[bigoldbuck]

I haven’t read all of the previous posts but I fly on American Airlines all over the United States once or twice a month…and always with firearms in my checked baggage. The most handguns I have flown with per flight is (4) and the most long guns is (2). I have never had an issue with any American Airlines or TSA employees, but I adhere strictly to their policies. I can offer some advice that I’ve found helpful:

I place an IPhone Air Tag in both my hard side luggage AND another Air Tag inside the individual hard side lockable gun cases. Paired with my phone app, this technology allows you know within a few feet where your baggage is during your travels, and also let’s you know if the gun case has been separated from your luggage.
Another “peace of mind” suggestion is to use a slim coated cable with a loop on each end (or a bicycle lock) to attach/padlock the gun cases to the inside frame support of the luggage. Also make sure your luggage zippers are secured together with a TSA authorized combination lock so that the weight of the interior items don’t force the zippers apart in rough handling/transit. All of these precautions may not save you from a determined thief but they will, I hope, give you better odds of arriving at your destination with your checked baggage intact. Almost forgot, make sure all of your ammo is maintained in its factory box and locked inside a small plastic lockable ammo box so that you can use the same locking cable to secure that item within the same suitcase that contains the checked firearms cases.

 

[bigoldbuck]

Another item I’ve found extremely helpful; every year in January I buy the current edition of the “Travelers Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States”…you can purchase the 2023 edition on Amazon. I’ve used it for over 20 years and I’ve never found it to be inaccurate or not updated correctly with each states newest laws concerning firearms.

 

[DonD]

One poster said the airline check in agent wanted to see the guy.

I've carried a gun in checked baggage several times and never once did they want to see it. Don

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Some make up or misunderstand and think they have a need or responsibility to “see” thst it’s unloaded. Such isn’t the case, but every once in while you run into a dork.

 

[cciman]

Every airport is different, and each ticket agent can be different depending on their experience handling the situation. Being nice and polite, but knowledgeable, (non-beligerant and demanding) will get you a shorter path to the gate.

No! mags and ammo cannot go through TSA security, even if the gun is not coming along. Yes I have seen people try to go through with mags or ammo.

 

[cciman]

Every airport is different, and each ticket agent can be different depending on their experience handling the situation. Being nice and polite, but knowledgeable, (non-beligerant and demanding) will get you a shorter path to the gate.

No mags and ammo cannot go through TSA security, even if the gun is not coming along. Yes I have seen people try to go through with mags or ammo.

Carrying a printed paper copy of TSA and airline gun policies is always a good idea (rather than looking it up on your phone at the time of dealing with the ticket agent). I've never had to pull it out, but you never know. Getting a gun stolen or lost after check-in would be a major deal and headache, for both the airline and the airport. I do think those bags probably get more care to get them where they are going.

 

[cciman]

Some make up or misunderstand and think they have a need or responsibility to “see” thst it’s unloaded. Such isn’t the case, but every once in while you run into a dork.

They can be new to the game, just like the traveler. I've had a few pull up the regs to read on their screen, as I was checking in. I don't have a problem showing them (having the gun with slide/bolt open and facing up in the case, means not having to touch it during the check-in). Pre planning.

The more stickley they are to the rules, the more likely they are newer to the game.

 

[bigoldbuck]

Having unloaded chamber empty indicators for handguns is always helpful…and of course if the firearms are taken apart in some fashion (upper from lower for an AR or bolt removed from a conventional rifle). Some airports have a TSA agent verify your checked firearms and fill out the airline “Unloaded Firearms” tag and other airports process your checked baggage containing firearms by whomever is working the airline counter without any TSA involvement.

 

[reniram]

Yes - most people use something like one of these small pelican cases, with a couple of pad locks. Probably set you back close to $100, depending on how big the case is and how good the lock are.

MUCH cheaper and simpler and easy to find in a store is one of those car gun safes. Last trip I took, I bought one of these:

Amazon.com : SnapSafe Portable Lock Box for Guns and Valuables – Includes Lock Box, 2 Keys and Patented Security Cable – An Ideal Car Gun Safe – Large, Black, 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.75 Inches : Gun Safes : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : SnapSafe Portable Lock Box for Guns and Valuables – Includes Lock Box, 2 Keys and Patented Security Cable – An Ideal Car Gun Safe – Large, Black, 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.75 Inches : Gun Safes : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

Cheap car gun safe you can get at Walmart or any sporting goods store that sells guns. Costs $20-40 and includes the lock. Plus, it only has one lock and one key.

I just left the cable out, but it might also be possible to use the cable to lock it inside a larger bag.

I use something similar. I loop the cable around the stabilizing bar in the suitcase.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Some make up or misunderstand and think they have a need or responsibility to “see” thst it’s unloaded. Such isn’t the case, but every once in while you run into a dork.

Well the rules say it must be unloaded so they have the right to check it. The small tag that is filled out goes inside the case containing the firearm so they're going to look at it anyhow.

