Very nervous about first time flying with firearm.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

First off mods if this is n the wrong place, excuse my ignorance!

So I am flying into Milwaukee(does not recognize co ccw) and driving to Wisconsin(does recognize our ccw). I am most nervous about what to say once I approach the ticket counter to declare my firearm(s).

I have read: http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html

I just don't wanna be the guy bill oreilly analyzes if I'm a patriot or a pinhead. [ROFL1]

Does the lock on the hard sided case in the suit case have to be TSA compliant or will my old gym locker padlock work?

Thanks for the help, haters and sh!t talkers no need to respond.

[cstone]

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Unloaded, in a locked container. Declare it to the ticket agent at the counter. Don't use a TSA approved lock. Observe all federal, state, and local laws.

Be safe.

[TFOGGER]

I'm surprised that Milwaukee is not subject to state supercession.

TSA outlines what is required in this link: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

But if you have any questions about the requirements, a phone call to Southwest's customer service may be in order. Make sure you get the name and employee number of anyone you talk to concerning policy and requirements.

[rondog]

You're braver than me! I can't think of a good reason to bring my CCW with me on a flight, let alone to two states that don't recognize my permit. I'd end up being "that guy".

[spqrzilla]

Milwaukee is in Wisconsin.

[hatidua]

Milwaukee is in Wisconsin.


well, that just takes all the fun out of it!

[00tec]

Walk in to the counter and tell them you have a firearm. You won't even get a funny look at DIA. Fill out little orange slip and follow TSA grunt to the x-ray room. They may ask you to open the case (they didn't for me), and will run it through the x-ray. They take it from there. Don't use a TSA lock, use your own combination lock (so you can't lose a key). DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR COMBINATION. If the case is inside your suitcase, use the TSA lock on the outside bag and your combo inside (If you don't use a lock on the outside, TSA may zip tie the zippers together - they did mine)

Put your ammo either in the factory packaging, or in one of those plastic reloader's type boxes. I prefer to keep it in the same case as the gun. Ammo in magazines is bad. (Southwest policy- not TSA)

When I carried mine, I carried it in my pelican pistol case within my suitcase. I also ran a piece of cable to the frame of my suitcase so it would be harder to make disappear than simply taking the case out of the bag and zipping it back up.

[spleify]

Milwaukee is in Wisconsin.

Thank you, I was going to post this too

[Tinelement]

Milwaukee is in Wisconsin.

Yup!

I'm from Wisconsin and they honor your Colorado CCW.

Was just back there a few weeks ago.

Now, if you fly into MSP in Minnesota, they do not honor CO CCW or WI CCW.
Going to have to wait to cross the border before you holster.

[Monky]

Just don't go to the counter and say 'I have a gun'... That's my advice.

I've flown several times w/ a firearm and never had a problem. Although, I do always get selected for additional security screening. [Coffee]

[ChadAmberg]

Oh, and after you declare the firearm, be prepared... to get bumped up to a better seat. Seems to happen to me about half the time when I fly and declare a firearm.

What I use is one of those plastic MTM ammo cans, put everything in it, and slap on a couple non-TSA locks, then stick it in my luggage. I keep a printout with make, model, serial # in my wallet just in case. But definitely don't worry about flying with a firearm.

[whiskeyjack]

I fly often with many guns just make sure to read the air lines rules on ammo and your good to go. I flew recently with suppressor/ar/glocks/revolver/bolt gun.

[anaphylaxis]

I have done this a few times recently.

1. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

2. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

3. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

4. be sure your firearm is UNLOADED, in a LOCKED, hard sided case.

5. walk up to counter "I need to declare a firearm."

6. fill out paperwork.

7. they'll take you to separate tsa screening area (at least in DEN and PHX -- not the case in LAS).

8. if all is well, you'll be in your way.

9. As a reminder, make sure you don't have any firearms parts, ammo, etc in your carry on. Scrub it carefully. It gets interesting if you have so much as an unloaded mag in your carry on. Don't ask how I know.

Not a horrible process. Just have to maintain some serious situational awareness and attention to detail.

[anaphylaxis]

I have done this a few times recently.

1. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

2. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

3. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.

4. be sure your firearm is UNLOADED, in a LOCKED, hard sided case.

5. walk up to counter "I need to declare a firearm."

6. fill out paperwork.

7. they'll take you to separate tsa screening area (at least in DEN and PHX -- not the case in LAS).

8. if all is well, you'll be in your way.

9. As a reminder, make sure you don't have any firearms parts, ammo, etc in your carry on. Scrub it carefully. It gets interesting if you have so much as an unloaded mag in your carry on. Don't ask how I know.

Not a horrible process. Just have to maintain some serious situational awareness and attention to detail.

[Redcon1]

Don't be nervous, I've flown a couple times with multiple guns in the past six months and it's no sweat.

