Ammo cannot be packed inside luggage?

[rgsiii]

I flew out of Atlanta on 18 May to Johannesburg. I declared my guns and said my luggage had a locked case with ammunition--under 10 pounds. They proceeded to say the ammunition had to fly as a separate piece of luggage. The ammunition was given its own pink sheet, own Delta tracking label and was treated as a firearm. I called Delta and the agent said the same and the TSA agent where I had to open everything a second time was too aggressive to answer a question, as she pulled apart the gun case's foam padding.

I am aware that in SA the ammo travels by itself.

Is it normal for ammunition to fly by itself outside of luggage. I was allowed three pieces of luggage so that did not cost me anything but thought it was strange.

 

[sureshot375]

That’s the first I’ve ever heard of that. In recent years I have experienced delta agents who really didn’t know what to do with guns, ammo, bows, etc.

I went to Argentina in March and the argent kept trying to treat my bow like a firearm. I had to make him ask for help from one of his co-workers before it was sorted out.

 

[BeeMaa]

This is where the assistance of a professional like @riflepermits.com and @TRAVEL EXPRESS can be a great assistance.

Having a thorough understanding along with (several) printed copies of the TSA and specific airline rules can go a long way. Of course there are more bees with honey, so don't be a jerk to the ticket agent for their lack of understanding.

Fortunately you were sorted out without delay or additional charges, however I'd still be interested in hearing what others have to say on this subject.

 

[Rare Breed]

I flew out of Atlanta on 18 May to Johannesburg. I declared my guns and said my luggage had a locked case with ammunition--under 10 pounds. They proceeded to say the ammunition had to fly as a separate piece of luggage. The ammunition was given its own pink sheet, own Delta tracking label and was treated as a firearm. I called Delta and the agent said the same and the TSA agent where I had to open everything a second time was too aggressive to answer a question, as she pulled apart the gun case's foam padding.

I am aware that in SA the ammo travels by itself.

Is it normal for ammunition to fly by itself outside of luggage. I was allowed three pieces of luggage so that did not cost me anything but thought it was strange.

Delta made a mistake. I traveled this April and last August with them. They want to check it then you load in your checked luggage. They have always done it correctly with me on all my many trips. You are correct. Airlink makes you check as separate luggage. You must have had an inexperienced Delta person. A supervisor could have probably fixed this.

 

[ActionBob]

Anytime I've flown Delta I was checked in at Minnesota. Either MSP or the very small regional in Brainerd. Always been good but at MSP I would go to the far end where they have an agent doing special things such as checking in firearms. And the TSA agents have always been friendly and decent. They always ask to look at the ammo, sometimes weigh it, then tell me to put it back in the checked luggage.. it's been almost 3 years since we've traveled with guns.

In Paris I got called up to the desk at the gate when they found out I was traveling with guns. A tall blond woman standing in front of a sign that had a list of things on the left of what you cannot check and on the right what you can.. She was yelling at me that my ammo cannot be in the checked luggage. I calmly explained that it was less than 5 kilograms of sporting ammo and pointed around her explaining that there was a sign behind saying its ok. She insisted she knew what was what and refused to look at the sign.

She proceeded to attempt to pull my allready loaded bags off the plane. After an hour, and 30 minutes past lift off time, a supervisor told her to put me on the plane and get it in the air.

Ornery people are ornery people. And you can't fix stupid any easier if ornery is mixed in

 

[JimP]

I believe that where most check in agents get confused and ask for more information, permits, or in this case the need to check you ammo separately is how the ticket to Africa comes up on the screen that they are looking at.

Two years ago I flew out of Denver to Dallas, and then on Qatar Airlines the rest of the way to Joberg. The ticketing agent in Denver pulled up the screen and she started reading off all of the requirements that I needed to check my firearm onto the American Airlines part of my trip. It included my SAP's 520 form along with the need to check the ammo separately.

To say the least she was totally confused. I showed her my copy of my SAP's 520 forum and explained that it isn't required until I get to Joberg along with the ammo flying separately. After a few minutes and with her looking at AA's regulations as far as rifles and ammo along with my explanation she agreed with me and off I went.

