2aHawaii
General Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bknelson on March 17, 2019, 01:06:36 PM
-
Anybody travelled with firearms on Hawaiian? Flying out tomorrow and just wanted some info. TSA says the Ammo can travel in the same case as the firearm. But Hawaiian says no it has to go separate? Sounds like a ploy to squeeze money out of you for checked bags to me... any thoughts?
-
Anybody travelled with firearms on Hawaiian? Flying out tomorrow and just wanted some info. TSA says the Ammo can travel in the same case as the firearm. But Hawaiian says no it has to go separate? Sounds like a ploy to squeeze money out of you for checked bags to me... any thoughts?
I never put ammo inside that locked gun case (I use Pelican cases). I place my locked Pelican pistol case inside my one checked bag next to my ammo in approved packaging. Never had an issue.
Don't get confused between "case" and "checked bag". If you don't put ammo inside the locked case, you should be fine.
-
I never put ammo inside that locked gun case (I use Pelican cases). I place my locked Pelican pistol case inside my one checked bag next to my ammo in approved packaging. Never had an issue.
Don't get confused between "case" and "checked bag". If you don't put ammo inside the locked case, you should be fine.
The box the Ammo comes in is considered “approved packaging” right?
-
Hawaiian now wants it in a separate case. I nested a small suit case inside a big one and put the ammo in there. The gun case inside the same suit case and no problem. I had it in two separate suitcases coming back since I bought stuff on the mainland. PHX will have you take the suitcase with the firearm to the TSA Office. They will examine it there and you then go to your boarding gate. That's the only airport that does that in my experience, but I only have flown with a firearm out of ITO, HNL, LAS and PHX. I traveled earlier this month on HA.
-
I’ve traveled on Hawaiian with firearms a bunch of times. The most recent on last year I had the ammo separate from my gun case. It was in a locked container in my checked bag.
There was a thread a while back on this and I and another member posted our experiences. We were all in line at HNL headed to the Big Island and we all had slightly different experiences with three separate CS agents. My best advice is to print out the airline’s posted policy and have it with you. Of course follow that policy. I’ve flown a few times where the airline gate agent had their own policy, which was different than both TSA and that airline.
-
I flew Hawaiian last December. I had my ammo in the same Pelican Case as my handgun. I called ahead of time to get confirmation. They rep told me as long as it's in a hard lockable case and ammunition is in it's original packaging it can be flown.
-
Same suitcase is fine. Ammo cannot be inside guncase.
Becareful. Bulk ammo packed in a plastic bag and then in a cardboard box is a no go.
It jingles.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
-
Just be aware that Hawaiian Airlines's policy is different from TSA.
Ran into some trouble coming home from Maui. When I was flying to Maui, gate agent asked if there was ammo in the gun case and I told her “yes” and she said ok. Put on the “aft only” tag and that was the end of it. When checking in on Maui, the gate agents were arguing with each other on what was right and actually took my gun case off the belt before it went down the tunnel. Got the manager to come out and explain that they have stricter guidelines than the TSA. This resulted in me checking in a CARDBOARD box just for a box of ammo.
I guess Hawaiian airlines thought it made sense or was “safer” to ship ammo in a cardboard box with nothing else in it rather than in a locked container. Their exception to having ammo in the same case as your firearm is if you’re law enforcement.
-
Traveled on Hawaiian in both October and Jan with ammo in the same case as the gun which was inside of my suitcase. I had the stock small, 20 round ammo box and had all the rounds in there.
Had no issues at any time, however, my pelican case had holes for two locks. That particular rep said I needed a lock for each hole but let me go that time.
-
It really sounds like everyone has had a different experience which is quite frustrating, I wish there were some uniformity with airline policies and TSA. Sucks that I have to check another bag just for 2 boxes of ammo on a 20 minute flight :wacko:
-
Just read the Hawaiians firearms transportation requirements again. It's says "packed separately in the manufacturer's original package OR securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes." (If it's loose ammo?) When they say "separate in manufactures original package" does NOT IN THE GUN OR MAGAZINES BUT IN ITS OFF THE SHELF BOX AND IN THE SAME LOCKABLE HARD CASE count as separate? They need to clarify after separate. Separate from the ammo being in the gun and / or magazines, separate container entirely away from the firearm?
