View Full Version : First Time Flying on Plane with Firearm ???
Next month I will be flying from Denver to Phoenix, AZ and I want to check in my rifle as baggage at DIA....I'll be flying on Frontier Airlines RT air....This is my first time / experience to check in firearm baggage on a plane and would like to know from anyone's experience on what the proper procedure I should take and what I will expect at the airport.
I have a hard case that can be pad locked multiple times. I will not be transporting any ammo. The only thing that will be in the hard case is my AR and a couple of mags. Everything will be unloaded. I will also be running a cable lock through the mag well and ejection port area while all is locked in the hard case.
I am told to never hand over any pad lock key to anyone, including TSA.....That the key will always remain on my person and that I am the only one to unlock the pad locks myself.
Some of my questions are:
1) when at the baggage check in counter, do I tell them I am checking in a firearm?....I mean it is a hard case but guitars and keyboards also get transported in a hard case too.
2) If I have to mention I am checking in a firearm, do I have to open up the hard case to show them for inspection and verify that it is indeed unloaded?.....Or do I not open the hard case at all cause it's none of their business what type of firearm it is ???
3) If all goes smooth,....when I arrive at Phoenix airport, Does my rifle hard case end up at baggage claim where it shoots down the baggage carousel or does it get sent to a special room to claim it ??.....same on return flight back at DIA ??
Thanks for any helpful info.
This is the case I will check in with
http://www.cre8ivefotos.com/forumstuff/RJM_7132.jpg
If youre the only one with the key. Theyll cut the lock.
Print frontier regs and faa regs about flying w guns. Keep one copy on you and one with the gun.
They will inspect it.
They will cut the lock if you do not have TSA approved locks on the case. You must declare the firearm and after checking the rest of your baggage you will be sent to have your gun inspected. After they inspect the gun and do their swabs (looking for bomb making material) they will have you lock the case and then send it on to the plane. You head to your gate. When you arrive you will have to go to the special pickup just so they can verify who is picking up.
After they inspect the gun and do their swabs (looking for bomb making material) they will have you lock the case and then send it on to the plane.
Once screening of case is done, approved by TSA and I lock it up myself......does TSA have the right and ability to open the case up again without me being present at any time?
hollohas
06-18-2014, 17:12
Lars has it about right. You check in and tell them you have firearm. They tag your bags/case and you will be sent to another window where it will be inspected. You hand them the key, they inspect, lock back up and give the key back to you.
When you arrive you will have to pick it up at a special room. Usually the same place you get oversized bags, carseats or report missing bags. At least that's the case everywhere I have flown except SFO. Once I flew there my shotgun came out on the regular baggage claim. You should have seen the faces of all those hippies when I grabbed an obvious gun case from the baggage claim! Ha!
This should help you:
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition
As far as TSA approved locks on a firearm case, I can find no proof that it is required by law. In fact, a quick Google search will find a majority say to the contrary. Look over the TSA rules regarding firearms and the airline carrier rules as the carrier may have their own specific rules that others don't. Declare your firearms at check-in, follow their instructions and you'll be fine.
I went last month, they didn't even open up the case. My pistol was in a hard sided case locked up with a non tsa lock, and inside unlocked luggage. They basically gave me a tag to put in the baggage, and they brought my bag to the TSA screeners, they put it in their machine, and the TSA guys said I was good to go.
Pretty much the same way coming back. It took 15 minutes extra check in time. I went from DIA to Milwaukee, WI Noone asked to look inside the case at all. but I wouldn't be against it. And I was prepared to open it up with my key if they asked me to. They (TSA) asked me if I was the only one with the key that was it.
Travelling with a checked Firearm is pretty much routine for these airlines. Just follow the specific rules that your airline says. (I had to put masking tape over the exposed ammo in the mags)
hollohas
06-18-2014, 17:29
Yeah. I never used a TSA lock.
If youre the only one with the key. Theyll cut the lock.
They will cut the lock if you do not have TSA approved locks on the case.
Holy fuck. If you don't know the answer then keep your mouth shut. You NEVER EVER put a TSA lock on a declared firearm. The whole purpose of you supplying your OWN DAMN LOCK is so that the TSA cannot steal your firearm. You *will* be present when they inspect it..
I have flown from DIA to Sky Harbor multiple times with guns multiple times. Both places are incredibly easy.
When you go up to the counter you say to the nice lady "Hello. I would like to declare an unloaded firearm". She will give you a small form to fill out and call a TSA person over. The TSA person will escort you, and your baggage, to a special little room they have set-up for just this. There they will x-ray your items while you stand there. If all is good they will send you on your way. If they see anything weird they will ask you to open the case and allow them to inspect it (the case).
