Guidelines for Flying with a Paintball Gun

[DirtyBirdy51]

This is a guide to airline travel with a paintball gun. I’m sure that everyone has though at least once, “How do I fly with a paintball gun?” I recently found myself asking the question because this year my cousin who lives in Miami just got a gun and I decided that when we visit, I’ll bring mine. While looking into the topic myself I figured id post it and share it with all PB-ers who travel. Most of my info thus far has come from about.com in their paintball section. I’ll constantly update this thread as I get more info.

First off, have some common sense….


The first thing to know is that you won’t be carrying you marker on the plane with you in a carry-on. If you even attempt this, it’ll only cost you time at the security check-in. They will turn you away and take you marker as well.
Before even going to the airport, there are some thing you should try….


The first thing you should do is call the organizer of the tournament or event you are flying to, providing you going to a tournament. Ask if they could possibly write a letter that explains why you’re carrying a gun onto a plane. It will probably save you some time at check-in if you don’t have to look for words to explain why you’re doing this.

You could also contact whoever you’re going to be flying with. Calling and explaining you situation will help because they might provide you with valuable information.

Also, when calling the airline, don’t take just a simple “yes” or “no” for an answer. Be sure to get detailed info on what to do and pay attention to who said it. Maybe jot down a name and a number. It will be a good idea to have you’re sources strait in the future if the need arises.
Also, remember some basic things about traveling with a paintball dun in general….


Make sure that your marker is in a protective piece of luggage. Just a regular ol’ marker bag won’t cut it. If possible put it in with the rest of your items like articles of clothes or other soft things. If you’ve ever seen workers unload a plane, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Where ever it is though, make sure that you gun and equipment is safely secured, protected, and well padded.

EMPTY YOUR AIR TANK!!! You know how tanks are shipped empty right? Well it’s the same thing here. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) wont let them go full because they’re contents are under pressure, and anything under pressure can explode. You wouldn’t want that happening now would you?

Show up early too. It wouldn’t hurt to give yourself a little extra padding just incase something goes wrong. Plus, that’s just part of being a smart traveler.

[xtremesnipr223]

GG :tup:

Stickify.

[spydadude]

Mmm, it seems sticky.

Yeah, this should be a Sticky.

[mike77]

Good post, i third sticky

[4THDEGREE]

There needs to be a bit more factual reserach doen to qualiify for a Sticky. First off HPA tanks will have to be de-valved to be able to be taken. You are better off mailing your tanks to your hotel in advance.

[jjohnson]

Yeah, if there's more info I vote sticky :tup:

Adding a bit of common sense - Never ever let anybody see the marker at the airport. That means don't run around the airport practicing walking your trigger. Always put it into a bag out of sight. The only time it should leave that bag is when you show it to security and when you get to your hotel/field. You may look at someone's paintball gun and go 'hey cool it's an ____' but a person who's never seen one will more than likely think 'RUN! IT'S A TERRORIST!" This happened to me during my newbie days (which have hopefully ended by now) and trust me, you don't want that kind of attention.

As for packing your marker, I would like to expand on what DirtyBird51 said. Pick up a small roll of bubble wrap for a few dollars (you should expect to have change after paying with a 5 dollar bill) and put a few layers around your marker. It makes a world of difference. Instead of opening up your luggage and finding a marker with a dozen dings on it from poor handling thanks to underpaid workers, you will find a marker just as attractive as it was when you put it in the bag.

[tippmann pb 732]

If all that stuff has some reason why it shouldn't work, then try finding a UPS or a FEDEX somewhere near where you're going and ship it there a few days in advance (If it's not for a tourney or something that's the day after).

Nice work tho.

[senghing27]

USPS Flate rate boc FTW:tup:
Don't go through the hassel of talking to the airports and crap. Shove all your marker parts into a box and send it to your destination prior to arrival. With your mask, parts, tools, etc, well pack that with you....

[iplaynaked]

A full tank will not explode, it's just a common assumption. The FAA requires you to remove your regulator from your tank (which would obviously mean it's empty) so they can look inside and make sure you haven't filled it up with C4, cocaine, or anything else that's fun...I mean frowned upon.. You also need to attach some paperwork to it and carry that same paperwork with you. Mailing your gun, tank, and hopper (relatively expensive and crushable, I'd trust UPS before I'd trust a baggage handler) to your destination is an overall better idea.

[OWNAGE]

Mailing your gun, tank, and hopper to your destination is an overall better idea.
:tup:

[Ice Marine]

I've traveled with my paintball gear multiple times. Mainly from home -> school, and back school -> home. I usually just put my stuff into a check-in luggage. Remove the macroline from the ASA/Reg, detach the barrel from the gun, and put all equiptment snuggly in the luggage. I do degas my entire HPA tank; however, I do not remove the regulator. I've never had a problem trying to check in my stuff.

My baggage has been checked before right (by hand), but I wasn't in any sort of trouble and nothing was taken. I only found out that my bag was checked because they left a note inside my bag saying my bag had been hand-checked.

Could possiliby be that Southwest Airlines is more flexible? Who knows.

[mobomelter]

It probably just depends on TSA at your airport. I watched the TSA at Dulles in Virigina take a freakin 80 year old man to the back room to check him. FFS that was ridiculous. now the question with shipping your stuff ups or fedex how do you time it so it shows up when you do?

[Benjabino]

I've traveled with my paintball gear multiple times. Mainly from home -> school, and back school -> home. I usually just put my stuff into a check-in luggage. Remove the macroline from the ASA/Reg, detach the barrel from the gun, and put all equiptment snuggly in the luggage. I do degas my entire HPA tank; however, I do not remove the regulator. I've never had a problem trying to check in my stuff.



try dat shiz on an international flight...:dodgy:

somehow i think the security of international flights is just a tad bit tigher than on national flights.