CCW on an airline flight

[rhenriksen]

George, outstanding post.

This video was also very helpful (and entertaining). I just acquired a surplus 81mm mortar round case for $20, mounted a good hasp, and have a diskus lock on order for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGjddG5Owsc

A similar write-up by the same person:

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig10/ollam1.html

http://deviating.net/firearms/

 

[medmo]

Yes, it will have to be go in checked baggage. My travel CCW is a Sig 229. I have a combo lock hard, (aluminum), gun case that I use. I travel with it field stripped so there is no question about it being unloaded when checking it in.

Don't fly out of NYC, (JFK or LaGuardia), unless you are approved to own the firearm in NYC and have the paperwork with you or if it is legal for you to have it there. Airline counter attendants will call security and a law enforcement will respond to check the legality of your ownership in their city. If you are not in legal possession according to NYC laws you will be in trouble.

Side Note: Last time I was checking baggage at LaGuardia there was a LEO returning to Texas checking in a S&W J frame revolver in line in front of me. The woman at the counter called security and a young female representative of NYC's Finest showed up to check the situation and that the firearm was unloaded. She didn't know how to open up the revolver to check to see if it was unloaded. It looked like she was trying to figure out a Rubik's Cube. After a couple of minutes the owner finally had to hit the thumb latch for her to open up the cylinder.

 

[thales]

I would not assume that the clerk at the check-in counter accurately knows TSA and airline regulations. There is nothing quite as much fun as arguing with someone in authority who happens to be mistaken. It could save a lot of trouble to print out copies of the regulations and have them available to show the clerk.

 

[Guns and more]

You might as well check it in a roll-aboard suitcase that has an extra day's (or two) worth of clothes, underwear, etc. If you're going to take your CCW with you for self-defense, you might as well go the extra step of being prepared to spend a night there because there was a foul-up with your return flight. Just MHO.

Bad news. When you are stranded by the airline, you don't get your checked bag. It stays with the airline until your destination. I know. I started carrying a spare pair of boxers in my carry on.

As to a weapon on the plane. No way.

 

[Craig_AR]

kd7nqb
said

On a partially related topic a buddy of mine flies lots for work. He use to loose his luggage pretty often. He claims that since he has been checking a gun his luggage arrives promptly. Apparently TSA takes it VERY seriously when they loose a gun. So if your going to check a bag the gun might be an insurance policy.

A couple of years ago I read a post from a professional photographer who has to check metal hard case kits with a whole bunch of high value lenses and camera bodies. He bought a starter pistol to keep in the lens case, and he declares it every trip. His lens cases are MUCH safer and more guaranteed to arrive. He counts on this TSA concern over lost firearm-bearing luggage. As a starter pistol, it is safe to own even in NY, but TSA gives him the proper protection in flight.

 

[obiwan1]

carry a copy of the law (not the TSA suggestions) with you and highlight the part that says "only the traveler shall keep the key/combination....". Follow GHF's advise.

 

[OurSafeHome.net]

He claims that since he has been checking a gun his luggage arrives promptly. Apparently TSA takes it VERY seriously when they loose a gun. So if your going to check a bag the gun might be an insurance policy.

This has been my experience, too.

 

[gyvel]

No way would I put anything of value in checked baggage. I flew back from Vegas about a year ago. Upon arriving home I started unpacking and my suitcase had a bunch of dried grass in it. You figure out how it got there.
And remember last year when they found a disassembled shotgun behind the Coke machine in the employee lounge in the Atlanta airport ? You figure out how it got there.
Hint - baggage handlers.

As a retired airline MECHANIC (not baggage smasher), I can tell you that the Lead Men on the ramp at Miami Intl. would have keyrings with literally 75 or more suitcase keys, thereby covering virtually every brand of luggage made. As a deterrent, when traveling, we would put stickers from our Union on our suitcases and, generally, they would be "immune" from theft.

The one exception was a return trip from (where else?) Los Angeles. My suitcase was broken open but, thankfully, nothing was missing. (Might have been accidental, but I doubt it.) I did have an undeclared disassembled handgun in it, but this was in the 80's and things weren't quite so touchy then.

After that, I would take an entire roll of string tape and wrap it repeatedly around the suitcase, including through the handle. Pretty obvious if it was broken into, plus it added extra security against an accidental opening from rough handling.