Flying with a Firearm

[ChadAmberg]

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.

I just flew last week to the east coast on Frontier with a couple handguns. It was so easy, my neighbor is TSA and she gave me the run down, and here's what I did.

I used a plastic ammo can from Midway, that has the two lock holes in it already. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=535518

I went to Target, and got a 4 pack of small NON TSA padlocks for like 10 bucks. Must be non-TSA, they're not allowed to open the box without you there. Threw in my guns, targets, and ammo (in their original box). Put on 2 of the padlocks, the rules say 2 locks.

Shoved the ammo can in my duffel bag.

Walked into COS airport and up to the counter. Said "I have to declare unloaded locked firearms." She wrote up the red tag, I put it inside the duffel bag. I walked the 10 feet over to the TSA counter, handed them the bag. Didn't tell them about the firearms. Just wait there while the bag goes through the x-ray machine. Once they throw it on the conveyor, you're done.

On the way back from Filthadelphia airport, same exact routine. In fact, the guy at the counter upgraded my seat because he likes shooting.

The only downside is, that you don't get to skip the lines for security anymore, because they'll take the bag right there at the counter.

[ChadAmberg]

So, you need two different locks? One on the gun case, and one on the suite case?

Are other airports the same when traveling back?

Thanks

You now need two locks on the gun case only. Most of my older cases would lock in the middle, but you could easily pry the side of the case up and remove the guns without leaving a trace. So now you use a lock on each corner. In theory, a briefcase with the combination lock on each side works just fine, just supply your own foam. And the locks must be non TSA locks. If you choose to lock your normal luggage, there you would use the standard TSA locks.

[shane]

You now need two locks on the gun case only. Most of my older cases would lock in the middle, but you could easily pry the side of the case up and remove the guns without leaving a trace. So now you use a lock on each corner. In theory, a briefcase with the combination lock on each side works just fine, just supply your own foam. And the locks must be non TSA locks. If you choose to lock your normal luggage, there you would use the standard TSA locks.

I sure hope I'm ok, the case I bought only has one lock in the middle. I tried prying up on the corners of the case, but it is very secure. I checked the TSA's website to see their rules for a case and it seems there is no mention of needing two or more locks. I guess I will know tonight....

The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort do not meet this criterion.

Edit: I think I am going to return it for the 4 pistol model with two locks.