Summer Vacation & Comm Flights

[Ridgeline]

Ok, we all know the laws & regulations, the do's and the don't of flying with a weapon. We all know you can't carry onto the flight, into the restricted areas, etc. etc ... and how the LEO's would show you the jail cell from the wrong side out. (and thats just to start with)

So my question is a scenario like this - flying to another state on vacation that is friendly to a Texas CHL (maybe Alaska maybe Colorado), and checking your weapon(s) with your other luggage ... what are the chances it will actually arrive for you to retrieve at the other end of your flight. How about your horror stories, and should I simply drive (if Colorado) as nornal and avoid the whole issue?

I really don't want to be anywhere where I am not prepaired, so the idea of simply renting a Jeep and touring around naked (so to speak) isn't my idea of a pleasurable outing. Y'alls thoughts!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[SIGguy229]

In the last 15 years, never had a problem checking firearms in my checked baggage when travelling. Just be sure to know (& have a copy of) the TSA regulations, your specific airline policy, and be familiar (if you don't already have a copy of) the laws of the state you are visiting, as well as a copy of the reciprocity agreement between your home state and visiting state and/or chapter and verse of the visiting state law that honors all other permits (IN comes to mind).

[Ram Rod]

TSA: Traveling with Special Items
NRA-ILA :: Fact Sheets
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items List

[monky]

I live in CO, and I've flown with my weapon to several states. Nevada, Texas, Georgia, Tenn never had a problem. Just be sure to 'declare a firearm' not say, 'I have a gun' (that by the way is funny when you aren't the one saying it).

You'll take a short trip to the TSA screening area, in ATL they hand checked my luggage, in Denver they sent it through their own xray machine. Can't recall what I did in Tex, Tenn, and Vegas.. anywho. They will either escort you or point you to where it is.

They put no identifying markings on your luggage no one will be the wiser that there is a handgun in the bag. I have a lock that I put on my luggage in addition to the lock on the case. It will show me if the lock has been opened since I last shut it.

I have no fear of flying and checking my gun, never had anything bad happen. Not to say that the typical airline screw ups won't occur, but you take that risk anytime you fly that you'll be in GA and your luggage will be somewhere like Hawaii.

[biasedbulldog]

I've flown to Michigan from AZ and back in the past year with no problems. They didn't do anything, just made me sign a "flier" basically that they tossed at the top of my bag. Though on the flight back the lady seemed a little frazzled about it; not because of firearm fear as much as not knowing what to do; she was new and had to get a manager to help her mark it in the computer.

This even though I'm apparently on the TSA watch list (the woman who informed me of this mentioned that her five-year-old is on the watch list too)...

[retsupt99]

Never had a problem flying with a weapon...remember, bags do not have weapon ID on the outside...BUT...bags can and do 'disappear' or contents have been known to be removed...
There are no guarantees...I don't fly with my Kimbers...just the less expensive weapons.

[Jeff F]

My wife's bag with her revolver in it was left sitting on the runway in Denver. Someone forgot to load a whole cart of luggage onto the plane. It arrived in Ohio the next day and they delivered it to her. I'm sure everyone that handled it after TSA inspected it had no idea that it contained a firearm.

[Preacher Mick]

Having never flown with a weapon, I appreciate the pertinent comments, especially the advice to NOT say "I have a gun"!

[T Bone]

Yes, I aways calmly state "I need to declare an unloaded firearm". Good to include the word unloaded, and use "firearm" instead of gun or weapon.
I've done it several times with no trouble (make sure you are conforming to both TSA and your airlines rules wrt cases and ammunition).
Last time, I checked a Wilson Combat, a Kimber and a Kel Tec. No worries.

Note to Jeff F. Those are some nice looking chicks.

[monky]

My wife's bag with her revolver in it was left sitting on the runway in Denver. Someone forgot to load a whole cart of luggage onto the plane. It arrived in Ohio the next day and they delivered it to her. I'm sure everyone that handled it after TSA inspected it had no idea that it contained a firearm.

Just curious when this happened? While flying to Dallas in March I noticed a lot of luggage strewn about the taxi area for the plans as if someone had forgotten to secure a cart while they were heading for a plane?

[rmarkob]

I checked a firearm on a flight for the second time in 2 weeks yesterday. The first time was in Newark NJ. Yesterday was in more gun-friendly PA. In Newark, the airline guy had to take my bag to the TSA station with me accompanying him, and he couldn't leave until the TSA inspector arrived. I had to hand the TSA guy the key to my lockbox, which he thoroughly inspected (even felt along the foam inserts to see if anything was behind them).

In Harrisburg, the airline person pointed to the oversize luggage conveyor 20 feet away and sent me over there on my own. The guy manning the conveyor radioed a TSA person somewhere else and told them they had a bag with a firearm coming back on the conveyor. I waited around for a couple of minutes and they radioed back to say my baggage was cleared and I was sent on my way. I never had to open the lockbox, except for the initial airline person.

I kept the slide locked back both times (Kahr PM9) so they could see right away, even by x-ray I presume, that the gun was unloaded.

[Jeff F]

It was in March, don't remember the exact date though. It would of been Fronteir Airlines part of the terminal.

[Bender]

I checked a firearm from DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) to IAD (Dulles International) with no problems. The lady at the check in counter just asked me if it was unloaded. I did put one of those cable locks through the chamber in case anyone wanted to look...

[Golden Dragon]

Took many a trip to Las Vegas for the old SOF 3 gun match.

Checking in with a black rifle,shotgun and pistol.

There were many funny looks from the people in line, when I had to show

unloaded guns to the people at the counter.

But I always got there with every thing Guns, Ammo, and gear.

G.D.

[Ridgeline]

Thanks to each of you for this great info. I don't feel as uneasy as I did before knowing that y'all really had no bad problems. Thanks again!