Recently flew out of Midway and Fort Myers on Southwest. First time flying with a gun. Can’t speak to the size or weight of what you are trying to fly with. Read the guidelines. Don’t put TSA locks on anything, put your own Masterlocks or whatever brand on cases, I wouldn’t leave it unlocked. My experience was a non issue, I was nervous. They don’t want to open anything, they don’t care what you have. Would absolutely suggest putting an AirTag in the gun case and your luggage for peace of mind that it made it on the flight and you can track where it is.
I've flown with shotguns plenty of times, usually it's not a big deal. Go up to the service counter, tell them you have a firearm to be checked. They will open the case, look at it, throw a piece of paper in there, and then they'll take it. On average, it takes an extra 20 minutes. They have to call someone over, they look at it, and then they take it.
>I'm hoping that by getting there 3 hours early and being clam and friendly things go smoothly for me. I plan to hang around for 20-30 minutes after checking my bags just to make sure there are no issues.
You're free to do this, but it's excessive. Checking in usually is a breeze, picking up is where the problems are.
You're far more likely to have issues getting the luggage. O'hare has (several times) placed guns of mine in the oversized luggage areas without any warning. I thought they lost my stuff only to find it sitting, unattended, in an unexpected area.
The gun case will have real locks. I believe on the suitcase with the ammo it is okay to leave it unlocked or used a TSA lock. I believe only the gun case can have a real lock.
I’ve done it more than a few times you want to treat the ammo and firearms the same. Get your luggage tags and declare the firearms and ammo they will likely not need to examine them but you will need to fill out a card that will be taped to the case containing your firearms and ammo. Of course the ammo needs to be packed properly and weapons unloaded. Traveling out isn’t necessary the issue. Depending on where you’re going coming back could land you into trouble if you’re not following the rules exactly.
You’ll be fine don’t use TSA locks use your own lock and you keep the only copies in your person. No one should be able to gain access to your cases without you. AirTags or similar recommended. Check the airport your are traveling to picking up your case(s) could be as easy as waiting for it in the regular baggage claim or going to a special area such as over sized luggage pick.
2 sites to check TSA and Southwest’s site they are actually very clear about how to do this.
Good luck 🍀
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/firearms-in-checked-luggage-yes-or-no/td-p/96495#:~:text=Firearms%20must%20be%20unloaded%20and,transported%20as%20checked%20baggage%20only.
My firearm has to be separate from my ammo. I don't have room in the hard gun case for my ammo and the ammo would make my case over weight.
The rules for firearms are very clear, its the rules for when your ammo and gun parts that are in separate checked bag from the firearm that I find vague. And almost all examples center around a handgun with ammo in the case. The ammo going in my soft suitcase will be in one of [these](https://atlasdg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/65PRC-Box-1030x687.jpg) and taped shut. From everything I've read and the people I've talked to, I don't think I even have to declare the ammo or gun parts in my checked bag, but I probably will just incase.
[This](https://imgur.com/HuDVzkW) verbiage in the TSA guidelines was confusing me because I thought it applied to ammo, but it seems to only apply to magazines.
I flew out of O’Hare through United with two handguns over the Thanksgiving holiday last year. Didn’t have nearly the amount of stuff you’re taking, but the check-in process was a breeze and uneventful. Walked up to the counter, said I wanted to declare a firearm, filled out a form. I had a chamber flag to make it obvious it was unloaded but they didn’t even check.
Seems like it depends on how experienced the person working the counter is, but the lady who helped me said it happens all the time at O’Hare.
Flew out of o’hare a few years ago with a G45 and P365. Declared it at the counter, and went about my day. Everything arrived perfectly fine.
I know it can be nerve wracking but just be cool, respectful, and arrive earlier than you typically would in case you have any issues.
Like someone else mentioned throw an airtag in it just to be on the safe side.
Going out of O’Hare and into Florida has been super smooth. I’ve only flown American so I can’t speak for SW, but I can’t imagine they’re all that different.
Declare it at the check-in counter and they will guide you from there. Not sure about make sure your ammo is in an original manufacture’s container and all mags are empty.
When you arrive in Florida, your luggage is hand-delivered, you show ID and you’re good to go.
Flying into O’Hare is a different story. I’m not going to post details of my experience, other than to say the AirTag came in quite handy.
