Traveling by air with your PCP?

Yes you can check them in but you must depressurize the gun and tank. They also want to look inside the tank. For contra ban explosives etc.

Ive never done it, There was a lot information awhile back on this. If I remember right, you can check if if you remove the tank and drop the pressure to 0. The fill tank has to have the valve removed.

Please double check with TSA before quoting me, as I said I've never flown with my PCP.

They can be illogical when inspecting your gun, even if you show them the pressure gage is at zero (not that it matters from a technical and physics standpoint, but that has never gotten in the Governments way before). Its a pain but can be done. 

What I did the second time was just say I had a gun to check in, and didn't mention "air" gun, and there was no mention of air pressure or any other questions, it was easily checked. It was MUCH easier, and the lesson learned is that it is MUCH easier to check a firearm than to check an air gun. So IMHO, just check it in and say "gun", and let them be smart enough to realize its an air gun. 95% of them won't know the difference and it'll breeze through check in. 

Remember, you need to be able to lock your gun case so ONLY YOU have the keys or combinations. "TSA" locks are not used on gun cases!!!

I agree with what centercut told you. Perhaps I would have a wrench in the case just Incase they insist on expecting your guns air tank. If the insist on wanting to look in your tank. For around $20 you can get a prtible borescope that connects to your cell phone

Would think the TSA would have an xray ( or equipment) to examine any type of reservoir. My FX Superswift and AA S200 would be easy to remove the endcaps. New FX DL.. not sure.. 

I'd say Centercut has the right idea. " yes, I have a gun I'd like to check." 

Any mention of the word "airgun" is likely to be counter-productive, as any given TSA (or airline) agent is most likely to be utterly ignorant, and just the word can throw a HUGE monkey-wrench into the gears of a machine that could be described as dysfunctional when functioning as it should. I always carry a pritned copy all pertinent regulations regarding checking firearms and airguns, so am well-equipped to deal with any level of ignorance (often) encountered. 

Centercut is spot-on with his advice to tell the truth by saying you have a rifle to check (and rifle is a less alarming term than GUN to many ignorants). TRUST ME, things will go much better than if you complicate matters with the use of the ternm "air". Nevertheless, if you prepare for the worst by having a copy of all pertinent regulations AND having your airgun properly drained and packaged, an ignorant/obstinate agent can only jack with you so much.

I think trying to take a separate air tank might further complicate matters. 

I was going to suggest saying " rifle" but figured.. probably wrongly, a "gun" might cover a broader range.

I suppose the TSA has the rules on their website.. good idea to have a copy of the rules. Does it spell out "airguns / pcp's and the rules? 

The way to avoid TSA is buy yourself an airplane. It solves so many problems, no standing in line, no x-ray, and best of all you can make your own schedule. Flying commercial, your are literally treated like a herd of sheep. I love my airplane.

When TSA first started they got me for a Brand New 88ci bottle. It was in my checked bag. TSA took it out of my bag at some point (without telling me0 I got off my flight, checked my bag when I got to my destination No Bottle, No apologies, No offer to try to get my bottle back... They basically told me to take a long walk off a short pier!

If they determine that it is an air cylinder and it has the valve on it (doesn't matter what the gauge reads)They will take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it's something you might do occasionally, it's worth learning the process. If a one shot deal... try to find someone local on the other end to ship the stuff to. You can always ship to yourself on the return leg.

Yes they do. The air cylinder needs to be empty and you need to be able to prove it if asked. The air tank can be ckecked as well but be sure the valve is removed for inspection. If you are flying internationally be sure to register your gun scope and tank with customs before the day you are leaving. Don't worry about what you call the rifle it will be treated as a firearm regardless. Also give yourself and extra hour because most of the poeple at the check in have no idea what to do wether it be a powder burner or airgun. 

To reasure you I know what I'm talking about I flew to Poland last year with an air rifle and will be flying to England this summer with one. 

Also if you have layovers or connecting flights stay with the same airline or you will have to recheck your bags, including the gun.

John

I took a FX500 to Puerito Rico without the bottle attached. It was mailed separately. I showed four different TSA agents the rifle because I had to change airlines. Mistake. Anyway, not one of the agents asked about a bottle. All they said was what a nice airgun it was. It was a pain but if you want to shoot your own gun you gotta do it. I would suggest asking for the TSA supervisor to look at the airgun. They seemed to know what they were looking at. Please be courteous and patient. You do not want to piss these people off. They were very nice to me every time I showed them the airgun. The worst part was sitting in the Atlanta airport for nine hours with a very large gun case. Make the proper flight plans so you don't have such a long layover. Hope this note helps someone. I will do it again. Scott

You'd be better off sending your gun to your destination UPS or FedEx. Have it at your Hotel when you arrive.

Here is what TSA says:



Small Compressed Gas Cartridges

For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page.



Also consider that a pressurized tank could explode if the cabin pressure or cargo hold pressure dropped at altitude. Rare but not out of the realm of possibility. I vote for shipping it via fedex or ups rather than having TSA ruin your day. 

Don't let others scare you away from flying with an airgun. 

You'd be better off sending your gun to your destination UPS or FedEx. Have it at your Hotel when you arrive.

Click to expand...

That's almost another thread in itself! Shipping PCPs via air - I was always under the impression that they had to ship ground 

Great feedback everyone, I definitely appreciate the insight. At the end of the day, I can imagine dealing with TSA / the airline ticketing agent would be like rolling the dice, in terms of what their knowledge of regulations (whatever they are). I like the idea of asking for a supervisor, they would likely be most knowledgeable. @centercut - I would definitely lock it up as if it were a firearm, but I probably wouldn't use any of my ABUS disc locks!

Click to expand...

Actually when you send the gun UPS or FedEx all you need to do is lower the pressure so it can handle the change in atmospheric pressure of flying.

I live in Hawaii and the guns I purchase get here in 3 days. So it can't be coming by ground (Boat), has to fly.

UPS or FedEx, not USPS for some reason? Not sure why?
But 3 days before you plan to arrive at your destination you can send it and it should be there waiting for you.

May cost a little more but might be worth it to avoid the hassle of TSA.

This question is specifically covered by the TSA: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/compressed-air-guns

There is an additional write-up available at https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2015/08/airline-travel-with-your-airguns-part-one/