Help with Airline flight to SATX with my Pistol

[Pendragon]

Hi guys,

I have found a few threads about airline travel and guns.

I know the case has to be hard and locked - but can I use a small pistol box and put it in my suitcase or does it have to be a seperate, discrete item?

Also - are any airlines extra cool or extra bad? I am buying my tickets probably tomorrow for a 9/10 or 9/11 (ugh!) flight from Sacramento to San Antonio.

We will be leaving on a red eye at 12:25am

I will be taking my Valtro and hopefully 2 loaded magazines. From what I read, this is fine for them to be loaded and in the case, but not in the Valtro.

Is there any way to insure your luggage or do something so that if it is "lost" that I am not out aome $1400+ dollars and a huge wait from Valtro?

I have a small Valtro plastic case, and I have a large briefcase "samsonite" style case that could hold 3-5 pistols. Its pretty tough seeming if the case has to be checked on its own.

Any advice? Anyone fly out of Sac with a gun?

Thanks,

 

[El Tejon]

Hi, Pen. I've flown into Saint Tony's many times now.

I use an inexpensive "gun guard" case (black for enhanced tacticality) with a large hardware store (I think it's "American" or some other make) padlock for two pistols. Pop open the case at the counter, sometimes they want to check, sometimes not, I always handle the weapons so the morons from TSA don't do something stupid, sign the orange "this here pistol gun ain't loaded" tag, chuck tag in case, and put case in my Sharper Image tactically correct black mobile (it has wheels) suitcase. Suitcase goes on to Detroit or Newark (just kidding).

Never brought loaded mags with me. I always have my ammo sent to Tejas ahead of me. My carry ammo and mags I put in my range bag (a Waller) and use a small gun case (I think it's a Ruger lock) lock for the 4 zippers so the monkeys don't get in.

Multiple copies of the same gun can be sent down to skul from Indiana if they are lost.

Flying out of Saint Tony's with guns is no big deal. Like the airports in Indy or Lafayette, they are used to seeing them and it's no BFD.

Enjoy Saint Tony's. Check out that Thai place, the Indian place near there and the Zuni Grill on that Riverwalk thingie. Post pictures of the young and nubile that walk by.

 

[Chris Rhines]

I've flown with guns a few times, and so far have not been blown any more than the normal amount of TSA static.

I know the case has to be hard and locked

Yup.

but can I use a small pistol box and put it in my suitcase or does it have to be a seperate, discrete item?

Either way will work, but given the choice I'd put a small pistol box in my suitcase. Especally if you have an obvious gun box - no point in tempting the baggage handlers.

If you stow the pistol case in your suitcase, put it in the top. If you stuff it down in the bottom, guarenteed they'll want to confirm that it's unloaded.

From what I read, this is fine for them to be loaded and in the case, but not in the Valtro.

This is verboten - ammo cannot be in magazines. Original factory packaging is best, MTM ammo boxes are also okay. Also, ammo has to be in a seperate bag from the gun.

Best article on the subject: http://www.mattburkett.com/flying.html

- Chris

 

[Pendragon]

thanks for the link Chris - thats what I was looking for.

 

[Telperion]

Related note: what are the rules for flying with small amounts of cleaning compounds like CLP? They aren't really flammable, but I don't know how the TSA views this. Maybe put it in small, unmarked bottles close to toiletries?

 

[Pendragon]

Unfortunately, I have 2 aerosol cans of CLP - but DoortoDoor.com says no aerosols in their crates and I doubt the airline would let me.