Flying with Firearms, slight procedure change with TSA.

[Citadelgrad87]

^^^ You wait till tsa clears you not 15 minutes.

Tsa has never affirmatively “cleared” me and ive dine this maybe 20 times.

The only time i ever hesrd anything was when they wanted to look in a metal lockbox.

If i waited to be cleared by TSA, id still be at the first counter, four years later.

Gate agents rout iely tell me to wait 15 for them to call, then head to the gate after giving my cell.

[tanks]

I had my first trouble with TSA and a handgun when departing Sacramento a few weeks ago.

... While he agreed, he said that my only hope of getting this TSA agent to release my bag is to do what he says, so I gave the key.

When the guy comes back, he tells me that the TSA agent who he described as "rouge" would only let me fly if I had a hard case AND hard sided luggage.
...
I told him what the lady in the shop said and he called an off duty supervisor and confirmed that this guy was harassing gun owners for several days and that a complaint had been filed by Southwest with the TSA, but nothing could be done about him until it was investigated.
...
Hope the TSA scum gets canned.

There is a solution at the airport. Ask for Ground Security Co-ordinator for the flight. He has the authority to override even TSA per FAA.

[OCEquestrian]

For what its worth, I have never had a problem flying with a handgun in checked luggage... anywhere in the lower 48. I am a frequent traveler with over 1mm miles flown with United and almost 750k flown with American. I fly occasionally with Southwest and Alaska as well with no problems or hassle.

I understand the rules, and I am polite and patient with the process with over 100 flights with a firearm...And I have learned to humor and respect all the TSA and airline employees I come into contact with in my travels. If they have a good impression of you they are far more likely to help you.

If you are a know it all or a dick...

[Dirk Tungsten]

I had my first trouble with TSA and a handgun when departing Sacramento a few weeks ago. I flew in with no problem, but getting out was hell. I went to the counter and declared the firearm, put the signed form on the locked hard case and the counter person took the luggage and said to wait for 15 minutes to see if TSA needed me. The 15 minutes passed and my wife and I went to the gate to wait for our flight. As we were boarding, the attendant said that TSA needed to speak with me, so we were pulled out of line.

I went back to the Southwest counter to find out what was up and a supervisor said we need to go to the TSA inspection place. We went and I waited outside for him to get information and come back. When he came back, he said the agent wants to open my gun case, so give him the key. I told him that the case is only supposed to be opened in my presence and he agreed. While he agreed, he said that my only hope of getting this TSA agent to release my bag is to do what he says, so I gave the key.

When the guy comes back, he tells me that the TSA agent who he described as "rouge" would only let me fly if I had a hard case AND hard sided luggage. I explained that it is an "either" situation, but not both and he once again agreed with me. He said that I might be able to get a hard sided suitcase at one of the 2 shops, and issued a $200 Southwest credit for my troubles.

When I went to the shop, I asked for hard sided luggage, and the lady working there said "let me guess, you have a firearm" and I said yes, why? She said that over the last 2 days she has sold all but 1 hard bag to people with the same problem, so all she had left was a huge suitcase for $169. I bought it and went back to the Southwest supervisor. I told him what the lady in the shop said and he called an off duty supervisor and confirmed that this guy was harassing gun owners for several days and that a complaint had been filed by Southwest with the TSA, but nothing could be done about him until it was investigated.

We ended up getting home 10 hour late, but we made it.

Hope the TSA scum gets canned.

Wait, clear something up for me: You needed to buy hard sided luggage to put your gun case in , or you just needed hard sided luggage in general? This sounds so bonkers I'm having a hard time around the TSA jerk's reasoning.

[OCEquestrian]

Wait, clear something up for me: You needed to buy hard sided luggage to put your gun case in , or you just needed hard sided luggage in general? This sounds so bonkers I'm having a hard time around the TSA jerk's reasoning.

I have never had a problem with a locked (TSA locks) pelican pistol case in a leather "grip" travel bag.

[U2BassAce]

When the guy comes back, he tells me that the TSA agent who he described as "rouge" would only let me fly if I had a hard case AND hard sided luggage. I explained that it is an "either" situation, but not both and he once again agreed with me. He said that I might be able to get a hard sided suitcase at one of the 2 shops, and issued a $200 Southwest credit for my troubles.



We ended up getting home 10 hour late, but we made it.

Hope the TSA scum gets canned.