Because sh!t, the past four trips I took I had my ammo packed in the same case as my firearm. I even cut out the foam to fit a box of 50 Federal 9mm HSTs.
I even called to confirm that I could have my ammo locked in the same hard case as my firearm and they said yes it was allowed as long as it is locked.
Hawaiian Airlines need to get on the same page on what is the absolute requirement is and word it so that there is no room for confusion or interpretation. I will now travel to the stricter rule. I'm guessing I just got lucky four times in a row. I could have easily missed a flight because of the wishy washy understanding of the transportation rules.
-
Most of the customer service agents have little to no experience with firearms outside of what the scope of their job is at Hawaiian. Most times they don’t even look inside my bag, just ask me if it’s locked and unloaded. I fly weekly on Hawaiian and check firearms every time. I always travel with ammo in original packaging (box) or a plastic ammo box from Cabelas and I keep that in the same locked case that my firearm is in. I used to just leave it in the mags before I saw their updated policy recently but even before then I’ve never had an issue flying out of HNL.
Honestly, the agents barely look inside your case and rarely even ask me to open the case to verify the contents and whether the firearm is unloaded. As long as you sign the Firearms Declaration Tag and are within TSA Standards for traveling with a firearm they really won’t give you any hassle.
The ONLY place that I’ve has an issue with ammo being in the same case/suitcase is at JFK where the NY Port Authority requires you to keep ammo in a separate suitcase from your firearm and a Port Authority officer actually comes to the counter and physically checks everything before you lock it >:D
The AFT Bag Tag is required on Hawaiian now because of their new Airbus 321NEO aircraft. The forward cargo area can get pretty hot and they don’t want any ammo to go off.
-
I forgot to add that in Dec, I brought my box of JHP ammo and 1 round was missing. Same 1 round that was stolen from my last trip to Vegas. The counter lady for HA had to call her supervisor because the box was not full. So 49 of 50 rounds. But she got the OK and let me pass.
So again inconsistencies, but the rules are on your side if you print them out or pull them up on your phone.
On the way home, the Vegas HA lady didn't care.
-
I use the plastic MTM divided ammo boxes when I check-in bulk ammo. It's more protective than a cardboard box with a divider. A retail ammo box can rip (while some TSA inspector is fiddling with it?).
I've never been asked about them, but if I am, "That's the way I bought the ammo." :thumbsup:
I haven't traveled since the baggage claim shooting in FL, but I've seen some airlines started zip-tying the gun case shut to try and prevent another such shooting. Kind of stupid. Anyone with a brain knows they could put a blade or snips in the same checked bag. :wacko:
-
I use the plastic MTM divided ammo boxes when I check-in bulk ammo. It's more protective than a cardboard box with a divider. A retail ammo box can rip (while some TSA inspector is fiddling with it?).
I've never been asked about them, but if I am, "That's the way I bought the ammo." :thumbsup:
I haven't traveled since the baggage claim shooting in FL, but I've seen some airlines started zip-tying the gun case shut to try and prevent another such shooting. Kind of stupid. Anyone with a brain knows they could put a blade or snips in the same checked bag. :wacko:
But how do you blade the snaps if knives and liquids over 3oz are banned also? Oh yeah, you can use any solid object to twist and break the zipties.
Let's not get into if liquids over 3 oz are so dangerous and must be thrown out, there is a bin full of them before TSA check point. Taiwan actually makes you dump the liquid into a bin and the bottle in another. Then someone empties the desk trash can sized bin filled with liquid as it fills.
-
But how do you blade the snaps if knives and liquids over 3oz are banned also? Oh yeah, you can use any solid object to twist and break the zipties.
You put in the checked bag like he said.
Let's not get into if liquids over 3 oz are so dangerous and must be thrown out, there is a bin full of them before TSA check point. Taiwan actually makes you dump the liquid into a bin and the bottle in another. Then someone empties the desk trash can sized bin filled with liquid as it fills.
I have to remember to bring some bleach and ammonia to dump in the bin.
That should be fun.
-
But how do you blade the snaps if knives and liquids over 3oz are banned also? Oh yeah, you can use any solid object to twist and break the zipties.
Let's not get into if liquids over 3 oz are so dangerous and must be thrown out, there is a bin full of them before TSA check point. Taiwan actually makes you dump the liquid into a bin and the bottle in another. Then someone empties the desk trash can sized bin filled with liquid as it fills.
