{"id":251,"date":"2017-06-19T04:52:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T04:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=251"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:37:54","slug":"how-to-fly-with-a-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-fly-with-a-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fly With a Rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-fly-with-a-rifle\/#How_to_Fly_With_a_Rifle\" >How to Fly With a Rifle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-fly-with-a-rifle\/#Know_the_Rules\" >Know the Rules<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-fly-with-a-rifle\/#Arrive_Early\" >Arrive Early<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-fly-with-a-rifle\/#Smile_and_Nod\" >Smile and Nod<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Fly_With_a_Rifle\"><\/span>How to Fly With a Rifle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/illuminated-reticle-battery-installation-2\/\" title=\"Illuminated Reticle battery installation on your TRACT TORIC 34MM 4-25X50\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to<\/a> Fly With a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/why-every-shooter-needs-a-spotter-a-marksmans-best-ally\/\">Rifle<\/a>. For those of us that travel even just a few times over the course of a life for <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"290\">hunting<\/a> adventures, knowing how to travel with your equipment, particularly the rifle and ammo, is pretty dang important. It\u2019s not necessarily complicated. You just have to read the rules; airlines and TSA are understandably cautious of everyone.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">My latest\u00a0experience flying with a gun post 9\/11 was for an <a title=\"Elk Hunting Techniques for Open Range Hunts\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/elk-hunting-techniques-for-open-range-hunts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">elk hunt<\/a> in New Mexico. A TSA agent and police officer took me into a room back behind the check-in counters and eyed me (a bit meanly, I thought) as they unlocked my case and inspected the rifle. But once they determined my fundamental allegiance to the crowd of \u201crule followers,\u201d they kindly handed me back my luggage and bid me farewell.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Know_the_Rules\"><\/span>Know the Rules<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">If you Google \u201chow to fly with a rifle,\u201d the TSA\u2019s website is the second result. In retrospect, I find it quite surprising that Beretta takes the number one spot on this issue, but hey, kudos to their SEO team. The TSA\u2019s site walks you, step by step, on exactly <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"366\">how to<\/a> fly with a rifle. You can\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tsa.gov\/travel\/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">READ THOSE RULES HERE<\/a><\/strong>, we\u2019ll wait.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-252\" src=\"https:\/\/tma65.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/inner47.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><figcaption><em>A hard case that locks such as this one is required when flying with a firearm.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Before I\u2019d arrived at the airport, I took the bolt out of my Remington 700. You\u2019re required to fly with a hard case that has a lock, so I\u2019d done that too. And then the rules had also said to \u201cpack your ammo separately, in a checked bag, with the rounds in the original factory box.\u201d Some airlines will allow you to pack the <a title=\"How to Box Test your Riflescope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/how-to-box-test-your-riflescope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle<\/a> and ammunition in the same case, and others require that they travel separately. Regardless, DO NOT try to carry-on your <a title=\"The 6.5mm Creedmoor Rifle Round\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/the-6-5mm-creedmoor-rifle-round\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle rounds<\/a>.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arrive_Early\"><\/span>Arrive Early<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Plan on being at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than you usually would. So, if it\u2019s recommended that you arrive two hours before your flight, get there two and a half hours early. There shouldn\u2019t be hold-ups if you\u2019ve followed the rules, but it\u2019s best to play it safe.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smile_and_Nod\"><\/span>Smile and Nod<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">While going on a <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> trip that requires you to fly is a high-time adventure with a lot of BS\u2019ing and backslapping, save that energy for the airplane. When the TSA agent and police officer take you into the room to inspect your <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle<\/a> and ammunition, just be polite &#8211; \u201cyessir, no sir, please and thank you\u201d &#8211; that sort of language. That is, of course, unless you want to miss your flight, connections and a day\u2019s work of hunting. TSA security agents have tough enough jobs without some obnoxious being jabbering while they\u2019re literally working to save lives. Once you\u2019re safe and secure in your seat, then you can continue an enthusiastic (but not overly so for the sake of your fellow passengers) conversation about what lies ahead.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Flying to another part of the world to hunt wild game is a privilege, and often a costly one at that. You certainly don\u2019t want to run off the rails before getting on the track. Remember, not everyone is comfortable in the presence of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/at-home-gun-cleaning-tips\/\">firearms<\/a>, even security agents whose job requires them be around guns. But if you know the rules and are polite and respectful to the airport employees, you\u2019re going to make your <a title=\"How to Transport Meat Home From Your Hunt\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/how-to-transport-meat-home-from-your-hunt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt or return home<\/a> on time.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Fly With a Rifle | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12242,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2257],"tags":[2688,2701,2702,2704,2705,2706,2707,2746,2747,2749,2762,2763,2764,2765,2766,2768,2769,2770,2771,2772,2773,2774,2775,2776,2777,2778],"class_list":["post-251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-fix-adjust","tag-how-to","tag-how-to-adjust-scope-on-rifle","tag-how-to-adjust-scope-turrets","tag-how-to-adjust-turrets-on-scopes","tag-how-to-adjust-windage-and-elevation","tag-how-to-adjust-windage-on-a-scope","tag-how-to-adjust-windage-on-scope","tag-how-to-fly-meat-home-from-a-hunt","tag-how-to-fly-with-a-rifle","tag-how-to-get-meat-home-from-hunting-trip","tag-how-to-make-a-moving-target-for-shooting","tag-how-to-mount-a-rifle-scope","tag-how-to-mount-a-scope","tag-how-to-mount-a-scope-on-a-rifle","tag-how-to-mount-rifle-scope","tag-how-to-properly-mount-a-scope","tag-how-to-read-a-rifle-scope-reticle","tag-how-to-read-a-scope","tag-how-to-read-a-scope-reticle","tag-how-to-read-moa-reticle","tag-how-to-read-scope-reticle","tag-how-to-reset-scope-turrets","tag-how-to-ship-deer-meat-home","tag-how-to-ship-elk-meat-home","tag-how-to-ship-meat-after-a-hunt","tag-how-to-shoot-a-moving-target"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11525,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251\/revisions\/11525"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}