Flying Jet Blue with Firearms

[dommypls]

I've flown with American, Southwest, Alaskan, and JetBlue and never once did I have them record any serial numbers or anything like that. They gave me a small slip, I signed it, and they put it in my case. Different airports will handle firearm check-ins differently. Use a hard lockable case, I recommend pelican. AND NO TSA LOCKS.

[dwalker]

^^^^ Yes this is correct.
A padlock which only the owner has the key for on the firearm case.

Yeap

Do yourself a favor and put a spare set of locks in the case with a note" if you had to cut off my locks please replace them with these"

Nope, TSA will not cut your locks off unless you do not respond when they attempt to contact you. If they have some issue- like the case doesnt pass the "wipe test" they will call you- thats why your phone number is on the release- and have you come unload it. Many airports have TSA perform the wipe test in front of you and you lock the case after the test is performed because of this

No ammo in the firearm case.....not in mags or in buttstock sleeves etc

Not entirely correct. Ammo CAN be in the case with the gun and in magazines, however buttstock sleeves etc. will not pass muster. Ammo can also be in the checked baggage in magazines.

But you have to have TSA locks on the ammo container and if it is a pistol in a checked in bag the checked bag must have TSA locks. Only 11lbs of ammo.

11lbs is an airline reg not a TSA reg, so TSA doesnt care. I have never been asked to weigh my ammo by an airline rep, but I also make sure I weigh it each time just in case. Normally when I fly my case with rifle, shotgun, and pistols is right at 50lbs, so ammo goes in my checked bag. I just flew from Kansas into Oakland with my competition mags loaded and my checked bag was not even looked at by TSA, which is odd in and of itself. Still, TSA is not going to weigh your ammo.

You usually have to pick up you firearm(especially rifles/shotguns) at a separate counter when you land.

Oversized and "gun cases" will be picked up at the oversized door and you have to how ID. Last time I flew with a handgun in the suitcase it came out on the carousel, but this is likely airline dependant.

NO firearms in carry on or even one round of ammo.........unless you like missing your flight and having a long talk with people in a small room. Then maybe not being able to fly.

I end up with loose ammo in my pockets or carry on all the time. I usually toss them in the trash prior to going through security and the two times they have been in my carry on the TSA agents gave me the option of mailing the round to myself or tossing it. You can guess which I went with. No real delay though, they just see the round on the xray and dig through your bag until they find it.

IF you choose to carry loaded mags, it is helpful to put a bit of tape over the top of the mags to keep the rounds in.

I just had a friend go through LAX with a firearm and I gave him the following tips:

Act like you do it all the time. If you act like its your first time some airline workers will screw with you because they can.
Walk up to the counter and say clearly that you need to check a firearm. Have your photo ID ready. ASK for the declaration form as you hand them your ID and go ahead and fil it out. Have the case on top of your bag without the locks in it. YOU place the declaration into the case and offer to go ahead and lock it. Depending on the airline (I am not familiar with Jetblue) they will have TSA come over, accompany you to TSA, or just have you lock it and lock it into the bag. If you have to go to TSA, stand by, let them do thier thing, and have your locks ready.
At LAX Alex found it necessary (flew United) to print the airlines own regs to carry with him just in case he ran into a representative that either did not know or did not care about the policies.

Fly safe.

[dwalker]

I've flown with American, Southwest, Alaskan, and JetBlue and never once did I have them record any serial numbers or anything like that. They gave me a small slip, I signed it, and they put it in my case. Different airports will handle firearm check-ins differently. Use a hard lockable case, I recommend pelican. AND NO TSA LOCKS.

The only time you have to fill out anything beyond the standard declaration form is when you fly internationally, and that requires a lot of paperwork. It is always interesting when they ask for your Firearms owners Permit # and you put down "The 2nd Amendment" or "US Citizen".

[amishfarmer]

What about taking a firearm as a carry-on? Is this even possible? I usually don't check any bags when I fly.

It is possible for LEO's and other persons with such privileges. If you have to ask then you probably can't.

that being said I've flown out a few different airports with both long guns and handguns. Ammo can be stored in gun case as long as the actual ammo box/case meets the TSA standards. If youre not sure you can check the website of if you have Instagram you can actually take a picture of what you want to check and they will tell if you can carry on or check it. It's interesting to follow because people will try to check anything they can, brass knuckles, a belt buckle that looked like a revolver, a cane with a unsharpened blade inside it. all sorts of stupid stuff.

