Cliff
Member
Flew from Reagan National airport to Kansas City international airport transporting a Kahr P45 by way of USAIR. Usually I fly with 2 firearms,but seeing as how I wouldn’t get time to go to the range, I just flew with one. Kahr was in a hard plastic pistol case with 2 6 round mags, one mag holder and a box of .45 Ranger LXT hollowpoint ammo. Also in the case was a Kershaw Ken Onion black folder, a blue rhino cigar lighter, and a couple of cigar cutters. The gun case was in a carry on size case and both cases were locked with small masterlock key locks. I don’t use TSA approved locks.
Check in at the ticket counter was not a problem at all. Informed the ticket lady I was declaring a firearm. She filled out a 3 by 5 firearm card after printing up my seat assignment. I’ve flown with guns many times, and this was the first ticket person to actually inspect my firearm and mags. She actually asked me to show clear and safe,and eyeballed the mags to be sure they were empty.
I asked her if she was a shooter. She replied that both her and her husband are shooters. We couldn’t talk too much after that being there was a crowd behind me to check in.
I signed the card,she watched me as I put it in the case. She carried the case over to TSA. TSA told me to go ahead and lock it, I did, they scanned it with my other luggage,and that was that for Reagan National Airport.
Leaving out of Kansas City International again by way of USAIR was a bit more involved. Ticket agent didn’t even look at the firearm. Just took my word that the gun was not loaded. Didn’t even ask about the mags.
This time I carried the case over to TSA. I handed it to the TSA guy and asked is it usually procedure for a passenger to carry a firearm to TSA after check in. He didn’t say anything, just looked sharply at another TSA guy standing there.
I locked the case and they put it in the scanner. I was standing about 20 feet from the scanner behind a barrier. The first TSA guy I spoke to came over to me and said we’re going to have to open your case. There’s something in there that we have to take a look at,and could he have my key.
I said no, I’m not giving you the key to unlock the case. You will not unlock that case unless I’m standing right there watching you. That case is never to be out of my sight while unlocked. My friend was with me at the time,and her eyes got big,and she got that Oh **** look on her face.
He called another TSA guy over. I told him the same thing,and he told the first guy I’m right. So they let me behind the barrier, and I stood there as they unlocked the case and looked in. It was the ammo they were concerned about.
Reagon National TSA had no problem with it. Why Kansas City TSA had a problem with it? I have no idea,and didn’t ask.
Locked up the case,they scanned it, Boarded my flight and flew home.
Declaring firearms at the airport usually is not a problem. USAIR gets a check on the plus side from me.
Reagan National TSA was professional and quick. Like it should be.
Kansas City International TSA? Some of those boys act like they have no clue. I was ready to become a angry Blackman with a gun over the key issue, but it didn’t come to that. It’s a damn shame when a passenger knows the TSA procedures more then the TSA guy.
I always print and carry a copy of TSA procedures with me. And I never ever use TSA approved locks to lock my guns and luggage.
My visit home? Absolutly wonderful.
Check in at the ticket counter was not a problem at all. Informed the ticket lady I was declaring a firearm. She filled out a 3 by 5 firearm card after printing up my seat assignment. I’ve flown with guns many times, and this was the first ticket person to actually inspect my firearm and mags. She actually asked me to show clear and safe,and eyeballed the mags to be sure they were empty.
I asked her if she was a shooter. She replied that both her and her husband are shooters. We couldn’t talk too much after that being there was a crowd behind me to check in.
I signed the card,she watched me as I put it in the case. She carried the case over to TSA. TSA told me to go ahead and lock it, I did, they scanned it with my other luggage,and that was that for Reagan National Airport.
Leaving out of Kansas City International again by way of USAIR was a bit more involved. Ticket agent didn’t even look at the firearm. Just took my word that the gun was not loaded. Didn’t even ask about the mags.
This time I carried the case over to TSA. I handed it to the TSA guy and asked is it usually procedure for a passenger to carry a firearm to TSA after check in. He didn’t say anything, just looked sharply at another TSA guy standing there.
I locked the case and they put it in the scanner. I was standing about 20 feet from the scanner behind a barrier. The first TSA guy I spoke to came over to me and said we’re going to have to open your case. There’s something in there that we have to take a look at,and could he have my key.
I said no, I’m not giving you the key to unlock the case. You will not unlock that case unless I’m standing right there watching you. That case is never to be out of my sight while unlocked. My friend was with me at the time,and her eyes got big,and she got that Oh **** look on her face.
He called another TSA guy over. I told him the same thing,and he told the first guy I’m right. So they let me behind the barrier, and I stood there as they unlocked the case and looked in. It was the ammo they were concerned about.
Reagon National TSA had no problem with it. Why Kansas City TSA had a problem with it? I have no idea,and didn’t ask.
Locked up the case,they scanned it, Boarded my flight and flew home.
Declaring firearms at the airport usually is not a problem. USAIR gets a check on the plus side from me.
Reagan National TSA was professional and quick. Like it should be.
Kansas City International TSA? Some of those boys act like they have no clue. I was ready to become a angry Blackman with a gun over the key issue, but it didn’t come to that. It’s a damn shame when a passenger knows the TSA procedures more then the TSA guy.
I always print and carry a copy of TSA procedures with me. And I never ever use TSA approved locks to lock my guns and luggage.
My visit home? Absolutly wonderful.
