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Traveling with a CCW - My First Time

3K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  rmarkob 
#1 ·
I left NC for air travel to Utah and Michigan earlier this week. Both states accept my NC CHP.

Checked in at the airlines desk in NC and discreetly told them I had an unloaded weapon in my checked luggage. Sadly, some nosy middle-schooler standing in line with his mommy kept his googly eyes on the process the minute he saw me whispering to the clerk. The airline clerk was nonchalant, but did ask me to open my COM safe. The kid's eyes about popped out of his head as he tried to espy my rig. :rolleyes:

I opened the safe, completed the orange card, placed it back in the safe, and relocked it. I was directed to a "special" luggage screening area I had used once before with a set of golf clubs. The two bored TSA goobers jumped up, made me stand behind a line, and got all antsy when I said I had an unloaded weapon in my bag. The male goober asked for the key to my COM safe. I had to stand several paces back and winced as he tried to force the key in the lock the wrong way. I told him there was nothing to be nervous about and explained the key would work just fine if he took a moment to put it in the right way.

While he performed a clueless fondle of Mr Kimber, the female goober was busy rifling my bag, tossing my suit and shirts about and generally making a mess of things. She then started to swab down every part of my bag and the COM safe with separate fabric swatches to analyze for residue. She comletely overlooked the full box of Speer GoldDots and my knife in a very visible mesh compartment. I know I was legal, but it's funny how she was studiously ogling my shaving cream while missing knives and bullets.

They finally stuffed everything back in, I handed them the TSA lock for the outside closure, and went to the gate.

Got to Utah just fine. Rearmed in my rental car that was in a quiet place in the garage. Drove a long way to my hotel and went down to eat, still armed. Everything was fine. Got up for breakfast, put on my SuperTuck, Mr Kimber, and just pulled a black t-shirt over it all for the serve-yourself breakfast bar.

I have meetings today, then another long drive and another hotel stay. So far so good. I will be in Michigan (another state that recogizes my CHP) this weekend.

I am new to this, and I just wanted to share with other n00bs here so you can know what to expect. Updates will come after the multi-state trip concludes next week.

BTW, Mrs Mac (another new NC CHP holder) has been giving me ominous warnings for over a week since she learned I was going to travel with my rig. I hope to heaven I can say, "I told you so..."
 
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#3 ·
Thanks, I occasionally fly and although new to CCW, I am a little reluctant to do it for fear of complications and the crap you can be subject to...alsa I'm curious what airline you used? Hopefully, your travels go well.
 
#4 ·
I am on Northwest/Delta.

Yeah, I could tell the TSA dude knew nothing about firearms simply by the way he handled it. I think he was trying to look like he was "inspecting it" or something. In any case, I felt there were no onerous complications so far. In fact. the special service of two dedicated TSA wonks got me through screening very quickly.

If it goes like this every time, I would cc as long as I was in a state that recognized my CHP.
 
#8 ·
MadMac,

Thanks for sharing and glad you are staying safe while out of your home state. I do wonder if you could refuse to hand your keys over to TSA and instead offer to open the safe for them? Anyone know if you can refuse them the keys?
 
#10 ·
MadMac,

Thanks for sharing and glad you are staying safe while out of your home state. I do wonder if you could refuse to hand your keys over to TSA and instead offer to open the safe for them? Anyone know if you can refuse them the keys?
Yes you can refuse, at which point if your lucky the most they will do is refuse to let you board the airplane!
 
#11 ·
Don't hassle the TSA folks, they can make your day very inconvenient.
If you want scrutiny, ask for a supervisor and have a copy of the TSA rules with you.
I've never had difficulty flying Delta FL to MI...
 
#12 ·
Just remember, while this may be your first rodeo with traveling with firearms the TSA agents deal with thousands every day.

Those "goobers" are subjected to some of the dumbest things you can think of so cut them a little slack. I'd be willing to bet that she didn't "miss" your ammo and knife, my guess is that with a gun already declared and the ammo in a factory box all was good.

Traveling with firearms isn't as bad as most make it out to be, just be prepared to take some extra time and keep smiling.

If you think eyes got big when a pistol was seen, you should see (and hear) what happens when they drag out a AR with laser and assorted goodies installed.:gah:

For those of you that remember those E.F. Hutton commercials on TV you get the idea.
 
#13 ·
Just remember, while this may be your first rodeo with traveling with firearms the TSA agents deal with thousands every day.

Those "goobers" are subjected to some of the dumbest things you can think of so cut them a little slack. I'd be willing to bet that she didn't "miss" your ammo and knife, my guess is that with a gun already declared and the ammo in a factory box all was good.
true....but one time I checked in my HK USP Full size 45, walked around to the TSA screening area to "oversee" my bag's inspection, it went through the machine came out and they sat it on a table for further inspection; as they went through my bag's contents one of the guy's eyes got big and one of those Oh ---- faces was expressed, he looks at his co-worker and says, "look, its a gun...I didn't even see it (on the xray machine)"
whether that was machine malfunction or operator error I don't know but you can never tell

Traveling with firearms isn't as bad as most make it out to be, just be prepared to take some extra time and keep smiling.
:hand10:

If you think eyes got big when a pistol was seen, you should see (and hear) what happens when they drag out a AR with laser and assorted goodies installed.:gah:

For those of you that remember those E.F. Hutton commercials on TV you get the idea.
I need to try that sometime with my AR or AK
and yes, I remember the commercials :rofl:
 
#15 ·
I am sure the TSA see some crazy stuff; however, let me give you a brief litany of why I still call the TSA folks goobers:

- At this same airport, I had a TSA ID checker refuse to let me through screening with a retired military ID. This was at a time when NC was still giving out driver's licenses to illegal aliens. She said she would accept a DL, but the military ID was a show-stopper. I asked to speak to the supervisor. He told me to just show my DL. I asked what the TSA policy was for the military ID. He didn't bother to look it up, ask someone else, or make a phone call. He just shrugged. This was the SUPERVISOR.

