gdm320

Limatunes,
This was my big question. So, to clarify, neither the TSA security personnel nor the airline representative checking you in at the counter should make any attempt to touch my weapons when I check them in? I can, when asked, pick them up and demonstrate they are secure and unloaded to meet their qualifications?

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"Politicians are like diapers: they should be changed often... and for the same reason." -- Robin Williams, Man of the Year

GunnyBunny

Here's the official info about Jersey and hollow points.......

New Jersey State Police - Transportation and Use of Hollow Point Ammunition by Sportsmen

Personally, I'd travel with something like PowerBall ammo, if you must travel with ammo. I agree with the others, buy your ammo there.

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CCW permit holder for Utah, Pennsylvannia, Maine and New Hampshire. I can carry in your country but not my own.

limatunes

No, they should not. And the person at the check-in counter shouldn't even ask. They will have you fill out the little tag thingy, they will put your baggage number on it and you will take the whole show over to TSA. The checkin people shouldn't have to see anything.

Yes, but wait until you are asked and if you aren't asked just leave them be.

The closest they will get is they take those little swab things and swab the inside of your case and around your guns and put that in their sniffer machine. I actually had one agent run the swab over the slides of a few of my firearms but that was it. He never moved to pick it up and they shouldn't. I have had agents who ever even came close to them even with the swabs.

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Limatunes' Range Diaries

limatunes

Thanks for posting that.

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Limatunes' Range Diaries

tns0038

I have this letter in PDF form and don't know how to post it here.

HITCH KING

I have taken my Glock 26 twice out of JKF airport. Yep,NYC. You are required to open the case to show the Port Authority Police that is unloaded. So, I feed a cable lock thru the mag well and out the ejection port. Open the case, they look down,close it up and go to go.

Last week the TSA people asked to open the suitcase because they saw a shadow from I beleive my shoes. Open suitcase checked the clothes and closed it up. I relocked it . On my way.

GHFLRLTD

Having traveled a number of times, here's how I go at it:

1. Review TSA: Traveling with Special Items 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 magazines
   • 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 - Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:) 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 Handgunlaw.us and/or Pack-N-Go Carry Concealed Trip Planner 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.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourR...s%20letter.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.

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George H. Foster
Orlando, Florida

Squawker

I've flown with handguns at least a dozen times in the 3.5 years that I've had the permit, and I've never had any difficulty. The process is quick and easy as long as you follow the advice that you've been given here. I fly out of Las Vegas, and mostly have flown to and from Richmond VA, and occasionally BWI. One small bit of advice, logical really, but since I did it wrong my first time. Place your hard sided pistol case on the top of your luggage. I made the mistake of putting it at the bottom first time, and I had to dig through my underwear to pull the case out,

Airports may vary a little from one to the other. I have never had to go to a TSA table. I check the bag, declare my UNLOADED firearms, I fill out the card, attach it to my pistol case or just put it inside, lock the case and the luggage, and off it goes. I see it again at my destination. I will never take a flight with a New York or New Jersey connection. If I were to get stuck overnight in NYC, I could end up with severe legal problems, possibly jail time, just because my destination airport was closed, or mechanical problems ground the plane. I don't tend to travel to NY or NJ, so I would only run into problems with connections.

My procedure for travel is the pull the magazines and remove the chambered round. I pull the slide back and lock it open. I then put the magazines and loose rounds into a container- last month I used a sealed envelope. Generally, and as they say, YMMV, the concern is loose rounds rolling around in the luggage. I had no problem either way. Of course, so of the counter agents are, shall we say,less than thorough. At least twice,the agent didn't even look at the guns, and one didn't have me take out the case.

Relax follow the advice, and enjoy your trip. Be sure to get to the airport earlier than you normally would just in case the process takes longer than expected. The vast majority of the time it will be smooth sailing. But you can always run into a moron. Do print out both the airlines and the TSA regs on flying with hand guns, to be able to show the agent if there is a problem. But most will have handled it before, probably several times. Just look at the demand for Florida and Utah CCW permits, to allow carry in over 30 states. A lot of people travel with their weapon(s).

Have a great trip!!!!!

cobra34242

WELLLLLLL !!! I followed everyones advice. Locked the Glock 27 in its own case. Carried NO ammo. Had copies of Continentals rules and regs. Had copies of U.S. Airs rules and reg. (return trip). Had copies of TSA rules and regs. Placed all the paperwork on top of locked box in the suitcase. Went up to the counter and made the declaration. The agent looked at the Glock with the secondary lock thru the breach. I signed and dated the tag. I was escorted to a secure area where another agent took the bag and did whatever. 5 seconds later he said OK, everythings's fine GOOD TO GO. Got on the plane, layover one hour at Newark.....Flew to Scranton Pa.............THEY LOST THE F------ luggage!!! Sooo, here I am in 35 degree weather with 85 degree clothes, waiting to hear from this dumb airline. So much for doing the right thing! Thanx for listening.

cobra34242

Aaannnddddd!!! The airline finally delivered my luggage, with everything intact...............missing for 28 hrs. Gotta love it !