Run in with TSA today

[25cschaefer]

The TSA guard that check my gun said they have to be able to open it at anytime and she told me I could not even put TSA locks on it because not all TSA people have the keys to them. I guess thats what I get for not being informed.

 

[xcgates]

You absolutely need to carry a copy of FEDERAL law with you, as it is what says you MUST lock the container the firearm is in. Not only must you lock it, you must be the only one with the ability to open it. If they need to inspect it for some reason, you can't actually give them the key/combo, because that would violate the "you are the only one able to open it" part of federal law.

 

[scaatylobo]

TSA - asshats

I have avoided flying since 9/11 due to the fact that the very same people are on that line as were there prior to 9/11.

They sent them for "rehab" and rehired them.

For that matter take a look at the slobs that are called tsa and tell me they look like professional law enforcement ?.

They look like sloppy doughnut testers.

I avoid flying to avoid arrest .

Yes it complicates my life,but keeps me out of federal jail for taking a swing at one of them for acting in a improper or rude manner.

And I am not a kid,I am retired LEO and 63 years old,but they are not groping me or my wife.

The OP was cool and did the correct thing.I am very happy he did not get hassled more for his correct stance.

 

[Bonesinium]

They've told me I've had to do some weird things. I'd rather not argue with them, but what does putting a piece of scotch tape over the top of a magazine due? Are the guns going to load themselves inside their locked case somehow?

 

[TenDriver]

One the many times going through Philly, they started going through my bag. I asked what they were looking for, the reply being "anything you can take control of the aircraft with, sir". Got a good laugh from anyone within earshot, as I was standing there in my airline pilot uniform going through security for the sole purpose of taking control of the aircraft.....

Even his fellow TSA agents laughed.

 

[Bonesinium]

One the many times going through Philly, they started going through my bag. I asked what they were looking for, the reply being "anything you can take control of the aircraft with, sir". Got a good laugh from anyone within earshot, as I was standing there in my airline pilot uniform going through security for the sole purpose of taking control of the aircraft.....

Even his fellow TSA agents laughed.

I've seen similar incidents before as well. I think usually they just aren't paying attention to who they are dealing with, just figuring another person like the hundreds before, oblivious to the fact you are the crew the flies the planes. Not TSA, but when going through the passenger terminal (unusual), I set off the metal detector. "Do you have anything that might be setting this off?"
"Well I imagine that if the knife in my pocket isn't what's setting it off, my handgun probably is."
The look on his face was priceless.

 

[essayons21]

Military are NOT exempt

Unfortunately military in uniform with valid ID, even on a unit only chartered flight directly from a mob site to kuwait are NOT exempt from TSA screening.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1880.shtm

The only thing you get from the TSA for writing a blank check to the American people redeemable for any amount up to and including your life is that you don't have to remove your boots when going through the scanners... unless they go off.

When I deployed, we flew directly from a Air Force base to Kuwait, stopping only for fuel in Ireland. We got on the plane ready to fight, with body armor, weapons, NVGs and other sensitive items, everything but ammo. But, as others have mentioned, nail clippers, surgical shears, IV needles from CLS and medics bags, gerber multi-tools, etc. all had to be checked.

One TSA agent was actually sent out to the air base to check a battalion of troops getting on 2 chartered jets. We didn't say anything, but everyone was thinking that if 300 Sappers wanted to take down the airplane, we didn't need no stinkin nail clippers.

 

[orionengnr]

I have worked for "a major US airline" for 24 years this April. I have flown exactly twice in the last four years.
There are a number of reasons for this, and many of them have been outlined in this thread.

Since 09/11/01, a lot has changed at our airports, and none of it for the better. As a prior poster said, the room-temperature IQ guys and gals who used to work for the private security companies got a new job, new uniforms, a few hours "training" and a big pay raise....and the untouchable attitude that comes with being a Federal employee.

And now we are paying the price, as well as their salaries.

 

[Bonesinium]

Unfortunately military in uniform with valid ID, even on a unit only chartered flight directly from a mob site to kuwait are NOT exempt from TSA screening.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1880.shtm

Fact.

I was referring to an unusual situation where the aircrew had to pass through the terminal to get to the flight line. It was unusual because crews don't process through the terminal usually, and are certainly not subject to the same procedures when they do.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

We need to Force Congress to Can the TSA!!!

 

[sniper5]

OK, I'm seeing a possible Russian doll scenario that would be TOO funny: a small pistol in a locked case, in a locked case, in a locked case, in a locked case, in a locked case, in a locked. . .up to a VERY large suitcase. When they inquire, just say : "I'm sorry, I have OCD, and I want to be SURE it's secure." And then finish with: "Now, this will be locked in a secure area, right?"

 

[ball3006]

What part of "hardside suitcase" don't you understand? I have traveled dozens of times with a pistol in my locked pistol case in a locked hardside suitcase with never a problem. If you don't believe me, look up the rules......chris3

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I find it best to have a locked hard case that fits my pistol, ammunition, and spare magazine, then wire the hard case to the frame of my soft-cased luggage.

 

[Czar]

After Southwest airlines managed to spill hydraulic fluid on my last cloth sided case (with handgun cable whipped to the inside frame) I bought a pelican case and now I get to lock up all of my checked items in the same hard sided luggage as my handgun.