Flying out of Portland recently I declared at counter, they gave me the form, did not ask to check if firearm was loaded or not. They directed me to oversize luggage area where TSA was set up down the counter.

They had me open my hard sided large suit case. Did the swab thing all over. Never asked me to open my hard sided gun case that was locked inside.

The TSA lady actually told me technically my hard sided suit case was all I needed. I did need the hard sided gun case inside. She did say I might have an issue with a TSA agent who was having a bad day because my hard sided suit case had a zipper. But in her eyes I would have been fine.

After they swabbed the inside of my suit case they closed it up. I locked it and they took it away.

They were set up to swab all oversize suitcases such as golf clubs, skis, snowboards and bikes. I guess at that airport they just throw firearms into same category. No one asked me to show them my firearm was unloaded.

I think it is by airline and by airport. I have had many different procedures thrown at me but none of them in the end were an issue.

[L84CABO]

I had my first trouble with TSA and a handgun when departing Sacramento a few weeks ago. I flew in with no problem, but getting out was hell. I went to the counter and declared the firearm, put the signed form on the locked hard case and the counter person took the luggage and said to wait for 15 minutes to see if TSA needed me. The 15 minutes passed and my wife and I went to the gate to wait for our flight. As we were boarding, the attendant said that TSA needed to speak with me, so we were pulled out of line.

I went back to the Southwest counter to find out what was up and a supervisor said we need to go to the TSA inspection place. We went and I waited outside for him to get information and come back. When he came back, he said the agent wants to open my gun case, so give him the key. I told him that the case is only supposed to be opened in my presence and he agreed. While he agreed, he said that my only hope of getting this TSA agent to release my bag is to do what he says, so I gave the key.

When the guy comes back, he tells me that the TSA agent who he described as "rouge" would only let me fly if I had a hard case AND hard sided luggage. I explained that it is an "either" situation, but not both and he once again agreed with me. He said that I might be able to get a hard sided suitcase at one of the 2 shops, and issued a $200 Southwest credit for my troubles.

When I went to the shop, I asked for hard sided luggage, and the lady working there said "let me guess, you have a firearm" and I said yes, why? She said that over the last 2 days she has sold all but 1 hard bag to people with the same problem, so all she had left was a huge suitcase for $169. I bought it and went back to the Southwest supervisor. I told him what the lady in the shop said and he called an off duty supervisor and confirmed that this guy was harassing gun owners for several days and that a complaint had been filed by Southwest with the TSA, but nothing could be done about him until it was investigated.

We ended up getting home 10 hour late, but we made it.

Hope the TSA scum gets canned.

Man that sucks. But I'm curious, what case did you buy that is truly a hard case. Because man did I look. And I couldn't find a single typical suitcase that was a 100% hard case and lockable with your own locks. Almost every case had either a hard shell with a fabric zipper (which I assumed wouldn't satisfy the TSA requirement for a "hard case") or had TSA approved locks and no means to lock the case with your own padlock. So I went with Pelican case and it's worked out great. The baggage monkeys haven't been able to break the case yet.

[L84CABO]

I have never had a problem with a locked (TSA locks) pelican pistol case in a leather "grip" travel bag.

I think you're crazy to use TSA locks. There's a reason the rules say not to use them. YOU are the only one who is supposed to have access to the case.

[smle-man]

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

Once my checked rifle went to Phoenix when I went to Burbank. Another time the gun case was lost for a couple of hours behind the scenes at LAX. I got both back eventually but it made for some anxious times. Yet another time the baggage check person gave me a ration about shipping a firearm.

Shipping a firearm via the airlines is an adventure

[OCEquestrian]

Man that sucks. But I'm curious, what case did you buy that is truly a hard case. Because man did I look. And I couldn't find a single typical suitcase that was a 100% hard case and lockable with your own locks. Almost every case had either a hard shell with a fabric zipper (which I assumed wouldn't satisfy the TSA requirement for a "hard case") or had TSA approved locks and no means to lock the case with your own padlock. So I went with Pelican case and it's worked out great. The baggage monkeys haven't been able to break the case yet.

The "hard sided container" containing the handgun gets put INTO your checked bag. "Hard sided container" is not a descriptive requirement for your piece of checked baggage, the "hard sided (and locked) container" containing your gun simply gets put INTO YOUR PIECE OF LUGGAGE (see TSA quote / link below)...

