Flying with a Firearm

[Redneck_pilot86]

In early November I am going to be travelling Whitehorse to Toronto with a Rifle. I'm dreading this, as I despise everything about Toronto and don't want to deal with the idiots in security there, but I suppose I have to. I'm not too concerned about the Whitehorse end.

I have several options, wondering which you think would be easiest. I can connect through either Edmonton, Calgary or Vancouver, Although Vancouver would be the shortest trip time wise. Any of those cities that would be better or worse than the others?

I can also take Air North or Jazz to any of those three, I'm thinking that my best bet would be to stick with one airline for the entire trip, thoughts?

Any other suggestions that could make this less painful would be appreciated.

[looproll]

It's really not that bad, just make sure it's properly stored, and keep the paperwork handy. Declare prior to the flight and all that jazz. AC I believe charges an extra $50 if you check a firearm. What a bunch of crap. Westjet, zero charge. It's just a damn declaration form. C'mon AC, really!?

[AUGER9]

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/ ... equip.html

Only hunting rifles, shotguns, BB guns, paintball guns, biathlon rifles, air pistols and certain handguns are accepted as checked baggage. View a list of prohibited firearms.

Restricted firearms (e.g. handguns) require government documentation for transport. The Canadian Firearms Program and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) websites provide essential information on transporting restricted firearms.

Only passengers age 18 and over may carry a firearm in their checked baggage.

Passengers wishing to travel with a firearm in their checked baggage are advised to be at the airport a full 30 minutes before the normal recommended check-in time for their flight.

Important: If you plan on travelling outside Canada with a firearm, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the firearm and ammunition regulations of each country on your itinerary; non compliance can result in the seizure of your firearm.

Packing instructions

All firearms must be unloaded: when checking in a firearm, customers must sign a declaration form attesting that the firearm is not loaded.

In addition, firearms:
must be rendered inoperable by means of a secure locking device mechanism (i.e. a trigger lock);
must be packaged and locked in a specially designed, non-transparent case that cannot be easily broken into during transport.
Restricted firearms (e.g. handguns) require government documentation for transport. The Canadian Firearms Program and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) websites provide essential information on transporting restricted firearms.

View related information in the Ammunition section above.

Charges

Each of the following is considered an individual item when packed separately:
One rifle case containing no more than two rifles (with or without scope) plus 5 kg (11 lb) ammunition (packaged separately), one shooting mat, noise suppressors and small rifle tools;
Two shotguns and two shotgun cases;
One pistol case containing no more than 5 pistols.
If your baggage count (one individual item in this category + number of bags to be checked) exceeds the maximum number of checked bags allowed by your fare type, additional checked baggage charges will apply, in addition to the fixed handling charge of $50 CAD/USD .

All accepted firearms are subject to a $50 CAD/USD handling charge (plus applicable taxes) for carriage on Air Canada and Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only). The charge applies to one-way flights and for each way of travel on round-trip and multi-segment flights.

A single fixed handling charge is waived for Latitude and Executive fare customers for travel within Canada, and between Canada and the US. Additional checked baggage rules still apply.

The Canadian government charges additional fees for bringing firearms into Canada. For more information, please visit the Canada Border Services Agency website.

[trey kule]

I have travelled all over Canada with a prohibted weapon. No big deal....but.
as some have mentioned.

AC would not let me put it in my luggage (a 12 " by 10" x 2" case) and charged me up to $150 for "extra" luggage. WestJet from zero to $25 depending on where I was flying out of, and they always allowed me to put it in my luggage, in a locked container.
First Air..never ever charged me a cent...I love you guys, though they once made my put my fishing rod that I was carrying on in the back of the plane...and the nice FA was very good about that.
I am not sure of what paperwork is required for a rifle, but you do have to fill out a declaration at the ticket counter. I have only been asked once to show all the paperwork, and that was at Ottawa. I have also had one rather amusing encounter over the years.

Again. absolutely no big deal.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Well it sounds like westjet is better than air canada, I don't feel like I get $50 worth of service out of air canada in the first place, let alone an extra $50. What kind of hassle am I apt to run into changing airlines in Van/Calg/Ed? Are there any issues with walking around a terminal with a rifle?

Also, should I keep the paperwork with me, or with the rifle? I'm leaning toward with me.

[rigpiggy]

Air North then Westjet. besides the fondling fee"which incidientally they do no nothing more than ask a few questions, and sign a paper" I find they have a definite bias towards anything that might be fun

[gopher_killer]

Keep in mind you are travelling during hunting season and that it is common to see a firearm case. If you have followed the great advice above, you won't be treated any differently than if you were travelling with a dog.

