Flying with Southwest

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Greetings:

As promised, here is the sordid, yet painless tale of my Adventures in Flying on Southwest Airlines two weeks ago between Dallas and San Antonio, TX.

I had previously purchased a Pelican 1400 case (www.pelican.com) from the fine folks at Quality Cases (www.qualitycases.com) in Richardson, Texas. Wonderful safety yellow color- very bright and very visible, just in case, you know. Reinforced locking rings for 2 locks.

I took the aforementioned case, assorted suitcases and SWMBO to Love Field in Dallas and asked the first Southwest handler I saw what the procedure is for proceeding into the lobby, as there are signs posed everywhere that state "no concealed weapons allowed, although they aren't the proscribed 30.06 signs- just the touchy-feely ones like you used to see at Blockbuster. He said I should 'just take it to the baggage counter'. Ok, so far so good. Of course, there is always lots of Dallas' Finest around. Doesn't make me very warm and fuzzy-feeling carrying a yellow case with 2 big brass padlocks on it. Of course, I wasn't going for inconspicuous, but I was changing my mind at this point regarding this.

So, I crossed the lobby to the SWA baggage check area. Uh-oh...big sign...'no firearms', etc. Not a 30.06, but I asked the Southwest agent at the entrance to the alcove before proceeding...'Sure, go ahead...' she said, big smile and all. Ohhhhhkaaaay....on to the counter. I smiled, and told the agent I had X bags to check along with a secured firearm...and held my breath.

(swa) "Sure! Not a problem. Where is it, is it unloaded, and is it in a locked container to which only you have the key?"

(me) "Yes'm..I have it in this secure, locked yellow case."

(swa) "Can you open it and show me?"

(me) (whew) "Yes'm. Here it is. (unlocking and opening case toward her as discreetly as possible)."

(swa) "Wow, Nice pistol. I see the slide is off. Is it unloaded and can you show me?"

(me) "Yes'm. No round in the chamber. Note the zip-tie through the barrel. (pointing to box of ammunition- 20 rounds in manufacturer's box inset into foam next to pistol and empty mags next to it) I also have ammunition and empty magazines secured."

(swa) "Ok, I just need to see your identification, and here's a firearms tag you need to sign. I'm putting the tag inside your case and then you can lock it up. It'll go through and TSA will pick it up over on their end and put their sticker on the airline baggage tag (putting tag through handle). You can check with them if you need to. (points to TSA counter at the end of the conveyor)."

Ok, so far so good. I had pulled out my DL and CHL to show her I look like who the state claims I am. I stuck them back in my wallet along with my key, gathered my baggage claim checks and SWMBO who was as amazed as I was at this point, and we walked over to the TSA window while the infamous Yellow Case wound around the conveyor. Over at the TSA window I whipped out the aforementioned DL and CHL and smiled at the geezers running the xray box. One looked up and me and asked if I needed something. I stepped up, told him that I had checked through the Yellow Case and that it held something special. He turned and looked at the xray console monitor as it came through, then turned back to me and said 'Yep. Sure is. Anything else I can do for you?" At this time SWMBO was helping me by closing my mouth, because my startle reflex had kicked in and I was beginning to glaze over. We proceeded to the gate area and boarded the flight to San Antonio.

After deplaning, I started looking for the local SW baggage agent to see if there were any hoops to jump before getting the Yellow Case. I was asking one of the Sky Caps to point me in the direction of the agent desk when the infamous Yellow Case appeared on the conveyor with all the other checked baggage (!). I quickly collected it and the other bags and we bailed.

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Flash forward a few days to the return. I figured that things would be roughly the same for the way back. I went to the baggage counter and told the agents (2 of them, together) the routine as before- secured, locked, etc. One of them immediately pulled out a teletyped card with SW's policy on firearms and said it couldn't go because it wasn't inside a bag. I asked to see what she had, and I produced my own copy of SW's policy which I had conveniently printed before embarcation, along with the TSA's regs. SWMBO was a little testy at this point and I had to elbow her a little before she drew too much attention. For your perusal and edification, I present said SWA regulations below, to wit:

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http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/guns.html

Guns and Ammunition

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Guns
Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through.

Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and prove that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paint guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.

Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, LOCKED container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:

1). A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container 'MAY' (emphasis mine) be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
2). A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
3). Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock.
No exceptions will be made.

The Customer is entitled to check sporting firearms in addition to his or her normal free baggage allowance. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.

Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.

Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.

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Her contention was that it "MUST" be placed inside something that looks like a bag or luggage, although the regs state (to me, at least) that placing it inside another bag is optional. I had considered putting it inside another bag, alone, for that purpose, but I figured...nah....

After listening to the agent's third recitation of the 'MAY = must' screed and respectfully disagreeing with her, she announced that she was calling the shift supervisor and that she was done talking to me. Supervisor came, she presented her side. He looked at the regs she had in her hand, then at her with that 'what are you thinking' look on his face, asked her if she'd checked the item for compliance (she had, sort of...eeeevil gun!) and filled out the tag. I signed one again, and she asked the super to take me through TSA because 'she was uncomfortable with it'. Super rolled his eyes and entreated me to follow. I parked SWMBO so she wouldn't be within earshot of anyone with a modicum of authority, just to be safe.

I was totally unprepared for what happened next. The Super apologised profusely for any problem or inconvenience, took the case by hand to the TSA supervisor, who looked at him, then looked at me...then back at Super...xrayed the case, grinned, and waved me through. Super walked with us halfway to the TSA gate and apologised...again...the whole time and said he'd check with the agent traning coordinator and follow up, that it was a breakdown on the part of the agent.

