Clearing customs thru Chicago Ohare with a firearm

[Areaonereal]

Anyone have any experience with returning International flight and clearing customs with a firearm thru Chicago Ohare and the procedure used to transfer to another domestic flight.

 

[rookhawk]

Usually they don't notice you have a gun and wave you through. By the book, they should pull you aside for inspection. Once through customs and immigration, you have to recheck at the ticket counter, scan it with TSA, and put it in the belly of the domestic plane.

Welcome to O'Hare.

P.S. - Bring extra TSA locks. They have broken mine several times trying to open them and if they break them and you don't have more, you're screwed.

 

[Areaonereal]

What are you putting TSA locks on

 

[rookhawk]

What are you putting TSA locks on

The ammo container always.

The rifle cases for international travel NEVER.

The rifle cases for domestic travel OFTEN. (subject to the whims of TSA on that day for domestic travel)

 

[Areaonereal]

Thanks

 

[huntsolo101]

Guns and ammo boxes are found on the far wall from where you enter international arrivals . To exit to get to your domestic flight you will need to clear customs left of where everyone without guns exits. I usually walk to the left of the huge line and inform the customs officers that I have weapons and they take me right to the table . A simple check of the serial numbers and them taking my 4457 to the computer to check the serial numbers with their system and out the double doors I go. I drive in and out of o'hare so I can't help with domestic flight check in. I actually enjoy traveling via o'hare. Every time it's only been me on the flight with weapons and klm has always been a pleasure to deal with. One thing I have learned upon arrival is to find the klm rep near the baggage claim area and ask him if my name is on the list for delayed baggage . One year my guns arrived the next day and I was waiting for them near oversize baggage for a extra hour. If I would have just asked I would have gotten out of there alot faster . A key and 4457 left with the customs officer and my case was shipped to my house the next day . I hope this helped . Aaron

 

[Ed Lally]

The TSA rules state that the firearm case should be locked and the firearm owner shall retain the key (or combination) and open the case for inspection upon request but not surrender the key. I have traveled on many domestic and international airlines and my case is locked with heavy duty non-TSA locks. I have been requested by check in staff and TSA to open the case on many occasions but rarely asked for the key. When asked I respond that I will open the case but TSA regulations forbid me to surrender the key and have never had a challenge ir an unpleasant incident as a result. I find it best to have a keyed-alike lock in every hole.

 

[markm]

The TSA rules state that the firearm case should be locked and the firearm owner shall retain the key (or combination) and open the case for inspection upon request but not surrender the key. I have traveled on many domestic and international airlines and my case is locked with heavy duty non-TSA locks. I have been requested by check in staff and TSA to open the case on many occasions but rarely asked for the key. When asked I respond that I will open the case but TSA regulations forbid me to surrender the key and have never had a challenge ir an unpleasant incident as a result. I find it best to have a keyed-alike lock in every hole.

At philly airport they take the case in back out of site and then get keys on trip my son said something about it and was told thats how its done there even though tsa rules say different just goes to show you there rules dint really matter

 

[Terry Blauwkamp]

I went thru Chicago in May and was treated very well.

 

[rookhawk]

I went thru Chicago in May and was treated very well.

Most of the time in Chicago you’re not treated to customs at all!