Recent experience flying with firearms

[BigSteve57]

My wife and I recently came back from a trip where we flew with a hunting rifle from BWI (Baltimore Washington Intl.) to/from BZN (Bozeman MT). The airline was American Airlines. Overall the flights were uneventful, it's the handling of my firearm that's the subject of this post.

Check-in was uneventful at BWI except for the fact that our reservations had somehow stipulated that we BOTH were flying with firearms when it was just me. Apparently this is some sort of crisis as the clerk couldn't clear the entry for my wife and wouldn't let us check in until it was rectified. After 40 minutes of waiting at the counter we bailed to another clerk who fixed it in about 5 keystrokes on the computer. Let's chalk that one up to lack of employee training. But, to save future hassles you might want to be very clear on your reservations as to just WHO is carrying firearms.

Retrieving the firearm at BZN was a little disconcerting. Regular bags came out on the familiar carousel. However, all firearms came out on an adjacent chute where anyone could just walk up and take them. THIS PRACTICE REALLY BUGS ME. We've had this happen at other airports such as Dulles.

On the return trip things were much better. There were no issues checking in at BZN however I was REALLY impressed with the way my firearm was handled in Baltimore.

At BWI, instead of having the firearm come out on the regular baggage carousel or out of some other unattended chute my firearm was hand delivered by a TSA agent to the American Airlines baggage office where I was waiting. The TSA agent checked my baggage claim check and MD driver's license before personally handing the gun case over to me.

That's how it should be handled IMHO.

 

[Rudolph31]

I’m surprised they didn’t make you go through a background check in MD to retrieve your rifle.

 

[taliv]

i'd prefer all my stuff just come out on the chute. i don't really want tsa hand delivering anything

 

[sequins]

I'm happy to get mine anonymously. I'd rather staff not even know what they're carrying tbh. I'm more concerned with dishonest staff than the general public.

 

[Riomouse911]

i'd prefer all my stuff just come out on the chute. i don't really want tsa hand delivering anything

They’ve probably gone through it already, I guess they might as well bring it over to me.

On my last flight (Labor Day) I brought .22 Lr ammo home in a locked plastic ammo can inside my suitcase from Portland Ore to Ontario Ca. TSA went through my luggage then,too.

It’s a regular part of flying today, especially with gun stuff.

Stay safe!

 

[FL-NC]

The primary things I have observed: 1, inconsistency, possibly due to different policies at different airports 2, untrained employees (I always bring a printed copy of the regs). Once at RDU (NC), no one at the ticket counter had any idea what to do. They ended up summoning a TSA security guy, creating a mess. In Bangor, Maine, the ticket counter saw me in line with a large pelican case. Someone asked me if it contained a firearm, and when I nodded, she said to come to the front of the line. That check-in was the fastest and most professional one I've been through in years, with or without a firearm. Another time, I made it to the excuse of an airport in Fayetteville, NC, but my bag (with handgun) did not. When it arrived the next day, they refused to bring it to my house even though I told them I would be there, because of the firearm. I had to drive a 60 mile round-trip to retrieve my bag/pistol. 2 months ago i flew out of Ft Walton Beach, with no issues whatsoever. Bag came down the regular chute in Tampa with everyone else's.

 

[BigSteve57]

For anyone who thinks that you're anonymous and that you would therefore prefer to receive your case containing firearms on a carousel you can forget about that. AA put a large red tag on the handle of my Pelican case. Plus it's a Pelican case and that by itself is pretty much a dead giveaway that there are likely high $ items inside.

 

[labnoti]

A good camera and a couple lenses are worth a lot more than most firearms. Does TSA hand deliver valuable camera bags? If I fly, I fly cattle-class and the only thing I expect to be handled with care is my person and I've never experienced anything to the contrary of that.

 

[herrwalther]

My only experience has been flying with handguns. Any half way decent case screams handgun. So I have always packed mine inside my regular checked luggage. If I were doing something like a hunting trip, I would rather ship it ahead of me than flying with a giant case.

 

[9mmepiphany]

That's how it should be handled IMHO.

