rectangular with a padlock. Anything that is not shaped like a gun would be best in my opinion. Double gun cases are typically rectangle shape. Most antigun baggage apes might think they hold a music instrument. The European airports in particular have a bad reputation for mishandling gun cases. Stay out of France! I don't think it was a coincidence my unobtrusive Kalispel gun case made it out of Frankfurt on the right plane but easily identified ammo box was two days late getting here.

 

[devon deer]

What case do you recommend?

Peli case is the only case you need, nothing beats it.

 

[devon deer]

On a much scarier note at the other end of the spectrum, when returning from Africa last week my Canadian carrier just threw my gun case out in the unattended oversize baggage area. I had to keep running back and forth between regular baggage carousel for my checked luggage and oversize drop in another room. I think they legally get away with leaving guns unattended here because someone is supposed to be checking baggage tags at exits ... but they never do, especially if inbound flights are late or piling up. Someone could EASILY just grab a gun and walk out without being checked. I did. Missed my connecting flight because I wouldn't leave until the gun showed up. Took more than hour and a half for the apes to unload it. I heard later they were staging a "slow down" protest over having to wear masks. Idiots! That union boss deserves a blindfold and cigarette. I'm sure he's so stupid he wouldn't know which end to stick in his mouth. The locked ammo box finally arrived last night.

Edit: What pisses me off is the carriers ding me extra $$ to check in guns, supposedly because they require special handling and tracking. Then they just treat my gun like regular checked baggage anyway. WTF? Only South Africa does it right. No one gets out or through that airport without checking guns in with the police. And DO NOT screw up the paperwork or gun will be confiscated ... and disappear forever. Always a down side. When I arrived, some bigshot European hunter leaving the country was arguing with the police because he insisted on putting his ammo in the gun case ... with a fancy rifle and scope the value of a fairly new used pickup. Dumbass! Toss the ammo and shut up. Next time listen to your PH! The cops were obviously doing their best to make sure the loudmouth didn't catch his flight. And make sure I caught mine.

Firstly, your use of the words 'apes' is unbelievable.

Secondly, I have been on the wrong side of over officious employees at airports, when I leave the UK the rifle gets checked by airport customs and then taken directly to the loading bay.
Out of the 4 times I have taken my rifle to Montana 3 times the ammo caused the problems.
The 'European' was probably doing what I did, followed the airlines policy, NOT the airports policy, the latter has the say, not the airline, so it probably wasn't his fault, the difference between the hunter you described and me was I demanded to see the police, and gave them my ammo, that way I managed to catch my plane, and thanks to people on this forum got some ammo at the far end.

 

[OntarioHunter]

Firstly, your use of the words 'apes' is unbelievable.

Secondly, I have been on the wrong side of over officious employees at airports, when I leave the UK the rifle gets checked by airport customs and then taken directly to the loading bay.
Out of the 4 times I have taken my rifle to Montana 3 times the ammo caused the problems.
The 'European' was probably doing what I did, followed the airlines policy, NOT the airports policy, the latter has the say, not the airline, so it probably wasn't his fault, the difference between the hunter you described and me was I demanded to see the police, and gave them my ammo, that way I managed to catch my plane, and thanks to people on this forum got some ammo at the far end.

"Baggage apes" is a term commonly used even among airline employees.

In Canada the airports do not set policy for handling of guns in transport, the federal govt owns that responsibility. That's why one major courier service here just had its license to move guns and ammo recently revoked. They were dumping guns off at doorsteps and leaving. This is especially bad news around Christmas when the porch robbers are stealing packages. Too easy for those stolen guns to then find their way into hands of felons. If the airports are going to hook me major bucks to look out for my guns during transit then they gawdam well better make sure they do look after them and don't just throw them out with the rest of the baggage and hope the right person picks them up. That's crap! And it does not meet federal requirements. But feds seem disinclined to do anything about it. Pick on couriers but look the other way for multibillion dollar airline companies.

 

[OntarioHunter]

Firstly, your use of the words 'apes' is unbelievable.

