Anyone have experience traveling with firearms with Hawaiian Airlines? I know you need to store it unloaded in a TSA approved travel case with locks. Ammunition can be in the same case I believe as long as it's in its original box. Just wondering how the experience went with checking it in as checked luggage.

Anyone have experience traveling with firearms with Hawaiian Airlines? I know you need to store it unloaded in a TSA approved travel case with locks. Ammunition can be in the same case I believe as long as it's in its original box. Just wondering how the experience went with checking it in as checked luggage.

So easy a caveman could do it. Go straight to check in counter and declare you’re traveling with firearms and/ or ammo. They check it out, put in a colored tag saying it’s been inspected and that it is a firearm or ammo. They’ll have you lock it and keep your keys on your person. TSA will take it to be checked into the flight. Get on plane, wait for over size baggage (if long gun) at destination and carry on

Just some stuff that I know of:

- So far, Hawaiian has made it a pretty smooth experience.
- Not a Hawaiian rule but it surprised me when I heard about it. You need a lock for each lockable hole.  If there are four holes for locks, you need to have 4 locks. 
- TSA doesn't have a rule against placing ammo in the same case as the firearm but Hawaiian does, technically.  "Ammunition must be packed separate and apart from any firearm unless the firearm's case has a designated storage space for ammunition that secures it and protects it from shock and movement".  I usually put it in my gun case and they have never raised an issue.  So technically, you can and should have it in your regular checked luggage, but not in the gun case, as long as it is in the original box and reasonably secured from damage.  I have brought home lots of ammo booty in checked luggage in a heavy cardboard box that was stuffed with towels to keep the ammo from bouncing and they didn't complain.
- I don't think the airline is allowed to mark a bag to indicate that it contains a firearm but Hawaiian always places some kind of special sticker on my checked bag with the firearm that says something unusual like "fragile" or something to indicate a firearm, I forget exactly what the sticker said.  I kind of want to raise an issue but never have.  I am hoping that it makes them aware to not "misplace" my bag...to avoid any imperial entanglements.
- I was told once that I can check in at the kiosk and just indicate somewhere you have a firearm then go to the counter to fill in the paperwork.  I never was able to figure out how to do that so I just head straight to customer service.  Don't know if this annoys them.
- FYI, If you fly on Alaska Airlines, you can bring up to 50 lbs of ammo.  All other airlines including Hawaiian limit you to 11 pounds.

So i have traveled a couple of times on Hawaiian, Alaska and Delta Airlines with Firearms and/or Ammo.  Regarding Hawaiian Ammo is limited to 11 lbs.  They have made me remove and weight more then once.  BUT mostly, when i have a firearm and ammo, they usually don’t inspect (don’t want to see the gun(s).  They see my hard side case with locks unlocked.  The orange card is signed and placed in the case .  I have had the purple tag on the luggage case.  I am also told TSA might call me to “hang around” for 20 minutes,  BTW i carry Hawaiian Airlines and TSA Policy regarding ammo and guns with me just in case,

Aloha!

Just some stuff that I know of:

- So far, Hawaiian has made it a pretty smooth experience.
- Not a Hawaiian rule but it surprised me when I heard about it. You need a lock for each lockable hole.  If there are four holes for locks, you need to have 4 locks. 
- TSA doesn't have a rule against placing ammo in the same case as the firearm but Hawaiian does, technically.  "Ammunition must be packed separate and apart from any firearm unless the firearm's case has a designated storage space for ammunition that secures it and protects it from shock and movement".  I usually put it in my gun case and they have never raised an issue.  So technically, you can and should have it in your regular checked luggage, but not in the gun case, as long as it is in the original box and reasonably secured from damage.  I have brought home lots of ammo booty in checked luggage in a heavy cardboard box that was stuffed with towels to keep the ammo from bouncing and they didn't complain.
- I don't think the airline is allowed to mark a bag to indicate that it contains a firearm but Hawaiian always places some kind of special sticker on my checked bag with the firearm that says something unusual like "fragile" or something to indicate a firearm, I forget exactly what the sticker said.  I kind of want to raise an issue but never have.  I am hoping that it makes them aware to not "misplace" my bag...to avoid any imperial entanglements.
- I was told once that I can check in at the kiosk and just indicate somewhere you have a firearm then go to the counter to fill in the paperwork.  I never was able to figure out how to do that so I just head straight to customer service.  Don't know if this annoys them.
- FYI, If you fly on Alaska Airlines, you can bring up to 50 lbs of ammo.  All other airlines including Hawaiian limit you to 11 pounds.

The firearm tag goes inside the case

The firearm tag goes inside the case

The tag goes wherever the airline agent tells you to place it.

I know United told me to place it inside the locked case, but other airlines have instructed me to place it inside the luggage, but outside of the gun case.

Of course, does it really matter?  Who is that form for anyway?  You?  Makes no sense that only the owner can open the case and see the form.

As long as you certify the gun is unloaded, that's all that matters.  Place the form wherever the agent tells you.  Simple.

Anyone have experience traveling with firearms with Hawaiian Airlines? I know you need to store it unloaded in a TSA approved travel case with locks. Ammunition can be in the same case I believe as long as it's in its original box. Just wondering how the experience went with checking it in as checked luggage.

There are a few threads on this.  If you can't find them, post back here and will try to dig them up.

Overall, highly recommend printing both TSA and airline's policies and having them with you.  Can't tell you how many times a gate agent tried to make up their own, including where the locks needed to be TSA locks. . .