[sheephunter]

Shouldn't be a problem as mentioned above. One thing not mentioned is the bolt needs to be out of the gun, no ammunition packed in the gun case and trigger locked. Once checked in, I usually will duct tape over the locked latches, so that I know immediately at the other end if it has been opened after being checked-in. However, at that point you have to throw the remainder of the roll out or stuff it in your other check-in... not your carry-on. I would keep the paperwork on yourself with copies in the case. You should have the rifle registration, your PAL and it wouldn't hurt but is not needed is your outdoor card which does in fact prove you have taken a hunter safety course at some point as does your PAL. I have never been asked for paperwork, and 9 x out of 10 never even had to open the case. Toronto and Van. would be the two airports least used to seeing gun cases. Montreal, Saskatoon and Edmonton see lots of guys walking around lost with full camo and gun cases and the further north you get, the more common it is, like Kuujjuaq, Iqualuit, Yellowknife and Whitehorse. Don't sweat it and have fun. And yes, First Air is great for travelling with "unique" check-in luggage. Saw a full sized BBQ come off the belt this season.

[rigpiggy]

Shouldn't be a problem as mentioned above. One thing not mentioned is the bolt needs to be out of the gun, no ammunition packed in the gun case and trigger locked..

maybe required by AC, but not required by Westjet, though the case must be locked. I flew last month on them, and no issues. BTW these are not required by the firearms act.

[sheephunter]

Required by AC and First Air for sure. Not sure about the trigger lock not being part of the firearms act but you most likely own one... so just use it. The bolt, same thing. No big deal, take it out and you definitely won't get hasseled for it being in. I think it's discrimitive to ship golf clubs, hockey sticks or skis for free and charge $50.00 for a gun, westjet might be a better choice in this case. If you are going there to hunt check what they charge for meat, antlers and capes as well as the penalties for having to change your return flight because of missed connections due to weather getting out of the mountains. Look into maximum weight for your check-in luggage so you know how to pack your meat for the return. Some are still 70lbs max but others have dropped back to 50 lbs. per piece. Also, some allow something like 1-4 extra for XXX amount per piece and above that gets very expensive. Option is air freight which isn't cheap either but might be easier especially if you're dealling with a moose. At least staying witin Canada gives a lot more shipping options than going cross border or overseas. LHR does not like guns.

[Redneck_pilot86]

A little backwards, I live in Whitehorse and I'm going back to Ontario to hunt...my parents own a farm on Southern Ontario so I will be visiting for deer season.

Would I leave the bolt in the case, or could I have it in my carry-on? My biggest fear is having the airline lose the rifle, but I guess its the same as any other lost bag.

I figure I will remove the bolt, trigger lock and lock the case, and I like the taping the latches idea...

When I transfer airlines (likely in Alberta) will I have to go through security with my checked bags again? I don't know that I have ever changed airlines mid way before. I am now leaning towards the YYC-Waterloo flight with Westjet, lets me avoid Toronto all together.

[sheephunter]

Leave the bolt in the gun case. Don't put anything to do with the gun in your carry-on. Is backwards, I don't think many hunters leave the YT to hunt in Ontario. That being said, we are starting to get some nice bucks but as much as anything might be due to extended seasons. Where I am, our rifle season opens Nov. 7th for two weeks which is as late as it can be but the bow season runs on into Dec. when those big bucks tend to get dumb. I am only guessing, but would think that you will have to pick up your check-in luggage if changing airlines but depending where your parents farm is, Waterloo might be easiest especially on your return. And shipping your meat shouldn't be much of an issue especially if you are going to have it processed and frozen. It'll give you a break from all that moose, caribou, sheep, goat, bear and bison you've been living off and knowing that there isn't much chance of getting weathered in at the farm, I'd book the cheapest flight I could find for the dates I need that get me as close to where I want to be. Have fun and a good visit.

[burninggoats]

Try flying with a bow and arrow. That was almost worse thann the guns!

"That will be $50 for the firearm fee"
"umm... it's not a firearm..."
"well what is it then?"
"It's a bow and arrow"
"that is a firearm"
"no it isn't"

The EXTREMELY helpful lady from AC then proceded for 10 minutes (to the great dismay of the 100 people in line behind us) to scan every fee in their check in system to see what she could charge us with to no avail. Looking very upset and defeated finally let us proceed to to the oversize screening.

We then proceed to tell the young girl at CATSA that we have to check in our bow cases.

"Is it a firearm?"
"no, It's a bow and arrow"
"a what?"
"A bow and arrow..."
"Is it loaded?"
"what? no... you don't "load" them... it's a bow and arrow"
"Is there ammunition in the case?"
"umm... there's arrows... but they aren't ammunition"
*funny looks from CATSA girl*

No having a clue what a bow and arrow was, she calls her supervisor who opens up the case (ripping our luggage tag off in the process) who says "I don't know what it is but it's fine"

and this was in CALGARY.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Burninggoats, that is exactly the experience I am hoping to avoid. Sheephunter, our season is only the first full week in November, this year its the 7th to 13th. I was born and raised on that deer hunt, and kind of miss it, I likely wont bring any meat home, so that shouldn't be an issue. I might take some "beef" home though.

