Flying with firearm, first experience. Beware! FYI

[Jimi Jah]

If you don't want to lose you stuff, don't check it in your bags.

Ship them UPS to your destination, always a safer, quicker, less PITA way to get the guns where you want to go.

Or, play games with the Feds...

[Fate]

Thumbs up for Deviant Ollum. Good videos. Just today I found one of those mortar round boxes and am planning on making a LOCKABLE suitcase. My brother in law made one and its pretty sweet.

[botsdots]

A thought occurs...

If, when you check a firearm it must be in a locked hard case and it doesn't matter what else is in it, then can you simply use a hard suitcase for all of your belongings plus a firearm with a non-TSA lock on the whole shebang?

Yes, my pro photographer buddy does this with all his camera gear and insists on being present for the go through.

I've flown around 10 times with guns in checked luggage. I can say, I have never had the same experience twice. Something interesting that I read early on, but has changed quietly over time: TSA used to stipulate that it was the responsibility of the ticket agent to confirm the firearm was CLEAR. Confirmation! See this bit from Southwest

Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and ensure that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable).

I asked the gate agent in San Diego if they wanted to do that, she responded with "I'm supposed to see it, but honestly I don't know what I'm looking at. Is it loaded?" On the contrary, and similar to what I've experienced in most midwest/southern states, a Houston Southwest ticket agent said, "I absolutely have to see if the chamber is clear and I kind of just want to see what you have." Much different experience there. In that case, she wanted me to remove the gun from the case (at the ticket counter!) and clear the gun visually. The guys next to me were going nuts (not in a good way). Here are some of my memorable experiences:
1. San Diego (Term 2): TSA agent asking me what my job was that required I have a "machine gun and pistol while traveling" (it was an AR and a 1911) He ended up asking a coworker to see if they were legal... co-worker was former military and was SO stoked to be "taken back to the academy days"
2. San Diego (Term 2): TSA agent and ticket agent get into verbal argument over policies and procedures. Proceed to verbally duke it out for 5 minutes before acknowledging that it was all done improperly.
3. San Diego (Term 1): Told to go to gate and "listen for my name." Sure enough, wanted key. Brought keys back (it was a key ring) with some keys missing. Found those on floor of inspection room and returned.
4. Houston Intercontinental: TSA agent said "I don't know why they have me do this, but I have to." Did all the explosive testing on it and such.
5. My favorite.. Minneapolis: ticket agent takes bag and says "Have a nice day" Never heard from them.

I am usually running late when I get to the airport, so I never question them... but I don't understand why they violate their own policy of "no one but the owner can have a key" when they ask to take the keys from you to unlock. I tend to "trust" them when they come and get them and return them. The last guy that did this said there's a particular group of checked baggage screeners that always wants to open the gun cases. Their policy, apparently, is that they only open them if they see something "suspicious," but these guys always ask for them. I have never had them *not* open the case in San Diego. When I have been present for the go-through, I don't understand why they dig so deep into the gun cases. On my pelican with custom-cut foam, they had all the guns and foam out on the table and were trying to put it back together. They wouldn't let me reassemble it, but after struggling with it for a few minutes, had me go back there and reassemble... my buddy asked what they were looking for... beats me.

[Percenter3]

Ok, so can somebody answer this? If I want to take a handgun with me when I travel to Illinois, what do I need to know about or do besides declare it at the airport? And can someone explain more about this locked case policy?

[madsend81]

You need to look up the storage requirements on the TSA website and the airline's website and follow them.

Start your research here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-informat...and-ammunition

Read up and then if you have more questions, ask here for advice or assistance. Be prepared for ticketing agents that don't know all the regulations regarding transporting firearms.

[smle-man]

I just flew on Southwest out of Burbank with two cases with long guns and a handgun. The agent was great and the process painless except for one near hitch. One of the cases is a rigid shell case that I usually carry my 1919 in, very stout with multiple latches and two lock points. The other case is a Big 5 special two gun plastic case with three lock points. The SW agent was able once the Big 5 case was unlatched but still locked to pry the case open far enough to get her fingers partially inside the case. She told me that TSA says that is not allowed and asked them to come check. TSA looked at it and said it wasn't a problem. The agent said that previously TSA has rejected a case that allows that to happen and that TSA can be arbitrary depending on the airport or the supervisor. There was no risk of pulling anything out but something could have been shoved in I guess. When I got to the final destination and to the luggage point there was a Southwest agent standing there with both cases. He said it was SW's policy to personally deliver the cases to the flyer at the end of the trip.

Everyone was very nice and professional with SW and TSA in Burbank. A good experience! Recommend any flyers transporting guns spend the big bucks and get a rigid metal or hard plastic case. I would have been out of luck if TSA had said no to one of the cases.

[ssaction]

The tags never go on the outside of the case. I think its the law.

They go inside. Almost positive.

This is what I have always done.

[tokyodrftr]

Flying with firearm, first experience. Beware! FYI

I've never have a problem. And I always fly with a 9mm. Make sure to use tsa locks and ammo in a container. Only time I had issue was JFK. I have flown overseas with a pistol too. I carry when in Ukraine. You just need to know the laws.

[tokyodrftr]

This is what I have always done.

They will either put the tag in the gun case or on the gun case if the case is in your luggage. I just use a briefcase in my luggage.

[auntROENT]

I was told never to use tsa approved locks for gun cases. Always used keyed master padlocks. I was told by ticket agent at counter if tsa needed to open the case they would page me overhead. Never been pulled from flight but always a first??

[tokyodrftr]

Flying with firearm, first experience. Beware! FYI

I was told never to use tsa approved locks for gun cases. Always used keyed master padlocks. I was told by ticket agent at counter if tsa needed to open the case they would page me overhead. Never been pulled from flight but always a first??

I use tsa locks out of convenience. Not required. Just I don't have to wait around. Last trip I just locked my briefcase. No tsa lock. As a side note, I use master pad tsa locks. But I hear your point.

[Clee]

This is why I take my empty mags, holsters, sights, etc in my carry-on bags. ONLY the firearm itself is a prohibited item. Firearms accessories can be kept with you at all times. Those expensive, hard to find accessories are just what the thieves at TSA are looking for.

Lesson learned.

The best advice. I learned that from Kyle Defoor. Although I don't bring the mags with me in the carry on but that's just cause I don't want to be hassled if I get a know-nothing screener.

OP sorry for your lose that really sucks a monkey's A. My flying experience was much different. Even uneventful.

I wouldn't use any TSA lock for obvious reasons nor would I use a masterlock-type lock either. I have little to no skill at lock picking and I can pick a masterlock in under one minute. How fast do you think a thief clown at baggage or TSA can do it?

I use an Abloy 321 lock. So far there has been no reported incident where this lock has been successfully picked. Not cheap but I feel it's prudent insurance.

[Artema]

What do you all think of combination locks?

[auntROENT]

Thanks for your suggestion. Abloy locks look secure. My feeling is that the tsa locks look cheap. Just a good master #21 lock at the lock points will at least make the thief think twice. No matter, If they want to steal your gun case there going to do it. 2 pennies worth

[cruising7388]

Some good info on this site... Packing & the Friendly Skies

This is a keeper. Thank you!