Flying with Firearms, slight procedure change with TSA.

[tanks]

In the past flying out of LAX I would declare the gun and put the form in the suitcase on top of the hardcase, take the luggage to TSA with the airline rep, have them do a chemical swab test to the OUTSIDE of the case, go back to the counter and then luggage went on its way.

I just went to Orlando and back. The new procedure is you declare the guns and put the form with the hardcase and go to TSA and hand over your suitcase. They OPEN the suitcase, verify the form and do multiple chemical swabs inside the suitcase. Once they are satisfied then they tell you that it is OK and you can go and TSA routes the bag to the airplane.

Also, now the luggage has the red tag on it where you have to pick it up from the luggage service and not the carousel.

Good thing that you are there as well. At LAX TSA's master key worked to open my suitcase, at Orlando it did not and I had to give them the password for the suitcase.

At neither airports they got into the gun case.

Give yourselves at least an additional hour, not because TSA is slow, but because the airlines have downsized as most are doing self check in. So, the manned stations are handling everything from missed flights, reroutes, firearms checkins etc. with just a few people.

[BigPimping]

I can't imagine why anybody would ever want to bring a firearm on an airplane with all the hassle.

[Citadelgrad87]

I can't imagine why anybody would ever want to bring a firearm on an airplane with all the hassle.

Because i want a firearm with me on the other side.

Its minimal hassle.

[CinnamonBear723]

Because i want a firearm with me on the other side.

Its minimal hassle.

Agreed. Although a slight hassle, it's not bad enough for me to fly without one.

[71MUSTY]

I have never had a hassle, but I fly out of Ontario or John Wayne.

Declare the firearm. Ticket agent axes boss what to do. Fill out declaration, ticket agent puts the red tag on and calls someone to pick it up. I never see it again until I pick it up from special handling at the other end.


In other states for the return trip it's even easier. Ticket agent doesn't need to axe her boss she already know what to do

[Dirk Tungsten]

I just went to Orlando and back. The new procedure is you declare the guns and put the form with the hardcase and go to TSA and hand over your suitcase. They OPEN the suitcase, verify the form and do multiple chemical swabs inside the suitcase. Once they are satisfied then they tell you that it is OK and you can go and TSA routes the bag to the airplane.

Also, now the luggage has the red tag on it where you have to pick it up from the luggage service and not the carousel.

Out of curiosity, how long has it been since you've flown with a firearm? I had to do all this when I flew with a rifle back in 2004.

Also, since you mentioned it, I don't believe the airlines or TSA will allow you to use TSA locks on a firearms case, they make you use your own, specifically to control who has access to the case.

[TurboChrisB]

Also, since you mentioned it, I don't believe the airlines or TSA will allow you to use TSA locks on a firearms case, they make you use your own, specifically to control who has access to the case.

That is correct, you're not supposed to use TSA locks and you're not supposed to ever allow it to be opened without your presence.

[Humboldt Leatherneck]

I can't imagine why anybody would ever want to bring a firearm on an airplane with all the hassle.

Maybe because some of us travel to Detroit via an airplane. No way am I going back to the motherland unarmed!!

[audiophil2]

It's going to be different at almost every airport because of the way they are setup between TSA and the airlines and the airlines have their own policies. OP did not states anything new but it may be new to the airport he used.

I've had AA at PHX have me open my gun case and physically show them the gun was unloaded before one of the reps walked me over to TSA. Recently at PHX and MDW southwest just had me fill out the declaration and slip it into my case. No one saw what was inside other than the xray operators well past check in. MDW let my machine guns drop right along all the other bags but PHX had my case in lockup.

Flying with a gun is a hassle. Next time I plan on shipping it out a few days early so it arrives at my destination the same day I arrive. It's just easier that way even though it is not free like southwest.

[God Bless America]

I have never had a hassle, but I fly out of Ontario or John Wayne.

Declare the firearm. Ticket agent axes boss what to do. Fill out declaration, ticket agent puts the red tag on and calls someone to pick it up. I never see it again until I pick it up from special handling at the other end.


In other states for the return trip it's even easier. Ticket agent doesn't need to axe her boss she already know what to do

Just what are you trying to say?

