Air travel with firearms, my experience

[mack69]

Hi all, just back from my airplane trip to and from Springfield MO to visit my brother.
Wanted to let you all know about my experiences flying with firearms....
Tell ya what...if I am ever flying somewhere my NH or PA permit allows me to carry, I am always gonna pack my guns. I was concerned that at Chicago's O'Hare airport I would be stuck in BIG lines waiting to check in. Not true...I walked in the door, told them I had firearms to declare in checked baggage. They escorted me to a private check in counter (passed lines 5 or 6 rows deep) They had me open my suitcase and unlock my gun case. (I have a 4-6 gun hard aluminum case which I put inside my large wheeled bag). I showed them the guns were unloaded they had me sign a card which went into the gun case and relocked. After that the counter person walked me to the TSA screening area and they took my bag and went behind a screen to check things out. That was one of two things that happened that I protested about. I wanted to keep close and watch as the TSA guy reopened my gun case and they kept shooing me back. I wouldn't go as I had understood the law the firearms were not to be out of my sight until they were on the baggage line. The second thing was when the TSA guy said the 3 boxes of factory packaged ammo could not be inside the same case as the firearms and had to be relocated elsewhere inside my suitcase. I was set to argue that point but figured it was not a big deal, however I did mention that the law did not state that. And had the law to back it up. (below)
All in all less than 15 minutes to check in and 5 on the way back home...a great trip....and I did manage to put MissouriCarry in their favorites on my brothers computer. Take care all, stay safe....mack

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition

Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts may only be transported in checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers (LEOs) who are authorized to fly armed by meeting the requirements of 49 CFR § 1544.219.

Following is a summary of key regulatory requirements to transport firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage:

All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared. Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above. Black powder and percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.

 

[dolanp]

Unfortunately this desire to get the key from you and inspect it in private seems to be pretty common with the TSA, even though the federal regs clearly say this is wrong.

 

[Molon Labe]

If you give them the key, never allow them to get beyond your sights.

 

[TallPine]

I guess I wouldn't call that a good travel experience...

 

[roo_ster]

Unfortunately this desire to get the key from you and inspect it in private seems to be pretty common with the TSA, even though the federal regs clearly say this is wrong.

Who knows just what all the regs say, as a good proportion of hte regs we must comply with are classified and can not be read by mere peons?

 

[Logistar]

If you give them the key, never allow them to get beyond your sights.

My .02...

They weren't exactly out of my sight but there was a piece of equipment partially hiding my view and they opened the case so that the top obscured my view.

I know that there are FED/TSA regs but airlines have their own regulations too. I try to do it the same everytime so my method seems to work for all airlines.

Some require that ammo and guns be in separate pieces of luggage.

I put my gun(s) in a gun case that locks and then put THAT inside a larger hard-sided piece of luggage that locks. I place the ammo in my second piece of luggage along with my clothes and things. I keep the ammo in the original box(s) JUST to be sure even though I have hard ammo boxes that would work much better but could always be "interpreted" to be insufficient.

No "real" trouble so far.. just an occasional hassle.

 

[obiwan1]

I had a similar prob at RDU a few weeks ago. I had a copy of the law/regs with me and insisted that I be present during inspection. It POed a bunch of TSA and airline types, but THEY complied. Bottom line: carry a copy of the regs and stand your ground!

 

[Zrex]

I think the TSA guys interpret the "remain present during screening" part to mean you dont just drop your gun off, hand them the key then board the plane. You have to hang around to get your key back.