 

[cciman]

Well the rules say it must be unloaded so they have the right to check it. The small tag that is filled out goes inside the case containing the firearm so they're going to look at it anyhow.

They cannot once the case is locked, and you keep the key.
Functionally, it's just a silly made up rule to follow anyways (hoops to jump through), given that the case is locked. We are just checking the boxes.

 

[Doc Holliday]

They cannot once the case is locked, and you keep the key.
Functionally, it's just a silly made up rule to follow anyways (hoops to jump through), given that the case is locked. We are just checking the boxes.

Let me clarify: when you are declaring a checked firearm at the baggage counter the small tag that must be filled out goes inside the case containing the firearm so that must be opened at that time and if they want to visually inspect to ensure the firearm is unloaded they can do it then.

 

[cciman]

Let me clarify: when you are declaring a checked firearm at the baggage counter the small tag that must be filled out goes inside the case containing the firearm so that must be opened at that time and if they want to visually inspect to ensure the firearm is unloaded they can do it then.

If the box is locked already when you present it to the ticket agent, there is a certain psychological bias to just leave it alone and not open it (hint, hint ) and just sign the card and move forward.

I use 2 padlocks in the 2 holes on the box.

Little bitty tricks.

 

[Doc Holliday]

If the box is locked already when you present it to the ticket agent, there is a certain psychological bias to just leave it alone and not open it (hint, hint ) and just sign the card and move forward.

I use 2 padlocks in the 2 holes on the box.

Little bitty tricks.

They insisted the tag go inside the firearm case every single time I've done it so I've had to open it for them even if just for a few seconds.

 

[cciman]

They insisted the tag go inside the firearm case every single time I've done it so I've had to open it for them even if just for a few seconds.

My memory is fuzzy, but I seem to recall that tag being put inside the outer bag, then being impressed that no one really bothered to check for the tag (in other words, my bag was not opened by TSA to check inside). Could have been the ticket agent that day.

 

[Bren]

They cannot once the case is locked, and you keep the key.
Functionally, it's just a silly made up rule to follow anyways (hoops to jump through), given that the case is locked. We are just checking the boxes.

The last time I flew, they told me to wait about 10 minutes before going through security, in case the TSA had any questions about my guns.

 

[HowardZ]

The checked baggage xray machines are cat-scan machines which costs over 1 million dollars each. This is no secret - I've read it in the internet news years ago.

The luggage is xrayed several times at different angles by a rotating xray camera. Its computer calculates the density of every item in the luggage looking for suspected explosives. It is not even called an xray machine, it is called an explosives detection system.

There is tremendous amounts of training to detect and recognize IEDs. The job is to find explosive. TSA is not looking for drugs, undeclared firearms, switch blade knives, hazardous materials, etc.. But if TSA comes across anything unlawful the luggage is held and airport police are notified.

If TSA needs to open the luggage for other reasons (or the luggage is too large for the xray machine), then while open, they will check for hard locked case and declaration forn).

I think the only reasons TSA will open luggage with a firearm are;
1. Open for non-firearm reason
2. Too much metal requiring physically looking at it. Will page you for the key to the lockbox. Not allowed to touch the firearm.
3. Was obvious on xray that firearm is loose in luggage. Obvious the firearm is not in a hard sided box. Not allowed to search to find out, but allowed if certain no hard sided case based xray picture.
4. If they can see on xray, there is a bullet in the barrel. Yes a cat scan can see this. Or see a loaded magazine in the firearm.

P.S. Don't take along deactivated grenades, or grenade shaped manual transmission shifter knob. I actually enjoyed all the attention of police, supervisors, TSA inspectors, TSA management wearing suits,and others coming to see me. Radio silence. Sticking my hand into the xray machine to gently remove the luggage containing a possible live grenade, and writing statements. But you will not enjoy the experience.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

They may do so. But it’s a rarity.

I was coming back from a work trip and checked my big case with sbr and a couple of pistols. Everything was unloaded (filthy, plenty of sand and debris, but unloaded…)… but I had a mentally defective moment last thing when I was loading out, and when I pulled off my 19, in the t-Rex sidecar, I forgot to unload that one. Stupid.

TSA was super cool and hooked me up (from the gate) with the case so in could fix my stupid. Could’ve rightfully been jerks but were pleasant and super helpful.

Well the rules say it must be unloaded so they have the right to check it. The small tag that is filled out goes inside the case containing the firearm so they're going to look at it anyhow.

 

[freepatriot]

This article is quite old but pretty good.

https://web.archive.org/web/20060811162319/http://www.freepatriot.com/2006/03/flying-with-firearms.php

 

[Texasville]

From what I understand American Airlines policy says you have to put ccw in a hard sided case that’s locked and inside of a checked back. Any tips? It’s my first time and I’m kinda nervous! Thanks in advance!

That is the policy for all airlines in the US.