All this was caused by the travel agent that I used putting the South African requirements onto the ticketing information for my first leg on a domestic airline.

 

[sureshot375]

I believe that where most check in agents get confused and ask for more information, permits, or in this case the need to check you ammo separately is how the ticket to Africa comes up on the screen that they are looking at.

Two years ago I flew out of Denver to Dallas, and then on Qatar Airlines the rest of the way to Joberg. The ticketing agent in Denver pulled up the screen and she started reading off all of the requirements that I needed to check my firearm onto the American Airlines part of my trip. It included my SAP's 520 form along with the need to check the ammo separately.

To say the least she was totally confused. I showed her my copy of my SAP's 520 forum and explained that it isn't required until I get to Joberg along with the ammo flying separately. After a few minutes and with her looking at AA's regulations as far as rifles and ammo along with my explanation she agreed with me and off I went.

All this was caused by the travel agent that I used putting the South African requirements onto the ticketing information for my first leg on a domestic airline.

In 2021 or 22 I had the delta agent tell me I needed a Permit from SA to get the rifle on the plane. I had a copy of my application. Again I was able to get it sorted out with some polite conversation.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Last year I flew EWR-Joburg on United with ammo in my checked bag, then Joburg to Port Elizabeth. Tags on the gun case and bag containing the ammo said EWR/PLZ. Checked in with the gun case and the bag containing the ammo at Joburg and both went to Port Elizabeth. As far as Atlanta or any other airport's ticket agent, whenever there was a question, I didn't waste my time arguing or discussing, I immediately said "I want to see a supervisor". YMMV.

 

[gordon kings langley]

Check with your airline, it’s they will have the final word.
when Flying BA (shit airways)
Ammo must be packed separately in a locked metal box, and declared at check in.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Anytime I've flown Delta I was checked in at Minnesota. Either MSP or the very small regional in Brainerd. Always been good but at MSP I would go to the far end where they have an agent doing special things such as checking in firearms. And the TSA agents have always been friendly and decent. They always ask to look at the ammo, sometimes weigh it, then tell me to put it back in the checked luggage.. it's been almost 3 years since we've traveled with guns.

In Paris I got called up to the desk at the gate when they found out I was traveling with guns. A tall blond woman standing in front of a sign that had a list of things on the left of what you cannot check and on the right what you can.. She was yelling at me that my ammo cannot be in the checked luggage. I calmly explained that it was less than 5 kilograms of sporting ammo and pointed around her explaining that there was a sign behind saying its ok.
She proceeded to attempt to pull my allready loaded bags off the plane. After an hour, and 30 minutes past lift off time, a supervisor told her to put me on the plane and get it in the air.

Ornery people are ornery people. And you can't fix stupid any easier if ornery is mixed in

Was that Air France? Out of all air carriers I've flown with ammo and guns, they were the worst, i.e. the most clueless.

 

[JimP]

Last year I flew EWR-Joburg on United with ammo in my checked bag, then Joburg to Port Elizabeth. Tags on the gun case and bag containing the ammo said EWR/PLZ. Checked in with the gun case and the bag containing the ammo at Joburg and both went to Port Elizabeth. As far as Atlanta or any other airport's ticket agent, whenever there was a question, I didn't waste my time arguing or discussing, I immediately said "I want to see a supervisor". YMMV.

I was actually surprised on my first trip flying Delta out of Denver and then SAA out of JFK that I flew all the way to Port Elizabeth with my ammo in my checked bag. Even when I rechecked my rifle in Joberg no one even asked about ammo.

But on my return flight out of Port Elizabeth that was one of the first things that they asked, did I have any ammo. Once in Joberg and when I went to recheck by bag and rifle I just slipped my ammo case back into my checked bag and was off to the US.

 

[flying sailor]

In August '23 I flew Delta from ATL direct to Tambo. The airline requirement was ammo in a locked case inside checked luggage. Weight of ammo plus or minus the case is not worth arguing about. Rule says ammo, but some may include the case. Your own locks on the firearm case and ammo case. No one is allowed to open your cases without your presence. The baggage case, yes. I know my baggage was inspected because they were nice enough to leave a note. Probably aroused their interest because of a bottle of whiskey, four big gift sets of perfume and a case of slim jims. No , I was not setting up a business down there.

