WARNING: Don’t fly United Airlines to Canada with firearms

I left Deer Lake, NL on Air Canada and my bags are tagged to San Antonio since United and Air Canada code share.

When I made my connection to Chicago in Toronto the gate agent would not let me board, said I cannot fly without my weapon.

They blamed it on Air Canada for not transferring the bags. I am now overnighting in Chicago at my expense and getting home 13 hours later. All of this for nearly $3k in flight fees.

When I asked if this was a United rule the gate agent said no, it’s a general rule. I told her two and a half weeks ago I flew home on Air Canada and my gun didn’t show up. So, I said why did they let me fly? Her answer, Air Canada does whatever they want up here.

Never again will I fly United with a firearm.

John Ed

Miserable s.o.b's. I flew with them earlier this month and they did not process the bags for over an hour in Vancouver. Caused me to miss my connecting flight to smithers, had to fly to terrace instead and overnight. Not even an apology. They offloaded four other flights while we were waiting. Sorry that happened to you.

Echoes my experience with United into/from Alberta in 1999. Haven’t flown on one of their planes since!!

Avoid Toronto at all costs.

The airlines have grown very accustomed to doing whatever they want with no repercussions.

Sorry to hear that. I've been told by Canadian guides to always avoid Toronto with guns. I do look forward to hearing about your hunt.

Sorry to hear this. Could be harassment for some other reason. Im in North Sydney bound for Deer Lake. Decided to drive from Delaware planning on bringing meat back. Traveling through NJ NY CONN and MA is nerve racking with firearm. But I feel like I have some control of the outcome if stored properly and move cautiously. There is a cost and it takes more time.
Don

That's weird. No, it's not a "general rule." In August my guns and crate of trophies missed my Air Canada flight from Frankfurt to Toronto. I thought they were on the plane because AirTags went dark when I boarded. My daughter texted me when we hit the tarmac at Pearson that the two items were still in Zurich. Air Canada let me on the connecting flight home out of Pearson that afternoon. I gave customs all the paperwork for both the trophies (vet inspections, trophy fees, etc) and guns (Canada temporary import permit and PAL license) and they assured me the stuff would be run through as soon as it arrived (which wasn't till two days later). True to their word. I'm thinking customs was the hangup for you because guns were delayed. Possibly owner has to take them personally through customs if they missed the flight.

Ontario Hunter said:

That's weird. No, it's not a "general rule." In August my guns and crate of trophies missed my Air Canada flight from Frankfurt to Toronto. I thought they were on the plane because AirTags went dark when I boarded. My daughter texted me when we hit the tarmac at Pearson that the two items were still in Zurich. Air Canada let me on the connecting flight home out of Pearson that afternoon. I gave customs all the paperwork for both the trophies (vet inspections, trophy fees, etc) and guns (Canada temporary import permit and PAL license) and they assured me the stuff would be run through as soon as it arrived (which wasn't till two days later). True to their word. I'm thinking customs was the hangup for you because guns were delayed. Possibly owner has to take them personally through customs if they missed the flight.

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I asked US Customs Agent where I need to go to claim my rifle. He said if you are a US Citizen we don’t check rifles anymore so go on to your next flight.

Been a long time since my trip to B. C. for Mountain Goat. 32 yrs. I flew there with no problem. Before that we drove up to hunt deer or bear through Toronto. Simple. This time I drove and I answered all the questions about drugs and guns and money etc. Then they wanted to see rifle of course. It was locked in tool box in locked hard case in back of pickup. I caught hell for attempting to open the tool box. The lock was a little sticky and I wanted to be sure I could open the box for inspection. They took my keys and told me to stand away. They searched the whole truck inside and out. Ran my passport etc. Finally they issued the permit and charged the fee and sent me on my way. I guess this is normal now. Or maybe it was my cologne

Yeah, no longer a fan of either United Airlines or entering/exiting Canada.

I think the issue is more one of randomness and unpredictability rather than strict rules. I have transpired Toronto many times with firearms - the last time was two days ago and then about two weeks before that.

On my connecting Air Canada flight from YYC to Toronto I picked up my firearms from over size baggage, no issues, no one cared, and then carted them to another terminal on the tram, and re-checked them with Qatar. No issues, other than the usual paperwork with Qatar.

On my return, I waited in Customs for the firearms, which didn’t seem to be showing up. The Customs agent asked me what they looked like - I said like a golf club holder (a TuffPak). He said someone probably thought they were golf clubs and so we went to the baggage area together, and there was the case, lying on the ground. I picked it up, we went back to Customs, he checked the serial numbers and then walked me to the exit, helping me with the doors.

Very friendly and done in fewer than 5 minutes once we had the firearms.

Altitude sickness said:

Yeah, no longer a fan of either United Airlines or entering/exiting Canada.

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Agreed, after years of happily traveling to Canada at least once a year my 2017 train wreck made up my mind to never return; nothing against the Canadian people just the Canadian government & processes combined with a POS moose guide.

Oh great, I'm booked on United to Chicago to pick up Turkish Air on 10/12. This thread is making me a little nervous even though it does not involve Canada in any way. Reading this thread I'm not sure the problems described are with United or Canada.

Well you eliminated 50% of the negative equation. Liberals working at Canada airports are at least as bad as some notorious airports in Europe.

Hank2211 said:

I think the issue is more one of randomness and unpredictability rather than strict rules. I have transpired Toronto many times with firearms - the last time was two days ago and then about two weeks before that.

