Flying with firearm - few questions

1. The third magazine must be encased. It cannot be inside the gun's magazine well. Simply encase it in another hard-sided box. This answers question 2. I'm sure you can find (or buy) another plastic snap-shut box somewhere; it does not need a locking mechanism, only that it can be closed with no chance of falling open. Ammunition can be left in the magazines, or in a box designated for ammunition, including the box it came in (I tape that box shut for added "good faith" security.)

3. The chamber need not be locked open, but some gate agents may ask you to show them an empty chamber. Be ready to do so. I've been asked on one trip, and not asked on at least one other. Handle your firearm accordingly if asked to demonstrate an empty action.

4/5. I never tried "online check in" with luggage. Regardless of whether you can "check yourself in" online and print your boarding pass (which is what "online check-in" usually means), you will still need to present the piece of luggage containing the firearm to a gate agent from your airline.


I've flown with firearms before, and it's really not a big deal. Make sure that the box containing your firearm(s) is locked, and that only you can gain access (no "TSA" locks.) The suitcase itself need not be locked. The gate agent will have you open your suitcase in front of her and she will insert a bright red tag inside that reads something like "Unloaded Firearm". As I mentioned, she may or may not ask you to demonstrate a clear weapon. No labels will be placed on the outside of the suitcase to indicate a firearm inside.
You may be asked to provide a cellphone number at which you can be reached while in the terminal in case your presence is needed, but this is not required.

A1. Pistol must be unloaded. Position of mag is irrelevant. For convienence, i usually put in an orange plastic chamber flag/insert or a zip tie or cable lock so it is readily apparent on visual inspection that it is unloaded when i place the opened container on the counter for the ticket agent. I feel uneasy about racking the slide at the counter. Some Barney Fife might mistakenly assess the situation.

A3. No requirement last time i flew delta. Your airline may vary. A zip tie is still possible thru barrel to show that it doesnt function. Yes you do have room for a zip tie unless you used great stuff for the foam.

A4. Yes
A5. Yes, no. While standing in a long line for the kiosk once, a manager type was working the lines with a clipboard answering questions and checking for special needs. I mentioned we had a firearm to check and a childs car seat. She politely asked us to step out of the line and follow her to the elevator and upstairs to an empty/dark counter. She checked us in, inspected the case with the pistol, locked the pistol case with a non-tsa lock, escorted us back to tsa to scan and lock the hardshell suitcase there. Saved us 45-minutes at least.

Medwheeler: your timestamp proves how slow i type with a few interuptions.

Did you check out your your carrier says?

Q1/Q2: The practical answer here is implied by your question 'But what constitutes "securely boxed".'. My objective is to get to my destination with the minimum hassle. You are going to be dealing with people who may or may not have a clear grasp of the regulations. For example, the ammunition requirement is something like 'in factory or other suitable packaging'. People ask whether one of the plastic ammo boxes reloaders use is OK. Logically, they would be - they are clearly stronger than a cardboard factory box - but if you put your ammo in a gen-u-ine flimsy factory cardboard box, it unambiguously meets the standard. Any other kind of container poses the risk of encountering a functionary who wants to argue about packaging.

So, in your shoes, I would either 1)package my mags so as to unambiguously meet the spec or 2)only carry 2 mags or 3)be prepared, if you're unlucky enough to encounter someone who wants to quibble, to abandon the mag. Mage are a lot cheaper than a missed flight.

Q3 - not in my experience. A requirement like that would be problematic for revolvers. If you desired, a flag made from e.g. weedeater line would work unless the foam is very tight fitting.

Q4/5 - I'm thinking that would be up to the airline, but I'm not sure it matters; you have to declare an 'unloaded firearm' to the agent in person anyway. When you do that, they will have a procedure. They may direct you to take it somewhere special for the TSA inspection, or they may carry it there for you, but you have to talk to real people either way.

The important parts, I think are:
1)Have it locked when you present it; the airline and TSA should have to ask you to unlock it.
2)If bad weather or anything causes you to end up in Chicago, NYC, NJ, etc, don't claim that piece of luggage. I'm not sure what the right procedure is. I think I'd find an airline supervisor and insist they keep the luggage in their possession until they eventually deliver it at the final destination, but I wouldn't as much as touch the suitcase handle.

Others probably have more experience; I've only done it a few times. Overall it was a pretty straightforward process. Allow some extra time.

I fly monthly with firearms, into and out of the NJ Metro area, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee. Never have had an issue.

Steps:

Pistol with empty mag in a locked case, NON TSA LOCK, inside my suitcase. Other Mags laying in the box. Box clearly marked with my cellphone number. I use clear packing tape to tape my business card to the case to it can be read thru the tape.