With most things in life how you act and carry yourself at the counter will get you long way. Be polite but confident, don't go dressed like a beach bum or militiaman and you won't have any problems at the counter, I always let the counter agent know in a calm but polite tone and have had great experiences. Be the same way with the TSA agent and have a great flight.
USE YOUR LOCKS!!! I put my phone number on the outside of the case so they can call me.
you bag will usually be handled by a baggage courier or in bag claims seperate of the carousel because they need to check your ID on pickup.
Otherwise it's easy cheesy.

[sigstroker]

Flew out of LAX in jetblue with my HG and some ammo last April. HG was in a locked hard case with 2 padlocks. Ammo was in an plastic ammo can. Make sure the locks aren't TSA approved assuring that you are the only person able to open the case. Skip the auto check in line and go directly to the counter and make sure you declare your firearm. They will request you open the gun case and sign a declaration that the firearm is unloaded. They will then place the declaration in the case and you lock it. From there it's the same as if you were flying without the firearm. I flew to Orlando so my bag came out on the regular carousel. Oddly though, when flying out of LAX, the pilot made and announcement over the cabin stating a firearm was on board....weird.

ROFL, seriously? Like it was nuclear waste or something?

[sigstroker]

Nope, TSA will not cut your locks off unless you do not respond when they attempt to contact you. If they have some issue- like the case doesnt pass the "wipe test" they will call you- thats why your phone number is on the release- and have you come unload it. Many airports have TSA perform the wipe test in front of you and you lock the case after the test is performed because of this

IF YOU'RE LUCKY. They have cut locks off my luggage that were not even securing anything. They were just hanging and only on one side of the latch. Gone when I arrived. TSA doesn't have Mensa members working there.

[TurboS600]

This thread is a prime example of 1) how complicated gun laws are in general, 2) how much further complicated the gun laws are when traveling with guns, 3) how much FUD can be imparted in such a short period of time , and 4) Calguns members will comment on each and every topic no matter how much or how little they now of the topic at hand.

I'm not going to add any more to this nonsense except to wish DF a safe trip and good luck to traveling with your gun. I've never gone anywhere except NY, NY without my carry gun. I've flown dozens of times to a dozen different states and even more airports with my CCW gun and holsters.

OP, If you want to shoot me a PM then I'll give you my phone number to call if you want some answers to specific questions. This thread, much like every other "flying with firearms" thread, is just chock full of BS, misinformation, and FUD as to be indecipherable.

[dwalker]

IF YOU'RE LUCKY. They have cut locks off my luggage that were not even securing anything. They were just hanging and only on one side of the latch. Gone when I arrived. TSA doesn't have Mensa members working there.

TSA can and often will cut NON TSA locks off of luggage that does not contain just because they can, and you are not supposed to use NON TSA locks on luggage not containing firearms. However, they are not supposed to cut locks off of gun cases. In the (2) occurrences I have heard of it happening (I am sure it happens more, I just do not know about it) a complaint was filed with the TSA and a lot of arse was chewed.

ETA: I fly with guns far more often than I like, and rarely with just a handgun. I normally fly with an AR, Shotgun, and two pistols in thier case, 30 and 40 round mags with extensions and a D60 for the rifle and 4 pistol mags per gun, shotgun shell caddies, belt gear, holster, cleaning stuff, tools, parts, etc. along with 300rnds of pistol, 20 slugs, and maybe 100rnds of long range rifle ammo in my checked bag. I have as yet to have any real issue other than the occasional TSA gun enthusiast who makes up an excuse to check out my gear. Almost every time I fly my checked bag gets "inspected", and twice this year I have had a loose cartridge in my carry on, once in Nashville, and once in Texas. Both times it was no biggie. When I carry just a handgun or two with me I use a cable and padlock to secure the gun case in my checked bag. I tend to fly Southwest as they have given me the least issues of any other airline when carrying guns.

[Divernhunter]

dwalker---Try doing what you have said when flying to South Africa and then let me know.
Ammo can only be in ammo boxes(plastic ones OK)
Put ammo in the firearm case and you will have problems.
I have spoke with others that have had the locks cut. I do not think they lied.
I have had my ammo checked and weighted. They will also check to see that it is for the firearms (2 only) that you are bringing in. You cannot bring other cartridges in. In SA they want it out of your checked bag and it will be picked up at the SAP along with the firearms when your permit is processed and checked. They also check serial numbers.
I had my rifles checked for serial #'s matching my 4457 in Atlanta just this month. This was also in a guns only pick up place. In SFO they were at the oversize baggage place again.
I was with another guy who was taken aside and grilled(as he said) about a couple of 22RF cartridges he had in his bag. He did not even know they were there and hidden under a seam. You did say you tossed the ammo you had before being checked part of the time. I gave my knife to the person who dropped me off at the airport when I forgot about it but before inspection also. But I would not try to take it on a plane.
TSA did let me slide with a "too big" bottle of Pepto-Bismo in May. I was a bit surprised. They did take the small piece of jerky I had but allowed the small pack of Oreo cookies made in SA to pass.
Having a copy of the airline rules is a useful thing to do. Also need 4457 forms when flying out of the country and they must have an expiration date printed on them for SA to accept them for the SA gun permit. They use to not require the date printed on them and it cannot be an old one.

