Flying with firearms

[Burlyman78]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but this is some great information on how to fly with firearms for everyone who may be taking a plane to get where they're going this Christmas/New Years/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa, etc. I'm using this information to fly with firearms to Portland, OR tomorrow. I've also spoken to the author of the information via email a couple of times and he has been very helpful in answering questions. Anyway, the link below is to this guy's website, which includes a video presentation on flying with firearms outlining the process, what to expect, and what our rights are as traveling gun owners. It also includes a really helpful .pdf of all the TSA guidelines and federal regulations pertaining to flying with firearms that one can print out and carry with them to the airport to educate ticket counter staff if there is a problem. The link also includes report cards for all the major airlines based on how easy it is to fly with firearms on those airlines, including passenger testimonials. It's great information . . . I only wish I'd thought to post it here sooner!

Ben

http://deviating.net/firearms/

 

[GodGuns&Guitars]

I just flew from Dallas Love Field to DIA in Denver via Southwest Airlines and had zero problems. As a matter of fact it seemed like I got better service with a firearm than without. Only thing I question is a tag on my bag in white with red diagol lines across it then 45 hand written on it. I will speak with Southwest about this next week sometime. TSA were all good people to deal with.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I have found that flying with firearms guarantees my baggage's safe arrival, and it's usually one of the first bags off the plane at the baggage claim.

Additionally, in my limited experience, TSA agents are pretty professional about them. Or maybe they just don't see them, I don't know...

 

[swinokur]

It is against TSA and airline regs to put any kind of marker on the outside of your suitcase which would indicate the presence of a firearm. IF Southwest did that, they screwed up. United used to put a row of printed F's on your luggage tag and was made to stop the practice.

As far as getting better service, the baggage handlers and even TSA aren't supposed to know you bag contains a firearm after the bag is checked and the weapon declared.

 

[CWL]

It is against TSA and airline regs to put any kind of marker on the outside of your suitcase which would indicate the presence of a firearm. IF Southwest did that, they screwed up. United used to put a row of printed F's on your luggage tag and was made to stop the practice.

As far as getting better service, the baggage handlers and even TSA aren't supposed to know you bag contains a firearm after the bag is checked and the weapon declared.

Not my experience. All my checked-in baggage get additional searches and I then find a "your baggage has been inspected" card inside my non-gun luggage, I also get "TSA" tape on the outside of my gun case.

 

[rmfnla]

I just flew from Dallas Love Field to DIA in Denver via Southwest Airlines and had zero problems. As a matter of fact it seemed like I got better service with a firearm than without. Only thing I question is a tag on my bag in white with red diagol lines across it then 45 hand written on it. I will speak with Southwest about this next week sometime. TSA were all good people to deal with.

That's how it's supposed to work!

 

[caltek1911]

I flew Continental from VA to CA this past Friday. Had no problems. The counter-woman checked me in while I unlocked the box to show her the firearm, and got upgraded to 1st class for cheap. Yes, TSA wanted to see it, and no problems there, either. This was the first time TSA actually wanted to see it of all the times I've flown with one. My bag also got a "PRIORITY" tag, and was about the 6th bag on the carousel. The only tag was the one I had to sign and place with the firarm in the box.

 

[swinokur]

Not my experience. All my checked-in baggage get additional searches and I then find a "your baggage has been inspected" card inside my non-gun luggage, I also get "TSA" tape on the outside of my gun case.

That's not what I said. Of course TSA can inspect you bag. Mine was searched 3 weeks ago coming back from Vegas. They even cut off the TSA approved lock to inspect my baggage.. What I said was it is against TSA and airline regs to put any kind of marking on the outside of your bag to indicate the presence of a firearm. This is designed to prevent unauthorized entry into your bag. I never stated that TSA could not inspect your bag. Please reread my post.

 

[swinokur]

I flew Continental from VA to CA this past Friday. Had no problems. The counter-woman checked me in while I unlocked the box to show her the firearm, and got upgraded to 1st class for cheap. Yes, TSA wanted to see it, and no problems there, either. This was the first time TSA actually wanted to see it of all the times I've flown with one. My bag also got a "PRIORITY" tag, and was about the 6th bag on the carousel. The only tag was the one I had to sign and place with the firarm in the box.

You got the priority tag because you upgraded to 1st class, not because of what was in your bag.