[tnstaafl]

Has anyone checked a bag with an unloaded handgun ON SPIRIT AIRLINES?

I've flow on AA and Southwest with a gun in my checked bag and I am familiar with their processes - I was checking with Spirit prior to a trip, and in addition to the Firearms Declaration Form that goes inside the bag near the locked container with the gun, the Spirit site talks about how a "Limited Liability Release Tag" that goes on the outside of the bag may be required - the "Contract of Carriage" document on their web site has conflicting information and their offshore help desk personnel are unclear - anyone been there done that on Spirit? Is the Limited Liability Release Tag required at Spirit, or not? Thanks!

 

[Cashgap]

Cases will not be labeled as containing firearms. That practice was outlawed almost 10 years ago. Federal law now states: "No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm." [18 USC Sec. 922(e)] TSA will warn any airline that is marking cases that it is in violation of the law.

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2003/airline-transportation-of-firearms.aspx

 

[mattallamerican]

ever see what works at the airports im staying away

 

[Cashgap]

From Spirit:

4.1.1.17

Firearms

Spirit Airlines will allow customers to transport firearms in accordance with applicable regulations. Except for personnel authorized by the federal government, the following conditions must be met: (i) firearms are accepted as checked baggage only, (ii) firearms must be packed in a hard-sided container specifically designed for the firearm; a locked hard-sided gun case; a locked hard-sided piece of luggage. A handgun packed in a hard-sided gun case may be packed inside a soft- sided piece of luggage. A Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case. Firearms may not be checked curbside. No one under 18 years of age may check a firearm. A customer who presents baggage containing a firearm must declare that the weapon is unloaded. Baggage containing firearms must be locked at all times and the key or lock combination retained by the customer. A Firearm Declaration form must be signed and placed on the outside of the locked case containing the firearm. Ammunition must be packed in the original manufacturing package or metal/wood box, with a maximum of 11 pounds per customer. Loose ammunition or clips will not be accepted. Spirit Airlines allows only one (1) checked firearm per gun case per customer.
NOTE: Firearms are NOT permitted to/from international destinations.


Conditional acceptance tag would be required on a locking handgun case if that case were to be placed inside a soft sided piece of luggage. Only in that circumstance, and not visible from the outside.

 

[tnstaafl]

I'm trying to find out what purpose is for the "Conditional Acceptance Tag" - does it limit the airline's liability if the handgun inside an unmarked bag is stolen? Even if the "Conditional Acceptance Tag" is not visible from the outside (the airline website is unclear on this issue, but it appears to be the case based on Federal law), if the airline applies a "Conditional Acceptance Tag" that limits their liability specifically for the handgun if it's stolen, I'll leave my CCW at home - not worth the risk, with a s**t-house airline like Spirit - my girlfriend wanted to use them - they were they only direct flight to where we're going - I'll never fly them again.

 

[Cashgap]

Good news.

Here's an updated Contract of Carriage. They now call it a "Firearm Declaration Tag" which sounds like this (can't find an image of theirs).

Sounds like they have normalized their terminology to match everyone else's.

http://thegunwriter.blogs.heraldtribune.com/files/2013/06/ff-unloaded-276x300.jpg

 

[tnstaafl]

Thanks, Cashgap ! LOL, they must have updated the Contract of Carriage Document after I looked at it - mine was from February - this one from April is in line with the process I experienced at AA and Southwest.

Thanks again!

 

[Cashgap]

It's from TODAY which I thought was a little freaky! Have a great flight.

 

[rotorwind]

I bet they charge you and additional fee. Spirit charges for everything!

 

[ranger1968]

The forms and processes are all pretty standard; I travel quite a bit teaching classes (I just got back from teaching an advanced pistol class in KC this past week) and while I usually fly Delta , I occasionally get a better rate elsewhere and the procedure the airlines are using generally reflect the FAA regs and the industry standards on these things;

A good tip is to print a copy of the airline policy regarding firearms and bring it with you; it can (and has) come in handy if you get the ticketing agent who didn't get the memo....

