Flying America West

[John/az2]

I'm flying out today on America West, and I called them about their procedure for checking/transporting a firearm. The gal I spoke to seemed a bit confused about how they do it, so I didn't get a definitive answer. I did a search for this specific airline and nothing came up, so I'm turning the question over to the experienced flyers on the board.

I hope (fingers crossed) I can get an answer before the end of the day.

Does anyone know how America West Airlines handles firearms?

 

[missmanytoes]

Not on America West...

But on Delta, the firearm has to be unloaded (you have to declare it and show it to the baggage agent) and the suitcase has to be of the lockable, hard side variety. Ammo must be in its original container and in a separate hard side suitcase. They put the orange "Unloaded Firearm" tag inside the suitcase with the gun and then you lock it up. Putting the tag on the outside is illegal, IIRC.

Check to see what dollar amount the airline will reimburse you for if they lose your bag and gun. You might want to buy extra insurance from the baggage agent even if your weapon is not expensive. The insurance is not excessively costly and then they put a G.C.A.P.T. sticker on the outside (Give Care And Protection To) which helps to ensure that your suitcase makes all the same connections you do. It can be a hassle to pick it up at the other end, but only because your bag won't (or shouldn't be) on the normal baggage carousel. You will have to retrieve it from the baggage people in their little office and they should make you produce ID. I did this once when traveling with several weapons and was so impressed with the service (a VERY close connection that they held the plane for until my GCAPT bag was on...I know that because I made the guy at the gate have the baggage guy describe the case to us) that every time I fly I do it.

HTH!
-sarah

 

[Andrewh]

Again, not on american west. But in general for flying.
You must delcare it when you check your bags. They may or may not ask to see it. (they are supposed to, but some check in people I have met are so anti gun and terrified of them they don't even want to see it.) They verify it is unloaded, and will either put a tag on it, or inside the luggage you are putting it in. I have done it only with a locked hard case for the gun, and put that in my locked sea bag. So I know you can have it in a soft luggage as long as the gun is actually in a hard case.
If you want ammo, it must be in a seperate piece of luggage. Also locked, and again could just be a locked hard case in a locked piece of soft luggage.
Do not allow them to mark the outside of the luggage. Though they have never tried it with me, I hear that is a sure way to get it take by the luggage handlers.

 

[F4GIB]

America West has been no problem for me.

Firearms and ammunition must be in CHECKED baggage NOT in your carry-ons. The gun must be UNLOADED and in a HARD-SIDED case. That case need not be your outer luggage. For handguns, I use a small plastic case ($4.95 at gun show) locked with two tiny combo locks ($1.99 each) which goes inside my soft-side suitcase with my other stuff. You must "DECLARE" that you have the firearm. I do so by asking for "an orange firearms tag." You sign and date the tag, the agent initials it, and the orange tag goes INSIDE the plastic gun case (not outside where it might draw attention). The case is LOCKED and goes in your luggage which need not be locked.

They may or may not ask to see the gun. I don't like waving guns around in the airport, so I merely turn the case around and tell them they are free to check it over. None have.

Ammunition cannot be LOOSE. It may be in anything suitable as an ammunition storage device - manufacturer's or aftermarket cardbox, plastic ammo box, magazine, etc. The FAA rule is ambiguous as to whether boxed ammunition can be in the same luggage as the locked gun case (it says it can't be in that case). Avoid the issue and put the ammo in your other piece of your checked luggage or in your spouse's. I've never had anyone ask to look at the ammo.

The words in capitals are what the FAA requires. An airline can be more restrictive. The two times I got uninformed, difficult ticket agents, I just said "I'm not going to argue about this, call your Supervisor as I'm sure they know the rules." Neither took me up on that request and off I flew. One can be polite and firm at the same time.

Alaska Airlines has an excellent discussion on their web page. As I recall, Delta does too. If you follow those rules, you should be OK as all US airlines treat firearms in checked baggage on domestic flights pretty much the same.

Stay away from Sun Country, though.

 

[John/az2]

Thank you all for your replies!

 

[Fly320s]

All the above info is correct. But I'll add that there is a weight limit for the ammo you check. I don't remember the exact weight and I don't have my manual in front of me, but the limit is pretty low, around 5 or 10 pounds per person.

When you get to the ticket counter tell the agent, "I'd like to declare a firearm." That's all it takes. Fill out the tag, drop it inside your suitcase (doesnt need to be inside your pistol case) and give it all to the ticket agent. It should be a non-event for you.

I've checked my pistol as a non-revenue (standby) passenger without a problem. My suitcase was a softside roll-aboard with the pistol in a hardside case inside. I put a zip-tie on the zipper of the outside suitcase to discourage people from looking inside.

Should be a piece of cake.

 

[croyance]

The weight limit for ammo is 11 pounds per person. This requires extra paperwork.

Otherwise, it is as the others say. Hard, locked case. You have to sign a tag to declare your gun unloaded. This tag does not go on the outside.

Usually a manager knows the required paperwork. It has always taken me less than 5 minutes when the ticket agent didn't know the procedure.

 

[JeepBear]

So far I have flown on AmWest, American, Delta, NorthWest, Continental, US Air & SouthWest with a firearm. The requirements vary, but if you stick with the most stringent set (as listed above) you'll never go wrong.

American has a habit of verification down to "Can you SHOW me it is unloaded, sir?" The first time this happened was at DFW in Dallas, and I asked if we needed to go in another room (as their policy states). The agent kindly said no, she could see just fine right there at the counter. The only comment from others in line was "Nice. Is that the .40?"
In Phoenix on the return flight, the agent freaked when I asked to check it in and had security escort the both of us to the little room. After that I got in the habit of a rubberized cable lock through the barrel(s). Quick, easy and REALLY obvious. Plus it puts THEM a little more at ease. :barf:

 

[Jeff Thomas]

How does America West handle firearms? Well, the same way they'll handle you, John .... you and your gun will arrive at your destination late, and irritated ... eventually.

Sorry ... couldn't help it. AW is the airline I love to hate. Southwest is so much better. It made me laugh that so many Arizonan's took so long to finally get tired of AW's abusive customer treatment and poor service.

Good luck with your flight.

Regards from AZ

 

[John/az2]

I just got back, and had no problems both ways. Thanks for your timely replies!

AW's policy in practice per my experience was the same as SouthWest's.