[rdfact]

[OCEquestrian]

In the past flying out of LAX I would declare the gun and put the form in the suitcase on top of the hardcase, take the luggage to TSA with the airline rep, have them do a chemical swab test to the OUTSIDE of the case, go back to the counter and then luggage went on its way.

I just went to Orlando and back. The new procedure is you declare the guns and put the form with the hardcase and go to TSA and hand over your suitcase. They OPEN the suitcase, verify the form and do multiple chemical swabs inside the suitcase. Once they are satisfied then they tell you that it is OK and you can go and TSA routes the bag to the airplane.

Also, now the luggage has the red tag on it where you have to pick it up from the luggage service and not the carousel.

Good thing that you are there as well. At LAX TSA's master key worked to open my suitcase, at Orlando it did not and I had to give them the password for the suitcase.

At neither airports they got into the gun case.

Give yourselves at least an additional hour, not because TSA is slow, but because the airlines have downsized as most are doing self check in. So, the manned stations are handling everything from missed flights, reroutes, firearms checkins etc. with just a few people.

I just made the same trip and had a totally difference experience, same one I have had for many years at LAX with United. What airline did you fly?

What’s the purpose of the chemical swab?

Checking for trace amounts of "explosive" residue I suspect. Note that smokeless gunpowder is NOT an explosive.

[Citadelgrad87]

I think its a check for drugs. Guns are locked up and formerly got minimal attention. Perfect distraction for contraband, maybe?

Last time i flew, when i left Denver, the tsahole finger banged every inch of my large 4 rifle case EXCEPT where the firsarms were. He literally touched every inch around the long guns, pushing down on the foam.

He was looking for something and it had nothing to do with the guns.

[audiophil2]

I think its a check for drugs. Guns are locked up and formerly got minimal attention. Perfect distraction for contraband, maybe?

Last time i flew, when i left Denver, the tsahole finger banged every inch of my large 4 rifle case EXCEPT where the firsarms were. He literally touched every inch around the long guns, pushing down on the foam.

He was looking for something and it had nothing to do with the guns.

tsa does not care about drugs but if they find them they are obligated to report. the checked bag guys are only looking for things that can damage a plane. checked firearms cannot harm anyone so they do not care about them as long as they are locked and stored safely.

[OCEquestrian]

I think its a check for drugs. Guns are locked up and formerly got minimal attention. Perfect distraction for contraband, maybe?

Last time i flew, when i left Denver, the tsahole finger banged every inch of my large 4 rifle case EXCEPT where the firsarms were. He literally touched every inch around the long guns, pushing down on the foam.

He was looking for something and it had nothing to do with the guns.

Correct.. he was looking for traces of explosives.. .nothing to do with your guns. A quick google search found this...

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2010/02/17/explosive-trace-detection-usage-expanded-give-us-hand

While going through checkpoints, you might have seen officers using little white swabs at TSA checkpoints at one point or another. In case you had no idea what our officers were doing, they were conducting state of the art Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) tests. And all along you thought they were giving your items a complimentary cleaning...

ETD tests are used in checkpoint, checked baggage, and cargo environments. We swab things such as laptops, shoes, film, cell phones, bags, wheelchairs, hands, casts - you name it. Certain procedures call for an ETD test.

Basically, our officers run the white swab over the area in question to collect a trace sample. They then place the swab in the ETD machinery which analyzes the sample for extremely small traces of explosives. The test takes a matter of seconds.

In the TSA of the past, our ETD machines were anchored to certain checkpoints or baggage areas. This is a mobile technology and we’re now going to take advantage of that luxury.

Recently, we tested ETD technology outside its regular use at checkpoints and checked baggage areas, and confirmed its ability to be used in other areas of the airport like the gate to check for explosives residue on passengers. Why the move? Since the attempted attack on 12/25, we looked at ways to immediately strengthen security using existing technology and procedures in different ways. ETD is quick, good for security and cost efficient.

Sure, we’re improving the checkpoints with technology such as Advanced Imaging Technology machines, but we currently have ETD machines at every checkpoint in the country and this new procedure will help us beef up security. Explosive Trace Detection is a highly effective, proven technology.

So as you travel, you might be asked for a swab of your hands at the checkpoint or gate. It’s painless and quick. The swabs are disposed of after each use and will not be used on more than one person.

This is another way we can help keep the flying public safe from attempted attacks such as the one on 12/25.