My Recent Airport Experience

[Zsnake]

I was out in Minnesota ....went by motorcycle...got sick and had to fly home. I had my father drop me off at the airport two hours early as I had to check in luggage with a .45 in it. I figured that that would take a while.

I advised the lady at the counter that it was in my bag and she asked if it was in a locked container. YES "Do you have a declaration form in there with it?" NO She handed me a little bright orange tag that had room for my signature and the date. Basically it stated that this was an unloaded firearm and that I was the owner. I put that form into the locked box and she escorted me to the TSA who proceeded to run my bag through the x-ray machine. What's next I asked. "NOTHING...have a nice flight!" they replied.

What a painless proceedure....as it should be.

Three changes of planes later I was home and my firearm was right where I left it...in the luggage.

Good going TSA!!!!!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Shackleton]

I'm glad they didn't give you any trouble. Also, just out of interest, where did you put the declaration tag in the box? As in, were you still in the airport when you put it in there? Or was it just tied/stuck to the outside of the case?

[Takedown]

I haven't needed to check a firearm at the airport for several years, but I remember it always being just that easy back in the late 90's when I flew between Denver and Las Vegas frequently; taking my favorite pistol of the day along with me....

[Guantes]

Pretty much my experience, all the times I have flown.

[crf3973]

that has been my exact experience for the past 6 times that I have flown with my G26.... the way it should be.

[Zsnake]

Shack....

The declaration is locked up in the container with the firearm. Yes, I was at the airlines counter when I put it in there. All in all, there was no reaction what-so-ever.....just another day at the airport.

An outside tag would just invite theft.

[BikerRN]

I'm sorry that you became unwell, but emboldened by your version of events. I'm glad that your expirience with Thousands Standing Around, (TSA) was hassle free and painless as could be.

Biker

[GHFLRLTD]

For those thinking about doing this for the first time, here is the full 9 yards. This will hold true for AMTRAK come December also - if there is baggage check at both the boarding and getting off stations:

1. Review http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1666.shtm to understand TSA policies and procedures. Have a copy with you when you reach the airport.
2. Put the unloaded weapon(s) in a lockable hard-sided case with locks only you have the keys/combination to open. TSA locks are not allowed.
3. Steps that will make it easier to show that the weapon is unloaded - especially when x-rayed.
   
   • If the weapon is a:
     
     • semi-automatic
       • lock the slide open
       • put a cable tie through the barrel and out the breach to show that the chamber is empty
     • revolver, flip the cylinder out
   • Do not put the magazines in this locked case with the gun(s):
     
     • it invites questions about them being loaded
     • if the gun case is "liberated" from the checked bag by a Criminal Entrepreneur, the lack of magazines frustrates the "Liberator", since the weapon is now initially a single shot one
4. Check the airline(s) you are flying on:
   
   • To determine if the ammo
     
     • MUST be in boxes (plastic reload boxes work)
     • can fly in loaded magazines
   • If loaded magazines are permitted, make sure the pouches fully cover the magazine top where the cartridges are visible.
   • The round(s) from the chamber(s)/cylinder(s) must be in a box, not loose
5. Secure and protect magazines (separately from the weapon) and ammunition boxes from possible damage.
6. Put the lockable hard-sided case with the weapon and the ammo/magazines into a cheap, non-descript bag - with clear labeling outside and inside - for checking in.
   
   • If possible, develop a way to attach - in a lockable way - the hard-sided case to the piece of luggage it has been placed into.
   • The labeling should be limited to:
     
     • Your Name
     • Your Cell Phone - if you have one, or your home phone if you do not
     • Your personal email address - if you have one
     • NO ADDRESSES, JOB TITLES, ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE INDICATED
7. Other stuff - like shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, could be in this checked bag also.
8. Have the rules for the airline in hand when you check this non-descript bag at the airport.
9. Make sure you have the keys/combinations to the lockable hard-sided case with you and you alone (Per Federal Regulations 49CFR § 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals - http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2.10.6&idno=49) at all times. You will have to open the lockable hard-side case:
   
   • to demonstrate to the airline that the weapon(s) are not loaded at check in (a signed form/tag indicating that will go in with the weapon(s))
   • if the TSA wants to see
10. Have the serial number(s) and descriptions of your weapons on you, so if they "disappear" you can report the loss/theft immediately to the:
    
    • airline
    • FAA Regional Office
    • ATF Regional Office

Other things to consider:

1. Check www.handgunlaw.us and/or http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_ca...city_maps.html to determine:
   
   • If you can possess the weapon at all your stops
   • Where and how you can carry at all your stops
   • What are the deadly force rules in each state you are visiting
2. Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/doj_doc_nyc_air.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.

[retsupt99]

For those thinking about doing this for the first time, here is the full 9 yards. This will hold true for AMTRAK come December also - if there is baggage check at both the boarding and getting off stations:

Excellent post, great info...worth bookmarking.

[pinklady]

Sounds like a positive experience. I'm glad it went well for you.

[Retiredonce]

For those thinking about doing this for the first time, here is the full 9 yards.

I vote for this as a sticky, now and forevermore. Excellent post.

[GM]

Glad that it worked so well for you.

[Guantes]

I am curious how one packs a revolver in the typical locking case with the cyinder flipped out, for xray.

[Guns and more]

Shack....

The declaration is locked up in the container with the firearm. Yes, I was at the airlines counter when I put it in there. All in all, there was no reaction what-so-ever.....just another day at the airport.

An outside tag would just invite theft.

So, the declaration is in the gun case that is locked and only you have the key for?
So, nobody can see it but you. What good is it?
I would think it would make more sense to put it outside the locked case, but inside the luggage. But then, I'm not TSA.

[Guantes]

So, the declaration is in the gun case that is locked and only you have the key for?
So, nobody can see it but you. What good is it?
I would think it would make more sense to put it outside the locked case, but inside the luggage. But then, I'm not TSA.

IIRC it use to go inside the locked case, but now has changed and goes outside the locked case on top of it, inside the suitcase. At least that has been my experience.