While not on this forum, I often see complaint from folks flying with firearms who feel exactly the opposite...easily by a ratio of 20:1. Many folks complain vehemently about their bag being marked, on the outside, in any way as being illegal...it isn't; it just can't be marked specifically as a firearm

I've had my bags handled both ways, I prefer that it comes out on the baggage carousel

my firearm was hand delivered by a TSA agent to the American Airlines baggage office

Are you sure it was TSA?

When I've had my bag delivered to the baggage office, it was just an airline employee. They hand carry off all high value items; that's what the large red tag denotes

 

[tarosean]

But, to save future hassles you might want to be very clear on your reservations as to just WHO is carrying firearms.

I have never indicated what I was carrying on reservations. Ive always informed at the counter.

 

[Old Dog]

Um, I fly several times a year, and I've NEVER had to indicate on my reservations that I was flying with a handgun (or longguns or handguns) in my checked baggage.

Is that a Maryland thing?

 

[BigSteve57]

While not on this forum, I often see complaint from folks flying with firearms who feel exactly the opposite...easily by a ratio of 20:1. Many folks complain vehemently about their bag being marked, on the outside, in any way as being illegal...it isn't; it just can't be marked specifically as a firearm

Understood. But that red tag is just a beacon IMHO. I wish they wouldn't do that. At least, not tag it and leave it to the regular baggage carousel cattle-call.

I've had my bags handled both ways, I prefer that it comes out on the baggage carousel

I can see the argument for that.On the other hand I've been to airports where you enter the baggage area using one turnstile and exit at another with your bags showing your baggage claim check to a security guard. It gave me a warm fuzzy knowing that someone was less likely to walk off with my bag when I wasn't looking. Over the years I've had my bags picked up 3 times by others (never a firearm) when the bag had an extremely large & colorful name tag on it. You couldn't miss it. The cynic in me wonders if these were all innocent mistakes.

Are you sure it was TSA?

Good question. AA baggage personnel said to wait until TSA delivers it to them. 20 minutes later a guy walks up with my case. I didn't look closely at his badge. I spoke to him a few minutes and he mentioned he was former Navy and he said he knew this was a case that was carrying firearms. He asked if I was military and I replied I was not.

When I've had my bag delivered to the baggage office, it was just an airline employee. They hand carry off all high value items; that's what the large red tag denotes

Ah. Didn't know that. I've flown with camera equipment in a Pelican hard case and never had the red tag. So I assumed the red tag was just for firearms as several people were checking firearms at BZN and all their cases had red tags. Good to know.

 

[BigSteve57]

I have never indicated what I was carrying on reservations. Ive always informed at the counter.

Um, I fly several times a year, and I've NEVER had to indicate on my reservations that I was flying with a handgun (or longguns or handguns) in my checked baggage.

Is that a Maryland thing?

No it's not a MD thing. Not yet anyway. I always declared at the counter in the past and I didn't set out to indicate on the reservation this time. We booked through a travel agent and purchased travel insurance. I inquired about any insurance exclusions and the possibility of increasing insurance for baggage with regard to firearms. TA checked and said with regard to firearms no exclusions applied nor were increases available. Firearms were just considered baggage and were subject to the $1000.00 baggage limit.*

I found out later on when she called back with our flights that she told the airlines we were flying with firearms and really didn't think much of it. I'm sure she thought she was trying to be helpful and meant to save us time.

Anyway this trip was a bit different than all my other trips with firearms and I thought I'd give it a write-up.

* before leaving for the trip I checked with my homeowner's insurer and got $10,000.00 firearms insurance which covers me for "all perils" at home and while traveling. This includes air travel, travel to/from the range etc... I needed that insurance anyway and should have bought it years ago.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Sometimes, I will travel with bullets or brass (not loaded ammo, just bullets or brass) in my checked baggage because I’ll get a good deal in one state and need to take it home. I always print the applicable policies, regulations, and laws regarding traveling with ammo and type a letter that states that the box is not loosely packaged ammo (not allowed) because TSA almost always inspects my bags after I drop them off anytime I have ammo or components in them. I can definitely foresee some absent-minded TSA agent thinking that the 6”x6” cardboard box of Berry’s plated bullets contains 1000 rounds of 9mm ammo and not just 1000 bullets and confiscating it. TSA agents often like to make up rules or enforce policies. For instance, when traveling with a Pelican pistol case containing a pistol, an agent refused to accept it until I had not just one, but both locking points secured with locks because his convuluted interpretation of firearms cases not being able to be easily pried open meant that all locking points have to have locks on them. So, if I have a rifle case with six locking points, according to him, I would need six locks because anything less would mean that someone could pry it open and take the firearm. I will say that probably 90% of TSA agents are good, reasonable people. It’s the 10% that act like school hall monitors and believe they possess the authority to create new laws and regulations.