On arrival at Dallas, I was getting the other checked bags off the carousel when a large door from the baggage holding area opened and a handler tossed a set of golf clubs out and gently handed my Yellow Case to a waiting SW agent. I approached, showed my ID, and she grinned and handed the Case to me.


So, I'd say that flying with firearms isn't really a problem unless your counter agent doesn't understand the intricacies and precision of language. Yep, I'd certainly fly Southwest again. They do have things figured out....except for that whole carousel thing in San Antonio.


Fly and be free.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[mpthole]

Sounds like things went well - except for the obvious poorly trained ticket agent. I too encountered pretty much zero problems on my last flight (Northwest) from La Crosse, WI to Lafayette, LA. In fact, the gal running the ticket counter in Lafayette was very friendly too.

 

[AZLibertarian]

Regarding this and the earlier thread regarding travel with weapons, let me add a few points....

I am a captain at a major national airline. Since I'm here, you can also assume that I'm an active and interested shooter. As much as it pains me when a customer isn't treated as they might expect to be treated, let me give you a bit of "our" perspective.

I am not surprised that when asking a member of the public to do something related to weapons, that you'll run across varying attitudes. Let's face it here, folks. There are folks who think the police and the military ought to be the only ones allowed to touch weapons. Some of those folks end up getting hired by airlines. While they ought to know their jobs, I'm not surprised that an anti-gun attitude might creep into a transaction dealing with weapons.

Similarly, let's keep in mind that the vast majority of passengers are not shooters, and that the majority of shooters have never have travelled with their weapons. My point here is that to expect that airline agents would exactly and instantly know the procedures to do something that may come up only every year or so, might be asking too much. The advice from those who travel with their weapons to have in hand copies of the relevant airline and TSA procedures ought to be universal. My advice is this: Research the procedures, get to the airport early enough to work out any problems, and be polite. Perhaps this isn't the best analogy, but if I went to the bank and asked the teller to do a complicated transaction involving moving funds between a government bonds and a home equity loan, I would expect that it might take some time to get it done right.

And finally....The airline industry is under terrific stress. Somewhere around 40% of the industry is either in or very near bankruptcy. What this means to you--the passenger with a weapon--is that the agent you're dealing with may very likely be either very junior, has just seen his retirement vaporize, or has seen his contemporaries layed off while he's taken a paycut. This is not an endorsement of, nor an excuse for poor service. I only say this in the hopes that you'll understand what might be going on on the other side of the ticket counter.

 

[mcmoyer]

SWA Rocks...

About a year ago my wife flew back from California with three shotguns, one rifle and one pistol. The only problem she had was lugging all that stuff through LAX by herself. The SWA people were more than helpful to her.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Thanks for your input, AZLibertarian.

I understand what the airline employees are up against. My mother used to work for Texas International years ago. I have friends who still work for the airlines but they're looking at other options after the recent cuts by some of them, most notably Delta. I respect the job that the airline folks do, as most of them are not as well-paid as some would imagine. I perhaps reflected incorrectly in my notes that I was upset, distressed, or that there was going to be trouble there (in San Antonio), but I was pleased that the supervisor stepped in. I think perhaps the problem was in her interpretation of language, as it did not appear English was her mother tongue. Possibly she did not come from a culture where the right of self-determination is as ingrained as it has once been here.



Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Another thing to consider. I fly with my piece regularly. I'm Executive Platinum with American which means I pretty much live on an airliner

I would think about placing your nice yellow Pelican case inside your standard luggage. I put my travel carry piece (Sig239) inside a locking case, but place that inside my suitcase, even if I don't have much clothing.

Nothing says "STEAL ME" like a bright yellow case. It just screams "FREE EXPENSIVE CAMERA".

The problem, as you noticed, is that no one at your destination checked your luggage receipt against the tag on the case. If for some reason you were delayed in getting to the luggage area, someone else might have seen that little goodie and just walked off with it.

Of all the airports I travel to, the only place I have ever had my baggage claim check run against my bag tag was in Vegas. Everywhere else it's take what you want and walk.

If you place the gun in a standard black suitcase, it looks a lot less tempting.

Also FYI, American will not allow the gun and ammo in the locked case together. I have to place the firearm in the case, and the ammo somewhere else, even in the suitcase, just not inside the locked case with the gun.

 

[Old Dog]

Excellent points by AZLibertarian.

I've found SouthWest to be one of easier airlines to fly (with guns). I fly regularly from Sea-Tac to San Diego and have never had a problem. As I always travel with firearms, I've never had a problem at any airport (even Dulles is very good), and I've never even needed to show ID beyond my driver license.

I do think it makes things easier if one is neatly dressed, acts as though it's entirely natural to be traveling with firearms and above all, is courteous to the ticket agent (it doesn't seem to do any good to get frustrated by ignorance) and gets to the ticket counter a couple hours before one's scheduled flight.

 

[mattjoe]

i flied Soutwest with my SVI pistol about 3 weeks ago to the Florida Open, no problems, i've also flown to San Antonio for the Sportsman's team challenge, and no problem with the guns at all, well, except for the handling and huge gash left in my shotgun from the obvious throwing of the luggage, and banging of my 22/45 off the shotgun, still, no problems checking in, and i'll fly southwest again.
Easist thing seems to be, dont argue with the counter agent, just ask for the supervisor if you have an issue.

Southwest is a good airline, and they get you and your guns where they gotta go on time- and cheaper than the rest of them.