Airline travel question

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godogs57

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Apr 16, 2004
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I am headed out to New Mexico via Delta in two weeks for a week of Elk hunting...this will be my third trip out there for elk, but my first one by jet. The other two times we went in my truck, but this time my buddies are not wanting to experience the 23 hour drive and beautiful scenery. I have researched the various websites on transporting my gun, and have a good idea how this is supposed to be done. I plan on taking about 20 or more of my knives out there to sell to help offset the travel costs....does anybody have any idea how I need to handle this situation with the airlines without looking like "Islamic extremist that looks strangly like a good ol boy from South Georgia"? I can only imagine what the check in folks would say if they see me with that many knives. I am sure that with all the big name makers flying to all the knife shows, this must not be as big a problem as I think it may be, but I don't know....I have not flown in 20 years so I have not a single clue.

I can't pass up this opportunity to sell a few, as the market out there this time of year is goooood. Any advice at all is sincerely appreciated with respect to regs, "this is how I do it", what kind of container would be needed to hold them all, etc....

Thanks in advance!

Hank Hammond
 
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/dangerous_goods/index.jsp

Ammunition will only be accepted if it is boxed, small-arms ammunition, it weighs less than 11 pounds, and is packed in checked luggage only.

Firearms will be accepted only if they are unloaded, declared to the agent at check-in, and packed in a suitable container in checked luggage only.

Gunpowder, mace, pepper spray, and tear gas are not allowed.
~~~
The knives would have to go as checked luggage. I would wrap them and put them in biscuit (cookie) tins. Knives aren't a restricted item. I brought 6 in my hold luggage to Canada and another 6 via carrier.
 
Thanks folks.....I appreciate the suggestions and hope to get even more tips. Andrew, I appreciate your firearms related comments as well. I looked up the NRA site and Delta's as well and the info is verbatim with what you are stating. They don't come right out and say it, but I have heard horror stories about reloaded ammo (which is all I use) stored in those MTM plastic boxes and how they were refused...had to be in original factory boxes, nothing else. I can't confirm that now from the websites, but if I have to, I will purchase a couple of boxes of factory ammo and slip in my reloads and be on my way....sorry if off topic, but if anybody knows for sure, please let me know.

I suppose from Striper's comments, I should just stick the knives in the gun case. I could do that, wrapping each knife/sheath in something like bubble wrap or something.

Keep coming with the suggestions! Thanks!
 
You should post this question over in the AKTI (American Knife and Tool Institute) sub-forum in the manufactuers forum, send them an email or call them. :)
Scott
 
Delta filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy yesterday. Make sure you keep yourself updated on flight schedules, etc.
 
Yeah...its big news here in GA....The CEO has sworn on a stack of Bibles that everything will be business as usual...hope he is right. I have fears that PO'd baggage handlers will somehow loose my rifle, knives, and any Elk meat/antlers I may be lucky enough to bring home. I am still not over that fear yet. Asked UPS and FedEx about shipping my rifle out there and they said "nope". Dealer to dealer only. Guess I will pack the rifle ammo and knives in a locked container and throw caution to the wind unless someone else has a better idea.

Thanks again.
 
Most of us that fly to knife shows just put our knives in the checked luggage and hope they don't get stolen, sometimes I do this and other times I ship them to someone going to the show. I've never had a problem but I've heard of a few knives in checked luggage come up missing. You can lock your luggage if you use an aproved lock.

Don Hanson
 
I'll bet there's a dealer somewhere near that airport who could recieve that gun for you at a modest fee, and ship it back. you could do the same with the knives. if you need a dealer to ship it from, I'm not in GA, but I could probably arrange it. (I'm not a dealer, but one of my best friends is, and does this sort of stuff for folks all the time, it is perfectly legal)

A lot of dealers are sympathetic to the needs of hunters, most are hunters themselves, find a listing of dealers online or somehow, call, and talk to the owner of the shop.

That many knives I'd ship, no doubt about it, way too easy for one or two to slip through the cracks.

I'd also put the handloads into a cardboard factory box, and if possible, the box being the same brand as the brass's headstamp, seen 'em even pitch fits about that. Carry the ammo with you, ship the guns and knives.

Tony
 
Thinking about shipping the duffel bag containing my hunting clothes/ammo/knives via UPS to arrive out there a week ahead of my arrival. May put the whole dern duffel bag in a cooler (to hold the meat later) and send it on...see any problem with that?

Again, Thanx
 
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