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Transporting firearm on airline

7K views 58 replies 32 participants last post by  MotorCityGun 
#1 ·
Does anyone have any experience transporting your gun(s) on a commercial airline? I know which airline I'll be using and I've read their rules. I just want to find out if there is anything "special" I should know. Thanks in advance for your feedback. :yup:
 
#2 ·
I have never had an issue, I've done it with pistols. I just lock the pistol inside a hard-sided case with ammo seperate, and then put that in my checked luggage, and notify the attendant when I check in.
 
#3 ·
Exactly, then just follow the directions of the ticket agent; take note that every airport has slightly different ways the TSA handles the inspection.
 
#4 ·
You can also use a much larger hard case, like a Storm or Pelican, put both your gun(s) and travel items inside the hard case, and travel that way. TSA is not allowed to have keys for your gun case. Since your personal items are also inside the gun case, they are not supposed to access that unless you are there. You will need to have TSA inspect the whole case when you check in before you lock up the case at check-in.
 
#5 ·
The Airline your flying should have a TSA link on their website to cover all the information. I have flown with mine most rules are the same. Locked hard case for gun and no more than X number rounds in a separate locked container. I usually passed the ammo section and just purchased ammo after arriving at my destination.
 
#8 ·
I have used the box that my M&P 40 came in to transport it. Locked, of course.
 
#9 ·
I'll add:

- the case, when locked, must not be easily pryed open. I am not familiar with your S&W case, but my Sig or Glock factory cases would work.

- if you tell the gate agent "I have an item to declare" it somehow sounds better than fumbling around with the gun word. They will ask you "is it a firearm" then just say yes and you sound like a pro.

- bring ammo in a factory box, I've not locked it up seperately, just the original box with original packing intact. I put it in a ziplock bag. I've also traveled without the ammo, but sometimes finding self defense ammo in a strange place is challenging, time consuming, and expensive so I learned to just bring it. The downside is that it adds weight to your bag - I sort of struggle with the under 50 lb thing. Actually I count bullets to just fill the gun and mag and no more for xtra weight.

- remove ammo from your spare mag, ammo only in factory boxes or packed cases.

- TSA differs wildly between airports and shifts. Some agents seem inexperienced at the firearm process, so I usually print out the regs and have them to refer to.

- lastly, they sometimes remove the foam inserts from your gun case. Do a dry run of this to be sure there is nothing else in there, I don't know what exactly that would be but I do remember some reluctance when they started taking apart my gun case...what else had I stuck in there?

Happy travels.
 
#10 ·
I'll add:

- the case, when locked, must not be easily pryed open. I am not familiar with your S&W case, but my Sig or Glock factory cases would work.
Thanks for the advice. I too have aways wondered about this. i've never actually checked a firearm because usually I try to fit all of my luggage into a carry on. Also many of my flights have been to European countries and I'm pretty sure I can't bring my gun with me to those. :-(
 
#14 ·
just follow the procedures set by both the TSA and your airline and there should be no issues, many people travel with their guns and the airport people have seen it often enough that it is no big deal.
visit the TSA and your airlines website to see the regs and then follow them to a T
 
#16 ·
Domestic flights for all the airlines I've flown, even if it were allowed in the host country getting it there would be a problem. It would need to be shipped. I've flown to Northern KY, Vegas, and WV. All were very easy, I use a COM box and cable it to the suitcase frame. Declare to the flight agent that you have it and sign the little orange card, place that card in the COM box. They may escport you to the X-Ray machine or they may just say you are good to go. The biggest thing is that the inner container should not have a TSA lock on it and only you have the key. Next go to the bathroom and wash your hands very weel. TSA may swab your hands and pick you to addition screening due to Nitrates on your hands.
 
#18 ·
Thanks to everyone who provided EXCELLENT information. I feel a lot better and more confident about it now. :wave:
 
#19 ·
I pack my firearms and ammo in a hard-sided aluminum case. The ammo limit for most airlines is, I believe, 11 pounds but I have never had anyone try to weigh it and I've stuffed half a dozen factory boxes of .45 ammo in with my gun. I also routinely travel with no mags in the gun but all mags loaded and inserted into mag holders. The combination of a mag in a mag holder qualifies for most airlines as a "container." Never had an issue with it. Finally, and something I've found really helpful, is that I lock the slide back or open the cylinder and then thread a cable lock through the barrel and release the slide or just leave the cylinder open. I don't lock the cable lock (I lose keys). That way, when I walk up to the agent and say "I'd like to declare an unloaded firearm, please" even an agent who is not knowledgeable can feel comfortable that they are looking at a gun that's unloaded. I had one agent recently tell me "that's a great idea (the cable lock). I shoot, too, but I don't know every type of firearm and this makes it easy to see. I wish more people would use it." The TSA people I've dealt with have been quite friendly and professional, never an issue there. The only problem I've had in a number of trips was a gun that decided, for whatever reason, to take a different plane them me and didn't show up until the next morning.
 
