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aggiedave05 wrote:Thanks jimlongley, good to have someone in the know confirm what I believed RE: TSA Regs.

Anyone have a perspective on the American Airlines part?

My "vibes" from having traveled with my guns a few times are that AA will not care if you have one shotgun and two handguns in the same case. (Me, I'd want to pack them separately anyway, but that's just my druthers). However, two suggestions:

1. Call and or email them and ask the question. Usually a pain in the patootie to get a live person, but persistance (and hitting the "0" (zero) key a lot should get you through. Document the full name and/or employee/agent number of who you talk to, phone number, date and time, etc. Better yet, get them to send you an email.

2. And/or: put your two handguns in the shotgun case with the shotgun, but go ahead and carry a spare handgun case on the off-chance there is a hitch. Stick your ammo in or something, if you need to make use of the space. If all goes well this trip, you'll know for next time. (Sounds like you make this trip periodically).

elb

Perhaps a clarification is in order. Dre stated:

The ammunition packaging regulations are not specific to American Eagle/American Airlines, as they do not search your baggage. Ammunition also does not have to be declared.. only if it accompanies a firearm in checked baggae.

That said, ammunition may be in original packaging or in clips.. the general rule is: no loose ammo.
_________________
- Dre
- Fort Hood, Texas

It is true that the Federal/TSA regulations are the same for each airline, but each airline may also impose additional rules as well (and I believe they can forbid transporting firearms entirely, altho none do that I know of). Your ammo and handgun packaging may meet "the law", but if it doesn't also meet the airline rules, you may have problems.

For instance, American Airline's website does in fact forbid transporting ammunition in "clips" (I assume they include magazines in this). From their website:

Ammunition must be packed in its original packaging. Loose ammunition or clips will not be accepted.

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/ ... rearms.jsp

However, Southwest Airlines is okeydoke with ammo in magazines or clips as long as they are not banging around loose in your luggage:

Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/ ... rearms.jsp

One of the airlines does not allow ammo in the same case as the gun, even tho TSA regs allow it. (At least this used to be the case --this may have changed, it has been awhile since I researched this.)

It pays to research the website of the airline you are going to be flying, (and print out their rules, as well as the TSA regs) and maybe the others as well since unforeseen circumstances may switch you to another carrier.

elb

[Interesting side note -- to me anyway -- AA doesn't consider pellet guns to be firearms, and no special handling (other than being in your checked bag) is required, but SWA DOES consider "BB guns" the "same as all other firearms." ??][/quote]

ZeroG and others,

I hate loading rounds back into my magazines when I get to destination, so like CHL/LEO, I have flown with rounds in my magazines. They were inside of leather ammo carriers with foldover snap tops, and were in the same hardbox as my gun. One gal at Southwest (I think) was puzzled by this, but her supervisor confirmed to her it was OK. Otherwise no problem.

Have not flown American Airlines in a long time, but given what you pulled off of their website (and being sure that most gate agents would not know the difference between a magazine and clip, and the guy who wrote American's rules probably didn't either ), I would put my magazines in regular 50-round cardboard ammo box, pack some paper in it to keep them from rattling around, and tape it shut.

Happy flying.

elb