Flying with handguns: Two made it through okay

[Doug Add]

My son and I flew home to Indiana last week. My brother-in-law and I were going to take the boys shooting, so I packed the Walther P22 and the Browning Hi-Power. We arrived early not knowing what kind of hassle we would face declaring the guns. It was a breeze, both flying up last week and home today.

However, when we went through the security check to get into the terminal my son's backpack drew extra attention at the x-ray machine which required a more thorough investigation. He had decided just before we left for the airport that morning to bring the bag so he could carry some handgun magazines and catalogs to show his cousins. He told me, "I hope I got all the toy guns out of the backpack."

Well, the TSA guy opened it up and pulled out a plastic revolver about the size of the S&W 500 that my son had spray painted silver! The guy was very good about the whole thing, told me I could take it back out to the car. But our ride to the airport had dropped us off, so I guess some TSA agent got to take it home to his son.

It made for a good story when we arrived in Indiana. The two real guns made it through without a hitch, but the plastic toy gun did not. As a side note, I was extremely pleased with Northwest Airlines, and how easy the whole process of checking unloaded firearms was on both flights.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Northwest has always been good to me but I have not checked a firearm since 9-11. Glad to hear you had a positive experience.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The two real guns made it through without a hitch, but the plastic toy gun did not.

Fire Mineta!

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I have flown on over 30 Northwest flights in the last couple of months and that mirrors my experiences. The only problem I have had was a disagreement with the TSA in Indy about surrendering the key and combination to my locked bag. I provided them with print outs of the CFR and from their own website explaining my position the following week. They even remembered me from the week before.

 

[Shake]

It's a long story, but I had a similar experience to Doug's.

I was in the Lima Peru international airport (this happened about ten years ago) and had gone through the airport security. I checked in at the airline desk and they asked if they could see my carry-on. They lady at the counter unzipped the front pocket of my day pack and saw a toy (but realistic looking) S&W revolver. Security was all over me in nothing flat. A couple of the airport security guards (full auto weapons ) had me ina corner frisking me over pretty quick. I kept telling them to look at the gun and that it wa a toy, but they ignored me. One of the big wig security guys came down and spoke to me and finally listened to my story.

They ended up letting me board the plane, but I had to sign some long wordy document. Didn't have time to read it, so I have no clue what it said, but I signed it. . . Thought I was going to be stuck in Peru for a looooong time.

Shake

 

[Doug Add]

TSA in Indy

Jeff, sorry to hear about your ordeal in Indianapolis. I'm pretty sure I remember reading about it when you posted before. That is why I was prepared for the worst. I had copies of CFR from both TSA and FAA, but did not need them in either Raleigh/Durham or Indianapolis. Have you flown through there since? Any problems?

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I fly out of Indy every Friday night and I have three more weekends to go. The problem is that TSA is behind the ticket counter, actually downstairs, so you lose sight of your bags and you can't surrender them unlocked if you have firearms. In OKC, Austin, and Orlando (other airports that I have flown out of this year) the TSA was in front of the ticket counter, so I was there to lock the case or unlock the case should there be any questions. OKC and Orlando do manual scans, Austin has the CAT Scan machines out front. It was not a big deal in Indy, they were wrong and accepted it because they knew I wasn't giving in. The next week I gave them copies of the regs so they would have them for future reference. It all went very well.

 

[Doug Add]

You probably made it smoother for me, then. Thank you. After inserting the signed cards declaring my unloaded handguns, the NW agent had me lock the briefcase and told me to wait around a few minutes in case security wanted me to open it. About 5-10 minutes later she came out to where my son and I were waiting, gave me our tickets and said the briefcase had cleared security.