Secondly, I have been on the wrong side of over officious employees at airports, when I leave the UK the rifle gets checked by airport customs and then taken directly to the loading bay.
Out of the 4 times I have taken my rifle to Montana 3 times the ammo caused the problems.
The 'European' was probably doing what I did, followed the airlines policy, NOT the airports policy, the latter has the say, not the airline, so it probably wasn't his fault, the difference between the hunter you described and me was I demanded to see the police, and gave them my ammo, that way I managed to catch my plane, and thanks to people on this forum got some ammo at the far end.

Good that you brought up the subject of ammo and flying. I believe it was Happy Myles who passed this advice on to me in another forum. First, always make sure the ammo is in a locked box. Most but not all airlines/airports require this. You CANNOT put ammo in the same case with the gun. Period. Not allowed anywhere. Don't try it. I watched one fool at Joberg who was departing when I arrived arguing with the police about ammo in his gun case. I'm sure they made sure he missed his plane. Next, make sure the ammo is in A FACTORY AMMO CARTON. Putting ammunition in a fancy Tupperware type generic ammo container typically used by reloaders will only give cause for concern for someone looking for anything to be concerned about. No loose ammo allowed (obviously!). If taking hand loads, it's a good idea to use brass that matches what's on the factory carton, both calibre and brand. NEVER tell anyone you're using handloads. DO NOT use military brass with cryptic designation stamped on the bottom. Again, be conscious that some inspectors are looking for extra merit badges. Being overly zealous with safety is never a bad thing, right? Only if I need to make a connection for next flight. Buy a set of four padlocks with same key. Put an extra open lock inside gun and ammo cases in case some overzealous twit inspector somewhere along the line decides to cut the locks and check the guns/ammo. Apparently it happens.

 

[David58]

My favorite burn along these lines had to do with forgetting I had my little Uncle Henry pocketknife in my pocket, which I noticed just before TSA. We went to a store and bought several tourist items, which the store was happy to ship to us. When I put my pocketknife in the box, they freaked out. Said TSA wouldn't let them do that. Right. I found a likely looking suspect (worn cowboy straw hat, dirty boots, a workin' guy) who was waiting on someone to arrive, and gave him the knife.

 

[Happy Myles]

Keep in mind around the world you will be dealing with various employees who mostly have little experience with firearms or expensive hunts no matter what their airport occupation. For example, a flight needs to lighten its baggage load, gun cases are heavy and less bulky so off they go for the next flight. I have decided i want my case to look like a gun case so maybe it will get special treatment. All of my gun related documents are in a very fancy official looking binder along with copies of all pertinent regulations. Inside my gun case in plain sight i have a small flashlight and magnifying glass which i announce to agents are to make it easier for them to read serial numbers and to examine my firearms. I feel these little things help give me confidence and the agents I deal with feel i have nothing to hide and know how my guns and ammo should be properly prepared for shipping.
Traveling with firearms several times annually for sixty years i still have had my share of issues I try to stay calm and have a smile. A few examples. An airline agent in New York said she did not know what to do and called her manager, who asked her to step back, then with a smile, asked me how she could tell if the thing was unloaded. It was a take down beautiful side by side 500 Nitro Express. I smiled back and suggested she look down the barrels. She grinned and said, “have a great trip”. Once, in Istanbul as I recall. An airport policeman was so taken with my firearms he called in his fellow officers to look at them. They in turn began showing me their custom handgun grips. I tactfully suggested I might miss my plane, the officer told me not to worry called the plane and then they escorted me to my first class seat. The flip side. An airline agent in Los Angeles noticed one of my eight round trip legs to the Central African Republic and back did not show my firearms. I showed her my paperwork and indicated the airline had inadvertently made a mistake. She snapped to attention and shouted, “ Air France does not make mistakes”! I expected the French national anthem to begin on a loudspeaker. I turned to my driver and told him to take the gun case home. I borrowed a beat up old 375 and a handful of various rounds and had one of the best 21 day safaris I have ever had.