Flying with Firearms on United. Easy or Difficult?

I was nervous about flying with the mags and ammo initially because I thought I was flying into Washington DC, then my wife informed me that Dulles was in Virginia, lol. I wound up putting the ammo in the Patriot Games trailer and they brought it up for me and I saved on shipping. As I mentioned I flew home with ammo and mags.
You know when the airline loses your luggage and you go to the baggage room for your respective airline? That's where the gun case was delivered by a airport courier. In Dulles I just showed the luggage sticker and in RSW on the way back I had to show ID.
On the way there, the weight was around 31 pounds, case and 3 guns.
Coming home, with everything plus ammo it was 46 pounds. The airline did not weigh the ammo to see if I had 11 pounds or less.
Overall, super simple process. I will need to invest in a better case for my non gun gear because the duffel was destroyed and now trash.
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[@chazzy1237]

Awesome video Andrew! I am glad it went good for you! Thanks for going through this with us.

[@andrewmconrad]

Thanks Charlie. Big learning experience. This is given me the confidence to travel with my stuff, but still I need to be cautious and not get careless

[@wlerch58]

As long as you don't go into DC you're good to go. everything you have is illegal to posses unless they are registered in DC. Just an FYI, the rifle in that configuration could not be registered because its scary.

[@Brad1237202]

Thanks for the video Andrew!!

[@andrewmconrad]

Thanks Brad

[@dacowboys01]

Great video and information Andrew what rifle case model was that. Thanks

[@mikewoodard1238]

Way to go Andrew. Whoot! Whoot! Way to reach out of your comfort zone. Way braver than me 👍👍👍

[@mikewoodard1238]

Way to go Andrew. Whoot! Whoot! You really stepped out of your comfort zone, way braver than me 👍👍👍

[@andrewmconrad]

Way out of my comfort zone, but this whole experience on youtube has been just that!

[@jeffreylight3375]

Nice vid Sir! Thanks for the information. Glad you flew into Dulles. DCA is a total different story. I am familiar with traveling with firearms on Delta, Southwest, and American. Thanks for the info on United. Great to know! I really look forward to your vids.

[@andrewmconrad]

Thanks! United made it so easy. Any quick tips you can tell me about those airlines you've used?

[@davidtauanuu3790]

Thanks man big help. I didn’t know if you can travel with more than one fire arms

[@doctaj.2571]

Nice! I was always curious about that. I bought the LifePod for traveling. I don’t have a rifle yet but I will have a similar Pelican. Love your setups, man!

[@andrewmconrad]

Thanks dude 👊🏻 I have the lifepod too, but I haven't traveled with it thru tsa. Gotta figure that one out

[@doctaj.2571]

@@andrewmconrad yeah I bought it specifically for traveling. It’s TSA approved, so.. idk. I haven’t been on a plane with it. Have you seen they now have a Biometric version releasing soon or already released? I am absolutely buying that because mine, often, misses the keys when it shouldn’t. Or I’ll punch two keys quickly and it will cancel out and make me start over. It’s honestly annoying so my wife will get that for miscellaneous items. It has a Spartan Helmet on the cover so.. hope she likes it lmao! Edit: Don’t worry hers won’t be for a gun. So it’s ok. Lol

[@Dwayne7834]

Good information and video thanks for sharing.

[@andrewmconrad]

Thanks Dwayne

[@Spigglicious]

Thank you so much, I’m about to travel to Oklahoma and this REALLY helped ease me into it. I also thought it would be a hassle but it looks pleasant enough. One last question; did you have to pack the ammunition in a locked box as well? Or can it be in its original box just in your backed bag along with regular items? I’m traveling with a Glock 19.

[@andrewmconrad]

It varies from airline to airline, but ammunition definitely needs to be in it's original packaging. On the way back, I had asked at the United counter about ammo going in a non locked case, but they couldn't get me an answer, so I just threw it in my locked case.

[@Spigglicious]

@@andrewmconrad copy that, thank you.

[@jonjon7324]

You think you know now, I will tell you that every airline and every airport is different, and every ticket agent is different. I had a guy just ask me what to do when checking in a firearm as he didn’t know it was a thing people could do. I told him I know the federal law, but it’s best for him to call a supervisor. She was slightly better, but she had an issue with ammo being in the case with firearm, which isn’t official policy anywhere in the websites for the major airlines. Apparently this is common practice though. Long story short though, be patient and get there early like you did, and eventually you will get through the process fairly pain free.

