Will airlines in Canada charge extra when I transport my handgun?

geologist

geologist

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I will be transporting my handgun in a small locked case inside my luggage.

I will be flying from Vancouver to Nunavut, probably with Air Canada.

What extra fees if any will I be facing?
 
What a rip off. I have travelled internationally with handguns and they have never charged. Oh well, I guess it is not new that airlines will find any excuse to slap $50 onto your airfare...
 
JohnC said:
Air Attitude's story is that gun cases are too large & need special handling. I'd like to see thewir story on handgun charge justification.
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Indeed. From what I recall of the banter going back and forth about this, they justify the surcharge on 1/ Some special handling requirements, ie checking it through separately from your regular checked luggage (ie extra staff labour and time) and 2/ size and weight. Well, the latter certainly won't apply unless he ships it in a 53" rifle case!

:) Stuart
 
Freedom Ventures said:
Air Canada will charge you $50 per trip.
Westjet does not charge, so fly with them.
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If this is an option, make sure you notify Air Crap that you will not be flying with them for this reason.
 
JohnC said:
Air Attitude's story is that gun cases are too large & need special handling. I'd like to see thewir story on handgun charge justification.
Click to expand...

DAMN (sc)Air Canada...what about the golf bags, ski equipment, etc which are checked luggage at no additional charge to the passenger?
 
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"Special Handling" is a smokescreen and a load of crap. They give it no more care and attention than a set of golf clubs:mad: . Having been in that industry I can assure you that they are doing their best to deflect the backlash by justifying thru creative phraseology..They spew more double talk than Mel Tillis on caffeine
dB:)
 
edward911 said:
DAMN (sc)Air Canada...what about the golf bags, ski equipment, etc which are checked luggage at no additional charge to the passenger?

Unfortunately, I have to fly (sc)Air Canada because of my points and Elite status.

I was thinking that if I fly with firearms, I would buy a travel golf bag and package the firearms with cases/locks into the container. Let's see what
(sc)Air Canada says about that!!! :D
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I know they charge $50 for Bikes not sure about ski bags. I'll find out. What ever the reasion they are doing this is stupid. Golf clubs? Wow there would be a huge uprising.
 
Info on guns and ammo at the people's airline:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/dangerous.html
Info on how they cater to other sports equipment:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/checked.html
It is simply discrimination against shooters. Nothing more, nothing less. They want to put up roadblocks to keep us off their airline.

Westjet and Canjet face the same issues with regards to security. They don't charge us.

There's a few big threads on this elsewhere...

pmt is right too - when you fly with someone else, let AC know why.
 
Air Canada won't get you into Nunavut. You can use other airlines to get to your northern jumping off point, Edmonton, Winnipeg, or Ottawa/Montreal. Let AC know why you chose a competitor. FirstAir, Calm Air and Canadian North are the carriers that serve Nunavut.
 
Let's all understand; if you put the gun, properly stored and locked, in a case in a golf bag.. and have all your ATT's and paperwork in order... are you breaking any laws by not declaring it, but just nodding when the Air Crap employee looks at the bags and says "oh.. golf clubs, eh?"
 
I'm sure that you have to declare any firearm that you are checking in.

20 years ago, we'd just pull the barrels off our shotguns, put them into a hockey bag and off you'd go to the job.

Not anymore!
 
Checked luggage is routinely being x-rayed at many airports now. If you don't declare firearms or ammunition, you will hear your name over the PA system.
 
Yes the gun's have to be declared.....you might not even hear your name over the PA but they will should not put your luggage on the plane + well I'm sure you can guess the rest....

I'm still going to fly with AC....because of my aeroplan it cost me $148.00 for 2 return flights from Winnipeg to Ottawa plus of course now $100.00 for the gun's......still cheaper then any airfare.......wonder if West Jet will ever come out with something like that ? :)
 
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good, serves them right. A BS surcharge for firearms to being with; just a money grab.
 
For sure Mo all it's is more money.....most of the time I even had to explain that I needed to sign the AC declaration for unloaded firearms....and tell the agent what it look like...then I HAD to fill it and show them were THEY sign.....I was never ask for any permit or ATT.....if they ever ask to see my gun I would ask for a RCMP or Cop to be present since I doubt they would know what they look at!

To top this....in Montreal I then have to take my ammunition to a different location...and they shall excort me...that is their rule....well they did once in Montreal over about 8 trip's return from Halifax to Montreal..;)

Money grab yap for sure.......
 
...and for those thinking of not declaring it, keep in mind that most bags are now x-rayed as stated above AND if your bag is ever delayed, or lost and you have not declared the firearm, your claim is invalid for the valuation. On another note, you should also be aware of a thing called carrier baggage liabiliy/limitations which are the maximum amount of value for the bag/contents if a claim is filed for loss or damage. It is surprisingly low. I believe with Big Red is may be $750 but with WestJet it is only $250!!:eek: In some cases the bag is worth more than the limitations, so as firearms owners, be aware..
Just helping your heart rate..
Cheers:)
dB
 
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