When you get to Sky Harbor you will go to the baggage claim office (it used to come down the normal baggage line - still does in some places). You will tell them you are picking up a bag. They will go fetch it for you and you will be on your way.
Same thing in reverse - except you and the TSA will not go to a special room. They will do the X-Ray right there (its how Sky Harbor is setup).
Note that the last time I did this was April of 2013 so it may have changed slightly.
Fentonite
06-18-2014, 18:18
I've flown with both a pistol in a locked case within my suitcase, and also with a rather obvious Pelican rifle case by itself. Always declare it. They've had me open mine right at the normal counter to peak in and put a pice of paper in the case, and other times I've gone over to a special booth where they had me open it. I used Master combo locks, and they didn't say a thing. What I've found concerning is that I've never had to pick it up anywhere special; it always just came down the carousel. DIA, Atlanta and Houston, each just spit it out on the luggage carousel. Get there quickly.
Yes. Quit giving BAD advice. The regulations REQUIRE that you are the only person with access to the case. While you may get by with a TSA lock, on pure luck the regs REQUIRE you use a NON-TSA lock. The TSA lock has a master key, and they don't want anyone with that master key being able to get to YOUR gun(s).
So DO NOT USE A TSA LOCK!!!!
Everything else Asmo says is spot on. Depending on the airport, you will have to pick it up at the counter, other airports it will go out on the belt.
On a related note: they are not allowed to mark the case in anyway to indicate it is a firearm... so don't let them do so.
Holy fuck. If you don't know the answer then keep your mouth shut. You NEVER EVER put a TSA lock on a declared firearm. The whole purpose of you supplying your OWN DAMN LOCK is so that the TSA cannot steal your firearm. You *will* be present when they inspect it..
I have flown from DIA to Sky Harbor multiple times with guns multiple times. Both places are incredibly easy.
Same thing in reverse - except you and the TSA will not go to a special room. They will do the X-Ray right there (its how Sky Harbor is setup).
Note that the last time I did this was April of 2013 so it may have changed slightly.
Thank you Asmo for sharing your info and experience......that helps out a lot since you have flown into Sky Harbor......Do you suggest any type of pad lock over any other brand. I will be using 4 pad locks on lockable points on the case which are 6 spots....I'm thinking Master Lock is sufficient enough for the purpose, but not the TSA Master Locks that are available.
Master locks will do well, just don't use the TSA master locks.
So do not put any markings on the case to indicate a firearm but use a non TSA lock which cannot be used on normal luggage? hmmmm.
So do not put any markings on the case to indicate a firearm but use a non TSA lock which cannot be used on normal luggage? hmmmm.
You do not use the non tsa lock on the luggage. Only the hard sided case. If the hard sided case is inside the luggage still use the non TSA lock on the hard sided case only. The outer luggage treat as regular luggage but be prepared to open that because you will have to fill out a little tag thingy to put in the luggage.
I think the little tag they have you put inside the case they can read the ink through the x-ray machine indicating thae firearm they see has been declared.
Last month was the last time I flew with a checked firearm. The counter folks (both ways) told me they get this all the time and it is pretty routine, the TSA guys that scanned my luggage were pretty cool too. I thought it funny however, that they asked me if the pistol was in a locked case after they ran it through the machine. LOL
Follow the instructions on the website of the airline you are flying with and you will be all good.
Sorry I was thinking a case by itself like pictured here.
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/133635-Traveling-with-NFA-items-Trust-Question
Yes, even a stand alone case. You do not mark as firearm and you do not use a TSA lock. The people that "need to know" probably have a way to tell it is a firearm from the tag issued... but they don't want the baggage jockeys on the runway to know what is inside.
Yes, even a stand alone case. You do not mark as firearm and you do not use a TSA lock. The people that "need to know" probably have a way to tell it is a firearm from the tag issued... but they don't want the baggage jockeys on the runway to know what is inside.
The little orange tag they give you to fill out that says "Firearms Unloaded" they can see in the xray machine, so they don't need it marked on the outside.
Sorry I was thinking a case by itself like pictured here.
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/133635-Traveling-with-NFA-items-Trust-Question
Just like J said NON TSA Lock. You are GTG
I use combo NON TSA locks. Tell the counter clerk at checkin that you are checking a firearm. They will dispatch TSA to fetch you and the gun. They will take you to a small room to xray the case. If needed, they will ask you to open it for further inspection. Do not give them the combo. Once it is inspected, they check it and it is free from further inspection on that one way trip. It comes around the carousel.
