Key Takeaways
- Episode 65 details a Southwest flight from New Orleans to Las Vegas with firearms.
- The author used a Pelican rifle case, ensuring privacy for the contents during check-in.
- They paid an extra fee for exceeding the weight limit of their checked luggage.
- The luggage pickup was smooth and quick upon arrival in Las Vegas.
- The article suggests packing wisely to avoid heavy bag fees and using a side-slide method for forms.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Episode 65 was filmed July 9th, flying Southwest from New Orleans to Las Vegas. Rifle case, a weight fee I saw coming, and some of the best counter banter of the series.
Check-In at MSY
Declared firearms. This trip I had my large Pelican rifle case with a rifle and a few handguns inside, plus a second checked bag. Agent asked about the locks — clarified they’re not TSA recognized locks, which is the point. Signed the back of the declaration form. No loose ammunition.
For the form itself, I did something worth showing: instead of opening the entire case at the counter for everyone to see what’s inside, I removed one lock and opened two latches, which gives enough room to slide the form in through the side. The contents stay out of view and the form is inside where it needs to be.
The case weighed in at 55 pounds, over the limit. I had a feeling it would be once I packed it all up, so the extra fare was no surprise. Paid it and moved on. The agents got a kick out of the weight — jokes about bowling balls and and dead bodies. One of them told me I was building a reputation, showing up with the heavy stuff. All in good fun. These agents have seen me plenty of times now.
Set my 15-minute timer and waited. TSA didn’t come out.
More from USA Carry:
Arrival in Las Vegas
Pickup was quick. I actually missed the luggage guy bringing it to the Southwest office — turned around at some point and it was already sitting there waiting for me. Showed my ID and was on my way.
Final Thoughts
Pack a rifle case full and you’re probably paying the heavy bag fee. Know it going in and it’s a non-issue. And if you don’t want to open your whole case at the counter, the side-slide method for the declaration form works.
