Flying with Rifle

[Michael Antle]

Im workin in Alberta and want to take a rifle out there with me to go at the coyotes. I've heard it's alot cheaper to just mail firearms, but has anyone ever flown with them? Is it really that much hassle?

[leo carns]

its a real pain air canada will cost you westjet is free , air canada will charge you a handling fee plus extra baggage whta a rip off (but what do you expect from third world airlines)

[Michael Antle]

I don't mind paying the handling fee, as it's gonna cost me to mail it too. I won't get charged with extra baggage fees I'm an elite flyer. My main concern was not having to do without the rifle for time to mail it there and back, so I was just curious as what it really costs and how do I go about flying with it, flights are already booked with Air Canada.

[Barry Fordham]

Hey Michael, it's been awhile now since I did, but here's my recollection. First of course, you need your POL/PAL license, a permit to transport it from Wildlife. You can get that free of charge from them at the Experimental Farm Bldg at Agriculture on Brookfield Rd or at Paddy's Pond.

There are a couple of permits from the Airliner/Airport that they provide, basically saying that your firearm(s) is unloaded, it has a lock on it, and there's no ammo with it. The case has to be locked and it may have to be airlined approved. For yourself, the case should be a sturdy one as it gets "tossed" around. It'd be a good idea to have it airlined insured just in case. You should give the Airline a call just to make sure of the above info and that there may be something else as well.

Of course it goes without saying that you shuld have it re-sighted in before you take it hunting. Hope this is helpful to you.

All The Best,
Barry

[Robert Sullivan]

Not a big deal at all.  Just pay the handling fee, sign a waiver and you're good to go.  I didn't have to pay an extra fee.

[Fred Woodman]

If you fly west jet theres no cost at all, If You have a case that will fit in your luggage. It will need to be trigger locked and ammo cant be put in same bag as gun. You need to tell them when you check that you have a gun.Otherwise cost is same as additional bag.

Hope this helps.

[Kevin]

One bag is free, second bag is $20, third bag is $100 plus a $50 handling charge for guns.  That's air canada.  Pretty sure west jet is free.  But make sure it is packaged really good because if it is seen to be a gun sometime you get someone bent on bending your gun.  Always check your scope when you unpack it.