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Thread: Traveling with Firearms: Different TSA Procedures/Experiences

  1. #21
    Site Supporter JodyH's Avatar
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    Feb 2011
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    New Mexico
    BWI (Baltimore)
    MAF (Midland, Tx.)
    Southwest Airlines
    Zero issues, filled out the red/white tag, locked it in the small Pelican case with my pretty pink Masterlocks, stuck that inside my TSA locked large soft-sided suitcase and away it went.
    In Midland the check in agent didn't even glance at my gun or ammo.
    In Baltimore they were more interested in verifying my ammunition was in a proper container than they were in the pistol.

    Now the $125k Flir Infrared camera packed inside a large (just under the carry on max size) Pelican case that I carried on... that confused the heck out of the BWI TSA.
    I doubt they've ever seen one before and they were very nervous about handling it.
    A TSA supervisor hand carried and hand inspected it when I told them what it was and how much it cost.
    Last edited by JodyH; 08-12-2012 at 08:07 PM.
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  2. #22
    I've never had an issue packing loaded pistol mags in kydex mag carriers so that the ammo is not exposed. That seams to meet TSA regs, but dealing with airline employees is always a crapshoot.

  3. #23
    We are diminished
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Not all airlines allow ammo in mags. Definitely check.

    Even airlines that do allow it (like Southwest, which I fly literally dozens of times a year) still frequently have clerks who insist it's not allowed.

    Even when the airline and clerk approve it, you can run into trouble with TSA. I was escorted by two police officers to a TSA room in at Exeter (NH) airport a few years back because I had some P220 magazines with JHPs in them. The mags were in pouches which were in a bag separate from the locked case containing the gun. The package had flown from Washington DC to NH with no problem. But the NH baggage checkers went bonkers and wanted me arrested. I finally gave the ammo to one of the cops (literally poured 25 rounds into his palms).

    Loading 2-3 mags just isn't difficult enough to risk the hassle. I carry a full box of JHPs and just load the mags when I put the gun on.

  4. #24

  5. #25
    Member cclaxton's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Vienna, Va
    I have flown to/from Las Vegas and it was, as expected: On Departure at DCA they have me open the case, look briefly at firearms, have me sign the bright orange tag stating it is unloaded, put it inside the gun case on top of the guns, have me lock it up (I put it inside a sports bag on top of that), and wait for TSA to do their scan. I make sure they know its me, and wait for them to give me the thumbs-up, and then I can go catch my flight. On the return, they did the same except TSA is behind the wall and I can't see them and they can't see me...at least not personally. They told me to wait, and I waited, and I waited and no one ever came out to tell me I was good to go. So, I had to ask the counter to go back and ask, and they said that I was good to go. That made me a bit nervous because who knows what they were really doing back there....it could still be waiting for someone to scan it.

    I went to and from LAX, and it was, as expected: On Departure at Dulles they glanced at the firearms, put the tag inside the gun case, and I waited while the TSA scanned it, and they gave me the thumbs-up. I did have to throw away a Kahr PM9 mag, tho, because I forgot it was in my carry-on...unloaded. I got to the security line and disclosed it to them before entering. They told me I could not carry it on, and I would need to turn it into the police or have someone pick it up. I got rid of it.

    When returning at LAX, they did the same at the counter but then I had to go for a walk with a TSA person, who carried the case, took it inside a scanning room where there was a window in the door. She told me to wait at the door. I saw her talk to them, they scanned it and she came out and told me I was good to go.

    To/From Orlando has been different each time: On Departure at DCA they did the same procedure. (I like how they do it there because the scanners and TSA people can see me and I can see them....makes it better for us both, I think.) On departure in Orlando, first time they told me that I couldn't put the gun case inside another bag (which is not the rule). I explained that I had never had a problem, but I argued with her and also mentioned its a lot better for it to look like any other bag when it comes off on the conveyor belt. She escalated to a manager who corrected her. Then, they walked it across the aisle to the TSA scan area and I waited there until they said it was cleared. Second time, they didn't give me grief about the case inside another bag. But, I had forgotten that I had a loaded mag in my pants, so I told them about it. I didn't have a ammo box for the extra ammo. I said I could just throw away the ammo, but they said no. They then wanted me to give the 10 rounds to the police for them to dispose, so they called them. In the meantime they inspected the gun case...first time that has happend, then no police showed up so she just had me stick the mag inside my kydex mag holder so it wasn't exposed, closed the case, locked it and sent it on its way. Also, they didn't put the orange tag inside the case, but in the bag holding the case...again different.

    I just wish the process were the same for every airport and we know what to expect. It always makes me nervous.

    CC
    Last edited by cclaxton; 08-12-2012 at 08:52 PM.

  6. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by ToddG View Post
    at Exeter (NH) airport
    Do you mean Manchester? Or maybe Boston Logan? Exeter doesn't have an airport. It does have Sig, which is probably why itmstuckmin your brain. Speaking of Exeter/Epping, do you plan to ever have another class there?

  7. #27
    "Loading 2-3 mags just isn't difficult enough to risk the hassle. I carry a full box of JHPs and just load the mags when I put the gun on."

    Mastery of discretely loading magazines and getting your carry gear on in the rental car or airport bathroom is a skill set all its own.
    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".

