Flying domestically with a firearm

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Julian D
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:42 am
Location: Mackay

Flying domestically with a firearm

#1 Postby Julian D » Wed Dec 14, 2016 6:42 pm

Hi all

could somebody run through what I need to do, to be able to fly domestically with a firearm & ammunition please ?

I have looked on the Virgin website and they say as long as the paperwork is in order with your licence....

What permits or special requirements do I need ?

Bolt separate from rifle, can I have that on me with my carry on luggage ? I know its 5kg of loaded ammo, is that also in checked in baggage ?

Being a newbie and a Virgin virgin, I am in the dark about all this. Have flown overseas quite a few times but never with a gun......

Any and all advice greatly accepted.

Maybe this would not be a bad idea to make a sticky, so anyone who plans on flying could get the facts straight up.

Thanks

Peter Hulett
Posts: 335
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2005 7:44 pm
Location: Geelong, Victoria

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#2 Postby Peter Hulett » Wed Dec 14, 2016 6:54 pm

Bolt separated from firearm but NOT in carry-on. Must be in checked luggage. Need prior permission to carry ammunition from your airline and is a maximum of 5kg Gross individually packed ie. in packaging so that the individual rounds don't touch each other. Ammunition must be in secure checked baggage.
Qantas no longer requires prior permission to check-in a firearm but it must be declared at the counter so it can go through separate baggage handling facility. Not sure about Virgin. Don't even think about flying Tiger Airlines with a firearm.

Cheers

Peter

ShaneG
Posts: 574
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:25 pm
Location: Cairns

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#3 Postby ShaneG » Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:00 pm

Qantas still requires an approval issued by DG Sydney for ammunition.
Copy of firearms licence scanned and sent with request.

bainp
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:05 pm
Location: Wagga Wagga, Australia

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#4 Postby bainp » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:59 am

I have flown with Virgin numerous times with rifle and ammo. Only once was there any hassle. Counter staff requested I open my rifle case to actually view firearm to ensure bolt was remove. I offered alternatively to show her the bolt in another bag, however this was not good enough. I suggested that I may then show her the rifle in an area that was not visible to the general public, which she begrudgingly allowed.
Ensure the rifle case is securely locked when arriving at the airport.
Counter staff will most likely escort you to the secure luggage area where you will need to hand in the bag with your ammo and your rifle case. They will require you to sign that you are handing in fragile goods and will issue you with luggage tickets for the two items. You can put your ammo in your normal check in suitcase or bag, but ensure it is a lockable bag.
At your destination you will need to collect you normal luggage from the carousel and then proceed to the secure luggage counter and hand in your luggage tickets. The people from secure luggage may even escort you outside the terminal building.
The process can sometimes be quite exhausting but sometimes it can go very smoothly.
I try to fly just with the two check in bags, ie rifle case and a large sports bag/duffle bag on wheels. Use your 7kg carry on luggage allowance to the full, but don't carry anything rifle or shooting related in your carry on.
Buy allowance for the additional bag/bags online at least 24 hours before the flight, it is much less expensive than buying the additional allowance at the airport.
I too have flown with Jestar once to a shooting championship. NEVER AGAIN. The savings just weren't worth the additional hassle.
Enjoy your shooting trip,
Regards - Philip

Julian D
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:42 am
Location: Mackay

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#5 Postby Julian D » Sat Dec 17, 2016 4:03 am

Thanks. :D

bsouthernau
Posts: 696
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 4:31 pm

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#6 Postby bsouthernau » Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:25 am

I'm bit late with this but....

The check in staff often don't know their own airline's policies. I've found it helpful to have a printout of the relevant sections from the company web site.

Barry

Tim L
Posts: 876
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 7:11 pm
Location: Townsville

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#7 Postby Tim L » Fri Dec 23, 2016 1:21 am

Jules you'll be fine from Mackay.
The info you need is above but to smooth the way, once you book the flights, phone Virgin and ask them to add the firearms to the manifest. Its not essential that you do this, but it does help if yhe counter staff are newbies. The see it when they pull you up on the computer and it lets them know its all above board.
Do not leave the firearm in the passenger side of the airport even if asked to. Sometimes checkin staff will ask that you just put it on a trolly so it can be collected. Just point out its a gun and youll stay with it until ground staff come.

Julian D
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:42 am
Location: Mackay

Re: Flying domestically with a firearm

#8 Postby Julian D » Fri Dec 23, 2016 12:18 pm

Thanks Tim.


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