[sheephunter]

Redneck, I've hunted a fair bit worldwide and still get the most enjoyment/excitement out of our Ontario Deer hunt (we can still use hounds) So, that pretty much eliminates the "trophy" part of our hunt. I could listen to those dogs run all day and not care if I ever saw a deer but to hear the other guys missing or the shooting getting closer brings a smile to my face knowing there will always be a good story. Like; "it was a big ten pointer and went by at 30yds, but I didn't have a clear shot" Now, heard the dogs coming, had time to count the points, got 4 shots at 30yds and still missed. That is priceless. Or, "it was running so fast that it looked like it was 12 feet long and six inches high". It's a lot to do with the commaderie of getting in camp with the guys you grew up with and now because of jobs all over, only see once a year at deer camp. I'm pretty sure you'll never get it out of your blood. Good luck, if you'd like to hang around for another week, we'll still be hunting and finishing up on the 20th.

[North Shore]

Try flying with a bow and arrow. That was almost worse thann the guns!

"That will be $50 for the firearm fee"
"umm... it's not a firearm..."
"well what is it then?"
"It's a bow and arrow"
"that is a firearm"
"no it isn't"

The EXTREMELY helpful lady from AC then proceded for 10 minutes (to the great dismay of the 100 people in line behind us) to scan every fee in their check in system to see what she could charge us with to no avail. Looking very upset and defeated finally let us proceed to to the oversize screening.

We then proceed to tell the young girl at CATSA that we have to check in our bow cases.

"Is it a firearm?"
"no, It's a bow and arrow"
"a what?"
"A bow and arrow..."
"Is it loaded?"
"what? no... you don't "load" them... it's a bow and arrow"
"Is there ammunition in the case?"
"umm... there's arrows... but they aren't ammunition"
*funny looks from CATSA girl*

No having a clue what a bow and arrow was, she calls her supervisor who opens up the case (ripping our luggage tag off in the process) who says "I don't know what it is but it's fine"

and this was in CALGARY.

Priceless! "I don't know what it is but it's fine"... 1.) Good thing that bombs come in packages with 'BOMB' clearly marked on the outside 2.)How the heck can you get to be an adult in society without ever having seen a bow and arrow? Not in pictures, books, movies, TV? 3.) If you're that clueless, why are you doing a job that should require a certain degree of being on the ball?

"Is it loaded?"

[trey kule]

Boy, NS, you are way off base on this one. Bombs are not always marked bombs. Dont know where you got that nonsense from..But they always have a digital countdown timer...that is how the pro's know they are bombs.

As to how he got his job....my guess is like most of the others there...bilingual preference or maybe affirmative action.

As to the is it loaded...Lovely young lady at security screening asked me that the other day...and I wasnt carrying a gun, so I am not sure what she was talking about, but her frisking was...ah...distracting.

[North Shore]

My apologies, trey. Of course - the digital countdown timer! How could I forget? Guess I'll never become a CATSA screener, now...

[trey kule]

Jeez, dont give up the dream because of what I posted. Who knows, you could suffer a traumtic head injury and fit right in there....maybe even become chief feeler up.

[Beefitarian]

They also need multiple colours for the insulation on the wires so the bomb squad guys can argue about which wire to cut over the radio.

It's like North Shore doesn't have a television or something.

[sheephunter]

But always remember to not cut the wire until there is absolutely no time left on that clock. red, no green, maybe black...... snip. And yes, a trad. or compound bow really throws them for a loop but a cross bow is definitely a different world of facial expressions. And by god, don't keep that one loaded.

[burninggoats]

another tip for travelling with any kind of weapon for hunting... Just tell them that you are using it for target shooting. It saves a LOT of nasty looks and poor treatment for being one of us scum of the earth cute furry animal murderers.

[reality check]

A little backwards, I live in Whitehorse and I'm going back to Ontario to hunt...

GREAT SCOTT! You're doing WHAT????

Best hunting of my life was in yukon! What's the game in the Big Smoke?

[Blue Side Down]

Just put it in a hardcase, wrap it in brown paper and mail it to yourself. No fuss, no mess, and cheaper to boot, even with insurance on the package. Canada Post trucks gats around with more enthusiasm than Nicholas Cage.

I've flown with a rifle once, and it was a real facepalm experience. Dangerous too... security opens up the case to 'inspect' what you have, meanwhile they don't have a clue what they're looking at, and you're in the spotlight in the meantime. Asking for trouble.