Originally Posted by
mglvrug
A family member who shoots competitively has reported that onsite check-in of a firearm with UA is a much longer/less efficient process than with other carriers he's flown. YMMV, of course, but I'd suggest allowing a lot of extra time for the check-in at the counter.
Originally Posted by
MikeNice
Totally agree with this statement. Also, each airport differs in how the TSA deals with the security screening of firearms. Some airports only allow TSA supervisors to handle the firearms screening and paperwork, which often means that you have to wait for one of them to walk down from the security lines / metal detectors down to the ticketing area just to assist you. That alone can take up to 20-30 minutes, especially at airports likes EWR. Others like LAS let you check it like baggage and it is a simple process.
Give yourself an extra 30-45 minutes of time just to be safe.
My home airport has roughly 9 people who work for United and unless it is a Fri or Sat morning when the people I know well have their day off, I literally walk up to the counter, they hand me the form, I fill it out while they attach my bag tags. I slip in the form and give it 5 min after the bags go behind the "Curtain" and then proceed to security. I am quite sure the TSA people recognize my suitcase and/or name, cause I rarely get asked for my keys anymore. They know how and what i sue to pack and the way that I pack it can easily be seen on the xray.
NOW - I pulled up to EWR one day (I got stuck in PA accidentally) THAT took the extra 45 min and I was glad I wasn't arrested, they finally found a supervisor who wasn't afraid to help me and i was on my way.