I flew on AirTran today. Its the carrier I normally choose for this particular trip and I have flown multiple times with firearms using this carrier. I've never had a problem before until today. I went the baggage carousel and informed the baggage attendant that I have a checked firearm that I'm waiting for. She informs me that she'll let me know if they bring it to her. Sometimes it arrives at the baggage attendant by TSA, or customer service, but sometimes it arrives at the TSA office. I go to the carousel because it's the easiest place for someone to take it and can usually determine its location by having the baggage attendant radio in.
So I'm standing their and notice that my rifle case is sitting near the customer service office. They have a roped off area with baggage in it... and mine is sitting outside that roped in area. So I politely asked why did they put my rifle outside the roped area... right in front of another flights carousel? Well basically I got the.. "Theres a gun in there? really? well they shouldn't have done that" statement. I identified myself with ID and then was asked to wait for TSA...
Well I've seen and heard enough horror stories about that organization to not stick around. If this was any indication to the competency of TSA's or the airlines firearm handling.... then yeah I'll just take my stuff and go. So I took my rifle and left.
Just a warning and word of advice to those who will be traveling with firearms. Also make sure you print out TSA rules as well as the Airline's rules concerning firearms and have them with you.
So I'm standing their and notice that my rifle case is sitting near the customer service office. They have a roped off area with baggage in it... and mine is sitting outside that roped in area. So I politely asked why did they put my rifle outside the roped area... right in front of another flights carousel? Well basically I got the.. "Theres a gun in there? really? well they shouldn't have done that" statement. I identified myself with ID and then was asked to wait for TSA...
Well I've seen and heard enough horror stories about that organization to not stick around. If this was any indication to the competency of TSA's or the airlines firearm handling.... then yeah I'll just take my stuff and go. So I took my rifle and left.
Just a warning and word of advice to those who will be traveling with firearms. Also make sure you print out TSA rules as well as the Airline's rules concerning firearms and have them with you.