Delta Airlines - no guns in checked baggage into "Washington DC area" ?

[HCM]

Being DHS is trying to get bodies out there to help with the inauguration... does that mean you have to fly armed to get around it? Seems like something airline employees would go all TSA over, especially in this day/age.

Any DHS law enforcement officer who is flying domestically on official business is required to fly Armed. If you are on GOV time /travel it’s not optional.

It’s been that way since before DHS was a thing.

Not sure what the malfunction is with your field operations people but nearly every time I fly out of my city there’s one or more border patrol agents on the flight flying armed.

[TGS]

Any DHS law enforcement officer who is flying domestically on official business is required to fly Armed. If you are on GOV time /travel it’s not optional.

You know, I just thought that one of the reasons I might see everyone at my job flying armed for official business is because if we don't fly armed domestically and it's outside our core hours, we get comp time. If it's outside our core hours and we fly armed, we get OT. That's how my offices treated it, at least.

Obviously flying for personal reasons doesn't count, but...be cool if it did.

[GyroF-16]

Isn’t it interesting how all 4 major airlines established the same policy on the same day?

It closely parallels the identical policies on wearing masks (though I’m okay with that idea).

I’m just imagining the behind-the-scenes request/direction from the federal government that results in this uniform action.

[HCM]

You know, I just thought that one of the reasons I might see everyone at my job flying armed for official business is because if we don't fly armed domestically and it's outside our core hours, we get comp time. If it's outside our core hours and we fly armed, we get OT. That's how my offices treated it, at least.

Obviously flying for personal reasons doesn't count, but...be cool if it did.

All the same pay for us.

Usually the issues are either someone checking they’re done because they want to drink on the plane or the type of people who don’t even bring their gun on the trip because it’s some type of meeting or administrative training.

[Suvorov]

Southwest has decided to follow as well. Please make your displeasure known to them.

My conspiracy prone mind can’t help but wonder if this isn’t another attempt at corporate America deciding to control that pesky bill of rights for the government.

We will see if this policy remains in place or is expanded. Is there any law that requires common carriers to transport firearms for passengers (FOPA)?

[SouthNarc]

I think this has steered a bit off track. None of this affects a fed flying with his service piece.

[DC_P]

Disregard

[backtrail540]

[Inspector71]

Must be a northern thing... but I agree with you.

First off, nobody in management wants to give officers access to do it. It literally is a hassle every couple of months to request it. We have an officer who was a FAM prior to CBP... and they give him a hard time with it.

I was heading home last year, pre-COVID, and put in the request since it was too far away from when we got access down in FLETC. Got the one supervisor that actually was pro-carry, and he got it squared away quickly. Being I drove back from FLETC, another officer was explaining how the local airport handles flying armed... and the swings FTO overheard it. When that officer left, I got the entire “trying to be a hero” lecture from the FTO because of it. Said to just check it and be done. I personally hate dealing with TSA, even more so being on an insulin pump. Flying armed just makes the entire trip, which I hate flying as it is, more streamlined.

When I came back, I checked two handguns that were still in NJ that I wanted to bring back. It was such a hassle to wait for someone to escort it, explain that the guns were unloaded and locked up, and then listen to the United guy to BS with me about the whole BLM stuff.

Legacy customs supervisors I bet. They are still fossilized in the old policies/procedures. Back in the day, Field Ops people needed to be on official business and have a letter from senior management stating that they had a “need to fly arm”. Going to a training course or TDY ? Then just check your piece in checked luggage. We really don’t care if it gets stolen, we will just entered it into NCIC, and issue you another gun for replacement. Things started to change about ten years ago, but until they retire out, good luck.

[WobblyPossum]

I’m hoping this is temporary and the new restriction will be lifted immediately after the inauguration. If not, will this spread to other destinations? Will the major airlines decide they no longer want to allow any checked firearms for their customers? This would make traveling pretty rough for anyone who isn’t a fed.