The firearm tag goes inside the case

Agreed on that, the orange declaration form (card) goes in the case or outside the case or wherever the agent tells us.  Hawaiian also puts an external tag to indicate that the bag has a firearm inside.  It doesn't say firearm but it seems to be Hawaiian Airlines "code" for firearm.  it was some kind of red or orange sticker, similar to the agriculture inspection sticker that goes on the handle of the luggage. 

https://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/677/~/firearms-and-ammunition

it says Website, mobile, and kiosk check-in are not available when traveling with a firearm or ammunition. 
you go to the concierge desk to fill out paperwork
they told me to wait 5 minutes for TSA to call my name if they want to look at my luggage.  after 5 minutes if i dont hear my name over the loud speaker, then i proceed to TSA checkpoint


I dont remember placing any tag with Hawaiian, I think they placed the tag themselves. 
When you check in at the airport, let a Hawaiian Airlines agent know that you are checking a firearm or ammunition. After inspection, a special tag will be placed on your item. Your signature will also be required. Website, mobile, and kiosk check-in are not available when traveling with a firearm or ammunition. 

https://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/677/~/firearms-and-ammunition

it says Website, mobile, and kiosk check-in are not available when traveling with a firearm or ammunition. 
you go to the concierge desk to fill out paperwork
they told me to wait 5 minutes for TSA to call my name if they want to look at my luggage.  after 5 minutes if i dont hear my name over the loud speaker, then i proceed to TSA checkpoint


I dont remember placing any tag with Hawaiian, I think they placed the tag themselves. 
When you check in at the airport, let a Hawaiian Airlines agent know that you are checking a firearm or ammunition. After inspection, a special tag will be placed on your item. Your signature will also be required. Website, mobile, and kiosk check-in are not available when traveling with a firearm or ammunition.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.  I remember one agent near the kiosks kept waiving me over and I told them that I had to check a firearm.  They told me it doesn't matter and proceeded to punch buttons like a madman and somehow it works then they told me to go see the desk agent to fill out the declaration form.   

Ah, thanks for clearing that up.  I remember one agent near the kiosks kept waiving me over and I told them that I had to check a firearm.  They told me it doesn't matter and proceeded to punch buttons like a madman and somehow it works then they told me to go see the desk agent to fill out the declaration form.   

now that I think of it, I think I checked in at kiosk too.  it was a couple years ago since i last went, so my memory not the greatest about the details

each time I went to Hilo, maybe 3 times with firearms, nobody inspected my firearms or ammo.  they didn't call my name over the loud speaker, so I just went to the TSA security checkpoint after waiting 5 minutes

Oahu to Vegas, had some hickups. 2 occasions going they made me put the orange paper inside the locked gun case.  All other times going and coming back it was on top of it, inside the suitcase. Also going to Vegas, I had 40 rounds in a box of 50rds factory ammo. Person had to check with her boss if that was allowed.  Then on 1 trip, I was missing 1 rd of HP ammo. Box had 49 and not 50 rds when i opened it in Vegas.

Coming from Vegas to here, often I don't even have to weight my ammo or show them the firearm. They are way more chill about it.  Or maybe the person knows that 1 box of ammo aint 11lbs. And often they just ask if over 11 and a verbal is acceptable.

My 1st time traveling with guns, I was overthinking. They say hard sided suitcase. But what about the zipper, that's soft material. ANd they do make suitcases with no soft zipper material,. IIRC, their CSC could not answer my question and just restated "hard sided suitcase".

shocking...

Oahu to Vegas, had some hickups. 2 occasions going they made me put the orange paper inside the locked gun case.  All other times going and coming back it was on top of it, inside the suitcase. Also going to Vegas, I had 40 rounds in a box of 50rds factory ammo. Person had to check with her boss if that was allowed.  Then on 1 trip, I was missing 1 rd of HP ammo. Box had 49 and not 50 rds when i opened it in Vegas.

Coming from Vegas to here, often I don't even have to weight my ammo or show them the firearm. They are way more chill about it.  Or maybe the person knows that 1 box of ammo aint 11lbs. And often they just ask if over 11 and a verbal is acceptable.

My 1st time traveling with guns, I was overthinking. They say hard sided suitcase. But what about the zipper, that's soft material. ANd they do make suitcases with no soft zipper material,. IIRC, their CSC could not answer my question and just restated "hard sided suitcase".

shocking...

Tooooooo focus

shocking...

too much hickups. . . 

Also just a heads up. When checking firearms. The vast majority of the time, the firearm case just came out on the belt. With no supervision. So make sure you hurry to the baggage claim so no one walks off with your firearms.

Also just a heads up. When checking firearms. The vast majority of the time, the firearm case just came out on the belt. With no supervision. So make sure you hurry to the baggage claim so no one walks off with your firearms.

Yup.  That happened to me more times than not at HNL.

Less on mainland airports. Most have you pick up at CS counter/office, at least in my experience.  I've traveled mostly with rifles with pistols together, so pretty heavy Pelican case. 

[snippity-doo-da]

My 1st time traveling with guns, I was overthinking. They say hard sided suitcase. But what about the zipper, that's soft material. ANd they do make suitcases with no soft zipper material,. IIRC, their CSC could not answer my question and just restated "hard sided suitcase".

Not sure who "they" are, but the website doesn't say that exactly.

Firearms must be unloaded and packed in a commercial hard-sided
case manufactured specifically for the type of firearm.

"Case," not "suitcase".

I always travel with soft-sided luggage, and the hard-sided pistol case is placed inside.

No over-thinking required.   

Not sure who "they" are, but the website doesn't say that exactly.
"Case," not "suitcase".

I always travel with soft-sided luggage, and the hard-sided pistol case is placed inside.

No over-thinking required.   

https://hawaiianair.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/677/~/firearms-and-ammunition


Wow, they changed it. They used to be hard sided suit case. Where as other airlines you could use cloth sided suit cases. Good to know. Thanks.