Successfully traveled with pistols

BigMike

BigMike

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I just got in from TN after a week long vacation and thought I would post what I did in order to travel with my pistols.

I picked up a hard-sided case (winchester model from 4 seasons) which I bought 2 mini Masterlocks (keyed, at Lowes).

Packed my mags (empty), apex sear kit (for m&p40c), and carry ammo (still in factory boxes).

Had a mag inserted into 2 of my pistols to clear up room.

And you know what? Contrary to what my formerly ovis aries-like mind thought....I had ZERO problems at all. The butterflies in my stomach were all for naught.

Wanted to post what I did, so that if anyone had any questions, they could referrence my experience:

When I got to the baggage counter (American Airlines), I told them I needed to make a firearms declaration. After the agent confirmed that there was an echo in the airport, he gave me a small card that stated that my firearms were unloaded which I signed, dated, and put down my flight numbers. The agent crossed over the baggage scale and escorted me to a back room where there was a TSA screener who was pleasant. He asked if the firearms were unloaded, and I replied, "yes". I then unlocked the case, and he simply looked at what I had. I told him that the mags seated in the semi's were unloaded and asked if he wanted me to show/demonstrate to him. He declined and said that he took my word for it. Firearms Declaration card was put in case and was then locked, zipped up in my checked bag, and she greeted me when I landed in Chattanooga.

Return trip was much the same. I would encourage anybody thinking that traveling with firearms would be too much of a hassle, to instead take those blasters with you!
 
Likewise: I flew to FL last week on Delta out of Logan with a firearm (for the first time). Declared it, filled out orange card, the ticket agent had me open the case so she could see the gun, packed orange tag in case and locked it. End of story. Same process on the way home.
 
Basically the same procedure out of Manchester and LAX, except that there was no TSA involvement visible. They simple threw the bad on the conveyor with the rest after having done the declaration and card.

Ken
 
They don't always take you anywhere, nor speak with the TSA...

Sometimes you just flash your baby/kitten killing machine of death for God and everyone there at the counter... [laugh]

Even at Logan, its shockingly less painful than you might think...

As always, read up on TSA policies and those of your airline they may not be the same...

The bigger concern is not the counter experience, but the risk of theft... I always ask to have the case inside my checked luggage, despite printed policies, none have ever said no... Rifles are obviously a different story...
 
At Logan in March, a TSA screener looked at my pistol in case and had me lock it. Then he said, "The combination is 0000, isn't it"? I said no, and he said they might have to break the lock to inspect again. I said that's why I have my name and cell phone number taped to the case.

In Pheonix, they took me outside the airport and ran the luggage through the monster machine, then had me lock the declaration inside the pistol case. I said that wasn't written policy and they said that's how they did it there. So I said fine and took a picture of the declaration in the case before I locked it.

I always take a picture in case it's not there and they claim I didn't declare. Just think, they open your TSA locked suitcase, toss your declaration and grab you for packing a gun without a declaration. Always take a picture.
 
MaverickNH said:
At Logan in March, a TSA screener looked at my pistol in case and had me lock it. Then he said, "The combination is 0000, isn't it"? I said no, and he said they might have to break the lock to inspect again. I said that's why I have my name and cell phone number taped to the case.
Click to expand...
IIRC, the TSA policy does not require or ask for "TSA compliant" locks on gun cases (unlike regular luggage)... Thus the tag they can see when they X-ray/scan... Mine have always been locked with master locks and I keep the key...

I did put my contact info on the outside of the case as well.

EDIT: TSA policy says:
"A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you."

Given that and the description of "remaining in the designated area... to take the key back", I read this to say that they do not expect to inspect it again and will either find you to re-open or refuse to load it if they can't rather than breaking open the lock.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
 
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BigMike said:
I just got in from TN after a week long vacation and thought I would post what I did in order to travel with my pistols.

I picked up a hard-sided case (winchester model from 4 seasons) which I bought 2 mini Masterlocks (keyed, at Lowes).

Packed my mags (empty), apex sear kit (for m&p40c), and carry ammo (still in factory boxes).

Had a mag inserted into 2 of my pistols to clear up room.

And you know what? Contrary to what my formerly ovis aries-like mind thought....I had ZERO problems at all. The butterflies in my stomach were all for naught.