Much of my post was about firearms and flying out of the country.

I dress and act like just a average old guy. Maybe you lead a charmed life unlike some others.

[dwalker]

dwalker---Try doing what you have said when flying to South Africa and then let me know.

Yes, and what I am talking about is concerning flying domestically.

Ammo can only be in ammo boxes(plastic ones OK)

I am sure that international flight rules wnt different things, however I literally just flew last week with fully loaded mags, no issue. Again, I am speaking domestically, as that is what the OP was asking about.

Put ammo in the firearm case and you will have problems.

Not domestically you wont.

I have spoke with others that have had the locks cut. I do not think they lied.

I know of at least two people who have had thier locks cut, one was flying internationally and the other was not. Both filed complaints with the TSA.

I have had my ammo checked and weighted. In SA they want it out of your checked bag and it will be picked up at the SAP along with the firearms when your permit is processed and checked. They also check serial numbers.

I am not concerned with South Africa, I am concerned with domestic travel, because that is what the OP asked about.

I had my rifles checked for serial #'s matching my 4457 in Atlanta just this month. This was also in a guns only pick up place. In SFO they were at the oversize baggage place again.

This was a domestic flight? No? Then again, there are very different rules for international travel. I jut had a fellow shooter travel to Russia for the World Shoot. It took him a full day to get things worked out with customs, but that has NO BEARING regarding domestic travel.

I was with another guy who was taken aside and grilled(as he said) about a couple of 22RF cartridges he had in his bag. He did not even know they were there and hidden under a seam. You did say you tossed the ammo you had before being checked part of the time. I gave my knife to the person who dropped me off at the airport when I forgot about it but before inspection also. But I would not try to take it on a plane.

Yeah, I actually watched another shooter have a huge issue in with TSA over a single shotgun round that was loose in his bag until a Supervisor came over and threw the round in the garbage and sent the fellow on his way. It does happen.

TSA did let me slide with a "too big" bottle of Pepto-Bismo in May. I was a bit surprised. They did take the small piece of jerky I had but allowed the small pack of Oreo cookies made in SA to pass.
Having a copy of the airline rules is a useful thing to do. Also need 4457 forms when flying out of the country and they must have an expiration date printed on them for SA to accept them for the SA gun permit. They use to not require the date printed on them and it cannot be an old one.

Much of my post was about firearms and flying out of the country.

I dress and act like just a average old guy. Maybe you lead a charmed life unlike some others.

I have only flown out of the country once with firearms and it was a huge PITA and a big part of the reason why I have no interest in competing anywhere but the US.

[THBailey]

This question comes up from time to time. I did not read all the above posts, so if my advice is redundant I apologize. All the airlines have online baggage rules concerning their firearm requirements. Print those out. The TSA likewise has gun rules. Print those out too. After reading and understanding them, put them in a folder. Comply with them. Maybe even yellow highlight and sticky tab the important parts. Your folder will accompany you during your travels. We travel with guns a ton. Most of the time, no problemo. On a very few occasions we have run into ignorant but well meaning counter persons. Being able to politely show them they had their heads shoved in where the sun don't shine about their own company rules, coupled with the fact we had obviously done our homework on the issue, has saved us great annoyance and displeasure on a couple of occasions. Especially that time at O'Hare when we checked in guns and ice chests full of Wisconsin whitetail venison with the anti-gun, animal rights activist, affirmative action hire, grossly overweight female counter person. Maybe I didn't follow my own advice on the "polite" thing. And maybe she got the last laugh when our guns wound up in Las Vegas instead of Sacramento.