The TSA could care less about "one more mag" being boxed or not... they are interested in the AMMUNITION or a LOADED MAG being boxed. They are concerned about AMMUNITION being loose and uncontained, not the *magazine* itself. Toss your empty into your suitcase and forget about it.

You MUST check in personally, and all you do is to say to the gate agent "I have an ITEM to declare". There is only ONE "Item" that ever needs to be declared, so they know exactly what you mean. Do not use the terms "gun, pistol, weapon, revolver, firearm", etc. You have an ITEM to declare.

They will hand you a form, which you will fill out. It does not have make/model/SM on it, just your data. They place it next to the case *inside your suitcase* so that if the case is flagged in X-Ray and the TSA open your suirtcase, they find the locked (NON TSA LOCK) case, and know thru seeing the papers that they are NOT to break into the case. If they want to inspect it internally they will call you on your cellphone and ask you to come and open it up. Data point: This has never happened to me.


Advice: Southwest Airlines is not only a great airline, they are very firearms-friendly at check in. I use them for all of my travel for this reason.


Willie

.

I'm not sure why "item" instead of "unloaded firearm," since they're gonna ask if it's a handgun and if it is unloaded. I've always been told to advise that I'm declaring an unloaded firearm, I fly frequently and it's never been a hassle.

I always check in and pay for baggage online to save time at the airport. I still must see an agent to declare the firearm.

I completely agree with pintler; put your ammo in a factory box and save your self time, frustration, and a prolonged discussion with an agent.

Best bet if you're unsure about some of these things is call ahead to your airline and make sure you have THEIR policy, they're the ones giving you a ticket, so they're the ones you have to make sure are ok with it in case they have stricter policies.

As far as magazine in gun, I know when I flew with guns, I have empty magazines in the guns. That wasn't a problem at BDL here in CT, or TPA in Florida, YMMV, you may try contacting the TSA management at the airports you'll be flying through and see if they'll give you an answer. Failing that, try through TSA's website and get a email response to print out and keep with you. It's not foolproof and may not help, but, it's something.

I have flown several times all over the US with a Pelican 1170 and a HK USP + mags+ ammo. No issues at all with having the bullets in the mags. I have the mags in a mag pouch in the 1170 with the USP. Just be sure the gun is empty and you will have no issues. I get to the counter and state "I will be traveling with a firearm today" and that is it. They have you fill out the tag and check your bag. They ask you to hang around for 15 minutes in case TSA needs to question you. They never have.
Basically, piece of cake.


BTW,, all this is mute if you fly into NYC, don't do it.

I pack the 1170 in one of these for a bit more security.

BTW,, did you check out this ? http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

Make sure you read the airline you are flying with page on flying with a gun. I always box my ammo in a cardboard ammunition box not usually the one it came in. Some ammo boxes are smaller than other.

Unloaded magazine in gun not a problem. All ammo must be in a carrier designed to hold ammo (I would presume a magazine would meet that requirement, but must be separate from the gun). I have had no problems as of Jan,2013. I always have my gun locked open with empty magazine in gun. I place all ammo in a small tackle box that I also lock with a non-tsa lock. Be aware TSA will cut your lock if they so choose on gun or ammo. The same airline, different places with different clerks react differently. Ditto TSA. Usually no problem, just roll with the speed bumps and stay calm. Delta and AA would not transfer my guns to Alaska Airlines in Chicago in Sept, 2012, necessitating my picking up my luggage and re-checking it. No additional fees. Good luck.
ll

duns, I also print off the applicable gun laws of the states I'll be visiting, and TSA regs. I have never had to use them , but it is an added level of comfort. It sounds like you have it under control. Good flying.
ll

For what it's worth, I never stored an empty magazine in the gun because I never flew with an empty magazine. I left them loaded, and in covered mag pouches (actually, knife pouches) in the box with the firearm.

Good to hear about south west airlines as I'll be taking them to Denver late June.

I just flew with my Ed Brown on SouthWest a few weeks ago. I used a Pelican 1450 with dual keyed locks and an industrail tag affixed with my name and cell number. Houston asked me to show clear, Dallas did not. I left the (3) magazines loaded with the rounds down so it wasn't obvious and no questions were asked. In Dallas they just put my case on the conveyor!!! But in Houston it was in a "reserved" area where I had to show my claim ticket in order to retrieve it. The only PITA thing is not being able to do curb side check in. I went with the 1450 because it is deep enough for a 1911 mag to stand upright therefore taking up much less space.

EmbarkChief said:

In Dallas they just put my case on the conveyor!

Click to expand...

Was that DFW or Love Field? EVERY time I've flown out of DFW I had to take my bags to TSA after clearing it though the Airline agent. No big deal, 'cause most of the TSA folks are gun friendly and helpful. Usually they want to know what kind of gun I carry.

BTW,, all this is mute if you fly into NYC, don't do it.

Click to expand...

FWIW its a moot point