I think you're crazy to use TSA locks. There's a reason the rules say not to use them. YOU are the only one who is supposed to have access to the case.

WTF are you talking about? Have you even READ THE RULES? Here they are right from the TSA website...

Firearms
- When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
- If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements prior to travel.
- Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
- Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
- Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
- Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
- Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

As I stated above, I have flown all over the country and taken my CCW with me over 100 times...NEVER A PROBLEM.

[bruss01]

You may use tsa locks but that's about as secure as locking them with a laper clip.

The TSA is not supposed to open a gun case without the owner present.

The only way to ensure this is by using non-TSA locks.

Agents/inspectors like to take shortcuts, are inadequately ttrained or like to mess with people. The way to address is to insist/demand to talk to tbe site TSA manager. Not supervisor, boss, inspector, or head honcho. MANAGER. THE TSA SITE MANAGER. He will know the regs and correct the underlings.

I use a large wheeled case for my pistol, carbine and ammo. There is extra room so i pack a few emergency essentials that might come in handy. Ran into an issue once, they thought my Dagrex food bars looked like explosives on tbe x-ray. Once I figured it out I quit taking those and haven't had an issue yet.

[OCEquestrian]

You may use tsa locks but that's about as secure as locking them with a laper clip.

If someone is going to steal your gun they will take the locked container from your baggage and probably the entire bag so to me, the whole "lock" thingy is just to comply with the rules.

I dont care if the TSA opens the "hard sided container" in my locked baggage to check my firearm. I dont want to be bothered, called back from the United Club / Admirals Club lounge or the gate. If they want to open the case and I am not available, they CAN and WILL cut the locks, or withhold the luggage from the flight if they deem it necessary for "security concerns".

Clearly most of you dont understand.. YOU HAVE NO REAL RIGHTS in this process at all as all TSA has to do is claim a "security concern" of their own definition / choosing. The more you insist on your imaginary rights, the worse I suspect your experience will become...

Driving is a privilege, not a right as is air travel and trust me.. your airline will side with the TSA EVERY TIME.

But go ahead and be "that guy" that the TSA morons will tell stories about for months after your trip...

The way to address is to insist/demand to talk to tbe site TSA manager. Not supervisor, boss, inspector, or head honcho. MANAGER. THE TSA SITE MANAGER. He will know the regs and correct the underlings.

Dont forget to be willing to "wave bye bye" to your flight when you choose this option, waiting for that guy to show up from some random part of a large airport or if he decides to mess with you, and make you wait on "his schedule" as most minor bureaucrats love to do. Dropping what they are doing on demand for a random citizen "demanding his rights" is NOT part of the job description.

[BAJ475]

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

I'll second that.

[TurboS600]

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.

Most of all that you mentioned has been done as such for the past 10 years that I have been carrying. The one thing that HAS changed is the fact that you can't get it from the carousel anymore. They do tag it now so that you have to go to the baggage office to claim it.

Also you failed to mention that when they bring out your bag from the back of the baggage office they make a big presentation of putting some massive zip ties over the bag to prevent you from opening it in the airport. I usually will then make a big presentation of cutting the zip ties off with the multi-tool on the outside pocket of my bag and then leaving the cut zip ties lying on their floor of the office.

And I've been flying with a firearm everywhere I've gone for the past 10 years and while it is more of a hassle than flying without one it is worth it to me to have my firearm with me as I travel.

[OCEquestrian]

Most of all that you mentioned has been done as such for the past 10 years that I have been carrying. The one thing that HAS changed is the fact that you can't get it from the carousel anymore. They do tag it now so that you have to go to the baggage office to claim it.

Also you failed to mention that when they bring out your bag from the back of the baggage office they make a big presentation of putting some massive zip ties over the bag to prevent you from opening it in the airport. I usually will then make a big presentation of cutting the zip ties off with the multi-tool on the outside pocket of my bag and then leaving the cut zip ties lying on their floor of the office.

And I've been flying with a firearm everywhere I've gone for the past 10 years and while it is more of a hassle than flying without one it is worth it to me to have my firearm with me as I travel.

I just flew in and out of LAX to Orlando for the USPSA Nationals this past weekend. I took my CCW with me. My weapon and a box of Winchester Ranger T ammo was in a small pelican case in my Tumi luggage. It showed up in the baggage carousel in Orlando outbound and in LAX inbound. No Zip ties.