[RickD427]

This question comes up from time to time. I did not read all the above posts, so if my advice is redundant I apologize. All the airlines have online baggage rules concerning their firearm requirements. Print those out. The TSA likewise has gun rules. Print those out too. After reading and understanding them, put them in a folder. Comply with them. Maybe even yellow highlight and sticky tab the important parts. Your folder will accompany you during your travels. We travel with guns a ton. Most of the time, no problemo. On a very few occasions we have run into ignorant but well meaning counter persons. Being able to politely show them they had their heads shoved in where the sun don't shine about their own company rules, coupled with the fact we had obviously done our homework on the issue, has saved us great annoyance and displeasure on a couple of occasions. Especially that time at O'Hare when we checked in guns and ice chests full of Wisconsin whitetail venison with the anti-gun, animal rights activist, affirmative action hire, grossly overweight female counter person. Maybe I didn't follow my own advice on the "polite" thing. And maybe she got the last laugh when our guns wound up in Las Vegas instead of Sacramento.

^^^THIS^^^

Excellent post above. I carry a copy of the regs with me when travelling with firearms. One additional recommendation to those above, is to politely request a supervisor when you pull out the regs. Most line-level airport/airline employees are not well versed in the finer details of the regs. They tend to apply general rules all of the time, even when inappropriate to do so. The supervisory personnel tend to have more tenure, and to be better familiar with the exceptional cases. They also have greater management prerogative to depart from line procedures when that would be helpful.

One lesson that I learned the hard way, never back any living thing into a corner, neither physically or psychologically. You're going to wind up with a fight on your hands regardless of who is right or wrong (or your luggage at the wrong airport). Always leave your opponent a graceful way out. That way you still make your flight, and your bags will go to the same destination as you.

[baggss]

You can't bring nail clippers on a damn plane. What makes you think you could carry a gun?

Sure you can. Either that or TSA has just ignored mine the last 8 times my carry on has gone through screening....

[tanks]

The only time you have to fill out anything beyond the standard declaration form is when you fly internationally, and that requires a lot of paperwork. It is always interesting when they ask for your Firearms owners Permit # and you put down "The 2nd Amendment" or "US Citizen".

Yeah, tons of extra paperwork at the destination, I usually pay a broker to handle it in South Africa (costs $100 max). Airlines do not do anything different between international or domestic flights. Now, to bring the firearms back into the country you will need to fill out customs form 4457 prior to trip and have it signed by CBP officer.

[TurboS600]

dwalker---Try doing what you have said when flying to South Africa and then let me know.
Ammo can only be in ammo boxes(plastic ones OK)
Put ammo in the firearm case and you will have problems.
I have spoke with others that have had the locks cut. I do not think they lied.
I have had my ammo checked and weighted. They will also check to see that it is for the firearms (2 only) that you are bringing in. You cannot bring other cartridges in. In SA they want it out of your checked bag and it will be picked up at the SAP along with the firearms when your permit is processed and checked. They also check serial numbers.
I had my rifles checked for serial #'s matching my 4457 in Atlanta just this month. This was also in a guns only pick up place. In SFO they were at the oversize baggage place again.
I was with another guy who was taken aside and grilled(as he said) about a couple of 22RF cartridges he had in his bag. He did not even know they were there and hidden under a seam. You did say you tossed the ammo you had before being checked part of the time. I gave my knife to the person who dropped me off at the airport when I forgot about it but before inspection also. But I would not try to take it on a plane.
TSA did let me slide with a "too big" bottle of Pepto-Bismo in May. I was a bit surprised. They did take the small piece of jerky I had but allowed the small pack of Oreo cookies made in SA to pass.
Having a copy of the airline rules is a useful thing to do. Also need 4457 forms when flying out of the country and they must have an expiration date printed on them for SA to accept them for the SA gun permit. They use to not require the date printed on them and it cannot be an old one.

Much of my post was about firearms and flying out of the country.

I dress and act like just a average old guy. Maybe you lead a charmed life unlike some others.

And the FUD just keeps coming and coming...

THB and RickD are on the right track. Coming here and asking this question just serves to confound the most studious and law abiding gun owner. As THB mentioned you should do you homework. I've traveled extensively with firearms, both long arms and pistols. Rarely have I run into problems but you will run into some well-meaning but totally idiotic people at the check-in counters and TSA. I even ran into a TSA agent and THEN his supervisor who told me that the ammo could not be in magazines and they could not be in the same locked container as the firearm. This was in BOISE, ID for Pete's sake!

Do you homework, OP. Check the TSA website and look up the relevant passages regarding firearms. Check the airline's website and familiarize yourself with their rules. PRINT OUT the laws, rules, and regulations and bring them with you. I have them saved as PDFs and organized in files on my phone. Then I can open the app and show them their own regs from their own site when I get someone who doesn't know the rules that they are trying to enforce.

Again, these threads just highlight how crappy our laws are, how crazy it is to try to follow the law, and how there are VERY few people who know how to do it right.

GOOD LUCK, OP!