Report: Flying with gun out of Ft Lauderdale and Raleigh/Durham

Miggy · June 25th, 2008, 06:31 PM

Sorry for being away so long but pressing matters like having fun shooting for a week were in the way.

A buddy of mine and yours truly went via Delta Airlines from Ft Lauderdale to R/D to attend an IDPA match. Checking the gun in at Ft Lauderdale was absolutely painless. The gentleman at the counter was polite and professional which made the process a joy. A TSA agent was called to the counter, checked my guns and took the bag away himself.
The only nasty part was that my luggage was over the limit by 9 pounds and I was charged $80! Incidentally 300 rounds of 9mm ammo weigh 9 pounds and that made it the most expensive reloads I ever made.
Raleigh/Durham on the way back was about the same in professionalism & courtesy although the counter personnel were overwhelmed by passengers. No TSA agent came to check the luggage but the conveyor belt fed directly to the TSA X-ray machine placed about 20 feet away inside the secure area. Delta at R/D has a scale you can use right before the counters so I checked my luggage weight again. I had shifted a bunch of stuff from my bag to my carry on and I thought with no ammo other than my 3 mags worth of defensive BBs I was OK... nope, I was over by 4 pounds (I guess the goodie bag and other items picked up at the match were enough to screw me again) so 2 towels, and old t-shirt and shorts ended up in a waste basket. I checked in one pound under the limit

Note: If you suspect you are going to be over the limit with your luggage, take a spare duffel bag with you and split the load. You will be charged $25 for the extra bag instead of the $80 for overloading the plane. Does it make sense? Nope.

NKMG19 · June 25th, 2008, 06:39 PM

It sound like you had more problems with your luggage than your firearm. Good, thats the way it should be when you fly with your firearm. I'm glad the airline personnel knew the proper procedures for your gun. I usually fly out of Fort Lauderdale so this is good to hear.

kazzaerexys · June 25th, 2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miggy

You will be charged $25 for the extra bag instead of the $80 for overloading the plane. Does it make sense? Nope.

Actually, on planes they worry about weight distribution perhaps more than actual weight; two moderate bags are better for loading than one heavy bag...

Glad the rest of the trip was painless. How'd you do at the match? (Was this the Carolina Cup?)

Miggy · June 25th, 2008, 08:36 PM

Yep... I sucked....LOL

nutz4utwo · June 26th, 2008, 06:20 PM

yea those over weight fees are killer. Most domestic airlines are 50 pound limit per bag. Measure your bag at home and give yourself a few extra pounds of space.

June 25th, 2008, 06:31 PM	#1
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,380	Report: Flying with gun out of Ft Lauderdale and Raleigh/Durham Sorry for being away so long but pressing matters like having fun shooting for a week were in the way. A buddy of mine and yours truly went via Delta Airlines from Ft Lauderdale to R/D to attend an IDPA match. Checking the gun in at Ft Lauderdale was absolutely painless. The gentleman at the counter was polite and professional which made the process a joy. A TSA agent was called to the counter, checked my guns and took the bag away himself. The only nasty part was that my luggage was over the limit by 9 pounds and I was charged $80! Incidentally 300 rounds of 9mm ammo weigh 9 pounds and that made it the most expensive reloads I ever made. Raleigh/Durham on the way back was about the same in professionalism & courtesy although the counter personnel were overwhelmed by passengers. No TSA agent came to check the luggage but the conveyor belt fed directly to the TSA X-ray machine placed about 20 feet away inside the secure area. Delta at R/D has a scale you can use right before the counters so I checked my luggage weight again. I had shifted a bunch of stuff from my bag to my carry on and I thought with no ammo other than my 3 mags worth of defensive BBs I was OK... nope, I was over by 4 pounds (I guess the goodie bag and other items picked up at the match were enough to screw me again) so 2 towels, and old t-shirt and shorts ended up in a waste basket. I checked in one pound under the limit Note: If you suspect you are going to be over the limit with your luggage, take a spare duffel bag with you and split the load. You will be charged $25 for the extra bag instead of the $80 for overloading the plane. Does it make sense? Nope. __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net Last edited by Miggy; June 25th, 2008 at 08:36 PM.

June 25th, 2008, 06:39 PM	#2
NKMG19 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 352	It sound like you had more problems with your luggage than your firearm. Good, thats the way it should be when you fly with your firearm. I'm glad the airline personnel knew the proper procedures for your gun. I usually fly out of Fort Lauderdale so this is good to hear. __________________ 2nd Amendment Tees.com FloridaConcealedCarry.com NRA Member

June 25th, 2008, 08:36 PM	#4
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,380	Yep... I sucked....LOL __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net

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June 26th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#5
nutz4utwo Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 348	yea those over weight fees are killer. Most domestic airlines are 50 pound limit per bag. Measure your bag at home and give yourself a few extra pounds of space.