[@marvong]

Great video as usual. Just placed an order for the same case.

[@andrewmconrad]

Sweet Marvin! Hope to see you in May at the next games

[@frankhinkle5772]

Excellent! In hindsight were you better off shipping the magazines and ammunition? We all know more now then before. Back when I started carrying a firearm on flights I often used a Samsonite hard briefcase as the locking case. At that time, that met the criteria for the airlines. It was hard, it locked. Now the case has to be TSA approved. And if I leave a firearm in my vehicle it has to be in a CA DOJ approved locking case attached to the vehicle.

[@andrewmconrad]

So I was gonna ship the mags and ammo, but they would up going in the Patriot Games trailer that they drove up. Hindsight, I would rather keep it all with me. Knowing what everything weighs is huge, so that I know I won't go over the weight limit. I do need a hard sided sturdy case for my plate carrier because the duffel wasn't strong enough. I'll probably get another pelican so I can be matchy matchy

[@arrobrewer2730]

I did the sleep deprivation for many years, it's not good over 55. Good info ty.

[@andrewmconrad]

Ugh, it's Tuesday and I'm really tired. Takes longer and longer to recover these days

[@trashedmechanic1987]

I would recommend getting some different lock. The round ones that you can't take a set of bolt cutters to

[@andrewmconrad]

You're probably right. I had asked Rick from Achilles Tactical what he used because he travels with his firearms a lot for his business and he said master locks. I'll research some others

[@Cameron-bk5gk]

Late now but DCA is also in VA not DC so any airport you fly into you’ll be okay.

[@randyadams03]

All you had you do crazy, and trust the ill paid TSA to do their jobs👏👏👏💯 Respect! Sending bag first brilliant. Fantastic results. Thanks Andrew

[@andrewmconrad]

Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Everything went so smooth

[@reidenjohnson]

So do tell, did they charge you 200 bucks for an "oversized" bag? I see anything over 62" is oversized, and a lot of the cases I'm looking at buying are easily over 62 linear inches. I'm flying united. Any thoughts?

[@andrewmconrad]

No extra fees, just a regular baggage fee. This case is 36 or 42" long (can't remember), but definitely no where near 62

[@reidenjohnson]

@@andrewmconrad I read its a linear measurement, so L + w + h has to be less than 62". I'm getting serious about buying a pelican, probably a vault series, but am really concerned about that extra size being over 62 - the smallest, V700 is 64 linear inches, but I was even thinking about going for the middle with the V720? V730? I can't remember. But that is DEFINITELY a few inches over the allowed 62. I just don't wanna get slapped with a 200$ fee

[@reidenjohnson]

@@andrewmconrad looks like you have the 1700, which when adding the exterior measurements adds up to 60 inches - which is definitely under. I just wonder how much can I get away with, and with that in mind, what case I should go with

[@andrewmconrad]

@@reidenjohnson I think it's 62" in one direction. I mean a standard large suitcase would be over that 62 linear inches. You can always call or stop by the airport in asvance and talk to them. I did that the previous time I was traveling. I just walked up to the united counter and asked questions.

[@reidenjohnson]

@@andrewmconrad good point. I'll keep reading and looking! Thanks for the advice and knowledge I appreciate it

[@seven6ixtwojay531]

Is there a limit to how many magazines you can fly with?

[@andrewmconrad]

I did not see any restrictions in my research

[@ryanpettit82]

I sent you an email about the Henry 45-70. Just let me know if you got it.

[@andrewmconrad]

Shit, you're right. I did get it and forgot to reply. I'll reply in a few

[@Trukale]

Was there any extra fees for it being fire arms?

[@andrewmconrad]

No extra fees other than standard baggage fees. I had 2 checked bags and I have the United card, so I get one bag free and I paid the standard fee for the second

[@alfieber]

Chamber flags would probably be a good idea

[@andrewmconrad]

Not a bad idea

[@jadencresser]

Clutch, thanks legit otw

[@jefferynunn2278]

Just thinking our NTSB is laxed

[@andrewmconrad]

There have been videos on what people have gotten thru security

[@jefferynunn2278]

@@andrewmconrad ,, yes,, probably one of me....lol,,,and that's another story...lol

[@jake-thegoat]

Here I am stressing checking I'm a Springfield .40 S&W with 2 mags

[@andrewmconrad]

Good luck!