Please read all the words .....
Anyone with a brain knows they could put a blade or snips in the same checked bag
-
Here's the thread that shares many of our past experiences.
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=29437.0 (https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=29437.0)
-
I have flown to Vegas many times on Hawaiian with firearms. Slighty different each time but never any major hassle thankfully. Recently they have requested that I remove ammo from pelican case and place in luggage. No big deal for me. Locks needed on every hole is what i understand is the rule but i dont kNow if that is Hawaiian or TSA. The weirdest thing they have told me is that the lock has to be TSA so I just try to explain to them that is exactly the opposite of what the YSA wants. They give me a puzzled look but usually say Ok.
-
Past few years I flew from HNL to Lanai roundtrip with a Pelican 1750. I fit two rifles and a few factory boxes of ammo all in the same Pelican 1750. No problem.
Now come Mouflon Sept 2018, I fly Hawaiian no problem to Lanai, but coming back the LNY HA agent says I have to pack in seperate check in. Luckily I had my cooler. I asked her I had no problems flying from HNL to LNY and she tells me thats because HNL has more security so its ok there (HNL) but not here (LNY). I dunno I didnt want to make a fuss because I did have a 2nd check in, but super frustrating when different agents tell you different things.
-
Just got back from LV yesterday (round trip on Hawaiian Air) and let me share my experience with everyone. Had my handgun in a soft sided case along with 2 factory boxes of 20rd ammo stored in a Pelican 1750 rifle case (yeah over kill for a handgun but had lots of gifts to take to family). Checked in at HNL and ticket agent asked about the ammo and I explained the handgun was in it's own case within the Pelican case, agent said no problem. Signed orange card, inserted card into Pelican case and dropped off case at the drop off. Waited about 20 mins had no one from airlines or TSA get back to me so proceeded TSA checkpoint and to gates. Now on my return flight this is where I encountered something different. Checked in and walked with the ticket agent to the TSA office like usual but was told that I had to hand over my keys for the locks on my Pelican case to the TSA agent and they would open, inspect and then lock my case ( in the past they would take my case and xray without taking my keys) in their office and I was not allowed to enter. They would then send my Pelican case thru (which meant that I would not see my case again till I got it in HNL) and hand me my keys back and I could proceed to the TSA checkpoint and head toward my gate. According to the TSA agent their policy has changed recently and when I double checked the policy this is what it stated
"Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks."
In the past when traveling with firearms I've always printed and kept a copy of the TSA Firearms policies with me and I do not recall the section with "unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations." so this is where the policy has changed, and opening and inspecting my case outside of the TSA office was not an option. Both the TSA agent and Hawaiian Air agent did explain that if I so wanted to I could head over to the main TSA office at terminal 1 and get a pass to enter the office/inspection area for terminal 3 (Hawaiian Air).
So that being said, for those of you traveling to LV you might want to consider taking the extra time to get a pass from the main TSA office at terminal 1 and or taking pictures and making an inventory of everything that you're putting in your case that contains your firearms. Hope this helps....
-
Just got back from LV yesterday (round trip on Hawaiian Air) and let me share my experience with everyone. Had my handgun in a soft sided case along with 2 factory boxes of 20rd ammo stored in a Pelican 1750 rifle case (yeah over kill for a handgun but had lots of gifts to take to family). Checked in at HNL and ticket agent asked about the ammo and I explained the handgun was in it's own case within the Pelican case, agent said no problem. Signed orange card, inserted card into Pelican case and dropped off case at the drop off. Waited about 20 mins had no one from airlines or TSA get back to me so proceeded TSA checkpoint and to gates. Now on my return flight this is where I encountered something different. Checked in and walked with the ticket agent to the TSA office like usual but was told that I had to hand over my keys for the locks on my Pelican case to the TSA agent and they would open, inspect and then lock my case ( in the past they would take my case and xray without taking my keys) in their office and I was not allowed to enter. They would then send my Pelican case thru (which meant that I would not see my case again till I got it in HNL) and hand me my keys back and I could proceed to the TSA checkpoint and head toward my gate. According to the TSA agent their policy has changed recently and when I double checked the policy this is what it stated
"Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks."
