Flying Question

[cleardiddion]

So, I'm going out of town tomorrow and I was thinking about taking one of my pistols with me.

I know about the rules and whatnot (the general bits anyway) of flying with firearms, but I had one question that I couldn't answer.

Does anyone know if it's possible to, once the pistol has been checked by TSA, to put it inside another piece of check on luggage? I'm asking this because personally I'd rather not deal with a small loose container containing such a piece of equipment.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RyanM]

Pretty sure keeping the gun case loose is not the SOP. A small case with "GUN BRAND" proudly emblazoned on it would be stolen in about 3 seconds flat.

 

[cleardiddion]

That's kind of what I'm afraid of.

I've flown with long guns before, but they were in their own seperate case and were insured.

I suppose if it does end up being too much of a hassle I may just leave it here and hope for the best.

Oh, and if it helps anybody answer my question, I'm flying out of Orlando Int.

 

[mountainpharm]

my experience...

I've flown with handguns 6-8 times and the routine has always been:

Declare firearm with ticketing agent. Agent will ask to see that gun is unloaded. Once verified, gun will be placed back in lockable case...you retain the key. Agent will tag the firearm case as one that has been checked according to regulations. Agent will have you fill out small amount of required paperwork. Locked case will be returned to checked luggage. Smoothness of process will likely depend on whether the ticketing agent has done this before. I've had some that gave me no trouble at all, while others (*cough* Delta Airlines in Nashville *cough*) made it a complete hassle.

NOTE:
Ammo must be in original container or a lockable container, AND in a separate piece of checked luggage from the gun. If the ammo is not in an approved container they will confiscate it. Ask me how I know. Also, watch where the ticketing agent places the tag. Twice I've had them tag the outside of my checked luggage -- NOT cool. I don't want a big orange tag on the outside of my bag declaring the contents for God and everybody. Just politely ask that they tag the gun case, not the entire suitcase. When you pick up the bag at your destination, immediately take a quick peak inside to make sure your goods are still in there.

Perhaps others who have done this more could post their experiences...

 

[Sam1911]

Does anyone know if it's possible to, once the pistol has been checked by TSA, to put it inside another piece of check on luggage? I'm asking this because personally I'd rather not deal with a small loose container containing such a piece of equipment.

That's exactly what you do. Put the gun, unloaded (ammo separate), in your locked case. Put the case inside your suitcase or other luggage. At the gate, declare it and they'll ask you to show it to them and (usually) demonstrate that it is unloaded. The case should then be LOCKED (and NOT with a TSA lock, either!) with the "unloaded declaration" card inside the case. Then put it back in the suitcase and have it checked in as normal.

If TSA wants to open the case for some reason, they can call you and ask you to unlock it for them.

At NO point should there be any sign or notice on the outer luggage that there is a firearm inside.

ALSO, regarding AMMO: The plastic reloader's boxes are o.k. for transporting ammo now, from what I've read. Might want to call the specific airline if you're planning on this, though.

-Sam

 

[mountainpharm]

one more thing...

One other thing I do: I secure the lockable gun case to the inside of my suitcase with a cable lock. I have one suitcase that has a small loop on the inside perfect for this. If yours doesn't have one, I'm sure it would be pretty easy to install. Just a little extra added security in case a TSA agent has sticky hands...

 

[cleardiddion]

So, they actually check it at the counter?

From my past experiences with long guns they've always hauled it off to a side room where they checked and took off with the case.

And, just to make things clear, I can't put the ammunition inside the case (in original box) like I could with long guns, correct?

 

[REB]

And, just to make things clear, I can't put the ammunition inside the case (in original box) like I could with long guns, correct?

That is not true at all. The ammo can be in the same case.

This was just recently discussed here.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=434314

 

[mountainpharm]

So, they actually check it at the counter?

From my past experiences with long guns they've always hauled it off to a side room where they checked and took off with the case.

And, just to make things clear, I can't put the ammunition inside the case (in original box) like I could with long guns, correct?

Some will check the gun with a little discretion while others will check it right in front of the other passengers. Again, just depends on the agent. I've never been taken to a separate room with a handgun.

The ammo has to go in a checked bag that does NOT contain the gun.

 

[mountainpharm]

ammo

That is not true at all. The ammo can be in the same case.

This was just recently discussed here.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=434314

That discussion was very helpful. I thought keeping ammo separate from the gun was a TSA requirement. Must have been an airline-specific policy that I encountered because the ticket agent asked me specifically to keep the ammo in a separate bag from the gun. Therefore, it may be a good idea to check the website of the specific airline to see if they have any regulations in place that are more stringent than the TSA rules. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[REB]

More likely an agent that didn't know what the rules were. I have had a couple of agents say something to that effect before and I tell them that is not there policy. They normally look it up right quick on the computer and say, oh your right. This is very uncommon.

 

[Sam1911]

I've never been taken to another location, either. I usually carry my pistol case inside a large duffel on which the top zips open and flips back. I just let the case sit nestled inside that when I opened it up to show the agent. Makes it at least somewhat more discreet than spreading it all out on the counter.

I often insert a small plastic bore-flag into the chamber of an autopistol. It holds the action open slightly and is a visible indicator that no ammo could be in the gun -- IF you know what you're looking at. I've had agents glance at that, say, "Fine," insert my "unloaded" card, lock, zip up, and I'm on my way.

I've also had some look at it blankly for a moment, then say, "um, could you show me that it is unloaded?" It was obvious that, had I asked her to peek down the barrel for me to check, she wouldn't have known any better... :-D

If it's all still mostly inside another bag it isn't all that hard to even do the "unload -- show clear" routine without alarming the passers-by.

-Sam

 

[REB]

I got bored this afternoon because of the rain so I did a little research. The only domestic airline I could find that has the requirement to have the firearm and ammunition separate is Jet Blue. I also noticed that several airlines set the ammunition limit at 10 pounds instead of the federal limit of 11 pounds.