[pepito]

Walk in to the counter and tell them you have a firearm. You won't even get a funny look at DIA. Fill out little orange slip and follow TSA grunt to the x-ray room. They may ask you to open the case (they didn't for me), and will run it through the x-ray. They take it from there. Don't use a TSA lock, use your own combination lock (so you can't lose a key). DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR COMBINATION. If the case is inside your suitcase, use the TSA lock on the outside bag and your combo inside (If you don't use a lock on the outside, TSA may zip tie the zippers together - they did mine)

Put your ammo either in the factory packaging, or in one of those plastic reloader's type boxes. I prefer to keep it in the same case as the gun. Ammo in magazines is bad. (Southwest policy- not TSA)

When I carried mine, I carried it in my pelican pistol case within my suitcase. I also ran a piece of cable to the frame of my suitcase so it would be harder to make disappear than simply taking the case out of the bag and zipping it back up.
+1 didn't miss a beat. I went though the exact procedure when I flew to Alaska. Flying back was ever easier! That airport is used to seein guys flying in and out with game meat, fish, bows, and weapons of all shape and sizes. When I was flying back TSA gal just said 'cool' tagged it and tossing it in with the check bag. Too easy.

[funkymonkey1111]

there is nothing to be nervous about. as others said, simply state "i need to declare a firearm"

[KestrelBike]

Walk in to the counter and tell them you have a firearm. You won't even get a funny look at DIA. Fill out little orange slip and follow TSA grunt to the x-ray room. They may ask you to open the case (they didn't for me), and will run it through the x-ray. They take it from there. Don't use a TSA lock, use your own combination lock (so you can't lose a key). DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR COMBINATION. If the case is inside your suitcase, use the TSA lock on the outside bag and your combo inside (If you don't use a lock on the outside, TSA may zip tie the zippers together - they did mine)

Put your ammo either in the factory packaging, or in one of those plastic reloader's type boxes. I prefer to keep it in the same case as the gun. Ammo in magazines is bad. (Southwest policy- not TSA)

When I carried mine, I carried it in my pelican pistol case within my suitcase. I also ran a piece of cable to the frame of my suitcase so it would be harder to make disappear than simply taking the case out of the bag and zipping it back up.


This is good stuff. One agent in CA tried to tell me I didn't get an orange slip, I asked for his supervisor who then knew exactly what orange slip I was talking about. I even asked for another one as insurance (which would probably have been useless if the horrible happened, but it made me feel better anyways), the guy was happy to oblige.

[buckeye4rnr]

http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/physical-security/flying-with-a-firearm-and-airline-travel-tips-by-deviant-ollam/

There is a very good video that goes into a lot of detail about flying with firearms.

[Ronin13]

http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/physical-security/flying-with-a-firearm-and-airline-travel-tips-by-deviant-ollam/

There is a very good video that goes into a lot of detail about flying with firearms.

Wow, and his website has a lot of info- including grades for all the major domestic airlines. I'm going to use that info very handily next time I fly and I will be bringing a/many firearms. [Beer]

[buckeye4rnr]

Wow, and his website has a lot of info- including grades for all the major domestic airlines. I'm going to use that info very handily next time I fly and I will be bringing a/many firearms. [Beer]


I hope it serves you well. I stumbled across that not too long ago and had to rack my brain trying to remember where I saw it when I noticed the original post.

[jhood001]

2. be sure you don't have any ammo, magazines or other "firearms parts" with you in your carry on.


Would an Aimpoint CompM3 qualify as a firearm part? I don't want to check it in my luggage and I don't want it on the firearm.

[KevDen2005]

I can't believe no one posted this yet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5FT3IGXtAk

And no, I still don't know how to imbed a video

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Thanks for all the help guys!

So far so good! Got em all checked in no problems. When the guy walked away with my bag I felt like a parent dropping there kid off for the first day of preschool. Now cross my finger they don't lose/loot my shit.

Tnelement need me to get anything from or family and bring it back?

[KevDen2005]

Thanks for all the help guys!

So far so good! Got em all checked in no problems. When the guy walked away with my bag I felt like a parent dropping there kid off for the first day of preschool. Now cross my finger they don't lose/loot my shit.

Tnelement need me to get anything from or family and bring it back?


I have checked my gun a couple times. I have a pelican case that locks and it fits inside my duffel. I had no issues.

[Ronin13]

I can't believe no one posted this yet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5FT3IGXtAk

And no, I still don't know how to imbed a video

For future reference- copy the part of the YouTube URL that comes after the "="... then put [ youtube ]*Paste url after = here*[/ youtube ] <no spaces between [] and youtube. [Beer]

[KevDen2005]

For future reference- copy the part of the YouTube URL that comes after the "="... then put [ youtube ]*Paste url after = here*[/ youtube ] <no spaces between [] and youtube. [Beer]
Finally throwing me a bone here, thanks bud