Flying with guns/ammo

[mikeinarkansas]

Just back from SA a couple of weeks ago flying Atlanta to Johannesburg on Delta. My friend and I had both of our rifles in a Pelican Gun case and had no problems at all. We flew on to Port Elizabeth and never a problem. I did make sure to tip (bribe, whatever) the SAPS officers in each gunroom. Pretty cheap insurance against hassles. The only real hassle was customs coming back into the states. Most were decent folks but we had one who was a real douche. I’d say don’t sweat the guns in the same case. Make sure your paperwork is accessible. We used the Riflepermits.com folks and they were good as gold. I used TSA locks but won’t do that again. Keyed locks would be as fast and much more secure.
And mainly....get over there and have the time of your life! Good luck and good hunting!

 

[RogerHeintzman]

During a return from Africa a ticket agent made us take our ammo out of our check bag and put it in the gun case. No sense in explaining to her.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

The only real hassle was customs coming back into the states. Most were decent folks but we had one who was a real douche.

I am curious to know how the ICE guys hassled you. I am leaving on my first trip in a couple of days.

 

[cagkt3]

The only real hassle was customs coming back into the states. Most were decent folks but we had one who was a real douche.

I would recommend Global Entry - it saved us some time. $100 for 5 years, comes with TSA Pre-check, and was a breeze coming back into the US.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I am curious to know how the ICE guys hassled you. I am leaving on my first trip in a couple of days.

Coming back through Atlanta or Dulles, you should have zero problems. I've heard others had headaches at the NY area airports. For a heads up and to make it easy, have your gun case keys and 4457 forms out and ready. Don't put multiple locks with different keys on your gun case. Two to four locks? Same key opens all of them. Atlanta? Have your shoes ready to be sprayed or wear them and stand in the tray for spraying. Dulles? Piece of cake.

Good luck on your hunt and remember, you are just about to be scarred for life.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I would recommend Global Entry - it saved us some time. $100 for 5 years, comes with TSA Pre-check, and was a breeze coming back into the US.

Coming back through Dulles in May, even with Global Entry, still had to fill out the paper customs form. Atlanta doesn't require it. Go figure.

 

[Shootist43]

If you are planning to use Rifle Permits anyway, just send Henry an email asking your question. He will reply promptly giving you the best advice you are going to get.

 

[cagkt3]

Coming back through Dulles in May, even with Global Entry, still had to fill out the paper customs form. Atlanta doesn't require it. Go figure.

Well that's a pain...I had no problems at DFW this spring, and will be trying out JFK later this summer

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Just returned from my first trip Houston to Atlanta, Atlanta to Johannesburg. I used Henry at Riflepermits. Best money spent with meet and greet. 45 minuets after landing we were out of airport and on our way to camp. No bribes asked by anyone. I did tip the meet and greet guy because he helped with luggage and speeding thru customs. On way back gun was easy check in by Delta employee. At Atlanta was a little confusing being my first time. Did the computer thing with passport and went in line. Then on to get baggage then to gun room. They checked and verified papers then escorted us over to another area and swabbed cases then collected checked bags. Not one person that collected guns was sent anywhere to get boots sprayed. They sent us on to connecting flights. Was actually pretty easy I thought. I had a 3 hour layover and when I got to my departure gate I still had 1 hr 45 min before boarding began.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

Just returned from my first trip Houston to Atlanta, Atlanta to Johannesburg. I used Henry at Riflepermits. Best money spent with meet and greet. 45 minuets after landing we were out of airport and on our way to camp. No bribes asked by anyone. I did tip the meet and greet guy because he helped with luggage and speeding thru customs. On way back gun was easy check in by Delta employee. At Atlanta was a little confusing being my first time. Did the computer thing with passport and went in line. Then on to get baggage then to gun room. They checked and verified papers then escorted us over to another area and swabbed cases then collected checked bags. Not one person that collected guns was sent anywhere to get boots sprayed. They sent us on to connecting flights. Was actually pretty easy I thought. I had a 3 hour layover and when I got to my departure gate I still had 1 hr 45 min before boarding began.

Thanks for the report. That is helpful.

 

[mikeinarkansas]

Coming back through Atlanta or Dulles, you should have zero problems. I've heard others had headaches at the NY area airports. For a heads up and to make it easy, have your gun case keys and 4457 forms out and ready. Don't put multiple locks with different keys on your gun case. Two to four locks? Same key opens all of them. Atlanta? Have your shoes ready to be sprayed or wear them and stand in the tray for spraying. Dulles? Piece of cake.

Good luck on your hunt and remember, you are just about to be scarred for life.

Good advice for sure. We had all that ready. But we did have someone who apparently didn’t understand how to open a pair of bolt action rifle nor be able to find the serial numbers. Maybe not happy to be there first thing on a Saturday morning? Who knows.

So what is the purpose of spraying the boots? I wondered since my last set of hunting clothes weren’t washed and had more dirt and blood on them than my boots and they were in my luggage. I meant to read up on that.

 

[Philip Glass]

We are going to stick to a single case but will both be getting permits for are respective guns to easy not to and no major benefit not to.

Philip if your ever in this neck of the woods I’ll buy the first round

That sounds like a plan!

 

[Philip Glass]

Di

I would recommend Global Entry - it saved us some time. $100 for 5 years, comes with TSA Pre-check, and was a breeze coming back into the US.

ditto that. It helps get through faster and get in the gun line. However now that it’s all electronic everyone gets through faster now.
In Dallas they moved the Global Entry to the far end and it takes a while just to walk to it now!