Transporting firearms

[cpatbay]

Thinking about transporting some of my firearms on my trip to Texas on Southwest Airlines. I have read their policy and seems pretty reasonable and straight forward. Anyone has any first hand experience? Any hassle? Any gotcha I should be aware of?

Thanks.

[Marquand]

I have no personal experience with Southwest. However, I do have some advice regardless of which airline you use.

Go to the TSA website and print out their rules and requirements for transporting firearms. Then do the same with Southwest. Know them and follow them backwards and forwards. Carry a copy with you on the day you travel. If/when either a ticket agent or a TSA security official says or does anything against the rules, politely show them their own policy on the topic. Ask for a supervisor if necessary and be patient.

I've had ticket agents tell me that I could not fly with firearms in my checked luggage. I've had TSA agents request the keys for my locked case. I've had big red tags marked "FIREARM" attached to my luggage. All of these situations are against the rules and by knowing and showing the rules to the party in question, I've been able to resolve the situation calmly and professionally. On the plus side, I've had knowledgeable airline and TSA employees 90% of the time and on a few trips I've even been given an escort and express service through baggage scanning and security.

Enjoy your trip, fly safe, and shoot well.

[echoThreeOneSix]

just did it. super easy i informed them at the check-in and they escorted me to a TSA area. they didn't even have me unlock the case they were in, just scanned it and wiped it down to detect explosives and i was on my way.

edit: i wouldn't put it with anything embarrassing or personal. they will go through your entire bag (where the weapons are stored).

[curtru]

Obey the law. One of the mods had a interesting post about a resent experience with TSA not to long ago I think it was lor3x. I'll post the link if I can find it. Good luck

Sent from my SCH-S735C

[echoThreeOneSix]

Obey the law. One of the mods had a interesting post about a resent experience with TSA not to long ago I think it was lor3x. I'll post the link if I can find it. Good luck

Sent from my SCH-S735C

there are hardly any transport laws you can break:

put it in a locked case and don't have more than 11 lbs of ammunition. then declare it at the check-in counter, it's pretty damn simple.


here is a link with all the details:

http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html

[echoThreeOneSix]

fyi, i put my full metal gas blow back airsoft gun in the locked container to be on the safe side.

[billofrights]

Most importantly, give yourself plenty of extra time and DO NOT let them bully you into breaking their own rules just to get on your flight. Better to have to reschedule than let them make you a felon.

[cpatbay]

Great set of advices! Thanks!

[Divernhunter]

The gun case must have a lock(s) on it that you or traveling companion only have the key for. Do NOT use a TSA approved lock for the gun case.
The ammo must be in a separate case with TSA lock(s) and in your checked on luggage. Cartridges must not be loose in the separate box. They need to be in factory boxes or aftermarket plastic boxes etc inside the TSA locked box. You are allowed 11 lbs.
Be sure to allow extra time to deal with them getting a TSA person to deal with the firearm.

[jcourson]

Had no issues flying SW from San Diego. Told the check in counter that I needed to declare a firearm in my checked baggage, he was very polite (even jovial....it was Christmas ). Did not require me to open the case and show it as unloaded. TSA went smooth. Had it in the Dan Wesson factory case with a key lock (NOT a TSA lock in accordance with the law, as others have stated). Ammo was in factory boxes in a metal ammo box. All was in a soft sided case that was also locked.
Ammo box is not required to be locked, but ammo MAY be in the same locked case as the firearm.

[waveslayer]

Thinking about transporting some of my firearms on my trip to Texas on Southwest Airlines. I have read their policy and seems pretty reasonable and straight forward. Anyone has any first hand experience? Any hassle? Any gotcha I should be aware of?

Thanks.

I have flown with Southwest and firearms too many times to count, even with suppressors. No issues at all. Half the time they don't even look at them. Just fill out the declaration, make sure all the holes that can hold a lock have locks and you are good to go. Separate the ammo in a case, the original case if you can and you will be fine. no stress at all