Flying with firearm question

[MrRogers]

Hello,

Question for those who have flown with a firearm before. I have an upcoming hunting trip to Alaska this spring. Booked the flight through Alaska Airlines. My flight from Michigan to Chicago is operated by American Airlines. It's my understanding that upon landing in Chicago I need to claim my rifle from American and have it rechecked with with Alaska Air. My Iayover is only an hour and fifteen minutes and I'm wondering if I'll have enough time. What do you guys think?

 

[Bubblehide]

Not even close to enough time. You can always ship your rifle to a FFL in Alaska and pick it up from them, but I would discuss this with any potential FFL prior to shipping it, as not all FL want to deal with this type of thing.

 

[ODB]

I’ve never needed to do that, and it sounds like a pain in the ass if they are requiring that. It’s tough enough on a tight layover to make sure a bag is transferred through without need to get it from baggage claim and re-check.

Call Alaska and just ask if it’s forwarded as normal luggage, after it’s been checked , it pretty much is just normal luggage.

 

[MrRogers]

I’ve never needed to do that, and it sounds like a pain in the ass if they are requiring that. It’s tough enough on a tight layover to make sure a bag is transferred through without need to get it from baggage claim and re-check.

Call Alaska and just ask if it’s forwarded as normal luggage, after it’s been checked , it pretty much is just normal luggage.

Thank you. I just got off of the phone with them and they did confirm that I'll have to recheck it. Might just have to switch to an earlier flight to Chicago to have a longer layover I guess.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Recently flew American to SLC. Took an hour to get the bags to the carousel and luggage svcs
where I picked up my sidearms.

 

[ODB]

Thank you. I just got off of the phone with them and they did confirm that I'll have to recheck it. Might just have to switch to an earlier flight to Chicago to have a longer layover I guess.

What a mess. Often times guns are not even delivered to the same carousel area - this caused a real pain in the ass at Dulles once coming back from Spokane. Might also Double check where guns will be delivered to so you can head right there after you land in Chicago.

Good luck. Hope things go smoothly in the end.

 

[nettereo16]

You might also have some terrible firearms laws to deal with. Illinois has a Firearms Owner ID card.
Once you take possession of the firearm in the terminal you would be in violation. If you were connecting, the airline remains in possession.

People have been arrested in NJ after their flights were diverted and they picked up their firearms.

I would recommend if you have to switch airlines:

1. extend your layover to 2 hrs
2. connect through a free state

 

[Antares]

Not even close to enough time. You can always ship your rifle to a FFL in Alaska and pick it up from them, but I would discuss this with any potential FFL prior to shipping it, as not all FL want to deal with this type of thing.

You can also mail it to yourself through USPS.

 

[OMB]

Hello,

Question for those who have flown with a firearm before. I have an upcoming hunting trip to Alaska this spring. Booked the flight through Alaska Airlines. My flight from Michigan to Chicago is operated by American Airlines. It's my understanding that upon landing in Chicago I need to claim my rifle from American and have it rechecked with with Alaska Air. My Iayover is only an hour and fifteen minutes and I'm wondering if I'll have enough time. What do you guys think?

I've flown Delta with connections before and never had to re-check my guns at my connection, but I can't say with American, switching airlines might trigger that. That being said, flying from Michigan, is there a way to do a direct flight from Detroit or drive to Chicago? When I lived in SW OH, I had a half dozen airports within a two hour drive and several times I drove two hours to a farther airport than my home airport to avoid a connection and minimize hassle. When I fly up to Canada for a sheep hunt this fall I'm fully planning on making a 4 hour drive and staying with a friend the night before so I can fly direct into Edmonton and reduce the odds of any gun or gear go missing problems.

 

[mlgc20]

An hour and fifteen minutes is a tight connection at ORD no matter what. I don't think there would be any way to get a gun from baggage claim, recheck it and then get yourself back through security.

 

[Crghss]

Hello,

Question for those who have flown with a firearm before. I have an upcoming hunting trip to Alaska this spring. Booked the flight through Alaska Airlines. My flight from Michigan to Chicago is operated by American Airlines. It's my understanding that upon landing in Chicago I need to claim my rifle from American and have it rechecked with with Alaska Air. My Iayover is only an hour and fifteen minutes and I'm wondering if I'll have enough time. What do you guys think?

That is crazy thing I’ve ever heard. Note to self don’t fly AA.

 

[WCB]

I never heard of that as i fly intl from MSP to NZ went from american to New Zealand Air in L.A. never had to recheck my gun

 

[MrRogers]

I've flown Delta with connections before and never had to re-check my guns at my connection, but I can't say with American, switching airlines might trigger that. That being said, flying from Michigan, is there a way to do a direct flight from Detroit or drive to Chicago? When I lived in SW OH, I had a half dozen airports within a two hour drive and several times I drove two hours to a farther airport than my home airport to avoid a connection and minimize hassle. When I fly up to Canada for a sheep hunt this fall I'm fully planning on making a 4 hour drive and staying with a friend the night before so I can fly direct into Edmonton and reduce the odds of any gun or gear go missing problems.

I was going to have a family member drop me off at the airport but I don't think they're going to want to drive all of the way to Detroit or Chicago and back, though.

 

[MrRogers]

I never heard of that as i fly intl from MSP to NZ went from american to New Zealand Air in L.A. never had to recheck my gun

Yea I don't understand why they have to recheck it. I honestly might just call Alaska Air again and ask again for the hell of it. Their firearm policy says I "may" have to recheck the firearm when switching airlines. The lady I spoke to just sounded like she was reading off of the same thing that I read.

 

[tntrker]

Alaskian Air might have differant firearm rules than AA, like no ammo with rifle etc. Be sure you know the rules for both airlines. If you do have to reclaim/recheck, the rifle could come out in 3 differant areas like the normal carousel, oversize items area, which will be along the wall in the carousel area.., or CBP area...I'd rebook for longer layover, but I'm always early and expecting the worst...

 

[Preston Lay]

This past fall I flew to Alaska . Started with one American flight then , picked up with Alaska airlines. I didn't have to recheck my gun. It's far less hassle than you would think. Just make sure you declare and check on the first flight leg.

 

[MrRogers]

This past fall I flew to Alaska . Started with one American flight then , picked up with Alaska airlines. I didn't have to recheck my gun. It's far less hassle than you would think. Just make sure you declare and check on the first flight leg.

Thank you. I feel less worried now lol. This is my first time flying with a firearm and I just wanted to make sure everything goes smoothly.

 

[tcmers]

I've flown to South Africa with firearms several times. I've never had to pick up firearms mid trip. They have always been checked all the way through. If I were you, I'd call AA and ask, just for my own piece of mind.

 

[pirogue]

Thank you. I just got off of the phone with them and they did confirm that I'll have to recheck it. Might just have to switch to an earlier flight to Chicago to have a longer layover I guess.

If you call back and someone else answers, you’d probably get a different answer. Most inconsistent policy there is, whether is airline to airline, airport to airport, claiming the firearm procedure, etc.

 

[dtrkyman]

You are not in violation of anything in Illinois bringing a firearm through there, Il. residents need a FOID card you do not!