[racer88]

Originally Posted by swinokur

Each airport's scanners are in a different location. That's why some go on the conveyor and other times they escort you

NOPE. Same airport... once went on conveyor. Another time escorted to a separate area. The only difference was the airline. SAME airport.

[SEAX]

That is some excellent information.

However, it is (again) obscene that every day, tax-paying, patriotic, law-abiding citizens are the ones treated like criminals, it sickens me. All that double locking and hanging the wife's undies from it just to keep it safe FROM TSA!

[swinokur]

Originally Posted by racer88

NOPE. Same airport... once went on conveyor. Another time escorted to a separate area. The only difference was the airline. SAME airport.

were the airline counters in close proximity to each other? if not maybe that explains it. ask next time. maybe they'll tell you but you might get on a no fly list for just asking.

[racer88]

Originally Posted by swinokur

were the airline counters in close proximity to each other? if not maybe that explains it. ask next time. maybe they'll tell you but you might get on a no fly list for just asking.

Same terminal. Within 100 yards of each other, I'd say.

[Blacula]

I use a Pelican case large enough to hold all of my baggage. You put your non-TSA lock on the large case, and no one has access to any of your belongings. Works like a charm and is completely within the regulations.

[swinokur]

Originally Posted by racer88

Same terminal. Within 100 yards of each other, I'd say.

Well. I'm stumped.

[DrBob]

NY IS A SPECIAL CASE.

it would be a good idea to have a copy of the "Don Young" letter with you to show the Police and/or TSA if hassled on a stop over in NY. Use this link to make a copy
http://www.anjrpc.org/resource/resmg...elwithguns.pdf

This only applies to people on route THROUGH NY. If you intend to stop there, it's a whole different ball game.

[MacG22]

Originally Posted by racer88

OK.... I've done this twice now. Two round trips = four experiences checking a firearm.

Palm Beach --> Little Rock via Delta: Delta agent put the firearms declaration tag INSIDE my locked Pelican case (which is cable-locked to the frame inside soft-sided suitcase). Then I had to take my luggage (with an escort) to a special TSA security checkpoint.

Little Rock --> Palm Beach via Delta: Ticket agent also put declaration tag INSIDE locked Pelican case. But, then luggage went on conveyor belt.


Palm Beach --> Tampa via Southwest: Ticket agent TAPED declaration tag on the OUTSIDE of my locked Pelican case.

Tampa --> Palm Beach via Southwest: Ticket agent insisted that declaration tag simply go inside softsided luggage (anywhere) rather than taped to the outside of Pelican case or inside Pelican case. Then I had to be escorted (along with another guy declaring a firearm) to a separate TSA checkpoint. We stood there while they scanned our suitcases and then were told we were good to go.

OK... It seems to me that there would logically be some CONSISTENCY to this process. So far, all four experiences were DIFFERENT.

I also believe it seems rather illogical to put the declaration tag INSIDE the locked gun case. Nobody will ever see it, except ME when I get to my destination. The one time the ticket agent taped it the outside of the gun case made the most sense to me. And, even at the same airport (Palm Beach), one time I was escorted to a TSA checkpoint. Another time the luggage went on the conveyor belt. So, what is the story here?

My experiences have been the same. Going in and out of Detroit multiple times, and Denver as well, I've been escorted and not. From what I could perceive, it was based upon the comfort level of the ticket agent. If they were comfortable with the procedure, I usually didn't go anywhere. If they were not, I was given to TSA for scanning.

The good news is that, as of yet, I've never really had a BAD experience for all the lack of consistency. It's easy to fly with my firearm. But I would like to see it nailed down a little better so that I feel I can predict a bit better.

Originally Posted by rmarkob

OK, just checked in at Southwest in West Palm Beach (PBIA), and it was perfect! The agent got the declaration form, had me fill it out and open my bag, then got a roll of clear tape and taped the form to the outside of my Secure-it/Center-of-Mass lock box. I told her that when I checked in at SWA in BWI, the agent had me put the form inside the lock box. I asked the BWI agent how can the TSA see that I've properly declared the firearm?, and she had the brilliant response "I guess they can see inside".

The agent at PBIA complimented me on my lockbox and said she liked how it was secured to the frame of my luggage. She said I wouldn't believe some of the boxes people try to use that completely compromise the security of the firearm.

One new wrinkle - she didn't have me escorted downstairs to the entrance to the TSA area by baggage claim. She just put the bag on the conveyor behind the counter.

I can also say that, from what I've experienced (pure anecdote) it is getting easier and easier. I can hope that the more we all fly with our firearms, the more it will become predictable and easy.

