Airlines & firearms transport

[MCPO_SOCM_RET]

Still a form.

[nrich1979]

It’s more difficult to fly with my golf clubs than it is to fly with my 338 just saying

[jiw275]

If it will fit, the tsa container in your luggage.

[Blue XJ]

First look up your airlines policy/procedure online. Follow their directions.

Which is more or less the following....

Put the unloaded firearm in a locked case inside your luggage.

At the airport check in with the airline and tell them you are carrying a firearm in your luggage. They will make you sign an "unloaded firearms" form. They will send you to TSA or send someone from TSA to you to inspect the luggage/case it's in. They will make you open the gun case and do a swab test for explosive residue, then tag it. They may ask you to show them it's unloaded. I usually use a chamber flag in the gun so I don't have to handle it in front of them. They usually put a declaration tag on the inside of the suitcase indicating a firearm and that it's been inspected.

Use a non TSA lock for the gun case inside your luggage but you have to have a TSA approved lock for the suitcase. They'll or you will then send the luggage through. Upon arrival some airlines make you pick up your suitcase at a Baggage Service Office, some don't. Once free of the airport you can lock and load.

And the ammo has to be separate. It can be in the same suitcase but not in with the gun. It can be in original boxes or I use MTM plastic ammo boxes. It just can't be loose or in plastic bags etc. I usually put the ammo boxes inside of socks to keep them for banging around.

I also use a cable lock on the pistol box inside the suitcase to keep it from being stolen, of course someone can steal the whole suitcase but it's harder to get away with than just a handgun.

If you have weight considerations for your luggage. I started using the plastic gun case many pistols come with. As long as it has a means (pad locks) to lock the case you are good to go. I now use a steel gun vault (smallest available for the gun I carry). The kind with the cable lock for under the car seat and for fastening to your suitcase.

Not exactly the process that I just went through. I flew with a pistol a couple months ago in October.

I mentioned to the ticket counter agent that i was traveling with a firearm. She had me sign a form saying it's unloaded and I was the only person with a key to open the locked pistol box and had me put that form in my suitcase.

They take me in the back and x-rayed my suitcase. If you followed the TSA guidelines and it is packed correctly, you are on your way to go through security. I had the ammo, magazines and pistol in a small locked Pelican case. I also had that case cable locked to the frame of my suitcase. The ammo was in the factory box, but could also be loaded in the magazine(s) as long as there is something covering the exposed part of the round, such as a piece of tape.

When arriving at destination, grab your bag from the bagge carousel and be on your way.

I flew from Detroit to Denver and back, the process was the same at both airports. I never removed it, they didn't have to swab it. It stayed in my closed suitcase the entire time.

[Garymac]

Not exactly the process that I just went through. I flew with a pistol a couple months ago in October.

I mentioned to the ticket counter agent that i was traveling with a firearm. She had me sign a form saying it's unloaded and I was the only person with a key to open the locked pistol box and had me put that form in my suitcase.

They take me in the back and x-rayed my suitcase. If you followed the TSA guidelines and it is packed correctly, you are on your way to go through security. I had the ammo, magazines and pistol in a small locked Pelican case. I also had that case cable locked to the frame of my suitcase. The ammo was in the factory box, but could also be loaded in the magazine(s) as long as there is something covering the exposed part of the round, such as a piece of tape.

When arriving at destination, grab your bag from the bagge carousel and be on your way.

I flew from Detroit to Denver and back, the process was the same at both airports. I never removed it, they didn't have to swab it. It stayed in my closed suitcase the entire time.

Not much different than my experience. It kind of depends on the airline, how the TSA guy feels that day, destination etc. etc.

[Blue XJ]

Yeah, not much different, just the ammo able to be in the same case as the firearm really. TSA says it's ok.

[AxlMyk]

I had TSA Denver call an Explosives Specialist on me one time.
I was wearing a defib Life vest. Took me in a back room to check it out. I couldn't blame them. It had wires, paddle inserts in the fabric, and a control box.
My big question was why DTW and PHX missed detecting it.

[Roundballer]

My big question was why DTW and PHX missed detecting it.

They may have recognized it for what it was, and let it pass without question.

[Bpolijr]

The lock box goes in your regular luggage. I didn't think that I'd have to mention the lock box, because that is pretty common knowledge.

Yes sir. I apologize, I didn’t read the entire post.

[jeff s]

I had TSA Denver call an Explosives Specialist on me one time.
I was wearing a defib Life vest. Took me in a back room to check it out. I couldn't blame them. It had wires, paddle inserts in the fabric, and a control box.
My big question was why DTW and PHX missed detecting it.

If you saw the "quality" of your typical TSA screener ...
For the most part, the majority of them appear to be a "work program" for the inner city unemployed.
When I fly, I only have to talk to a TSA manager and even then, some of them don't know the procedures and I have to challenge them to what I can carry on the plane. Even to the point of that their "feelings" trump Federal Law.