I Landed in Baltimore But My Pistol Went to Newark

[JBP]

My wife and I flew back from Fort Lauderdale to Maryland yesterday morning on AirTran. I checked my luggage at the ticket counter since I had to declare my Beretta Jetfire .25 ACP that I took with me (I have a Florida CCW). The garment bag with the pistol never made it to Baltimore. I filled out the requisite paper work and noted on the form the missing bag contained a firearm. To make the story short the bag ended up in Newark, NJ and was sent to Atlanta Saturday night and then back to Baltimore Sunday morning. It was dropped off at the house Sunday afternoon and the pistol was still in its locked hard case. In the main section of the garment bag there was the card from TSA that the bag had been opened for inspection. I had a TSA approved lock on the pocket that I stored the pistol case in and I don't know if they opened that one or not but can only assume that after they checked the bag it was put on the wrong cart.

That was one experience I hope never to repeat.

 

[Nightwing]

That's Horrible. Almost as horrible as the 4 identical posts.
HAHA.
The boards have been giving me trouble lately too!

 

[The Unknown User]

Let us know how the airline intends to compensate for their screw up.

 

[Fred Thompson]

Just remember, TSA is looking out for your best interests!

 

[def4pos8]

It might be easier to find FFL holders at your destinations who are willing to accept overnight shipping of your firearm for a "traveler's fee". Certainly, that would add a chore to your itinerary but at least your pistol wouldn't be "Bombayed"* by the baggage gorillas!


*In times past, check-in workers who were offended by customer's behavior would tag/send your checked luggage to Bombay . . . India . . . .

 

[4v50 Gary]

For once, it wasn't TSA's fault. It's the goons who handle luggage that placed it on the wrong plane. There's very little in the way of compensation for slow luggage delivery.

 

[strat81]

See, it's true. All of the guns in NJ come from out of state!

Glad you got your piece back. Newark (the city and airport) is an embodiment of all that is wrong with American society.

 

[the naked prophet]

They shouldn't have examined the firearm, or even opened its case. I believe it's illegal for them to inspect your firearm, or even open the hard case in which it's stored, without you physically present. In fact, I have non-TSA locks on my hard cases in which I transport firearms.

 

[Lashlarue]

So I told the agent I wanted a ticket to Vegas but I wanted my luggage sent to Denver, she said "We can't do that" I said "Why not , you did it the last time "

 

[romma]

. I believe it's illegal for them to inspect your firearm, or even open the hard case in which it's stored, without you physically present.

Almost everytime I have flown with firearms, my firearms have been inspected.

They like to make sure it is unloaded and ammunition is in a suitable container.

One time the TSA inspector said he'd take my word for it...

 

[Ed Ames]

I've always used non-TSA locks on my gun cases when flying. TSA has never asked me for the key. One time, out of curiosity, I offered the TSA screener the key along with the bag and he refused to take the key, saying, "I don't want that... just stay around for a few minutes in case we can't check it on the X-Ray machine."

Every time has been the same... They toss the bags on the machine, a few minutes later the screener says "clear", and away I go.

Not to offend any screeners that may be lurking here but I suspect they are slightly lazy at times. For a while I was flying a lot and I didn't lock my checked bags at all. They just had clothes and a cheap pocket knife. Why bother? Every single time my bag came back with an "inspected by the TSA" paper inside. Then I started using the TSA locks... no more sheets of paper, no indicator on the lock showing it had been opened.

The illusion of safety.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Open Indicator

I've taken to securing things with lightweight cable ties.

They're cheap, easy to cut off, easy to slap another one on.

You can lock the unit with a padlock (or whatever) and slip a tie through as well.

If they open it, you'll know.

It doesn't keep them out, and it provides you with a positive indicator that the unit has been opened.

Doesn't work with all cases (some don't have a padlock loop).

Works well on double-zipper cases, though.

 

[vis-à-vis]

What were your initial thoughts and feelings when your pistol went AWOL?

 

[Chipperman]

You'll be getting a court summons from NJ for possessing an illegal handgun in their state.

 

[JBP]

What were your initial thoughts and feelings when your pistol went AWOL?

I was to say the least defintely PO'ed .

It is not my most expensive or favorite firearm but just the idea of it possibly falling into somebody's hands that would use it illegaly and getting traced back to me was something I did not want to have to deal with. I had visions of having to call the Maryland State Police and finding out who I should report the loss to, having to deal with the airline for insurance purposes, and my insurance company (I have a separate policy for my firearms) in case the airline did not give me the fair market value.

 

[Autolycus]

I am sorry to hear that. I remember reading that up until 1968 it was legal to take firearms on the place with you. I dont know if it is true but if it is, that would have been nice.

 

[vis-à-vis]

I dont know if it is true but if it is, that would have been nice.

I'm sure all those people whose planes were hijacked on 9/11 thought the same thing.