Thanks for the responses. I'll probably follow your leads with the note and hope for the best.
Thanks for the responses. I'll probably follow your leads with the note and hope for the best.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/12/travel...ml?hpt=hp_bn13
Travel tip: don't save weight on your checked baggage by putting your heater in the carry on.
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In and out of Houston Hobby last week. Zero issues. They didn't even ask to look inside my locked case, just taped the declaration to the top.
That's how we roll in Texas.
My trip back from BWI was a different story. I thought the female attendant was going to pass out after I opened my case.
AKA: SkyLine1
Small locked case inside a larger bag, I presume?Originally Posted by ToddG
Surprising. I fly out of BWI multiple times per month and never get so much as a "boo." Not all of the check-in folks know the rules properly, but none have ever given me any indication that they cared I was traveling with guns.
Yes. I've become a huge Briggs & Riley fan.
This is a great thread. I do a lot of traveling with checked firearms. The ones I know well.
SFO (San Fransisco) - Tell the ticket agent that you wish to check a firearm. They will then hand you whatever airline form and TSA form that is required for you to fill out. You will then be escorted to a room where a TSA agent will check your firearm. This check has been everything from an actual check to see the weapon is unloaded to a cursory check to make sure it has been packed correctly. The agent will then place your forms/tags in your baggage, close it up and send it on its way. You may then proceed to airside security. This process usually takes 15 minutes or less once you get a ticket agent, but it has taken up to 30 minutes. As long as your rifle is configured legally or you are authorized to possess it (RAW), you shouldn't worry one bit. I have passed many a black rifle through SFO without even an eyebrow being raised.
IAH (Houston Bush) - Again, tell the ticket agent you wish to check a firearm (this can be done from a self check in Kiosk). You will then be escorted by an agent to a desk and the TSA will be called to check your firearm. There may be a wait for the TSA screener to arrive so plan on at least 30 minutes for the process. If you are flying on Continental/United, check in at terminal C as E is covered by the same people who work in C and it will take them longer to make it over to the E counters. The TSA will then check your firearm (about the same thoroughness as at SFO), place the tag with it, have you lock it up then give it back to the ticket agent for them to send on its way. You may then proceed to airside security.
OKC (Oklahoma City) - Tell the ticket agent you wish to check a firearm. The ticket agent will hand you a form and ask you if it is unloaded. Some ticket agents may ask you to show them, others won't. They then will give you your tags to fill out, you place them in the baggage and it is on its way.
A couple of notes -
1) Always plan on an additional 0:30 - 1:00 on top of the regular 1:00 prior to departure if you are checking a firearm.
2) Be courteous. Most of the folks involved are not gun people, may be totally ignorant about guns and are just doing what they are told to do. If you really have an issue, then ask to speak to a supervisor, don't take it out on the screener or ticket agent. The whole process is BS, we all know it, but blowing your top at a bottom level smurf ain't going to accomplish anything except make your day harder.
3) Ammo is usually limited to 11 lbs in factory packaging or packaging suitable for shipping. Flights to Alaska (especially on AS) authorize more ammo (up to 50 lbs as I recall).
4) Dress and act appropriately. If military or LEO, make sure they know that as it will usually make the sheep more at ease with you (especially if you have a more colorful firearm). Don't dress in a way or act in a way that will make then think that your intentions are less than honorable. A funny story here; when I was moving the last of my belongings back to SFO from Houston, I checked a bag that contained one handgun, several magazines, a couple hundred rounds of ammo, and a couple of Bibles. This was not long after the whole "domestic terrorist" thing was in the news. Luckily I was in uniform as it did raise a noticeable response from the screener.
5) As mentioned, once checked by TSA (or Ticket Agent as the case may be), the use of a TSA approved lock is NOT required. I wouldn't use them for firearms as pretty much any ramp monkey who is up to no good will have a master for a TSA lock by now.
Last edited by Suvorov; 12-13-2011 at 01:44 AM.
I figured this thread was useful enough to warrant a bump. Would anyone care to comment on experiences flying with loaded magazines in their luggage?
When I travel, I typically take either a G19 and/or a Kahr P9 along, depending on climate and manner of dress required at the destination. Thus far, I've always flown with my ammunition in factory packaging, then loaded mags at the destination. However, I understand that at least some airlines do permit loaded magazines, if correctly packed. This would slightly reduce the hassle, and a few minutes of unarmed downtime, on the other end.
As an example, Southwest Airlines' web site states: "Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition)."
The "cutout" concept is simple enough, and would be easily done to a Pelican case. Unfortunately, the waffle foam in my Nanovault and Frazen Armlock cases isn't quite as suitable. Does anyone have experience with what they consider an adequate "small box", or recommendations for an appropriate container for 2-3 Glock mags?
How about other airlines?
As an aside, John Farnham once mentioned that loaded PMAGs were good to go, if the plastic cover was in place over the feed lips, although he didn't state which airlines he used. Given that, it seems that pistol mags in a kydex pouch that completely enclosed the feed lips might also suffice...but I'd rather not find out the hard way that it doesn't.
I'd welcome any thoughts or experiences, positive or negative.
I have never flown with ammo in a magazine. I remove all of it, put it in factory boxes or plastic boxes for ammo. Usually I put a piece or two of tape on the boxes just to make sure. Pistol in a Center of Mass box http://www.center-of-mass.com/Store_InCarGunSafe.htm ammo boxes just loose in the luggage. Only in Omaha has this ever been a problem...
I have yet to have a single consistent process with flying with firearms. It goes from professional and no issues to shear stupidity. I fly with a lot of AR's when doing Aimpoint stuff. I always like to watch the inspection at TSA, but its not always possible. What is worse is when a counter clerk wants to inspect the stuff at the counter. Nothing like popping a Pelican case with multiple fully decked AR's and pistols in front of everyone.
Usually the gun friendly places are the best (Texas, Arizona, etc.), but I must say Wayne Dobbs and I went through the ringer flying to SHOT. The counter clerk went absolutely full retard spastic with both of us. The fact that she didn't weigh Wayne's two boxes of pistol ammo practically required the Airport to be shut down because they might be over 9 pounds, and my guns were not in a locked box.........."uh ma'am, that is a Pelican case with multiple locks.....it is the locked box"....NO!, it has to have the guns IN a locked box in the case".........Uh ma'am, that case is designed to be the locked box". "No they need to all be in boxes in the case". Ma'am, see those stickers on the case, this was used to take guns to the Olympics in, trust me it is okay".......eventually a supervisor made it all better, but it was insanely stupid. On a good note, often times they are so busy screwing around with "what to do" that they forget to weigh my case.
I just try to be cooperative and take deep breathes.
Just a Hairy Special Snowflake supply clerk with no field experience, shooting an Asymetric carbine as a Try Hard. Snarky and easily butt hurt. Favorite animal is the Cape Buffalo....likely indicative of a personality disorder.
"If I had a grandpa, he would look like Delbert Belton".
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