Holy fuck. If you don't know the answer then keep your mouth shut. You NEVER EVER put a TSA lock on a declared firearm. The whole purpose of you supplying your OWN DAMN LOCK is so that the TSA cannot steal your firearm. You *will* be present when they inspect
I forgot got to type the word NOT when I wrote that they will cut the lock. It was meant to read "they will NOT cut the lock if you do not use approved locks. But thanks for they dick comment to correct my error. I fly with guns once to twice a month, but since I miss typed I guess I will keep my damn mouth shut. Way to be a dick
I got chastised by tsa for making them cut my lock....
Then again I know a guy who had to get a tsa approved case for a blue gun at the last minute.
KestrelBike
06-18-2014, 21:15
Frontier is awesome for flying with Firearms. I've had different "procedures" with gatecheckers, but never any real problems. DO NOT USE A TSA LOCK FFS! Use your own lock that only you have the key/combination to. Declare the firearm at check-in. They bring you to the little backroom where the TSA dude scans for explosives or whatever, while you watch him. He says "ok it's clear, lock it up" and you do, then you walk away to your gate. You do not need a trigger/chamber lock. You only need the weapon to be in a locked hard case.
KestrelBike
06-18-2014, 21:18
Yes, even a stand alone case. You do not mark as firearm and you do not use a TSA lock. The people that "need to know" probably have a way to tell it is a firearm from the tag issued... but they don't want the baggage jockeys on the runway to know what is inside.
like this a-hole lol http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/04/minneapolis-airport-baggage-handler-accused-of-stealing-84000-worth-of-belongings-from-passengers/
Be prepared for additional security screening as you go through TSA, I'm 'randomly' selected each time. Of course the last time I flew I got my whole plane sent to the 'penalty box'
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
KestrelBike
06-18-2014, 21:45
Of course the last time I flew I got my whole plane sent to the 'penalty box'
Ok well you can't just leave it like that without a story.
Be prepared for additional security screening as you go through TSA, I'm 'randomly' selected each time.
I'm not worried about additional individual screening / pat downs as I have an internal heart defibrillator inside my chest wired to my heart so I am supposed to be pat down by TSA and can't go through the xray scanner myself
2008f450
06-18-2014, 22:04
Has anyone flown into LAX (Los Angeles International) with a firearm? I will have to in July. Any info will be helpfull.
KestrelBike
06-18-2014, 22:12
Has anyone flown into LAX (Los Angeles International) with a firearm? I will have to in July. Any info will be helpfull.
I can't imagine that the destination is ever an issue, unless you've been a bad boy and get arrested on the way over. Baggage is baggage at the back end and as far as I know, never inspected.
Now, Flying *out* of LAX, that's a different question but I don't think it'd be too different than flying out of any other airport.
Not a repost but there is additional info over on this thread:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/133635-Traveling-with-NFA-items-Trust-Question
I know someone else posted the TSA link, but for one stop shopping:
http://www.flyfrontier.com/customer-service/travel-support/baggage/firearms
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition
Every airport is different, but last time I flew out of DIA I declared my firearm at check in at which point they tagged, but did not take the firearm case. An airline representative took the case and I accompanied him over to a special TSA area where I waited in the doorway "in case TSA had any questions." TSA X-rayed the case, said I was good to go (no need for the key/inspection) and that was it.
O2
JohnnyEgo
06-19-2014, 08:03
Not a repost but there is additional info over on this thread:
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/133635-Traveling-with-NFA-items-Trust-Question
From that other thread:
At the check-in counter at DIA:
http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/cases/2011-08-08_17-14-05_257.jpeg
Coming off the baggage claim:
http://www.johnnyego.com/firearms/cases/2011-08-08_23-30-25_391.jpeg
Recently, Southwest has started delivering firearms to their baggage office instead of putting them on the belt. Kind of like that, because they usually arrive before the rest of my luggage.
Every thing that needs to be said about the proper procedure has already been said. I travel with guns all the time, and have not had any problems.
ChadAmberg
06-19-2014, 09:38
Be prepared for additional security screening as you go through TSA, I'm 'randomly' selected each time. Of course the last time I flew I got my whole plane sent to the 'penalty box'.
For me, it's usually "No problem with checking your firearm. Would you like a free seat upgrade? "
KestrelBike
06-19-2014, 10:11
For me, it's usually "No problem with checking your firearm. Would you like a free seat upgrade? "
Oh nice! What airline is that?
I love how people who have obviously never flown with firearms are giving advice. Asmo has it pretty good and has obviously been through it.
