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First off, I got a garand for my Dad, it was his 60th birthday the day before thanksgiving and he is a gun guy like the rest of us. He lives not too far from Miami, so we booked a non-stop flight from SFO to MIA. Doesn't that just sound bad? It was a red-eye leaving at 10 p.m.
We go to check in and I declare I have a firearm in the case. The ticketing agents tell us to wait and the TSA guy will come to us. It was late, so they were just going to check the weapon at the counter. I didn't like the idea, but I agreed. I filled out some paper work stating that the weapon is not loaded.
A guy in plain clothes shows up to the counter. I open the case for him and he starts looking behind the foam for lose rounds. I had the bolt closed, and asked if I should open it and prove to him the weapon is clear. He says, no. He points to the rear sight and states he can tell the weapon isn't loaded. I explain to him that is the rear sight and rounds are chambered here, pointing to where the bolt meets the receiver. He shrugged. I said, "I am going to show you anyways, just so I feel better." I pull the bolt back and stick my finger in the barrel to show that there is no ammo in the weapon." We lock up the case and it is carried off. I asked how do I go about getting the case when we land in Miami? The agents informed me they will hand carry it to me at the baggage claim.
We land in Miami, my wife and I were at the back of the plane and it took forever for us to get off. We walked quite a distance to the baggage claim. I see an employee behind a counter and ask for my firearm, since it was going to be hand carried to me. She tells me it will be coming out with the other luggage. I said, Excuse me. I must of miss-understood because a firearm SHOULD not be placed with the other bags, it is should be handed to me personally. She tells me I am not mistaken and it will be with the other bags. I look to the moving luggage and see my case with the other bags and people pointing at it. I turned and SPRINTED to grab it before someone else did.
I must say, I am not traveling with a firearm any time soon. It was a total disaster from start to finish. Miami airport is infamous for people stealing luggage. I think on Monday I am writing not so pleasant letters to both TSA, for their incompetent employee, and the airline I traveled with for placing a firearm with the other luggage instead of handing it to me personally as promised by their agents.
Anyone thinking of traveling with firearms beware of Miami airport!
We go to check in and I declare I have a firearm in the case. The ticketing agents tell us to wait and the TSA guy will come to us. It was late, so they were just going to check the weapon at the counter. I didn't like the idea, but I agreed. I filled out some paper work stating that the weapon is not loaded.
A guy in plain clothes shows up to the counter. I open the case for him and he starts looking behind the foam for lose rounds. I had the bolt closed, and asked if I should open it and prove to him the weapon is clear. He says, no. He points to the rear sight and states he can tell the weapon isn't loaded. I explain to him that is the rear sight and rounds are chambered here, pointing to where the bolt meets the receiver. He shrugged. I said, "I am going to show you anyways, just so I feel better." I pull the bolt back and stick my finger in the barrel to show that there is no ammo in the weapon." We lock up the case and it is carried off. I asked how do I go about getting the case when we land in Miami? The agents informed me they will hand carry it to me at the baggage claim.
We land in Miami, my wife and I were at the back of the plane and it took forever for us to get off. We walked quite a distance to the baggage claim. I see an employee behind a counter and ask for my firearm, since it was going to be hand carried to me. She tells me it will be coming out with the other luggage. I said, Excuse me. I must of miss-understood because a firearm SHOULD not be placed with the other bags, it is should be handed to me personally. She tells me I am not mistaken and it will be with the other bags. I look to the moving luggage and see my case with the other bags and people pointing at it. I turned and SPRINTED to grab it before someone else did.
I must say, I am not traveling with a firearm any time soon. It was a total disaster from start to finish. Miami airport is infamous for people stealing luggage. I think on Monday I am writing not so pleasant letters to both TSA, for their incompetent employee, and the airline I traveled with for placing a firearm with the other luggage instead of handing it to me personally as promised by their agents.
Anyone thinking of traveling with firearms beware of Miami airport!
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