Wanted to post what I did, so that if anyone had any questions, they could referrence my experience:

When I got to the baggage counter (American Airlines), I told them I needed to make a firearms declaration. After the agent confirmed that there was an echo in the airport, he gave me a small card that stated that my firearms were unloaded which I signed, dated, and put down my flight numbers. The agent crossed over the baggage scale and escorted me to a back room where there was a TSA screener who was pleasant. He asked if the firearms were unloaded, and I replied, "yes". I then unlocked the case, and he simply looked at what I had. I told him that the mags seated in the semi's were unloaded and asked if he wanted me to show/demonstrate to him. He declined and said that he took my word for it. Firearms Declaration card was put in case and was then locked, zipped up in my checked bag, and she greeted me when I landed in Chattanooga.

Return trip was much the same. I would encourage anybody thinking that traveling with firearms would be too much of a hassle, to instead take those blasters with you!
Click to expand...

I assume you flew through Providence.
 
Nope, Logan.

2 tix for $401.00 to a small airport like Lovell Field and that was good enough for me!


I will forever take photos now of my case! Can't believe that I didn't think of that!


ALSO....at Logan, the screener put the declaration INSIDE the locked case.
Returning at Chatt, the agent put the declaration ON TOP of my case in my zipped, checked bag.
 
Yeah, if I remember from last year, you can't have TSA locks on the firearms case. It has to be a lock no one else can access like a combo or key. I used 2 Master combo locks on a Pelican case and put the Pelican in my checked baggage. The Pelican weighs too much to fly with with today's restrictions on baggage weight, and it takes up allot of room.
 
BigMike said:
Nope, Logan.

2 tix for $401.00 to a small airport like Lovell Field and that was good enough for me!


I will forever take photos now of my case! Can't believe that I didn't think of that!


ALSO....at Logan, the screener put the declaration INSIDE the locked case.
Returning at Chatt, the agent put the declaration ON TOP of my case in my zipped, checked bag.
Click to expand...
Somewhat random - some put it inside, others just put it 'with' the pistol case if it is inside something else...

Also WRT to ammo, the TSA says it can be either boxed up but in the the pistol or even in mags provided the magazine is 'sealed' (as in strapped into a magazine carrier), but airlines can and sometimes do have policies that go beyond the TSA's requirement. I've yet to have one, even with published policies to the contrary have any issue with ammo in a box inside a pistol case (per TSA requirements).
 
noidlight said:
Yeah, if I remember from last year, you can't have TSA locks on the firearms case. It has to be a lock no one else can access like a combo or key. I used 2 Master combo locks on a Pelican case and put the Pelican in my checked baggage. The Pelican weighs too much to fly with with today's restrictions on baggage weight, and it takes up allot of room.
Click to expand...

I wanted to get another pelican but there were virtually no dealers around that were open when I got out of work! My fault for not getting in on the hunt for a case sooner.

Also, since the case takes up alot of room...I'm guessing the wardrobe suffers. Shoot naked?
 
BigMike said:
Also, since the case takes up alot of room...I'm guessing the wardrobe suffers. Shoot naked?
Click to expand...
You have to ask? You can shoot without clothes - can you say the same without a gun? [laugh]

As long as you can fit a pair of clean underwear in there, you are "tap, tap, bang, bang, good to go..."
 
cekim said:
Somewhat random - some put it inside, others just put it 'with' the pistol case if it is inside something else...

Also WRT to ammo, the TSA says it can be either boxed up but in the the pistol or even in mags provided the magazine is 'sealed' (as in strapped into a magazine carrier), but airlines can and sometimes do have policies that go beyond the TSA's requirement. I've yet to have one, even with published policies to the contrary have any issue with ammo in a box inside a pistol case (per TSA requirements).
Click to expand...

Right! I wasn't sure who was correct. I assumed the guy in chatt was doing it wrong, but only because my precedent with it was when the guy did it at logan.
To me, the language was vague enough WRT to ammo in mags that I had a "Eureka!" moment and just brought it all in a WWB.
 
I'll add my $ .02. In my travels, they've always placed the tag inside the weapon case and only I have a key to the lock. They ask me to remain nearby until it clears TSA, in case they need to peek inside (has only happened once - Chicago Midway, I believe). I've experienced only one event when the ticket counter agent was "new" and had to call over her supervisor, who very calmly/professionally guided her through the process.
 