Originally Posted by swinokur

that is strange. But hey, it's TSA right? The only procedure they have is be inconsistent. This helps confuse the terrorists as well as everyone else.

TSA is under a lot of fire, too. I wonder what affect all their current scrutiny will have on their overall procedures, if any.

[Manofprint]

Checked firearm for the first time today.
Ft Lauderdale >>>> Detroit Via Delta airlines

Told the clerk I was declaring an unloaded firearm she said you have to sign this form. She gave me the red tag and I signed it. She then told me
to put it inside my bag. Iasked her if she needed to sign where it said agent and said oh yeah. She sgned it and I put it in the main part of the bag. She took it and put it on the belt. She never had me open it or anything. No TSA pages to open it or anything. Is this Normal.
It went smooth dont get me wrong. I was just shocked.

Thanks MAC for the great guide and ideas

[Jon_R]

This is basically the way it worked for me flying Delta to and from Orlando/ Las Vegas. The only difference is in Orlando you take your bags to TSA regardless so the ticket agent went with me and told TSA there was an unloaded firearm in the bag. TSA just said Ok and I was free to head to the gate. Las Vegas they tossed it on the belt behind the agent.

Originally Posted by Manofprint

Checked firearm for the first time today.
Ft Lauderdale >>>> Detroit Via Delta airlines

Told the clerk I was declaring an unloaded firearm she said you have to sign this form. She gave me the red tag and I signed it. She then told me
to put it inside my bag. Iasked her if she needed to sign where it said agent and said oh yeah. She sgned it and I put it in the main part of the bag. She took it and put it on the belt. She never had me open it or anything. No TSA pages to open it or anything. Is this Normal.
It went smooth dont get me wrong. I was just shocked.

Thanks MAC for the great guide and ideas

[New2GT]

Great thread, thanks for the writeup.

I am going to be flying with checked firearms for the first time next weekend. I am flying to GA to go quail hunting, so I will be packing a shotgun w/ 28" barrel.

My only question is, Mac's writeup focused on carrying a pistol in a small locked hard container which itself resides inside an unlocked (or TSA compliant locked) piece of baggage. What about for those of us with long guns who where the hard case itself is the luggage.

I plan on purchasing this SKB 50" double long gun case: http://www.amazon.com/SKB-Large-Doub...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

I am ok checking this as a single piece of luggage and have it locked with only myself having the key/combo, correct? I do plan to have a few other items in the case in addition to the shotgun - some ammo, a knife, and what the heck I might as well pack my S&W 642 for legal concealed carry while I'm in GA. The ammo will all be in original cardboard boxes. This will be my only piece of checked luggage so the ammo, knife etc. will have to be locked in this same case.

Is this the correct way to go about it?

Any comments on that SKB case also welcome. I can't seem to find a Hardigg online that I can get shipped here as fast as Amazon Prime offers for a reasonable price. Pelican it seems the reviews are mixed.

[swinokur]

Originally Posted by New2GT

Great thread, thanks for the writeup.

I am going to be flying with checked firearms for the first time next weekend. I am flying to GA to go quail hunting, so I will be packing a shotgun w/ 28" barrel.

My only question is, Mac's writeup focused on carrying a pistol in a small locked hard container which itself resides inside an unlocked (or TSA compliant locked) piece of baggage. What about for those of us with long guns who where the hard case itself is the luggage.

I plan on purchasing this SKB 50" double long gun case: http://www.amazon.com/SKB-Large-Doub...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

I am ok checking this as a single piece of luggage and have it locked with only myself having the key/combo, correct? I do plan to have a few other items in the case in addition to the shotgun - some ammo, a knife, and what the heck I might as well pack my S&W 642 for legal concealed carry while I'm in GA. The ammo will all be in original cardboard boxes. This will be my only piece of checked luggage so the ammo, knife etc. will have to be locked in this same case.

Is this the correct way to go about it?

Not only is it legal, I know some guys who do exactly what you want even if just carrying a pistol. Maximum security since their "luggage" is now their locked gun case. i may buy a big Pelican case so I can do the same thing.

[New2GT]

Originally Posted by swinokur

Not only is it legal, I know some guys who do exactly what you want even if just carrying a pistol. Maximum security since their "luggage" is now their locked gun case. i may buy a big Pelican case so I can do the same thing.

Ended up ordering the Pelican Storm in OD from Midwayusa. Pricey, but should work nicely. I read some very positive reviews on the Storm cases before Pelican bought them, so hopefully they haven't changed anything.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...ber=2603121996

[gbhamm2]

Great thread, I am going on a ski trip to CO in a few weeks and was wanting to bring my G23, after reading this I think I will (my KY ccw works in CO).