I fly with guns frequently, even though I do not like to. Here is some good initial advice...I like a case with no foam, put my guns in rugs and soft cases inside a hardside case and then use foam sheets, clothes, shoes, etc. to pack that sucker tight. Tan or orange is good, and then get some stickers to put on them that are NOT gun related: I have used "Survey Equipment, Handle with Care", "Medical Equipment, Handle With Care", "This Equipment Out of Service, Calibration Required". Don't get too cute and put something stupid like "Bio Hazard" on it.
The locks must be TSA approved, and most are. Get good ones, with a key! Combo locks too easy to pick. I carry 2 sets of locks. I arrive at the check in counter with one set in the case and one set in my pocket. The keys are obviously in my pocket. "I need to declare a Firearm" is all I ever say. Fill out the tag and drop it in the case, then lock the case. In Denver, an airline porter will come and take the case and you accompany the porter to the TSA screening area. They will X-Ray the case and you keep the key. You have to stand behind a banister, but you can see inside. If they decide to open your case (usually they do), they will ask for the key, and yes, you have to give it to them. They will open and look inside, close back up and return the key. The porter then takes the case to special services and it goes on the plane. I have had the extra time range from 5 minutes to over an hour (as opposed to not checking any bags), so plan accordingly.
I have flown into airports all over the US and they are slight differences here and there and from Airline to Airline, but most are pretty much the same. Sometimes you have to use the claim check to get your guns case from special services, other times they hit the conveyor with everything else. Ammo can not be loose, but it can be in magazines if they are in a secured pouch. I use the plastic ammo boxes and a some packing tape.
I flew into Dulles on the morning of the Navy Yard Shooting, with 5 guns. Got picked up by Tes from FNH. She had her guns, camo netting, a full sized dummy and military rucks in the car, which she dragged out so I could put my gear in. I almost had heart failure as I tried to stuff everything in as fast as I could.
TheWeeze
06-19-2014, 10:34
I've never done it myself, but I'd imagine Frontier is more than happy to take your firearm...for the agreed upon upcharge. Ever since they set their new pricing structure, I'm sure you'll be taking it up the tail pipe price wise for any checked baggage.
For me, it's usually "No problem with checking your firearm. Would you like a free seat upgrade? "
Well shit... I feel special since I keep being singled out for additional screening
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
I've never done it myself, but I'd imagine Frontier is more than happy to take your firearm...for the agreed upon upcharge. Ever since they set their new pricing structure, I'm sure you'll be taking it up the tail pipe price wise for any checked baggage.
More than likely it'll still be cheaper than the other airlines. But in all fairness, I do work for them. So I may be a little partial.
You NEVER EVER put a TSA lock on a declared firearm.
The locks must be TSA approved, and most are.
Both of you provided your actual travel experience and thank you........but now I'm a bit confused as I'm about to run to a store to buy a 4 pack of Master Lock padlocks keyed alike from like Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_397705-382-3QLD_0__?productId=3824309&Ntt=master+lock&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dmaster%2Block&facetInfo=
"TSA locks" means that TSA personnel can open them without damage, without your key. Maybe okay for a checked bag, but NOT for a firearm. TSA approved means a lock that the TSA will accept a suitable lock. The information can be a bit confusing because the "TSA locks" are marketed to the masses, not those traveling with firearms.
I use these: http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=50694-382-121Q&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3034396&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Buy some MasterLocks and you're good.
went to Lowes, bought a Master Lock 4 pack, went home and they didn't fit to lock the hard case......Went to exchange them for this larger set which cost more but will be worth the security. Nice lock set that has a plastic then rubber protection over the pad lock.
Thanks for everyone's helpful response !!!
http://www.cre8ivefotos.com/forumstuff/RJM_7136.JPG
Rock on. Those should work great.
I bought the same 4-pack. Glad you got your questions answered. The TSA site is very vague on the locks. What else would you expect from the Government.
KestrelBike
06-19-2014, 18:23
Now hang on to that key for dear life... I'd just put it with the car keys.
you mean you're not supposed to walk up to the counter ans loudly announce "I HAVE A GUN!"? [ROFL1]
JMBD2112
06-20-2014, 11:03
Man, Thanks for all the info guys, I'm flying back to TN for a few weeks on Wednesday and was thinking of bringing my carry. Anyone fly into Hartsfield Jackson with a firearm?
JohnnyEgo
06-20-2014, 20:33
Many, many times, with lots of NFA stuff, but isn't that a fair distance away from TN?
Be polite, be informed. You are unlikely to have any issues.
JMBD2112
06-21-2014, 02:15
Only 2hrs to chatt, versus 3hrs from Nashville
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