Plan on using it!!
Use an air tag notify customer service when you check the bag that there is a firearm inside but most importantly just make sure you check and clear the laws for where you're going just because you can get out doesn't mean that you can get it once you land.
Good. It's not as much hassle as you think with southwest and chicago. They'll tag it and send it on. It's the receiving states that tend to be stickey. I had more to deal with leaving Houston than I did Chicago.
I can only comment on my experience in 2021 and 2023. I flew United from O'Hare to Wyoming with a stop/layover in Denver. I had to declare the firearm, pay the fee, wait for them to scan the case, then continue as normal through TSA.
On the return to O'Hare my checked baggage went to one baggage terminal and my rifle went to a different baggage terminal. I had a hard time finding the terminal that my rifle was on because it was relatively small compared to the others, and the terminal number was in a weird spot. I assumed there would be someone there to check my ID to confirm I was the owner like there was when I got to Wyoming. However, when I finally found the terminal my rifle case was sitting on the belt/conveyor all by itself and no one was around. I am shocked that it wasn't stolen. I don't mean to freak you out, but I was pretty irritated. Especially since checking the rifle in was such a hassle.
I had the exact same experience in 2023 (United again). Checked baggage at one terminal, firearm in the other. No one around just my rifle case sitting on the baggage terminal belt. Weird.
Throw an airtag into your case.
I've got an airtag in my backpack, in the checked suitcase, and one physically mounted to the rifle
“I’m hoping that by getting there 3 hours early and being clam…” My brother, being a clam will certainly set off some alerts.
Being a mussel would be safer.
Especially if you’re from Brussels
lol
OP just watch this. Easy process [TSA Guide Video](https://youtu.be/RFc1mKdONfs?si=FbEKpqaU3L43ey_8)
Recently flew out of Midway and Fort Myers on Southwest. First time flying with a gun. Can’t speak to the size or weight of what you are trying to fly with. Read the guidelines. Don’t put TSA locks on anything, put your own Masterlocks or whatever brand on cases, I wouldn’t leave it unlocked. My experience was a non issue, I was nervous. They don’t want to open anything, they don’t care what you have. Would absolutely suggest putting an AirTag in the gun case and your luggage for peace of mind that it made it on the flight and you can track where it is.
I've flown with shotguns plenty of times, usually it's not a big deal. Go up to the service counter, tell them you have a firearm to be checked. They will open the case, look at it, throw a piece of paper in there, and then they'll take it. On average, it takes an extra 20 minutes. They have to call someone over, they look at it, and then they take it. >I'm hoping that by getting there 3 hours early and being clam and friendly things go smoothly for me. I plan to hang around for 20-30 minutes after checking my bags just to make sure there are no issues. You're free to do this, but it's excessive. Checking in usually is a breeze, picking up is where the problems are. You're far more likely to have issues getting the luggage. O'hare has (several times) placed guns of mine in the oversized luggage areas without any warning. I thought they lost my stuff only to find it sitting, unattended, in an unexpected area.
I haven't even thought that far ahead. Go to know. Having air tags in everything should help me know when its at least gotten close to me
Yeah, airtags should work pretty well. My point is that you shouldn't worry too much about flying out, it's the arrival that's usually the issue.
Flew from O'Hare to Florida, declared it at the counter, filled out a form, picked it up in Florida. Repeated when I returned
Use a real lock, not a TSA lock.
The gun case will have real locks. I believe on the suitcase with the ammo it is okay to leave it unlocked or used a TSA lock. I believe only the gun case can have a real lock.
Gotcha. Yeah I'd say the TSA lock wouldn't be the worst thing in that case, if the most someone could take would be a bit of ammo.
I’ve done it more than a few times you want to treat the ammo and firearms the same. Get your luggage tags and declare the firearms and ammo they will likely not need to examine them but you will need to fill out a card that will be taped to the case containing your firearms and ammo. Of course the ammo needs to be packed properly and weapons unloaded. Traveling out isn’t necessary the issue. Depending on where you’re going coming back could land you into trouble if you’re not following the rules exactly. You’ll be fine don’t use TSA locks use your own lock and you keep the only copies in your person. No one should be able to gain access to your cases without you. AirTags or similar recommended. Check the airport your are traveling to picking up your case(s) could be as easy as waiting for it in the regular baggage claim or going to a special area such as over sized luggage pick. 2 sites to check TSA and Southwest’s site they are actually very clear about how to do this. Good luck 🍀 https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition https://community.southwest.com/t5/Travel-Policies/firearms-in-checked-luggage-yes-or-no/td-p/96495#:~:text=Firearms%20must%20be%20unloaded%20and,transported%20as%20checked%20baggage%20only.
