TSA after July 2018

[twowheel]

I plan to fly out of CA next week, and am planning on bringing ARs along for some target shooting with family. This will be first time flying with any type of firearm.

With all the talk about complienance issues I'm getting nervous to travel.

Here's the situation.
Both rifles have been engraved with a serial number (home-made rifles).
The CA DOJ has sent an email stating that they are in the approval process. I plan to bring this as a copy.
Both have fixed magazine devices (1-Juggernaut Tactical Pin & 1 Kingpin/Maglok)
They will be locked in a Pelican Case (4x non TSA locks).
No Ammo is coming with me.
Flying out of SJC with Southwest.
I've reviewed the TSA and SW FAQs regarding travel w/firearms. I also plan to bring copies of these as well.

I just can't help the feeling that somethings going to go wrong. Can you help put my mind at ease?

[71MUSTY]

We all felt that same way the first time we traveled with a firearm.

Alas we all made it.

Relax and enjoy your trip.Both TSA and the airlines see passengers flying with firearms every day.

[tanks]

TSA doesn't care about State rules. Most guys are clueless. All they want is firearms declared and unloaded. When the baggage scan machine detects a firearm, it is flagged and conveyor software automatically routes to TSA for inspection. If you had it declared then TSA doesn't have to inspect it and re-routes it to the plane.

[003]

Keep in mind that TSA doesn't care and their baggage checkers, are not trained in any aspect of firearm law. As long as you package your firearms as required by TSA regulation, you are good to go. As noted above declared, unloaded and stored as required.

[lexanidubs09]

I've only flown with a firearm twice but both times I told them I need to declare an item and they didn't ask to see or check anything. Just filled out the declaration form and I was on my way. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[SlowDrifter]

Ditto... I just flew back to Texas from California with two handguns and several boxes of ammo in my checked bag. Just filled out the little declaration card, which they taped to each hard case, and was on my way. They never asked me to "check for clear" or even unlock the cases. I was asked to hang out for 5-10 minutes before proceeding to personal screening. If not paged, I was good to go. Don't sweat it and enjoy your trip.

Safe shooting and tight groups,

SD

Edited to add: I was told by a California friend to not use the word "gun" at the airport. Just never know who is around you. I just said, "I need to declare," and they knew exactly what I meant. Of course, with your Pelican case....well, just sayin'.

[beanz2]

If you are very concerned that somehow CA-DOJ will get involved (they shouldn't) separate the uppers from the lowers so technically they are not "Assault Weapons" under their own regulations.

[edgerly779]

11 lbs of ammo per person can go with you in with firearms. No tsa locks on hardsided firearms case your locks only. Southwest easy to travel with firearms.

[Gryff]

You'll be fine. In everywhere I've flown with a gun (four national pistol championships, three state championships, CCW gun where legal, rifle movement between states), I have NEVER had an issue with TSA over the disparity of gun laws from one state to another. The only place I would ever be concerned about is New York City. That place is just a ****ing nightmare.

[M1NM]

I used the Pelican 1615 http://www.pelican.com/us/en/product...SAAEgIFoPD_BwE

Leaving Orange County the desk clerk asked if it was in a hard sided case. I tapped the suitcase and said this is it. She said I have to check. Her supervisor said yep as if to call her a dummy for the question. Advantage to this case is all your stuff is locked with nonTSA locks.
Coming home she asked me to wait for a couple minutes for the TSA guy to clear it. TSA guy gave me a thumbs up and we were on our way.

[twowheel]

Thanks guys. You're really comforting.

I'll be using a Pelican 1750. So it'll be "oversized" but its still underweight.

[sigstroker]

I say the same thing in all of these threads:

Call the airline. Ask them what you need to do. That forces them to read their own policy. Ask them to put a note on your reservation. They will cut and paste their policy into the notes. When the check-in person pulls up your reservation they will see the notes and consider it as gospel. You won't have to explain anything and watch them panic as they try to find the policy in their system.

[CoopsDad]

I've flown out of Ontario, John Wayne and LAX many times with firearms and one of my frequent destinations was northern Virginia, landing at Dulles. Even with that proximity to DC, I've never had a single hiccup in traveling with multiple handguns and an AR. In any case, TSA is a federal agency and airports are federal facilities; I don't see the TSA ratting you to the CA DOJ.

OTOH, Ontario and Dulles don't make you stand in the sweat line for TSA screening when you're checking in firearms. You go to the head of the line or a special station and get dedicated service.

[Wordupmybrotha]

I wouldn't volunteer any info such as, these are home-made rifles or the CA DOJ is in the process of approving it. Keep a tight lip, act like everything's legit (because it is) and be a smooth operator. If you behave suspiciously, they'll start sniffing your orifice.

[God Bless America]

IME, TSA does not GAF about "AW." As they should not.