  8. #28
    Licorice Bootlegger JDM's Avatar
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    Feb 2011
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    Albuquerque
    Quote Originally Posted by nyeti View Post
    "Loading 2-3 mags just isn't difficult enough to risk the hassle. I carry a full box of JHPs and just load the mags when I put the gun on."

    Mastery of discretely loading magazines and getting your carry gear on in the rental car or airport bathroom is a skill set all its own.
    Seek out the "family" restrooms. They are always singles, and have a big counter. I do my best to make use of these anyway, but when rearming after a flight, they are invaluable.
    Nobody is impressed by what you can't do. -THJ

  9. #29
    Site Supporter Jason F's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Atlanta, GA
    Note to others (that I learned the hard way) - ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THE TICKET AGENT! (ask me how I know.... )


    So there I was checking in for a 6 or 7am flight from ATL -> MIA. Going to shoot pictures of a rapper in the "little Haiti" neighborhood, so I was definitely bring my pistol as well as my cameras!

    Well, I distracted myself with my stupid iPhone checking email or some such crap after I told the agent what flight I was on, my confirmation number, and that I wanted to declare a firearm. "Ok sir" and he starts pecking away.... A few minutes later he tells me I'm good to go. "Excellent! Thanks and have a great day" and I'm off.

    Until there I am at the terminal check in, and they're paging me. "Sir, there's a problem with your bags. You'll need to return to the check-in counter to resolve the problem." Oh crap!

    I haul ass back through security, get to the counter, and I'm told to go below to the lower level. I meet up with a Delta rep who then escorts me to the two Atlanta PD officers waiting to question me about the undeclared firearm in my luggage. BIG oh S%(X*%!_#!!! moment. (Now I'm thinking, am I about to get arrested? There's no way I'm going to make it to the shoot.... oh crap!)


    Eventually I explain the situation, that I checked in, I DID declare it, failed to confirm it with the agent, I was trying to abide by the rules, etc. Thankfully I did my due diligence and had every T crossed & I dotted with regards to how everything was packed up, including printouts of the relevant TSA documents. I told them I was at fault for not having watched the agent and triple confirming that he had done the paperwork properly.

    Thankfully the Delta customer service rep actually knew exactly which agent I was talking about when I described him, told them that I was his first customer of the day (and at what time!), and exactly which counter position he was at. It was also not his first "miss" with dangerous cargo I was told.


    Eventually I was allowed to back in to the terminal after being escorted to the TSA line and graciously allowed to cut through by the folks waiting. I ran the entire way to the gate.... only to watch the ramp being pulled back. It SUCKED. They did get me on the next flight, and I arrived with plenty of time to spare.... but wow, what an ordeal.

  10. #30
    Site Supporter MDS's Avatar
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    Feb 2011
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    Terroir de terror
    I've travelled with guns once or twice a month now for about a year. It's become very routine - the only downside (usually) is that I have to check luggage, which I would almost never do if it weren't for the guns. I've had exactly one ordeal, involving a seriously anti-gun agent (who actually asked me why I think guns are OK?!?) and a bunch of wasted time with TSA and paperwork. Nothing too scary, I'm pretty sure this agent just wanted to waste as much of my time as possible, which she did, about an hours' worth. The only other times I've had any sort of hiccup at all, they were all minor - including one time where the baggage handler didn't tell the TSA guy that there was a gun in the bag. The TSA guy came to talk to me, and once I pointed out the baggage handler, the TSA guy rolled his eyes and sent me on my way. And another time, they wanted to check my gun bag again right before it went on the plane, so a TSA guy had to come to the gate, get my key, run down, check the bag, lock it, and bring my key back. The flight wasn't delayed or anything, but I spent a tense 10 minutes by the gate before boarding.

    So that puts me at approximately 90% totally pain-free plane rides with guns, 6% small hiccups that gave me a nervous moment but cost me little or not time, and 3% that cost me a good hour. That last 3% could have made me miss my flight if I hadn't been early to the airport.

    I always have my paperwork in order (I've had to coach more than a couple of agents through the process) and I pack all my gun stuff together in a well-worn Perlican 1450. Some of you have probably seen me at the range with that case - it functions as my range bag when I'm traveling. Another trick is that I put all my stuff on the bottom layer of my Pelican, except for all guns and one box of ammo - I leave that stuff on the top layer. That way, when I open up the case to show the agent, they see guns and a minimum amount of ammo. That minimizes questions, usually. If they want to see more, it helps that I've got guns, ammo, holsters, eyes, ears, rags, oil, tools, timer, etc. etc. all in there together - it lends an air of legitimacy. I've even taken to wearing my Rogers Shooting School hat when I travel - I don't lie, but I don't volunteer the information that I was just a student there, one time, and I can't help it if folks jump to conclusions about me being an instructor or something...

    IME, it just takes a few trips in various airports and with various airlines to get the hang of it and exude the confidence that helps things go so much more smoothly. There's always the chance of a misunderstanding, so make sure you're following all the rules and come early in case there's a time-consuming mix-up. And whatever you do, don't leave a gun in your carry-on.
    The answer, it seems to me, is wrath. The mind cannot foresee its own advance. --FA Hayek Specialization is for insects.

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