Flying with firearms

[penguin0123]

I'll be flying from LAX into DC (staying in MD) and would like to bring my AR and pistol with me. As much as I hate IAD, I don't want to go thru DC, so no DCA for me this trip.

What is the procedure? Roll up to the check luggage counter and say "I have an unloaded firearm to check-in"? Are there extra fees? I remember reading that the label goes on the INSIDE right? Which laws should I print out and have on hand in case TSA goes full retard?

Does it come out of the carrousel as normal at my destination? Or do I need to meet another TSA employee and claim it?

[barrage]

Just tell the ticketing agent that you're checking in a firearm and they'll have you sign the "I'm sure it's unloaded" slip that you leave on the inside of your gun case.

It's all really a big non-event. The ticketing agents won't care at all and will treat you exactly the same as everyone else.

Some airports make you wait around for TSA to inspect your gun case for explosive residue and firearms (no, I'm not kidding... they really are that ****ing stupid), and some airports will just send you on to your gate. Either way, the ticketing agent will let you know what their procedure is.

Most of the time your gun will come out on the carousel if it's a pistol transported inside your luggage or will come out of the "oversize" luggage area with everyone's surfboards.

Only once have I ever had an airport employee approach me (after I picked up my rifle case and was halfway out of the luggage area) and ask if I had a gun in the case so she could verify I was its owner, otherwise it's been completely up to me to make sure nobody walked off with it.

The only extra charges will be associated with the airlines standard bag and/or oversize luggage fees.

I've never flown into DC, which would put me on edge flying with firearms, but I've flown out of LAX with a 357 revolver with no issues. I've flown into and out of several other airports with firearms as well, but you mention LAX and DC, so...

Also for what it's worth, again, the actual airline employees don't care what you're checking in. It could be a fully automatic M4 with beta mags in the case and they won't give two ****s, but it's hit or miss with the TSA and when you do get their attention, they only care about explosives residue.

[thetaxman]

Print out the airline and TSA rules. All very clear. Hardsided container that has a non-TSA lock. Keep the key/combo.

Lots of threads on here via search that will give background. You can drive through DC provided you follow Federal transport rules. Call DC Police for confirmation.

Checked firearms may come up regular baggage reclaim, via oversize or be held at baggage counter. No preset rules there.

[MisplacedTexan]

I've never flown w/ firearms - so my only two cents is flying in to Dulles en route to MD - stick on the beltway and don't travel through D.C. proper. We all hear stories about people flying & having an unscheduled layover in a non friendly state where firearms and transportation is a bit of an.... issue.

And we all know D.C.'s draconian gun laws.

Dulles is way the hell out from MD - too bad you couldn't have arranged a flight to BWI.

[Clee]

I read this website the first time I flew with a gun.

http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/

[lorax3]

I generally say, "I need to fill out a firearm declaration form, please".

The hear "ooh paperwork!" and get all excited.

[lithium214]

Technically DCA is in Virginia so you don't necessarily have to go through DC depending on where in MD you are staying.

[Jourdan_D]

Even with Traveling through i dont think you can fly into DC with guns. DC is more strict then Cali on gun laws. remember reading where someone got charged with something like undocuments ammo because they had a fired case in the car/truck or something crazy like that

[Stormfeather]

Just tell the ticketing agent that you're checking in a firearm and they'll have you sign the "I'm sure it's unloaded" slip that you leave on the inside of your gun case.

It's all really a big non-event. The ticketing agents won't care at all and will treat you exactly the same as everyone else.

Some airports make you wait around for TSA to inspect your gun case for explosive residue and firearms (no, I'm not kidding... they really are that ****ing stupid), and some airports will just send you on to your gate. Either way, the ticketing agent will let you know what their procedure is.

Most of the time your gun will come out on the carousel if it's a pistol transported inside your luggage or will come out of the "oversize" luggage area with everyone's surfboards.

Only once have I ever had an airport employee approach me (after I picked up my rifle case and was halfway out of the luggage area) and ask if I had a gun in the case so she could verify I was its owner, otherwise it's been completely up to me to make sure nobody walked off with it.

The only extra charges will be associated with the airlines standard bag and/or oversize luggage fees.

I've never flown into DC, which would put me on edge flying with firearms, but I've flown out of LAX with a 357 revolver with no issues. I've flown into and out of several other airports with firearms as well, but you mention LAX and DC, so...

Also for what it's worth, again, the actual airline employees don't care what you're checking in. It could be a fully automatic M4 with beta mags in the case and they won't give two ****s, but it's hit or miss with the TSA and when you do get their attention, they only care about explosives residue.

Pretty much what this guy says... I fly monthly with firearms, and make it a point to always bring one anyways. During the holiday seasons, I inform the TSA rep beforehand and they usually escort me to the front to verify, allows me to bypass long lines!

[penguin0123]

Hardsided container that has a non-TSA lock. Keep the key/combo.

Non-TSA locks mean that only one key (mine) can open it, right?

Dulles is way the hell out from MD - too bad you couldn't have arranged a flight to BWI.

I'm staying in south MD (where everyone looks like they're extras from Deliverance...), so IAD or BWI makes nearly no difference. Besides, my mileage is on United, and they don't do direct flights into BWI. And I always book my flight out on the afternoons so I can hit up the Air&Space Dulles Annex on my way out. Absolutely beautiful in there.

Pretty much what this guy says... I fly monthly with firearms, and make it a point to always bring one anyways. During the holiday seasons, I inform the TSA rep beforehand and they usually escort me to the front to verify, allows me to bypass long lines!

By TSA rep, do you mean the bored looking person who looks at your ticket and tell you which line to go into?




What cases do you guys use? United says 62 linear inches or I have to pay oversize fees. Do you guys know of cases that will fit under that?

[barrage]

Pretty much what this guy says... I fly monthly with firearms, and make it a point to always bring one anyways. During the holiday seasons, I inform the TSA rep beforehand and they usually escort me to the front to verify, allows me to bypass long lines!

Oooh, I'll have to remember to try that next time.

[barrage]

Non-TSA locks mean that only one key (mine) can open it, right?

Yes. There've been stories of TSA insisting that you hand over the key so they can inspect your gun, but I've never experienced that or ever known anybody to have experienced that. You're supposed to keep the key on you and never relinquish it to anybody (TSA included). If they want to inspect your guns, they'll either do it via X-ray or ask you to personally unlock the case for them so they can inspect it in your presence.



What cases do you guys use? United says 62 linear inches or I have to pay oversize fees. Do you guys know of cases that will fit under that?

When I fly with rifles, I use the 1720 Pelican case and have never been charged an oversize baggage fee

[onelonehorseman]

Everything you need to know can be found online at the airline's site, and TSA site. It's all very straight forward. Procedures at some airlines could vary so check specifically for the carrier you will use.

[lithium214]

I grew up in Southern MD. DCA is actually a closer airport to there. 10 min drive to the border of MD and VA. you wont have to pass through DC to get into MD either way if you fly into IAD or DCA.

Non-TSA locks mean that only one key (mine) can open it, right?







I'm staying in south MD (where everyone looks like they're extras from Deliverance...), so IAD or BWI makes nearly no difference. Besides, my mileage is on United, and they don't do direct flights into BWI. And I always book my flight out on the afternoons so I can hit up the Air&Space Dulles Annex on my way out. Absolutely beautiful in there.







By TSA rep, do you mean the bored looking person who looks at your ticket and tell you which line to go into?




What cases do you guys use? United says 62 linear inches or I have to pay oversize fees. Do you guys know of cases that will fit under that?

[Quiet]

I read this website the first time I flew with a gun.
http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/

That's a good website with excellent information.