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