Airlines--checking my sidearm

[yellowfin]

I'm off to PA for a week, where I have a CCW and plan to carry as I always do when in free states. Thing is I've never flown out of CA before. I have flown with shotguns before to and from Alabama and Louisiana, checked luggage in a hard case with a lock. Is there anything I should know about doing so with a sidearm from here? I'll have it unloaded, stripped, and in a lockable hard case. Should I show them my CCW from other states?

[Spyder]

Nope. All you have to do is have it locked in a hard case, unloaded, and declare it. It doesn't have to be stripped though I usually have the slide locked back. The magazine must be out of it and ammo can't be in the chamber, though the magazine can be loaded. 11 pounds of ammo are allowed. Southwest allows this, for sure. Not sure of the others. Check their website or call them to verify it and print out a copy of their firearms policy to take with you if there's any trouble. I've never had an issue transporting firearms on a plane.

[CSACANNONEER]

Sometimes, I've found it easier and quicker to fly with a gun than without.

[dohidied]

Sometimes, I've found it easier and quicker to fly with a gun than without.

They're probably less likely to lose your baggage. I saw a story a couple years ago about a photographer who put a starter pistol in with his camera equipment so they wouldn't lose it.

[yellowfin]

I checked on US Airways site and there was no mention of it one way or the other, so my guess is it's all good. When declaring it, do I just tell them "Hey, this case is my personal firearm" and that it's unloaded and secure? Anything else to it?

[11Z50]

I've found that in general, the rule is declare it, make sure it's unloaded, ammo not in same container.

Requirements vary slightly, so check with your carrier for details. For example, one carrier at my local airport wanted the ammo in another bag, in a factory box. Another could care less as long as the piece was unloaded.

When I worked for DHS I took my carry piece to VA several times. No hassles. Although I was not a Fed LEO, I had a DHS ID, plus CCW in CA and VA. When heading home from Reagan Airport on Alaska Air, I declared at check-in. The nice lady at the counter looked at my ID and CCW, then took me to the front of the TSA security line (which was quite long) and walked me thru. They checked my pistol to ensure it was unloaded, put a little red tag in my locking container, told me to lock it and put it in my baggage, and told me to have a nice day. The lady then checked my bags, and I breezed thru the rest of security.

I'm guessing quite a few Gov't workers pack while traveling.......

Generally, it's no problem to get your carry piece from point A to point B as long as there are no prohibitions on either end, ie NYC or DC.

[CSACANNONEER]

Each airline has their own procedure so, call and find out what they want you to do. The only reason that I've found it easier to fly with a gun is that I've been pulled aside and told to use the VIP check in instead of standing in lines. Also, if your sidearm box is put inside of another piece of luggage (which is what I do), it just comes into baggage claim the same way as all other normal luggage. Yes, it could be stolen but, nobody except TSA knows it's there.

[DrunkSkunk]

do they pull you aside at the ticket counter checking in and tell you to go to VIP?

[toopercentmlk]

I should fly everywhere with my pistol and never have to worry about lost luggage again!

[CSACANNONEER]

I've just gone to the front of the line and yelled "I've got a gun! Where should I go?" and, I've always been helped very promptly.

Really, I've just found someone or "cut" in line and quietly said, "I need to declair a firearm, which line should I be in?" I would suggest NEVER using the G word while at the airport. If you are relaxed and calm about it, the newbe ticket agent will stay calm and get their experienced supervisor to help you.

[CSACANNONEER]

I should fly everywhere with my pistol and never have to worry about lost luggage again!

NO! Reread my post! Once it is passed TSA, it will be treated like any other luggage. It will just pop out on the carasaul like every other suitcase on the flight. At least, you hope it will.

[DrunkSkunk]

Nice! I'm going to start packing a beater 22 just to cut in line. haha

[pieeater]

Sometimes, I've found it easier and quicker to fly with a gun than without.

Thats been my experiance too.Got checked right thru and did not have to wait in line.

[HowardW56]

I'm off to PA for a week, where I have a CCW and plan to carry as I always do when in free states. Thing is I've never flown out of CA before. I have flown with shotguns before to and from Alabama and Louisiana, checked luggage in a hard case with a lock. Is there anything I should know about doing so with a sidearm from here? I'll have it unloaded, stripped, and in a lockable hard case. Should I show them my CCW from other states?

I was on a Southwest flight last week and checked a handgun as luggage. The only pain was waiting for TSA to inspect my bag before it was finally accepted. Prior to this last flight, the agent at the counter verified that my firearm was unloaded, I locked the case, they took it and I boarded the plane. I do make it a point to be standing at the conveyor when the bag come out, just to be sure I retrieve it!

[lehn20]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm