I just had an experience coming back through JFK from Africa. As soon as I cleared customs, I tried to recheck my bags for the flight back to Phoenix. I had a pelican hard case for my bolt rifle and as soon as the baggage attendant saw that, she ripped off the bag tags. She proclaimed that I had to get the case rechecked by the Port Authority cops and then rechecked. I had to drag my case to a different terminal, cops checked it, and the USAirways tried to recharge me for a bag I had already checked. NEVER going to that airport again.