 

[khesser]

My recent experience a few weeks ago flying on Delta I had no issue with my ammo being in checked luggage. My flights in South Africa I used a Yeti GoBox 15 as it held my 7 PRC ammo and 338 Lapua ammo with room to spare and I put tools in there should I need to fix something on a rifle. Only in Kimberly did they actually ask me to remove the ammo to weigh it separately to make sure I was under 5 kilograms.

 

[ActionBob]

Was that Air France? Out of all air carriers I've flown with ammo and guns, they were the worst, i.e. the most clueless.

Yes Air France. And agreed. Those check in agents are more interested in doing their nails, drinking coffee, and catching up on their gossip than doing their jobs.

One guy with his safety green and orange clothes on was cleaning that whole damned plane. Nobody else would help. In the US I've seen gate agents go help if time was tight.

I thought it was both infuriating and hilarious how they mess around doing a lot of nothing for a good hour. Then when it's 10 minutes before wheels up they run around in panick mode trying to get hundreds of people boarded!

Landed in Minnesota and the Customs people were all "yea that flight is usually an hour late.... Nothing new here.... Who has connecting flights to get to, we'll take you first?"

I guess that is how socialism trains people to work.... So I'm sure that will soon be the model here as well!

 

[.300RUM]

Hate that you and others have been through difficulties, will happen to all of us sooner or later.

My first trip was last August, Greensboro, NC to Atlanta then to Johannesburg. A couple boxes of ammo in a locked case placed in checked bag. No issues here, was figuring that I would be charged an oversized baggage fee for the rifle case, but wasn't. The only issue was on the return trip, flight from JMB was on time but flight to Greensboro was leaving early. Checked bag made it in, rifle was on next flight. A courier service had it to my home within a few hours.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I flew out of Atlanta on 18 May to Johannesburg. I declared my guns and said my luggage had a locked case with ammunition--under 10 pounds. They proceeded to say the ammunition had to fly as a separate piece of luggage. The ammunition was given its own pink sheet, own Delta tracking label and was treated as a firearm. I called Delta and the agent said the same and the TSA agent where I had to open everything a second time was too aggressive to answer a question, as she pulled apart the gun case's foam padding.

I am aware that in SA the ammo travels by itself.

Is it normal for ammunition to fly by itself outside of luggage. I was allowed three pieces of luggage so that did not cost me anything but thought it was strange.

Been to Africa 3 times going again in June this year. Every time Ive gone my ammo is in my gun case. I only fly Delta through Atlanta to JNB never had a single problem.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Delta made a mistake. I traveled this April and last August with them. They want to check it then you load in your checked luggage. They have always done it correctly with me on all my many trips. You are correct. Airlink makes you check as separate luggage. You must have had an inexperienced Delta person. A supervisor could have probably fixed this.

Yea this was really weird, Ive never had a Delta agent do that with me. I know going up to Zambia you have to have a separate lock box but never heard of this from Atl to JNB on Delta

 

[RR 314]

Been to Africa 3 times going again in June this year. Every time Ive gone my ammo is in my gun case. I only fly Delta through Atlanta to JNB never had a single problem.

Congrats on your good fortune thus far. Are you anticipating doing the same in June?

 

[DLSJR]

I‘ve never had such a problem. I always fly with my ammo in its own locked case which is inside my locked PelicanAir case. I’ve flown multiple airlines with no issues but then, I don’t fly Delta and haven’t flown into Jo’burg since 2009.

 

[ActionBob]

Hate that you and others have been through difficulties, will happen to all of us sooner or later.

My first trip was last August, Greensboro, NC to Atlanta then to Johannesburg. A couple boxes of ammo in a locked case placed in checked bag. No issues here, was figuring that I would be charged an oversized baggage fee for the rifle case, but wasn't. The only issue was on the return trip, flight from JMB was on time but flight to Greensboro was leaving early. Checked bag made it in, rifle was on next flight. A courier service had it to my home within a few hours.

And they cleared your without you there how? Was the 4457 form in the case? A copy of your passport?

Seems like excellent service!