Originally Posted by
RJ
I recently travelled with a firearm via Airline for the very first time. In addition, this was one of the first post-COVID flights I made. I was thinking with the increase in gun owners, I would update this thread with my experience.
Pre-Flight: Expectations
Being an over-thinker, I drew up a plan pre-flight was as follows:
Inside a locked (non-TSA lock) Case:
- Gun, unloaded
- Orange Paracord through barrel
- (Chamber flag in Semi-Auto)
- Box(s) Ammo
- Magazine(s)
Attached name and address card, and clear plastic self-adhesive envelope for TSA Declaration
Put above inside a TSA-locked, softsided rollaboard checked luggage along with:
- Maglula
- Holster(s)
- Mag pouch(s)
- Zip ties
- Extra TSA Lock
- Diagonal Cutting Pliers + Pocket knife + Trauma Shears in outer compartment of bag
In carry-on luggage:
- Printed Copy of Delta.com firearms policy with time stamps
- Printed Copy of TSA Firearm handling regulations with time stamps
Pre-Flight: Plans
I made plans to fly from Tampa FL to Salt Lake City, direct, in support of a vacation trip. I decided to take my Sig P365XL, two magazines, and 50 rounds of Federal HST. I printed the TSA and Delta policies on traveling with a firearm. I printed my name address and cell number and placed it with wrapping tape on my gun case. I put a chamber flag in my semi-auto.
Besides the pistol, I added a Maglula and a couple holsters to my luggage. I put a small pair of dykes in an outer zip lock. I opted to use my Bulldog steel transit case for the pistol and ammo, the security loop of which I put around the internal frame of my Travelpro roll-aboard I was going to check with Delta.
Flight: Plans
I stopped in to the Airport the day before the flight and discussed my plan with a gate agent for my airline (Delta.) The only modification she asked me to make was to remove the ammo from the transit case and pack the box of 147 HST within the luggage (i.e. put the box of ammo amongst my clothing, not in the locked gun case.)
Flight: Reality
The next day, I checked in online and brought my luggage to the Delta Agent. I informed him I had an unloaded firearm. He asked me to sign and date a red Delta firearm tag. I opened the case on the Delta weigh-scale and dropped the tag on top of my Bulldog case, then locked the case with a TSA-lock. We walked over to the TSA area and I waited behind the barrier while the TSA agent inspected the bag beyond my eyesight. After about 2 minutes, I got the "ok" from the Delta agent and I then boarded my flight.
At SLC, my bag arrived at the Delta Baggage services counter at the same time my other "normal" bag. I showed my ID to the Delta agent and collected my "special" bag. It had had two very large stout ty-wraps placed all the way around the circumference of the bag.
At the hotel, I cut off the wraps with my dykes which I retrieved from the outside pocket of the bag and carried on.
On the Return Flight from SLC, there was a lot more to it.
After checking me in and having me sign the red Firearm card, the Delta rep walked me and my unlocked bag down the concourse to TSA. I gave the TSA agent the key for my Bulldog case to unlock, returned outside the barrier and waited. She opened it and looked at my P365XL. She then examined my 50 round box of HST (she shook it?) and put it back. In addition to that, she rifled through all my clothes and the eBag with my underwear (which was clean, thank God) and socks. She opened and peered in to every one of my outer zip compartments. Not quite sure what all that was about. Anyway, she then relocked my bag with it’s TSA lock, said I was all set and I then walked up to board my flight. (One other thing, I was unable to check-in "online" using the Delta App; it generated an 'oops' error. This was wierd, so I called Delta, and they asked me if I was flying with a weapon? I said, ah, yep that's it. Interesting my return flight must have been "noted" somehow to flag that up.)
Anyway, after the flight I received my bag after a short 2 minute wait from the Delta Agent at TPA, showing ID, and went home.
Post-Flight: Changes to Plans
In future, I would use a larger set of dykes in the outer compartment. Like, 5" maybe. My little dykes were almost unable to cut the tywrap they used.
Also, I would probably make room for my snubbie. It would be so much quicker/simpler to bring a revolver to load/unload, and lessen the time I go unarmed once I got off federal property.
Hope this helps someone.