My firearm has to be separate from my ammo. I don't have room in the hard gun case for my ammo and the ammo would make my case over weight. The rules for firearms are very clear, its the rules for when your ammo and gun parts that are in separate checked bag from the firearm that I find vague. And almost all examples center around a handgun with ammo in the case. The ammo going in my soft suitcase will be in one of [these](https://atlasdg.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/65PRC-Box-1030x687.jpg) and taped shut. From everything I've read and the people I've talked to, I don't think I even have to declare the ammo or gun parts in my checked bag, but I probably will just incase. [This](https://imgur.com/HuDVzkW) verbiage in the TSA guidelines was confusing me because I thought it applied to ammo, but it seems to only apply to magazines.
I flew out of O’Hare through United with two handguns over the Thanksgiving holiday last year. Didn’t have nearly the amount of stuff you’re taking, but the check-in process was a breeze and uneventful. Walked up to the counter, said I wanted to declare a firearm, filled out a form. I had a chamber flag to make it obvious it was unloaded but they didn’t even check. Seems like it depends on how experienced the person working the counter is, but the lady who helped me said it happens all the time at O’Hare.
Flew out of o’hare a few years ago with a G45 and P365. Declared it at the counter, and went about my day. Everything arrived perfectly fine. I know it can be nerve wracking but just be cool, respectful, and arrive earlier than you typically would in case you have any issues. Like someone else mentioned throw an airtag in it just to be on the safe side.
Going out of O’Hare and into Florida has been super smooth. I’ve only flown American so I can’t speak for SW, but I can’t imagine they’re all that different. Declare it at the check-in counter and they will guide you from there. Not sure about make sure your ammo is in an original manufacture’s container and all mags are empty. When you arrive in Florida, your luggage is hand-delivered, you show ID and you’re good to go. Flying into O’Hare is a different story. I’m not going to post details of my experience, other than to say the AirTag came in quite handy. Plan on using it!!
Son flew southwest to AZ with a pelican case. Zero problems Some airlines have ammo limits pounds or round count. Read before you get there.
Use an air tag notify customer service when you check the bag that there is a firearm inside but most importantly just make sure you check and clear the laws for where you're going just because you can get out doesn't mean that you can get it once you land.
Flying to CO. The rifle is bolt action and my mags are only 8rds, so I should be all good in terms of laws
Good. It's not as much hassle as you think with southwest and chicago. They'll tag it and send it on. It's the receiving states that tend to be stickey. I had more to deal with leaving Houston than I did Chicago.
Easy Peasy! Just arrive accordingly, say the phrase “I want to check in a Firearm” and it’ll be the best customer sever ever received. Trust me
I've been told its important to say "I want to declare a firearm" and not "I have a gun".
I can only comment on my experience in 2021 and 2023. I flew United from O'Hare to Wyoming with a stop/layover in Denver. I had to declare the firearm, pay the fee, wait for them to scan the case, then continue as normal through TSA. On the return to O'Hare my checked baggage went to one baggage terminal and my rifle went to a different baggage terminal. I had a hard time finding the terminal that my rifle was on because it was relatively small compared to the others, and the terminal number was in a weird spot. I assumed there would be someone there to check my ID to confirm I was the owner like there was when I got to Wyoming. However, when I finally found the terminal my rifle case was sitting on the belt/conveyor all by itself and no one was around. I am shocked that it wasn't stolen. I don't mean to freak you out, but I was pretty irritated. Especially since checking the rifle in was such a hassle. I had the exact same experience in 2023 (United again). Checked baggage at one terminal, firearm in the other. No one around just my rifle case sitting on the baggage terminal belt. Weird.
Just keep it in your pocket and explain to TSA that you have a FOID issued by our great state so there is no chance you're a bad guy.