Flying and checking in AR

[Chester]

So, believe me in that I've done my fair share of research and know what's legal, what isn't, and browsed plenty on the airline's own firearms policy. I even have a Pelican case en route for the trip.

I've been earching all over the place, including Calguns and Google, but there doesn't seem to be too many stories (good or bad) about checking in a Bullet Button AR in California. Anybody have any they could share or any extra advice?

Am going to be traveling to a free state with a couple of disassembled 30 rounders, a handgun in the same case, buying my ammo at my destination, and carrying the flowchart, Sacramento memo, and airline's firearm guidelines. Not going to use TSA locks and plan on insisting to open the case for them to inspect instead of handing over the keys (I'll also be arriving 2-3 hours early).

So, anybody have any issues? Any recommendations, like removing the bolt? leaving a magazine in? Leaving the magazine out and running a cable lock through the action? etc?

Oh, and I don't need to be told to remember to break down my 30 rounders before the trip home. =p

[mif_slim]

There shouldnt be any problem. Just check in as normal and say you ahve a firearm. Print a flowchart and put it in the case and your good to go. I took my AR to WI for a hunt and they didnt even bother to ask me what it was.

[joelogic]

TSA does not enforce CA law.

Bring a locked hard case to the counter, inform them you have a firearm, they bring you to TSA, TSA checks the case (He only felt the foam, didnt even touch the gun), you lock it, and check it in. Simple.

One time the ticket counter person asked me if it was loaded and when I said "no" she just put it on the conveyor belt.

[ocspeedracer]

TSA does not enforce CA law.

Bring a locked hard case to the counter, inform them you have a firearm, they bring you to TSA, TSA checks the case (He only felt the foam, didnt even touch the gun), you lock it, and check it in. Simple.

One time the ticket counter person asked me if it was loaded and when I said "no" she just put it on the conveyor belt.

This.
They don't check it for CA compliance when your flying to or from CA, they check for unloaded, and if you're "properly" according to them, bringing your ammo.

[j.primo]

It can vary.. Depending on airport configuration. If the checked bag screening area is in the lobby (public area) then you can watch them check it, but if the screening location is not in the public area, the airport/airline will not let you go back there to unlock your own gun, because you need an airport badge to access those areas. Each airport will vary, so you have to ask the respective airline. Each airport configuration is different and each terminal configuration is different. You re going to either use a Travel Sentry lock or hand the keys to the airline representative to bring the keys back to wherever the case is at.

That's just what I've seen. GOOD LUCK.

[Chester]

Good to know, and thanks guys. Never flown with guns before let alone one that the layperson has been trained to think is a machine gun, so am anxious about it.

[Wildeman_13]

Pretty much all the important stuff has been said. Just be ready to sign a little form (SWA) and lock/unlock the gun case at the counter for them to put the card/form into the case. And if they have a seperate xray area (Phoenix does) then you follow a TSA person out to it, they xray it, then give you the thumbs up and they take it from there.

[j.primo]

If you have time, go to the airport your're flying on before your trip and ask them specifically. It'll will save you alot of time on the day of your trip. Hopefully coming back will be just as easy.