- I have asked what the policy is for everything from cork screws to cigar cutters. Basically, the folks at this particular airport seem to just wing it and make up rules as they go. I have never gotten an "official" answer.

I respect the actual people who try to perform this tough job. I just witness that their training is woefully inadequate, and their dutes poorly defined. Why would the one goober feel he needed to fondle Mr Kimber? If he was actually going to verify it was unloaded, he should have racked the slide and peeked inside. Instead, he simply twirled it around in his hand a couple times, evaluated the heft, muzzled his partner, then put it back in the safe. He may see some crazy things, but his actions prove proper handgun handling was never one of them.

For Pete's sake, these guys should have some training, and if they are unsure of the rules, they should (as a minimum) know where to look it up.

/rant off
 
#16 ·
When I go by commercial airline I confirm with carrier I they allow firearm transport in checked luggage. If they do not I select a different carrier for my ticket.

As far as a basic and acceptable container for my pistol I use an inexpensive padlock to lock an inexpensive metal electrical wiring/fuse box like those available at HomeDepot or Lowes.

Total cost for both items = less than ten dollars.
 
#19 ·
Update -

I finally hit my first snag. I checked in at the counter in Detroit. The agent called someone when I told her I had an unloaded firearm in my checked bag. After hanging up the phone, she said she no longer had to escort me to TSA, so she scoped Mr Kimber in my COM safe, then told me to put the orange tag inside the COM safe as I had been doing at each check-in so far on the multi-state trip. She sent the bag on its way after I locked it up.

I stopped for breakfast and thought I heard some announcements on the PA system, but I couldn't hear them well. I paid for breakfast and went the 100 yeards to the gate only to see two of Detroit's finest talking to the agent and looking around. It clicked.....

I walked up the female officer and said, "Are you looking for me?" She asked me my name, I told her, and she said "Heck, yes." She then called over the other officer and they asked if I had failed to notify the ticketing agent of a weapon in my checked bag. I said I had notified the agent and had signed the card that she then placed in my gun safe per airline regulations. He said TSA had screened my bag, saw the weapon, and then rifled my bag. As instructed, I had the key on my person and it was NOT a TSA universal style lock. They had wanted to see the card.

The LEOs told me to accompany them. They called a TSA supervisor in the bowels of the luggage area, then escorted me to a point just shy of the screening area and asked for the key. They went off to give it to the TSA supervisor. We stood around waiting. The male officer then asked for my driver's license. I said I then needed to also show him my CHP as we were at the "show me your ID" phase. I also dug out my retired military ID.

He was writing all this down on his notepad when the TSA supervisor emerged with my keys and told me they found the card, but that in the future, I need to place it outside the safe in my luggage. I told him I must have misread the regulations. The policeman then says, "The guy has a ccw [sic], he's fine."

After some discussion, the TSA supervisor told me he really likes my Kimber and asked if he should drop in his old Glock in its place. I took that as a compliment. He asked me what I paid for it and if I like it.

After chuckles and handshakes all around, I hustle back to the plane to find out I missed out on a free upgrade to first class. Dang.

Other than all that, all was fine. I liked the part when the LEO sees my NC CHP and says to the TSA guy that I am fine since I have a CHP, even though that really had no bearing on this scenario.

So what's the rule - in the safe or outside? I understand the point about not being able to get the orange card.

Of course, an unloaded handgun in one's luggage is absolutely no issue for passenger safety. Just ask Richard Reid - the dipwad who still makes me take off my shoes before boarding.
 
#22 ·
So what's the rule - in the safe or outside?
its been 2 years since I flew, but I'm pretty sure that I placed the card in the luggage just sitting on top of my lockbox so the screeners could see the card when they opened my bag
 
#20 ·
Here is a question about TSA agents that has been pestering me. Now in most states NY being one of them for a person to be able to actually touch a handgun they need a pistol permit or have to be an LEO. So if the TSA agents do not have any Federal Law Enforcement Powers and do not have pistol permits either, what gives them the authorization to touch another persons firearm? I mean here in NY when you go to a gun store you can't even touch a handgun unless you have a pistol permit or you are a Law Enforcement Officer with your Badge and ID.
 
#21 ·
The regulations are quite clear on what to do. The snafus come into play when the ticket agent gets creative with the rules (or doesn't KNOW the rules and wings it) and you have your Detroit situation.

There is a list of acceptable ID cards and I'm not sure if the retired military ID is one of them. Not debating whether it should be, but the list is the list. I'd check it out for next time.

I've served previously as a senior exec at TSA in both DC and at two major US airports. The "goobers" are very well trained, but in like any job, you'll occasionally get someone who is new or has never experienced a firearm in transit situation. So what do we do?

We are calm, respectful and we educate the folks that are new. Great job on the Detroit issue. It was a win/win for everyone concerned.

While everyone has individual airport experiences, I can tell you that firearms are always interesting stories. Ask any TSA Federal Security Directors and he/she will have stories that will stand your hair on end. It's just AMAZING what people, in THIS day and age, will try to take on an airplane.

If you travel with your firearm on commercial airlines, you should KNOW the TSA regulation on shipment and it's not a bad idea to keep a copy in your gun safe.
 
#24 ·
Agreed. The ticketing agent said to place it inside my locked COM safe. In future, I will place on the outside. Another lesson-learned: I will tape a card with my name and cell phone number to the outside of the COM safe. Hopefully, they won't have send out the coppers to snag me at the gate.

You should have seen the looks I got as I was being escorted from the gate by two armed Detroit police officers.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
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