 

[tnstaafl]

I'm leaving for the airport in a bit - with a copy of the relevant pages of the Contract of Carriage document in hand - and I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

 

[Palmguy]

I'm leaving for the airport in a bit - with a copy of the relevant pages of the Contract of Carriage document in hand - and I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Ugh....good luck. I flew Spirit for a trip once...never again.

 

[waktasz]

I know this is an old thread, but does anyone know if they enforce the 1 gun per lockbox per customer thing? I'm traveling for USPSA nationals and that is not a TSA regulation, so not sure why they would have that.

 

[fredj338]

Cases will not be labeled as containing firearms. That practice was outlawed almost 10 years ago. Federal law now states: "No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm." [18 USC Sec. 922(e)] TSA will warn any airline that is marking cases that it is in violation of the law.

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2003/airline-transportation-of-firearms.aspx

Yeah sort of. What they can do & AA did do to one of my bags was put a red "special handling" tag on it. Oh yes I protested, manager, all that. No tag no fly. So I do not fly AA anymore, regardless of price.

 

[DADoser]

I flew American Airlines last month - Sept. 2018. I don't remember a special tag on the outside of my bag containing a firearm - if there was one it was small. (Hard case locked within another checked bag) However, I did have to claim the bag with an ID at their baggage claim office - they did not send it down conveyor with the other bags.

Return trip was Frontier Airlines. Nothing on the exterior of the bag indicating anything and I claimed the bag by pulling it off the conveyor like all other bags.

I would be ok with flying American again with a firearm as the bag was only able to be handled by AA personnel and they only released the bag to me with ID. Bag was nowhere that other passengers had access.

 

[Lunius]

I'm trying to find out what purpose is for the "Conditional Acceptance Tag" - does it limit the airline's liability if the handgun inside an unmarked bag is stolen? Even if the "Conditional Acceptance Tag" is not visible from the outside (the airline website is unclear on this issue, but it appears to be the case based on Federal law), if the airline applies a "Conditional Acceptance Tag" that limits their liability specifically for the handgun if it's stolen, I'll leave my CCW at home - not worth the risk, with a s**t-house airline like Spirit - my girlfriend wanted to use them - they were they only direct flight to where we're going - I'll never fly them again.

So my question is .. I am flying spirit & I want to travel with my handgun I know what is needed to do so but I am unsure do I need to have a CPL to fly with it ? I have passed the class & have my certification but my CPL will not be here in time before my flight

 

[waktasz]

No, definitely not...unless for some reason that is required for you to legally possess it when you are.

 

[fredj338]

Cases will not be labeled as containing firearms. That practice was outlawed almost 10 years ago. Federal law now states: "No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm." [18 USC Sec. 922(e)] TSA will warn any airline that is marking cases that it is in violation of the law.

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2003/airline-transportation-of-firearms.aspx

Yeah sort of. About 5y ago I flew AA & they put a big red steal ne tag on my bag. I argued with their head guy for 30m citing the exact policy & was told red tag or the bag doesnt fly. I no longer fly AA.
Every airline is diff & every airport is diff. Delta used to put like 4 huge zip ties around your bag. Some other used to wrap it in plastic, might as well have a big red tag. So meet checked bag requirements & be fexible. Ask for a manager if it doesnt sound right.

 

[fredj338]

I know this is an old thread, but does anyone know if they enforce the 1 gun per lockbox per customer thing? I'm traveling for USPSA nationals and that is not a TSA regulation, so not sure why they would have that.

I fly 4-5x a year, mostly SW & Delta. Never an issue with multile guns in one locked box. Ymmv, as noted, every airline & even airport can ve diff.

 

[akpls]

I fly 4-5x a year, mostly SW & Delta. Never an issue with multile guns in one locked box. Ymmv, as noted, every airline & even airport can ve diff.

When I moved from Alaska to New Mexico I brought my handguns as checked baggage on one of my flights with Alaska Airlines. They allowed me to have two bags containing firearms, but didn't care how many were in each bag. One of my bags was a Pelican rifle case that I placed 22 handguns in. They (Alaska Air or TSA) didn't even blink an eye at check-in.