I don't plan to or would I ever fly with firearms. Too many rulings against legal owners transporting legal firearms. If you travel through NY or NJ just make sure you don't have to layover at a motel or hotel. If you leave the terminal and comeback to check your bag again you will be arrested. Once those guns leave the airport unless you have a valid
Firearms ID card in those states you will go straight to jail.
 
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sig2009 said:
I don't plan to or would I ever fly with firearms. Too many rulings against legal owners transporting legal firearms.
Click to expand...
I challenge you to produce any of those rulings from states outside the northeast.

I just flew from Dayton to Manchester and back with an AR, a Glock, several mags for both, and ammo for the pistol in a Pelican case without a single hitch, negative comment, or issue.

I threw my holster and mag pouches in my carry on backpack in full view of TSA at both airports without so much as a question.

Oh, no oversize baggage fees for a 42" Pelican rifle case with all that crap in it. 35 lbs by the airport scale.

ETA: as soon as I walked onto the Dayton airport parking shuttle at least one more flyer knew immediately what was in the case. Relax, nobody that matters cares about it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have heard about possible difficulties traveling thru NY/NJ but luckily of the places that I fly to, I rarely connect thru JFK/LG/Newark.

After my experience though, I would suggest that as long as you are not connecting there, go for it! I personally wouldn't worry about it as the likelihood of that kind of stuff happening is low, but if it bothers you enough check your flight info. Any NY/NJ, then leave them if you want
 
Return trip was much the same. I would encourage anybody thinking that traveling with firearms would be too much of a hassle, to instead take those blasters with you!
Click to expand...

There are two fundamental differences with NY and sometimes NJ - the state laws an enforcement thereof and airline procedure.

These are the only airport locations in which the standard procedure for accepting a checked firearm is to summon the airport police to check the legality of the gun. I have not heard any reports of such a check as a matter of routine procedure in other states - including those such as MA that require a license, coverage under an obscure exemption, or FOPA86 for possession of a handgun.
 
Flying out of Logan and into it is easy. I've flown out of Logan with a decked out FS2000 and returned +1 AKM in the same case. I even had 4 "hi cap" mags in with them. No ammo, though.

The only things that you get in a Boston airport vs. the free city airports you fly into or out of is the "gasps" when you plop down a 52" rifle case at the check in desk or when your locked (because it's locking up something evil!!) case knocks everyone's designer suitcase off the bag return carousel.

If you aren't locking your case up with locks that the TSA can't access, you're in for some trouble. I think the last thing you want is baggage claim monkeys getting their grubby hands on your firearms and playing rambo over coffee breaks. If they work behind the scenes at an airport with bags, they have the universal TSA key in their pocket.
 
I can add an additional measure I always take to reduce the likelihood of theft. Whenever I travel with my handguns, I lock them inside a small hardshelled plastic case using a keyed padlock (after going through the declaration process). Then I secure the locked gun case to the inside of my suitcase using a cable lock. That way, if some airport goon decides he really wants to steal my guns, he has to walk out with the whole friggen' suitcase, since the guns can't be removed from the suitcase without cutting the cable. Generally, luggage goons won't have the cable cutters stuffed inside their work jumpsuits. Never had any problems.
 
i fly about 5 times a year with pistols and have flown to canada with long guns...no problems...just do your homework, so you can educate ignorant ticket window people if that happens.
 
Ah yes, I forgot to mention:
Before I left the house, I printed out the TSA reg's as well as my airlines' and kept them in my back pocket.

Practiced drawing them from my pocket and aiming at a IDPA silhouette in the basement (didn't want to scare the neighbors)
 
Yeah, I was surprised at how easy it was when I went out to Front Sight a few years ago. As long as you avoid NY/NJ, DC, and Chicago, it's very little additional hassle than flying in general.
 
I connected in chicago each time....though flying over the lake&city I commented to my GF about how Chi-town is giving Detroit a run for the title, I never gave a thought about my guns being a problem in Ole Windy.
 
BigMike said:
I connected in chicago each time....though flying over the lake&city I commented to my GF about how Chi-town is giving Detroit a run for the title, I never gave a thought about my guns being a problem in Ole Windy.
Click to expand...

connecting isn't the problem. Arrivals and departures are the issue.
 

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