TSA and Delta still don't know the drill

[Coder]

My setup is that I have a small locked case that I am putting into my larger suitcase.

Delta in SLC has me fill out the declaration and put it INTO the gun case and lock it. They take me over to TSA who does a "wipe down" test for who knows what. I guess by transporting a firearm I am now more interesting than the average Joe. TSA does not notice that they can't see the declaration. I make it to SEATAC with the bag. All is good.

Return trip. Delta SEATAC has me fill out the declaration and put it INTO the gun case. I take my own bag over to TSA. The guy asks me where the declaration is. I tell him that it is in the case. He looks at me like I'm a moron, has me open the case, remove the form. He then informs me that the form should be placed on the case so if the suitcase is selected for additional screening, they won't have to cut open the case. Made it to SLC with the bag. All is good.

Seems to me that if I show up telling them how they are supposed to do their job I'll get selected for additional screening, strip searched, and thrown in jail for a few days...

Other than that, carrying in Washington state was awesome.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[OldVet]

I tend to agree with the TSA guy that the form inside is pretty useless. But I quit flying when the "sky-is-falling" syndrone took over flight security. I got tired of having my CPAP machine wiped down.

What does the regulation say about what to do with the form? TSA requirements are posted. Do that--screw the people who don't know the rules and should. I'll tell someone their job in a heartbeat if they don't know it--and inform their supervisor of the fact also. Don't put up with the "minimum-wage-stare" you'll probably get either.

[retsupt99]

The 'marooooon' is the TSA agent who doesn't seem to know that THE TAG GOES INSIDE the firearm case.
OK, I feel much better now.

[Guantes]

Question number 3.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/inde...howtopic=85570

[Coder]

I'm glad it is all so straightforward.

[SIGguy229]

TSA...a bunch of morons.

So I'm headed to pre-deployment combat skills training, flying commercial with my M9 and M4. The M9 is in my large lugagge case...the M4 is in a separate Pelican rifle case. I'm standing in line watching my luggage go through when the TSA "agent" asks for the key to the rifle case (the bag with the M9 went through without anyone saying a word). I ask him "why?" They need to inspect the case..

"OK....here's the key" (mind you, I'm also in uniform)

They proceed to open the case and start wiping down the M4 with the residue collection pads.

I asked the TSA agent what they are looking for. The answer: "We're checking for gunpowder residue"

"Are you serious!? It's a frickin' M4!...I was just shooting yesterday, and spent the overnight in an armory....lemme guess, you found some!?"

TSA "agent": "yes sir, we did"

Me: "Now what?"

TSA "agent": "have a safe flight"

Me: "So why did you wipe down a military weapon "looking" for residue, knowing you'd find some?"

TSA "agent": "That's our procedure"

Me: "I feel safer already"

Talking to this guy, it seemed as if he had a room temperature IQ....nice guy, just a dim bulb.

[dukalmighty]

These are the people,the cream of the crop,that were highly trained to protect us from threats aboard aircraft.I feel so safe

[INccwchris]

SIGguy, that made me laugh out loud, my supervisor literally gave me the evil eye as he pulled up and caught me on this site while in a patrol vehicle, so then i showed him the post and he also laughed. great story

[OldVet]

Sig, thus my comment on the minimum wage stare. I'm glad they found what they're looking for. Duh.

[highvoltage]

......TSA who does a "wipe down" test for who knows what......

Explosives residue.

I liked the one about the soldier who had his M4 wiped down.

Soldier in uniform = Note enough $$/year
TSA agent = Probably too many $$/year
Wiping down an M4 for residue = Priceless

BTW, a TSA agent was talking to a co-worker of mine. The agent commented that TSA stands for "Thousands Standing Around." A few of them get it.

[peckman28]

SIGguy, that is hilarious. Good thing he's keeping you safe from that gunpowder residue everyone knew would be there...

[Rock and Glock]

Ya'll know that TSA is full of Brain Surgeons and Rocket Scientists that are moonlighting, don't ya? Give them a break.

[swinokur]

did they check your suitcase to see if there were clothes in it?

[JOHNSMITH]

The TSA officer was in the wrong. Any container with a firearm should have NO kinds of markings (from either TSA or the airlines) that marks it as a container holding a firearm. If the form doesn't go inside, anyone would be able to see it. The form goes inside.

I got selected for "random screening" last time I flew out of Orlando. They put me in this glass cage (strange) with two other kids. One of the kids, probably 14-15, must've had some sort of mental disability. He didn't belong in there. The other kid was probably 7-8, just your average kid. I realized just how ridiculous the whole thing is.

[SIGguy229]

did they check your suitcase to see if there were clothes in it?

No...the bag with the M9 went through without a problem...