Flying with a Firearm

[shane]

Hey gang, So I am going to be traveling to Texas this Thursday and I want to bring my carry gun. I double checked that my permit will be allowed in Texas. I am flying Midwest (operated by Frontier) to Texas and Frontier coming home. I checked both Midwest's firearms policy (Here) and Frontiers firearms policy (Here) and what I gather is the firearm must be unloaded and in a hard case that can be locked and I must declar the pistol too. It also seems I will be able to put any ammo I am bringing along in that same case as long as it is in the original boxes. I still need to get some type of locking case for my springfield xd. Does anyone have any advice where I can get a case like this locally? Also, is it ok for my to put the belt and holster in my bag I plan on checking in with all my clothes and stuff in it? I would love to hear the experience of people who have traveled with firearms in the past so I can avoid any headaches at the airport.

[Byte Stryke]

Outdoor world/Bass pro shops, Gander Mountain... Most larger gun shops will have a nice locking case.


http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...05000_425-5-10

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...05000_425-5-10

http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...3&merchID=4006

There there is this thing..
http://www.gandermountain.com/modper...3&merchID=4006

Just some Ideas

[johngraves2]

I found this on the united page. I am sure it is similar for all carriers.


Federal regulations require that firearms in checked baggage or in their own shipping cases be unloaded and declared. Firearms are not allowed in carry-on bags. Firearms in checked baggage must be packed in a locked hard-sided bag or gun case. TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms. A maximum of 11 lbs. of small arms ammunition is allowed in checked luggage in the original manufacturer's box or securely packed in a fiber, wood or metal box to prevent movement of cartridges.

[psawjack]

I just went through this business about 2 months ago for the first time. I would recommend you picking up a Pelican case. There was a guy on this forum who was selling or trading Pelican cases for ammo. Here's a link to his thread. Maybe he still has some.

http://www.co-ar15.com/forums/showth...t=pelican+case

Inside a 1450 series Pelican case I had 2 pistols with 2 magazines each and a factory box of SD ammo. The Pelican case was then locked and placed inside a overnight type roller suitcase. I walked up to the Southwest Airlines counter and told the attendant that I needed an inspection done on my suitcase and I had to fill out a small form and place it inside the case directly on top of the pistols. Then I had to accompany the case to a luggage x-ray machine and wait while it was scanned. When I received the all-clear I was good to go. I had my carrying belt on my body and 2 holsters in my other piece of luggage and didn't have any problems with both of those items.

The info from the airlines website was good except for one thing (which I found out when I called up the airlines customer service): I read online that the Pelican case could be checked in as is but the CS rep told me that the locked Pelican case needed to be located inside another soft unlocked suitcase. No big problem for me though.

Any questions let me know.

Patrick

[bjl913]

you are pretty much good to go! I just got a cheap hardsided case that locks at big 5 sporting goods, nothing fancy, but it will easily hold 2 full size pistols or one with accessories and ammo.

Also, they will probably open your bag just to make sure that the declaration slip is properly placed in/on the firearm, and to make sure it is actually in the case, so make sure you get a TSA approved lock for you suitcase, or else it they will cut off your lock and not put anything back on it... not cool! On the firearm case itself though DO NOT USE A TSA LOCK ON THE FIREARM CASE, AND MAKE SURE THIS IS A LOCK WITH A KEY, NOT A COMBO, AND THE ONLY KEY IS IN YOUR POSESSION, NOT IN THE BAG!!! If they want to open the firearm case, they will page you and have you come open it yourself. Much better than some sneaky TSA dork getting himself a nice XD for free, and you having no proof who did it!

The whole process was super easy and painless. Pack the firearm on top... When I checked my bag, I said that I had a firearm to declare in my checked luggage, the lady working the counter gave a few quick keystrokes, asked me if it was unloaded and if any ammo was in the original boxes. I said yes, she handed me an orange tag and said to put it in the box with part of the tag/string hanging out, relock it, and put it back in my suitcase. If TSA had questions, they would call me over the loudspeaker, so keep my ears open! I was never paged, and everything went smooth, unfortunately, the TSA guys did go through my bag that was packed pretty stratigically to protect some valuable stuff from my grandfathers estate, and with things being shifted, the stuff was broken.... grrrrrr!

Hope this is helpful!!!

~Ben

[shane]

So do I need to fill out paperwork before I go to make things easier? Can I get this off of the TSA's website? Also what is a TSA approved lock? Are we talking a master lock with a key? And it looks like I'll pack an empty bag just incase they want me to put the hard case in a soft shell bag as patric was saying. Good info here gentelmen. Thank you.

[bjl913]

a TSA lock has their logo on it, and usually has a second key hole so the guards can open your bag for inspection. You can find them at walmart in the section where they sell locks or luggage. http://www.rei.com/product/714382?pr...:referralID=NA its that little red diamond you are looking for. the packaging is usually VERY clearly marked... If you dont have that kind of lock on your checked bag, expect it to get cut off...

As far as the soft side bag, most suitcases are soft (fabric) sided and as long as the pistol case is hard sided, and is inside there, you are good to go.

No paperwork to fill out on your end, they may have you sign something agreeing to their policy, but literally, the bag only took maybe an extra 30-45 seconds to check than if I had not had a gun with me.

So again. Hardsided pistol case with standard keyed masterlock(only you can open this one!!!) Pistol unloaded, Ammo in original box in case /w pistol. Hardsided case inside your suitcase on top. Suitcase locked /w TSA lock. Tell the clerk you have a firearm to declare in your checked luggage, she will have you sign a red or orange tag agreeing to their policy and stating it is unloaded and packed properly, you will stick that tag either in the pistol case, or on top of the pistol case, depending on their instruction. And then keep your ears open for a page if they want you to open up the pistol case. I wouldnt worry too much about it. Ive only done it one time, and was nervous about taking a gun in a freaking airport, but it ended up being no big deal at all!

[funkfool]

Where is LariatBob when you need him...
Probably on an airplane.

[tonantius]

I have traveled via air thrice with a handgun and the first time was a little strange but after that it was o big deal. The airline employee assumes that you are an leo. Denver is kind of stupid because you have to go to a central location for TSA to x-ray your bag. In Houston they have an x-ray machine near the ticketing counter.

I bought a hard case from Midway USA. It was $30+ and has a 4-digit combination lock. I can put two pistols or one with extra mags in it. I put the ammo in original packaging in the suitcase near the pistol case. I have a specific box of ammo that I use for flights.

United has a 1st class desk that is specific for declaring firearms in the West Terminal.

[hurley842002]

Good info guys, this would make good sticky material.