In the past when traveling with firearms I've always printed and kept a copy of the TSA Firearms policies with me and I do not recall the section with "unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations." so this is where the policy has changed, and opening and inspecting my case outside of the TSA office was not an option. Both the TSA agent and Hawaiian Air agent did explain that if I so wanted to I could head over to the main TSA office at terminal 1 and get a pass to enter the office/inspection area for terminal 3 (Hawaiian Air).
So that being said, for those of you traveling to LV you might want to consider taking the extra time to get a pass from the main TSA office at terminal 1 and or taking pictures and making an inventory of everything that you're putting in your case that contains your firearms. Hope this helps....
Awsome info SA594!!! Very helpful. I have to remember this.
-
I've known people who have had to had their guns inspected by TSA/Sheriff. This is why we wait the 20 minutes before we go thru the check point. But I've never heard of having to give them your keys.
What does happen is they take you and your case to a separate area and you unlock it for them in the presents of TSA. If they wish to handle the gun, TSA doesn't touch it. A Sheriff has to be there and they are the ones who handle the gun. The post I've read this from is nationwide and usually for a rifle, revolver, or handgun that the slide was not locked back. They want to make sure no round is chambered. This is why I also run that cable and lock that comes with all handguns thru my barrel so it's obvious under X-ray that there is no round in the chamber.
-
TSA took your case into their office and opened the case while not in your presence? While I guess that's not in the printed TSA policy, sounds hinky. . .
I've had airline agents state that my locks needed to be TSA locks before. That's about it. I've had TSA agents ask to open the case so that they could swab for residue, but that was in my presence and I both opened the case for inspection and locked it up prior to the case "going below".
In any case, thank you for sharing! All great information!
-
I agree that I would be hesitant to allow anyone to open my case outside of my presence, however, the TSA rules don't go into that. So it will be up to the TSA agent requesting the key I guess... ???
I know it has been posted before but here is the TSA rules with the new wording that SA594 mentioned.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition)
-
I agree that I would be hesitant to allow anyone to open my case outside of my presence, however, the TSA rules don't go into that. So it will be up to the TSA agent requesting the key I guess... ???
I know it has been posted before but here is the TSA rules with the new wording that SA594 mentioned.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition)
I'd have to dig up what I have from that last time I traveled, but yeah, it doesn't mention anything about TSA being able to open up the case and owner needing to be present. I always thought that NO ONE besides the owner opened the case, hence no TSA locks. Interesting. . .
I wonder what they would say if you asked them to video to document that TSA took your case with the firearm and ammo inside into the TSA "backroom" with the keys. I mean I would think that probably all good, but I've heard so many stories of stuff in luggage getting jacked. Golf clubs. Sometimes entire golf bags. Cameras in Pelican cases. And more. Besides the entire firearm case going missing, I never was worried about stuff getting jacked from my firearm case because of the non-TSA locks and I was the last one to lock the case prior to being accepted by the airline.
-
Rules doesn't state that you have to be present, but it also doesn't state you can't either. So I would ask to be present or speak to a supervisor. How do you know that your gun and ammo don't go missing?
I had TSA take 1 JHP 9mm from my box of 50.
-
The last four times I went to Vegas within the past two years I have always held onto my keys and was never asked to have the contents visually inspected. Waited somewhere between 15-30 minutes from TSA to run my locked firearms case through XRay and give me the thumbs up that I was in compliance so I could head over to security.
If I was asked to hand over the keys for physical visual inspection, I would definitely want to be present. If this is going to be the norm I would actually want to be at the airport sooner than I already have been. Never know what luck you might draw with the interpretation of the requirements you might get on any given day.
-
Believe me when I say that it was quite a surprise to me and thankfully everyone involved kept our attitudes and tempers in check over this whole thing. Once again this was just a recap of my experience at McCarran airport in Terminal 3 while traveling on Hawaiian Air and others may experience a different scenario (since TSA is never consistent in their procedures and/or trustworthiness) there or elsewhere. In the future when traveling with firearms to LV, I'll either look into the option of getting a pass from the main office in terminal 1 or possibly just leave a duplicate set of firearms in LV, leaning more toward the 2nd option. Fortunately there are a lot of shooting ranges there so I can run thru whatever firearms I leave when I first get back to function test everything.....Hope this helps everyone.......