#20 ·
Finally, and something I've found really helpful, is that I lock the slide back or open the cylinder and then thread a cable lock through the barrel and release the slide or just leave the cylinder open.
I use the orange chamber plug that came with my Kimbers. I had to clip off part of the long "tail" that sticks out the ejection port to make it fit in the COM safe I use, but when I open it, and they see the orange safety cone, I usually just get a thumbs-up, and I'm on my way.
 
#26 ·
If TSA came on a plane to get your key, they violated their own rules. The rule says your case is to be locked with a lock that only YOU can open and it will be done at the ticket counter. Giving them the key on the plane violated that rule. No way will I give my key to TSA to open my case if I am not present.. I'll be happy to accompany them to open it. Another reason I keep a copy of all the regs and rules in my carry on and pistol case.

From TSA web site:
  • TSA inspects all firearm cases at the ticket counter. Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If travelers are not present and the security officer must open the container, TSA or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
 
#27 ·
I brought that up and he told me then he would have to remove my bag and go with me to the security area and I would miss my plane. So I took his name and made sure I knew who he was, then I filed a complaint with the TSA afterwards, guess where that went (file 13).
 
#29 ·
So,
1. "Only you" have the key to whatever type lock box you are using, which is in your to be checked luggage. No carry on of course.
2. You state at the ticket counter you have an item to declare and they take you and the bag to the TSA counter and/or somehow get TSA involved.
3. TSA opens your luggage lock but then "you" open your lock box and somehow it gets determined the pistol is unloaded. Does the TSA agent work the action, or do you, or is it assumed to be empty?
4. Once OK'd they (TSA) give you a card that "you" place inside the lock box and re-lock it. Then your luggage gets closed and re-locked by TSA?
5. You go back to check-in and TSA takes your luggage containing the lock box.

Do I have this anywhere near correct?

Thanks
 
#30 ·
I think it depends on the airport. Yes, only you should have the key/combination/fingerprint to open the box. They can also x-ray your bag to determine that it's unloaded and in a locked container. The ticketing agent will give you the orange card before it goes to the TSA agent. This card can also simply just go in your luggage.
 
#32 ·
I think it depends on the airport.
I have found this to be the case. DFW is large enough to have a desk in a certain area where they can check, by you manipulating the firearm and verifying the ammo is in a manufacturer's container. and in my example above, San Diego is not large enough nor do they apparently have experience enough to call TSA over to check BEFORE loading the firearm on the plane.
 
#34 ·
I have traveled thru JFK airport several times. Yes, NYC. Only once have a Port Authority Leo's give me a hard time. There are post here. Follow the rules. If you are traveling over NYC via plane and you must make an unexpected landing landing I suggest you DO NOT take possesion of your firearm. I would contact the Port Authority to see what they can do for you. The problem is that if you take possesion of your firearm and go to check it back in the next day you will be arrested for an illegal firearm.

New York is it is own places on the map.
 
#35 ·
Did this last week flying out of Kansas City to Bozeman. Slightly different experiences, but both very professional. I noticed they marked our bags as "Priority" luggage. I would presume to help make sure they made our connections. I almost never check luggage due to the wait, so it was sure nice having them come up first.

I used a Simplex locked case and in KC, TSA did attempt to open it without me. Asked me to read the combination over the phone. Must have had a problem, or have been instructed not to, because he ended up bringing it back upstairs to have me open it.

Really did not add too much time to check in, however, we did show up pretty early to avoid crowds and problems.
 
#37 ·
The ammo box(es) can be loose in the suitcase. Original boxes or plastic reloading boxes are acceptable. When I fly I have two mags (one loaded) inside a double mag pouch secured by wide rubber bands (in addition to extra ammo), so I can gear up immediately on leaving the airport terminal. I have never had a problem with this procedure as it conforms to TSA regs.

No fee. Some airlines consider the weapons case inside the suitcase as a second bag.
 
#39 ·
The last time I flew (about a month ago), TSA taped the red tag to the outside of the gun case with TSA tape & tag. He said it was so the x-ray people would know that the case had been checked.

There is considerable variation between airports. Some have case checks in addition to x-ray some do not.
 
#41 ·
Great point. You need to know the rules, and [trust me on this], don't count on an airline agent or a TSA wonk to get it right. My first experience had the east coast gate agent telling me to put the orange tag inside my locked COM safe inside my luggage. That got me a visit from Detroit's finest at the connecting gate at DTW. I was escorted to the TSA supervisor who asked for my key. I showed my CHP to both the DTW cops and the TSA guy. Everything was a breeze after that with the TSA supervisor even offering to trade his Glock straight up for my Kimber (I turned him down with a chuckle).

YOU must know the rules, and be authoritative when dealing with the airlines and TSA. Having them printed on your person would be a good idea as well.
 
#42 ·
They could not see the tag because it was INCORRECTLY placed in your safe instead of the outside of it. Secondary searches (which are conducted quite frequently)would not reveal the tag and whether you had declared the weapon at check in.

That's probably why you got a visit.

You're right. Many airline personnel are clueless.
 
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