 

[BigSteve57]

My case had 4 positions for locks and I had 4 locks. The TSA does seem to make stuff up. TSA locks allow the TSA to enter the bag. I.e. they effectively retain the key right?

Federal law § 1540.111 - Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.
https://www.govregs.com/regulations..._chapterXII_part1540_subpartB_section1540.111
"(iv) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination."

TSA's website:
Transporting Firearms and Ammunition
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
"Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks."

 

[George P]

TSA personnel are supposed to have you open the case and you lock it and keep the key.

 

[BigSteve57]

TSA personnel are supposed to have you open the case and you lock it and keep the key.

That's what I always thought. Here's what happened to me at check-in:
Baltimore: AA told me to wait at the counter for TSA to call them. TSA called the counter and I wrote the combination for the AA agent to read to the TSA agent. AA then told me to wait another 15 minutes and if no TSA issues arose by then proceed to the gate.
Bozeman: AA told me to wait for TSA. TSA agent (I'm sure he was a TSA agent!) came out personally to the check-in counter and asked me for the combination. I gave it to him. I waited another 15 minutes then proceeded to my gate.

The only time I had an experience like you describe was at Dulles a few years ago. These procedures aren't spelled out in law AFAIK.

 

[9mmepiphany]

TSA locks allow the TSA to enter the bag. I.e. they effectively retain the key right?

Most folks don't use TSA locks on their gun case. Many folks think that it is illegal, but as your quote from the TSA website indicates it is optional

 

[9mmepiphany]

That's what I always thought. Here's what happened to me at check-in:

You had the option of not providing the combination and demanding to be present when the cases was opened...it depends on how demanding you want to be, how much time you want to spend with TSA, and how much time you have to catch your plane.

Coming back from Houston, TSA came out to ask for my key...I use padlocks

My best experience was flying out of Seattle a couple of years ago. The counter agent walked my case over to a screened off TSA area where I opened my bag for TSA to inspect. Then my bag went on a cart to go out to the plane. Pretty much the same procedure flying out of Birmingham earlier this year, except we walked back to the ticket counter for the bag to go on the conveyor belt with the rest of the luggage.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Sometimes, I will travel with bullets or brass (not loaded ammo, just bullets or brass) in my checked baggage because I’ll get a good deal in one state and need to take it home.

With the applicable weight limits, wouldn't it be easier to ship it?

 

[giggitygiggity]

With the applicable weight limits, wouldn't it be easier to ship it?

Maybe in some cases or for some airlines. I fly with Southwest normally. They allow two checked bags up to 50lbs each for no extra charge. A box of 1000 9mm bullets or 500 .45 bullets weighs about 17-22lbs depending on the grains. I never fly with more baggage or weight than is included without extra charge.

 

[George P]

That's what I always thought. Here's what happened to me at check-in:
Baltimore: AA told me to wait at the counter for TSA to call them. TSA called the counter and I wrote the combination for the AA agent to read to the TSA agent. AA then told me to wait another 15 minutes and if no TSA issues arose by then proceed to the gate.
Bozeman: AA told me to wait for TSA. TSA agent (I'm sure he was a TSA agent!) came out personally to the check-in counter and asked me for the combination. I gave it to him. I waited another 15 minutes then proceeded to my gate.

The only time I had an experience like you describe was at Dulles a few years ago. These procedures aren't spelled out in law AFAIK.

Your gun case is never supposed to be out of your sight while they check it. And you NEVER give out your combination; you open the case, they do their thing, you close and lock the case; it gets put in the baggage section.

 

[George P]

With the applicable weight limits, wouldn't it be easier to ship it?

Or buy it from a place that just ships to your home? There are plenty of great places online for bullets and cheap or included shipping in the price.

 

[9mmepiphany]

There are plenty of great places online for bullets and cheap or included shipping in the price.

That is the route I generally follow...plus I usually buy in lots of 5k