Semi off topic- flying with guncase- not with gun

eeleater · Post by **eeleater** » Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:43 pm

I have an SKB double rifle case and am thinking of taking it on a trip to hold something other than a gun on the return trip. Because the gun case is oversize ( over 62 inches. length+ width+height) airline sites indicate there is an additonal charge of $80 to $100.

With my having a round trip tickets- does this charge apply to the outgoing trip and then again to the return trip ( $160-to $200 total) or is it one charge for the entire trip?

papabear · Post by **papabear** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:22 am

I have a double gun case that we bring along when we fly and have not paid extra on our trips with United Airlines and Delta Airlines.
Granted that I had guns in them, I really do not know why it would be different if you do not have guns in them. Maybe you should put a pistol in there

and declare it.

Jerry G · Post by **Jerry G** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:21 am

I have flown United and Alaskan and never had an extra charge for my gun case.

GeoNLR · Post by **GeoNLR** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:02 am

I have never flown with an empty and never been charged for a Rifle case BUT, I would be willing to bet that they chare you AND don't bet that if you get out for free on outbound that you will not be charged for return(got that in Vegas last year). My guess is that they would charge you for using it as anything other than a rifle carrier.... Like hard shelled golf carriers.... ????

Just a guess....

eeleater · Post by **eeleater** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:25 am

Part of what concerns me is that it would be over 50 lb in weight, and there is an additional charge for this also. I am concerned this would get it more attention- as would its NOT having a gun.

jneihouse · Post by **jneihouse** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:28 am

Of course you've got us all really curious as to what you want to bring back in a gun case that's not a gun and weighs more than 50 pounds.......Maybe I'm just stating the obvious, but why not ship via UPS, FED EX, DHL, USPS, or another carrier what you want to take back. After the nationals last year in Ridgeway we spent a few days in New York City. Wife bought lots of stuff, mostly Christmas stuff for the kids and grandkids. There was a little shipping store around the corner from out hotel and we had them box and ship all home. Way easier and cheaper too. And I trust the shipping services more than I trust the airline baggage handlers.

Kitty

genphideaux · Post by **genphideaux** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:12 am

eeleater,

I'm in with John on this when I go to Colorado to hunt I ship to the address I'm staying at and drop it off the day before I fly, get there hunt and then ship it out the day before I leave to my resident, insured and all.
The only way to travel unless you drive.

eeleater · Post by **eeleater** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:13 pm

The item is an iron casting about 31 inches long. If unmachined the weight is about 48 lb. If machined it will be ? 38 lb or so.

In shipping ( USPS, UPS etc) items this dense tend to get dropped or thrown- and then punch through the sides of the container. Most packing stores are not set up to pack something like this

If I were to use the gun case I would cut stryofoam insulation to fill the case except for where the casting was. (In part this would be to protect the case from the casting).

If it were just a matter of paying an extra 25 dollars if it was overweight ( and I belive it would be) it would be cheaper than having it crated and shipped to me. If I am charged for the oversized I would be better off havcing it crated and shipped.

I have thought about building a crate and taking it with me- but I do not know the exact size I need- and- these days the airlines want to inspect what they carry, so it would have to be something they could open and not destroy in the process. This eliminates just screwing it shut as I would do for UPS.

I suspect I will simpy have it shipped, unless I run across a non oversized way to pack it.