On my connecting Air Canada flight from YYC to Toronto I picked up my firearms from over size baggage, no issues, no one cared, and then carted them to another terminal on the tram, and re-checked them with Qatar. No issues, other than the usual paperwork with Qatar.

On my return, I waited in Customs for the firearms, which didn’t seem to be showing up. The Customs agent asked me what they looked like - I said like a golf club holder (a TuffPak). He said someone probably thought they were golf clubs and so we went to the baggage area together, and there was the case, lying on the ground. I picked it up, we went back to Customs, he checked the serial numbers and then walked me to the exit, helping me with the doors.

Very friendly and done in fewer than 5 minutes once we had the firearms.

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I completely agree this is simply randomness.

Just flew in/out via Winnipeg on United. No issues, in fact, Canadian customs was helpful and firearm friendly.

Hate that you had issues.

IMHO Canada is similar to the US. The east and west coasts are the extremes

Ontario eastward is more liberal. Mid portion more conservative and reasonable. Then you get to the west coast.

Via Maine, no guns, drove into and all around New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with a couple of ferry jumps in 2016. No issues.

Simple transit stop in Vancouver, no guns, during international flight into US from Asia 2017. Complete cluster, harassment for no reason other than attitude problem of airport personnel and CBSA. Had to add flight on Air Canada (more unnecessary attitude issues with Air Canada agents), re-route and overnight unplanned in LA before yet an extra stop to final destination next day. Uncalled for abusive treatment of my kids and family by CBSA plus extra cost. Will never ever enter Canada again. Never lost anything in Canada anyway. Closest I’ve been since and will ever get is 35000 ft on flights to and from AK.

What was interesting and revealing about that escapade by CBSA in the Vancouver airport, was once the bast**#!s figured out all our US VISAs were valid and after hours of trying, they couldn’t manufacture a problem, my family finally was turned over to the US Port of Entry CBP agents in the Vancouver airport. The US CBP agents couldn’t have been more helpful nor more respectful. There is an attitude issue among some Canadians that is similar to some or our own, home grown, zip code expert arrogance attitude issues here in the US.

MooseHunter said:

Been a long time since my trip to B. C. for Mountain Goat. 32 yrs. I flew there with no problem. Before that we drove up to hunt deer or bear through Toronto. Simple. This time I drove and I answered all the questions about drugs and guns and money etc. Then they wanted to see rifle of course. It was locked in tool box in locked hard case in back of pickup. I caught hell for attempting to open the tool box. The lock was a little sticky and I wanted to be sure I could open the box for inspection. They took my keys and told me to stand away. They searched the whole truck inside and out. Ran my passport etc. Finally they issued the permit and charged the fee and sent me on my way. I guess this is normal now. Or maybe it was my cologne

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Yes, that's normal. I cross the border here all the time and occasionally on the Canadian side my vehicle is searched. Sometimes it's because it's just my turn and sometimes it's because I've picked up loading components. I don't believe I have ever been vehicle checked returning from Montana from hunting. Maybe, but rare. And I return "home" every year to hunt. They always ask what I am bringing back and if the guns are unloaded. And of course they want to see my gun license. Don't believe anyone has asked to see my hunting license. Usually birds are in the cooler in carrier on top or on the hitch. They often ask how many and I explain the possession limit. Deer meat stays behind to be processed into sausage and shipped to the border later.

Only once was I hassled about guns and it was my fault. My brother shipped a shotgun to me and I drove down to pick it up. Happened to be trap league night so I took my regular shotgun and ammo along because the club would be on the way back home. At the border the young guy working the window asked me if I had anything to declare and I declared the shotgun I just picked up and produced a bill of sale. "Oh, a Citori! Those are nice." Turns out he hunts birds and didn't even know there was a shotgun club in the area. Okay, I have to go in to pay the sales tax etc. Fine, but I'm met by a young guy and gal agent as I'm walking in. They want to inspect the vehicle. I smiled "Oh, I mentioned guns and have an American passport." They smiled. But I've got three dogs in the vehicle that I need to get out. Fine. So I walk to the Jimmy and go to open the door. "No, you can't do that.". But I need to get the leashes. Oh, right. Okay. I unloaded the dogs and left the tailgate down. Started to walk away. "Wait, here's the keys. You'll need to unlock the cartop carrier if you want to look at the other gun." They look at each other. "What other gun?" Oh shit! Got to yacking with the guy at the window and forgot I had the trap gun in the car and didn't declare it. Bringing an undeclared carton of cigarettes across might get someone in a little trouble but an undeclared gun is a whole lot of trouble! They did their inspection, checked serial numbers and found the 50K of coke hidden in the seat . I waited inside. "You know, we could confiscate that gun." Yes, and that would be appropriate under the circumstances. Then I'll drive home and return with the bill of sale. I also have a ton of old photos on my phone that support me owning the gun for years. "Okay, let's see some of those." They clearly enjoyed looking at a decade's worth of hunting photos. "Good enough. Sorry to be a bother." No problem. My fault. "Just don't let the guy at the window get in trouble for not asking me if I had any other guns." They agreed all swept under the rug. I paid my duty and that was that.

The agents on either side do not want you touching or near the vehicle while they are doing their search, for obvious reasons of personal safety. Also to eliminate a lot of belly-aching while they are trying to do their job. Looking for smuggled guns is a big part of their job because we have a big problem with illegal guns coming out of the US. It's a fact. Is what it is. I don't like gun smugglers or drug smugglers and happy to put up with any personal inconvenience to help stop it. I look on it as my civic duty. Like paying taxes.