Traveling airlines with gun parts

[O6nop]

I obviously waited too long to prepare for my trip regarding carrying of my AR upper. Technically, I presumed, an AR upper is not considered a firearm as it has no S/N or firing/trigger mechanism, or something like that and would be no restrictions. But I don't know if I want to trust the Airlines (Frontier out of Austin) to give me that courtesy. Frontiers website and call in center (all automated) was not clear on "parts". Rules for the airline state that firearms must be locked in a hardside case. I was planning on a fabric sided case since that's all I have. Generally, I never travel with check in baggage, always carry on (unless I take an actual firearm along with).
I suppose the easiest thing would be beg borrow or buy a hardsided, lockable suitcase. A full sized rifle case would cost way too much to check in. I can fit the AR corner-to-corner in a standard-large suitcase.

Anyone deal with flying with rifle parts?

[Dadtodabone]

I would go with the same process as a firearm. You cannot rely on the airline or TSA to interpret the law as you or I would see it.

[JALLEN]

Southwest wants the gun to be in a hard case, but the suitcase need not be a hard side. The gun case needs to be locked either combination or key which only you have. Go to the ticket counter and request a firearms declaration. No need to holler "I've got a gun!" The agent will give you a form to fill out, a small card, actually, which is either put in the case when (s)he verifies unloaded, or taped to the outside of the gun case. The bag is checked like normal checked luggage. I lock the bag with a TSA approved lock so they can open it up to verify what they see on x-ray, and they do that.

Follow the airlines policies from its website, print a copy to take with, and treat the upper as though it were a gun. Nobody knows the difference, anyway.

[O6nop]

I've traveled airlines with firearms before but only handguns. This is a 30" long upper and I can't find a hardcase that size that will fit in a suitcase. Nor can I find a hardcase less than the required 61" (L+W+D). I may not be traveling with it this trip unless I spend a bunch on a new suitcase.

Thanks, tho, for your responses.

[EEllis]

Wouldn't mailing it be easier?

[O6nop]

Wouldn't mailing it be easier?

Yep, wish I had thought of that sooner, I leave in the morning!
I was thinking I had it all worked then did some last minute checking. By then it was too late. Not going to take a chance
My purpose was that I was going to upgrade it with a free-float tube and other upgrades.... my brother has all the tools and we were going to work on it together at my destination. Small set back, I'll get over it.

[EEllis]

Wouldn't mailing it be easier?

Yep, wish I had thought of that sooner, I leave in the morning!
I was thinking I had it all worked then did some last minute checking. By then it was too late. Not going to take a chance
My purpose was that I was going to upgrade it with a free-float tube and other upgrades.... my brother has all the tools and we were going to work on it together at my destination. Small set back, I'll get over it.

If money isn't an issue just nexy day it on the way to the airport or just take to to the post office at the airport.