I know you can put your firearm in a hard sided pistol case inside of a larger suitcase, and I used to do this, but I’d suggest at least considering going up to a lockable case for all of your stuff.

And yes, travel with a copy of the regs! Your TSA representative is not guaranteed to know the rules - sadly.

 

[xcgates]

Czar, what Pelican case do you use as your suitcase?

I was looking for one on their website a while back, but I found the site not set up for just browsing for luggage.

 

[mdauben]

~ I REFUSE TO FLY UNLESS IT IS A FORCED WORK RELATED COMMITMENT ~

Same here. I have to do a moderate amount of traveling for work but if I can drive somewhere in 10-12 hours or less I'll do so rather than fly.

 

[GLShooter]

I was boarding in Phil. several years ago and had a wrench for turning on medical oxygen bottles in my brief case. The screener asked what it was and I told him. I used it in my work as a flight nurse on medical transports for the US Gov't. (I use to fly on Con Air) At that point he checked over my jacket I was carrying and darned if he didn't find a grenade pin in the pocket!! (I was a operator and sniper instructor for the Fed. BOP Sort team at my prison) He went nuts!! Told me no tools period and called his supervisor.


A little short Napoleon looking fellow waddled over and asked what the problem was. The screener showed him my wrench and I explained what it was for. The super gets pissed!! He tells the screener to give me back my round wrench, that it was not a weapon and couldn't be used for one. Then the screener hands him the grenade pin. The sup looks at it asks what in my life uses a grenade pin? I explained that you always had an extra in case you decided NOT to throw a flash bang and had tossed the original when you pulled it and it was just a deal that I carried for luck. He then tells the screener to not worry about the darn pin but worry where the heck I had stuffed that grenade!!

Well he handed me back my stuff. I thanked him for his professionalism and wished him a good day.

Greg

PS: I haven't flown since!!

 

[Ken451]

Fortunately I retired the week before 9/11 and refuse to get near another airport.

 

[sweater914]

I as current airline pilot my crew(s) and I deal with TSA on a regular basis. Whatever standards TSA supposedly uses vary from airport to airport, there really is no uniform standard only a vague outline of one. It bothers the hell out of me to see airline crew with current and valid ID being harassed by TSA because we "might" take control of the aircraft, heaven forbid. I'm not to terribly concerned about the folks in the security lines, they more than likely are playing by the rules. It's the people you don't see in line that I'm worried about and finding some other way onto the airport property.

For the folks that have to check their firearms keeping a set of the federal regs regarding the storage and transport of your weapon is a must, if only to counter the TSA mis-steps. Also, keep the policies of specific airline you're using handy, each one has their own ideas of how firearms should be transported.

 

[boxerman]

Yeah, TSA is pretty spectactular.

So for Christmas my fiancee and I are getting ready to fly to Kansas City to see my fiancee's aunt and uncle.

So the night before we are packing and I say to her "you should probably take the mace off your keychain because they will confiscate it at the airport". Her response "why? when I flew to Kansas City from Dulles last time I just put my keys in the bucket and sent it through the xray and they let me on the plane with it but they took my toothpaste from my carry on luggage because it was over 3 ounces. I wasn't really thinking about it and forgot it was on there when I was at the airport."

"Are you serious? But you went there and back with it?"

"Well yeah"

Me: "..."

 

[Ignition Override]

It was nice to see the inbound Captain last week with his pistol grip protruding a bit from his holster as I looked inside the cockpit, ready for him to leave and make room for my flight bag and suitcase.

I quickly motioned to a Flt. Attendant on the previous crew to come up for a quick peek.

We used to call TSA "Thousands Standing Around" until it got old.

 

[dec41971]

This did not happen to me, but to my brother-in-law. He lives in CA, so is used to dealing with anti-gun people, but this one really amazed him. While flying home from Missoula, MT, (where I live) he stated that he had an unloaded firearm in his luggage. They pull it out to inspect it, and when they open it, he had removed his ammo from the mag and put it in a ziploc baggie( yes, a no-no, but he had nothing else to use, he forgot to leave it at my house) so then, they tell him he cannot fly with loose ammo, to which he says, "fine, can you please dispose of it for me" to which they reply, no, they can't throw away loose ammo in an airport trash can, so then he ask what he should do. So the TSA agent tells him to LOAD HIS MAG and PUT IT IN THE GUN. So, under the watchful eye of the agent, and supervisor, he did just that, and said it was the wierdest thing he had ever done in an airport.

Blows me away.

Thanks for the laugh. Darwin award for sure! I'd be nervous they are setting me up for a terrorist burst.

Back in late 90s I had a job where I flew every week for work. After 9/11 it became such an bearable experience, when I couldn't get the employer to assign me to single city for longer periods so I didn't have to deal with the insanity twice every week, I started looking for another job and quit as soon as I landed one. The delays, and the 2hr and one hour rules meant I was wasting a huge portion of my life at airport terminals doing absolutely nothing. I just hate the experience so much I only fly if its too far to drive. Blame it on that guy we seem so go-damned impotent to catch or dig out of whatever hole he is hiding in. If you ever fly in from another country you know they don't make you do all the stupid antics they make you do over here. And then you come in, and the worthless TSA checks you after you are already in the populated part of the airport ha ha. Think about that! If you were a BG and slipped the foreign checks, you have all the time and opportunity to do all damage you want to do before they check you. It seems to me they are just doing a check before the let you out of the airport. Smart huh?