My question is, has anyone had any trouble from southwest airlines or denver airport? I'm not real worried about the Louisville airport but I saw a few stories about denver.

[MacG22]

Originally Posted by gbhamm2

Great thread, I am going on a ski trip to CO in a few weeks and was wanting to bring my G23, after reading this I think I will (my KY ccw works in CO).

My question is, has anyone had any trouble from southwest airlines or denver airport? I'm not real worried about the Louisville airport but I saw a few stories about denver.

I live in Denver so I fly out of there all the time. It's been easy for me. Never any problem. In fact, almost all my stories posted here or elsewhere originated from DIA.

[zackwatt]

Great Thread!

[bmylesk]

thanks for your time and detailed steps! this seems to be almost fail proof!

[nikerret]

tagged

[DrBob]

Really great thread. We used your advice flying Southwest over the holidays. The skycap at the curb turned down our proffered $5 tip to escort us to the front of the check-in line when I told him we had to check weapons. His loss. We walked into the Orlando terminall and got in line; the guy at the check-in kiosk told us that we should have gone to the "full service" kiosk that had no one waiting. He seemed a little uncomfortable when I opened the Pelican Case with 3 guns in it but gave us the form to fill out. He then tucked the form inside the Pelican case, had me lock it and escorted us to the TSA guy. TSA guy shook his head and commented that the form should be taped to the outside of the Pelican case; ran our suit case throught he xray machine and put it on the conveyor belt. Coming home, person at the Pittsburgh check-in kiosk also looked uncomfortable but didn't say anything. Attached the form to the outside of the Pelican case and told us to drag our bag over to the TSA. TSA guy swabbed outside of Pelican case and got a positive reading (duh?!) and had his manager come out. Asked me to unlock Pelican, looked at the guns; relocked the pelican and the suitcase and wished us a happy new year.
Total time = about 10 or 15 minutes more each time. Pretty smooth and virtually no hassle.

[swinokur]

Excellent. Hope your experience puts to rest the claim of some that your declaration goes inside the firearm case. Hard for TSA to see it if a secondary search is done later by TSA.

Glad Mac's advice worked for you.

[Bill Lumberg]

What are your referring to as a declaration? I've checked guns maany times, and the only tag has been placed inside the case, not outside the case, not outside the bag, every single time.

[swinokur]

Originally Posted by Bill Lumberg

What are your referring to as a declaration? I've checked guns maany times, and the only tag has been placed inside the case, not outside the case, not outside the bag, every single time.

I did not say on the outside of your suitcase. If I wasn't clear I meant the signed declaration goes in your suitcase but outside the locked firearm case. Dr. Bob said the TSA agents had him put the signed declaration on the outside of the locked case, which IMO is corrrect. Some airline folks seem clueless about it. I don't think it's specified but if TSA conducts a secondary search how can they know the weapon is unloaded if they cannot see the signed tag?. You are the only one with the key to your pistol case. (If it was done by the rules)

I travel about once a month for work.

[Bill Lumberg]

Every time I've checked instead of carrying on the plane, the tag has gone inside the case with the gun, actually with the gun. Without exception. I've always sort of expected them to put it on the outside of the weapon case sooner or later. Hasn't happened to me yet. I did check a duty and a personal weapon in one suitcase once flying out of Reagan Int'l, and they wanted to open my suitcase to look at a fingernail clipper sized glass breaker that we were given at Cheltenham (FLETC). Guns are okay, but a pointy thing isn't? Weird.

[swinokur]

Well that's what is confusing to me. You aren't the first person who has said this. The TSA regs don't specify a location for the tag but if you think about the process a bag goes through after it leaves the check in area you'd wonder why they put the tag in with the firearm, I've had my bag come back with a TSA tag inside that says it was searched again by TSA a second time. If they open your luggage and see the locked pistol case with no tag visible, how do they know it was checked by TSA or the airline? That could be grounds to not put your bag on the plane or they have to contact you which could delay you or the plane. I'm certainly not saying it doesn't happen that way as you described, I just don't see the logic behind it. The airline folks are almost as clueless as TSA.

IMO opinion the only rule that TSA has and is uniformly enforced is that "we don't have uniform procedures"

Govt inefficiency and incompetence at it's best. There was an article in the Washington Post yesterday saying many airports are considering booting TSA and hiring private contractors like SFO does.

Can't happen soon enough for me. TSA is security theater and Nepolitano is an incompetent moron.

My .02

[Markasaurus]

I think you'd be better off just Fed-exing your guns to your destination!!!