More TSA Observations for You

[JLStorm]

As some of you know, I check my handguns with me on a few flights almost every week. My last thread was about the non english speaking TSA in Miami. I am not complaining, nor trying to make a point, I just figured I would share some of my observations:


1. It has been almost a month and the airline ticket agents are so flustered about the fact I am checking a firearm that no one has remembered/bothered to check my ID when checking my bags and handing me my ticket.

2. Neither the TSA or the airline employees want to have the pistol handled in any way in order to show that it is cleared because apparently not that long ago in South Carolina an agent almost got shot when a passanger attempted to show their weapon was cleared and had an ND resulting in the near miss of an airline agent. It sounds as if this story has been embellished a bit though.

3. The airline employees for Continental and Northwest claim they have never had any training on how to handle the checking of firearms other than hand you a declaration tag, and would prefer not to deal with guns at all (big surprise )

4. Every TSA agent and airline employee has been VERY polite, and I have not had any trouble whatsoever while checking a firearm or ammo. This includes American, US Air, Continental, and Northwest.

 

[Nitrogen]

I've seen their reluctance to deal with guns constantly. Usually, I lock my pistol in the case with a cable lock to make it extremely obvious that it's clear by a cursory visual inspection by the ticketing agent, as well as TSA.

Leaving Love Field, if I do it this way, they usually just x-ray my bag and let it go through without a manual inspection. Most other airports have done the same.

 

[hso]

I'd prefer that they not handle the gun and ususally they don't.

Just give the tag to me, let me fill it out, put it on the case, check the bag, go to the gate.

 

[Nail Shooter]

Quote:

3. The airline employees for Continental and Northwest .... would prefer not to deal with guns at all (big surprise )

4. Every TSA agent and airline employee has been VERY polite, and I have not had any trouble whatsoever while checking a firearm or ammo. ...
__________________________

Pretty much was my last experience, too. Almost disinterest from NWA ticket agent: "Here, sign and date this form, put it inside your luggage. Have a nice flight".
TSA could have cared less about seeing-inspecting the firearm (or ammo) either. YMMV.

Nail

 

[alan]

I saw that sort of thing as far back as 1967, with reference to a RIFLE.

 

[shooter503]

I have to escort my guns to the TSA inspection. The amusing thing is to watch them do the explosive swab test on a bag that they have been told contains ammunition. It would be interesting to see what they would do if the test showed positive. "Sir, your bag showed positive on our explosives test. Me - that's right, that's why I am required to give it to you to inspect - because it contains explosive."

Interestingly, the swab test has never showed positive even though I take no special precautions to package the ammo or avoid handling the bag after handling the ammo.

TSA people are generally nice but they really should have more familiarity with firearms and ammunition.

 

[El Tejon]

It is fairly apparent that many TSA employees has no clue about firearms. I once had a TSA employee ask me how my rifles (a Ruger M77 and a Fulton Armory M14) became "broken". (I remove the bolts on my weapons when I fly).

JLStorm, I am very glad you have never had any trouble. Some of us are not so lucky: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=209034

 

[CWL]

I have never had problems flying thru Miami with firearms. I usually fly AA and their counter people have always been nice and professional.

The only experience I can remember of TSA at Miami was when the young kid asked if the 2 custom 1911s I was transporting were "Glocks".

 

[GRIZ22]

Neither the TSA or the airline employees want to have the pistol handled in any way in order to show that it is cleared

This should not surprise anyone. Most of us don't know how to fly an airplanr so we avoid giving the pilots any advice. TSA and airline employees that don't have any knowledge don't want to handle with them.

 

[NAK]

I've never had any trouble, including international. I do worry a bit about delays and such.

A couple of years ago I was bumped from an oversold flight , but my gun made it home on schedule. Luckily, they had put it in with the 'oversized' bags behind the CS counter.