Rifles and long European layovers question

[Deleted member 43267]

I did some mock trip planning for a trip in 2021 and just pretended I was booking a flight for this August. My usual cheap as possible routes are toast, and the only reasonably priced flight with a reasonable number of stops involved a long layover in Amsterdam. This is not a bad thing, and I just fill out the permit forms correctly and follow whatever process they throw at me no matter how inane. I typically fly from the U.S. to Doha, and then an 8-11 hour layover but my rifle stays in baggage. This time may involve almost a full day in Amsterdam.

But, has anyone here had a full day layover in the Netherlands, Germany, or France, and what do you do with your rifles during that time? Do they stay in baggage, or must they be picked up and stored? Or can the go with you (I know, naive question)? And I am sure that someone out there has done this deliberately to have some fun and avoid 72 hours of constant travel.

And yes, I have taken my own rifle and borrowed the camp rifles, but would prefer to take my own for many reasons.

Any stories or insights would be helpful. I actually like the idea of fun day in Europe but only if this does not create an impossibility.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Hogpatrol]

Went through DeGaulle one time, 16 hour layover to JNB, around 4 hour layover on the return to IAD. Like a dummy, spent it in the AMEX lounge. Guns stayed in the baggage cloud. That airport seemed like the hillbilly's house that was added on fourteen times. IIRC, we went through four different security checkpoints. You'd get on one bus to get on another bus, total cluster***k. Only plus was the Air France 380. Everyone else's MMV but for me, never again that routing.

 

[DmacD]

I went through Amsterdam, KLM, and had a 10 hour layover. After the 7 hour overnight flight (which turns into 12 hours if you include getting to airport, check-in, and security) I never can sleep on a plane, so I grabbed a Yotel, which is located in the airport. Tiny "pod" room consisting of a bed, shower, sink and toilet. I got a solid 7 hours of sleep and a shower, and was good to go on the next leg. Never left secure area, and baggage remained with the airline.
I do not know if I was permitted to leave the airport and come back through customs, but I did not want to chance it as it was my first time flying through Europe with a firearm. Amsterdam airport is really good though, lots of restaurants, bars, they even have a decent art gallery and a casino. Paris airport, as the previous poster said, is indeed a cluster***k of buses and far flung terminals where luggage can and does get lost (previous experience). Nothing to eat, bars suck too.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Have gone through Frankfurt, short layover and was smooth sailing. Been a few years and may be different now but there was a necessary permit for firearms transfer through Germany.

Funny story, at CDG, we were in a security line, moving rather slowly and my buddy started bitching under his breath about France. A woman in front of him overheard, turned around and in a heavy French accent said "Sir, this is not France, this is Parees". I thought I would have said something similar at the Philly airport. It ain't Pennsy.

 

[Sika98k]

If your luggage and firearms are checked through from point of departure to point of arrival I see no reason for not being able to leave airside and go sightseeing in Amsterdam.
It’s a great city to visit, take a canal tour, eat some pickled herring washed down with a Heineken and a cold glass of genever, Dutch gin. Visit the Old Masters Museum and stare in awe at “The Nightwatch” . They’re not big on gun shops. I was frozen out a bit when I enquired.