Thread: Jetstar Firearms check in

Only ever had good experiences with checking in firearms with Air NZ staff in Southland. Had one bad one in Wellington where I felt a wee bit disrespected but all others mostly fine. Telling the staff the bare minimum is a good point. With the bad experience when I said the ammo was in a purpose built container (MTM 50 rnd case), the customer service staffer was upset because it wasn't in factory packaging. I had to explain that I reloaded the ammo and there was no factory packaging. She could not fathom that you can make your own ammo. I should've just said yes to it being in factory packaging, although I would almost consider that fibbing which doesn't look good later on if something goes wrong.

Originally Posted by Floundering Around

Only ever had good experiences with checking in firearms with Air NZ staff in Southland. Had one bad one in Wellington where I felt a wee bit disrespected but all others mostly fine. Telling the staff the bare minimum is a good point. With the bad experience when I said the ammo was in a purpose built container (MTM 50 rnd case), the customer service staffer was upset because it wasn't in factory packaging. I had to explain that I reloaded the ammo and there was no factory packaging. She could not fathom that you can make your own ammo. I should've just said yes to it being in factory packaging, although I would almost consider that fibbing which doesn't look good later on if something goes wrong.

The factory packaging question has come up with me when checking in three or four times. I'm honest and say so if ammo isn't in a factory pack when asked. Each time the concern was allayed when I said the reason I put ammo into different packaging ( lockable plastic ammo container ) was to make airline handling and carriage safer than it would be in factory packaging. Only one time an airline check in person wasn't convinced and a supervisor was summoned who demanded I open my bag and prove it. Once she saw the ammo box she was immediately satisfied and complimented me on my safety attitude.
Really helps if you maintain a friendly and cooperative attitude throughout. The thought of "ammo" is scary to some people. Not many airline employees it seems are told in training that ammo is actually a relatively safe item.

Originally Posted by Floundering Around

Only ever had good experiences with checking in firearms with Air NZ staff in Southland. Had one bad one in Wellington where I felt a wee bit disrespected but all others mostly fine. Telling the staff the bare minimum is a good point. With the bad experience when I said the ammo was in a purpose built container (MTM 50 rnd case), the customer service staffer was upset because it wasn't in factory packaging. I had to explain that I reloaded the ammo and there was no factory packaging. She could not fathom that you can make your own ammo. I should've just said yes to it being in factory packaging, although I would almost consider that fibbing which doesn't look good later on if something goes wrong.

Invercargill were awesome when my son and I came out of Fiordland. The lady couldn’t have given a shit about the guns or ammunition. Just where we went and what we got.
Same experience in Napier.

B

Air Chathams and Air NZ were both easy as when ever I've traveled
Chch
Auckland
Wellington
Queenstown
Chats

I took 6 guns up a few weeks ago via Jetstar. 3 in one case, 2 in another and 1 on its own. No issues at all. The good thing with Jetstar is if you pay for 40kg of luggage you can take as many bags as you want as long as the total weight is 40kg which makes it great for travelling with sports gear etc

Originally Posted by 30.06king

The factory packaging question has come up with me when checking in three or four times. I'm honest and say so if ammo isn't in a factory pack when asked. Each time the concern was allayed when I said the reason I put ammo into different packaging ( lockable plastic ammo container ) was to make airline handling and carriage safer than it would be in factory packaging. Only one time an airline check in person wasn't convinced and a supervisor was summoned who demanded I open my bag and prove it. Once she saw the ammo box she was immediately satisfied and complimented me on my safety attitude.
Really helps if you maintain a friendly and cooperative attitude throughout. The thought of "ammo" is scary to some people. Not many airline employees it seems are told in training that ammo is actually a relatively safe item.

Sometimes you have to repack the ammo to comply - the rounds must be separated and cannot be touching so they tell me. A good example of this is the Sako 50 round bulk pack, it's a plain but tough box with no separation in it. In that case the fact that the factory packaging doesn't comply should be enough to appease the check in gatekeepers...

I took two case, 38kg, 6 rifle CHCH to Auckland Jetstar last Friday

Return Monday

Two cases, 7 rifles, 40kg Jetstar

Absolutely no drama
But I wasn't carrying any ammo or brass

8kgs unprimed brass I just sent by courier

I flew from Queenstown to Auckland last month with ammo and a rifle. The Jetstar staff were great, no dramas and no fuss. I think in these situations some manners and patience will go a long way.

I always get the Dangerous Goods Permit despite not carrying ammo because the rifles are vintage and to and from collections where they don't get shot

Over delivering on that point and the gun case security is worth the effort.

Also I tell them the guns are completely dissasembled.
Which is often true too be able too pack 3 big rifles in each gun case

Just a thumbs up bump on this 2024 thread - The info re the Jestar dangerous goods form (ammo) and the firearm check in (remove bolt, but in standard check in luggage - FA into a separate locked carry case) was excellent. Will test it out next month at Auckland airport and will report back with any issues.

Have always found South Island Airport staff go through the firearms check-in process with little or no fuss. Auckland airport not so much.

Despite travelling home to the South Island frequently with a firearm Auckland Airport seems to struggle with the concept of a firearm at the time of check-in. Get there early, be aware of Avsec screening requirements at the O/Sized x-ray machine, tell them the bare minimum but also be knowledgable of their own airlines requirements for carriage - as often the ground staff aren't.

Best bit of advice - make sure that whatever bag is carrying your ammunition is also screened at O/sized as if they find ammo on the "normal bag" conveyor they will pull your bag . Trust me I know, then they couldn't find my bag for 5 hours, I was trying to get into the back country in Canterbury - my pack with all my gear was "somewhere" between AKL-CHC. I had the clothes I stood in and a rifle case, waiting in CHC airport till they found my bag. Needles to say Avsec and the NZP were continually checking on my need to be in the airport with a rifle case.

Had a bad experience in New Plymouth with two empty gun cases taped together to make one , size-compliant baggage item.

The "lady" at check-in refused to accept the cases were empty without opening both , threatened to boot me off my flight if I argued , and was generally a stand-in for Hitlers sister.

I walked away and left the missus to sort it as she has infinite patience with morons - she lives with me - and the matter was resolved -two cases still taped together to make one empty , compliant case.

One departure from Nelson a few days later , the now full cases were presented to the check-in lady who didnt want to see inside , and on being regaled with the story of the NP experience said " I know exactly who you dealt with and she is always a bitch".

So I guess the moral of this ramble is - it all comes down to the type of person you encounter at check-in.

jetstar, jeez i flew with them chch to auckland in january, plane was late. cabin was filthy. the menu actually had teeth marks on it like a baby was chewing on it.
never ever again.