Question on Flying

[Guest Gun Geek]

I could use a quick answer on this one guys. Not to rush anyone.

My Grandfather just passed on, and now I am flying out to New Mexico on Thursday for the funeral. I have not flown commercial since I was leaving for basic, years ago.

Anyway assuming I dont get popped on the no fly list (prior service men are terrorists you know), I want to be able to take my carry gun. My mom says dont bring it blah blah... but I am not one to leave it behind. So what I am asking is what, how, where do I do what to bring my gun with me. I know the whole no ammo thing but is there anything that I need to do specifically at the airport, special case, talk to the right guy so I dont get the special search etc etc.

If anyone has any experience in this, any info is appreciated.

[Photoguy67]

put the pistol in a locked hard sided case with NO ammo and it will be fine, just make sure you declare it to the ticket agent and all ammo should be in separate checked baggage preferably in original box.

[hkusp40cal]

If I recall correctly, you must contact the airline ahead of time and they will give you the packing requirements. You will need an airline approved gun case and you will be required to check in at the front counter to have the gun checked into luggage. This is of course from before 9/11 so I am not sure how much things have changed.

[Guest Gun Geek]

Should I put the hard sided case in my checked suit case?

[Guest Jcochran88]

Should I put the hard sided case in my checked suit case?

no! Best thing to do is contact the airline that you are using. They will give you specific details. Some of the different airlines have different requirements. But don't just show up the day of your flight and tell them you want to check in you gun. that won't go very well for you.

[Guest sigsbird]

You have to put the approved pistol case in your suitcase. The airline will tag it and give you a corresponding match. You should be OK. As was suggested, I would call ahead of time and let them know you will be bringing a firearm. One thing that was not mentioned is that you will have to show your ccw.

Edited September 2, 2009 by sigsbird

[ncomarc]

TSA has their rules and depending on the airline you fly, they have some things that they would like for you to comply with. Check the airline website, PRINT out the information on gun transport, and you should be set. Hunters, carry holders and collectors fly all the time with thier weapon, so your experiance will depend on the knowledge of the person checking you in. Print out the airline rules and you will be set. The only thing that sucks is that its not easy to find the link on some airline websites.

[StumpyBeagle]

You can go online and look at the individual airlines information.

TSA's site:

TSA: Traveling with Special Items

Southwest:

Southwest Airlines Travel Policies - Guns and Ammunition

General Information:

The Gun Zone -- Flying without Fear

I have flown Southwest and it's very easy. I used a small metal car safe to transport my firearm:

The Perfect In-Car Gun Safe - Master Of Concealment.com

They have asked to see the case and the separate ammunition but have never asked me to open the case to see the gun. I place the locked safe in a bag getting checked and place a TSA approved lock on the bag and that's been it at least for the four or five times I have flown with my gun. I'm pretty sure I'm in for a shock when I get an attendant that's anti-gun but up until now the people at SW have been great.

[Guest miklcolt45]

TSA has its regulations listed on their website.

Also, check with your airline, because they will sometimes have different regs.

They will not ask for your CCP. And it is legal to take with you as long as you are legal to possess it at your destination, as well as your point of origin.

You will need to go inside, not check luggage at the curb. Gun in hard case, a lock that cannot be opened by TSA (don't lock until they inspect to make sure the gun is unloaded-they don't always even look at it), then in your checked luggage. You cannot, of course, have it in carry-on. Ammo in original container(s). I think there may be a limit as to how much, but, again, check the websites.

Tell them you have a firearm to declare (not "I have a gun!").

Fill out the form, put it inside. Should be it.

ETA: make sure you print out TSA regs and your airline regs as someone else noted, and have them with you.

If you run into any hassles, ask for a supervisor. Some ticket agents are less experienced.

Have fun. Stay safe.

Edited September 2, 2009 by miklcolt45
add comment on regs

[Guest mustangdave]

My advise...don't fly...DRIVE...take an extra day of "funeral vacation"

[waynesan]

Just follow the rules laid out in the links provided and you won't have any trouble. I flew to Arizona last year and to Montana this year and honestly, it was easier to get my guns checked in than it was to get my wife checked in.

The only problem I had was this year I bought a different case to put my guns in ( Ruger P-94 and an LCP). I did not check the case to see if it could be accessed while locked, and unforturnately it could. With the lock in place on the handle (like it was designed) you could open the snaps and still get your hand in one side of the case and pull out a gun if you were really determined. Two TSA agents came out to me and told me the problem they were having with the case and asked if I had a smaller lock that I could put on the handle. Lucky for me I did. Once the smaller lock was attached to the case, the case could not be opened enough to get your hand in and everything was cool. I bought a different case in Montana to avoid any problems on my return flight.

Take your gun, follow the rules, and you won't have any problems.

[LagerHead]

I flew about two months ago with my gun. I put it in the hard case it came in and put it in my suitcase. The ammo doesn't have to be in a locked box, but it can be in the same locked box as the gun, just not in the magazine or loaded in the gun. They say put it in the box it came in or similar. You don't have to contact the airline in advance, you just have to announce it when you check it, they may or may not verify that the gun is unloaded, place a tag in the locked box, and have it inspected by TSA before you go to the gate.

For your particular airline, look at their website and they will have instructions. For the most part, they mirror the TSA requirements, which are pretty much what I listed above.

[Guest Gun Geek]

I wish I could Drive, I dont like the airlines at all, but this was all such short notice. Thanks everyone for your recommendations. Due to ease of travel I am only going to be taking a carry on. Only going to be gone a few days. So I think I have opted out of bringing my carry piece. . Going to feel naked especially in a new place.

[Guest Gun Geek]

double post

[Mark@Sea]

Sorry to hear about your Grandfather, Geek...

[StumpyBeagle]

Yes, sorry to hear about your Grandfather, condolences to you and your family. Got wrapped up in information and missed the real reason you were traveling...

[Guest Gun Geek]

Thank you for the condolences. The only reason I brought up the reason for traveling is because he is one of our Country's past heroes. I was told that he was Navy right up until the end, apparently he had a little spunk left in him when they attempted to take his dog tags in the final moments. He grabbed a hold of them and wouldn't let them take them away.

[StumpyBeagle]

Sounds like one hell of a sailor!

My father was a SeaBee. He was as tough as they came too.

[Mark@Sea]

Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!

[Guest Gun Geek]

Just to give you guys an update I am back from NM. The Military funeral service was standard except they kind of rushed it along. As a pure reaction when the detail was called to attention I snapped to, which made my family all laugh. No thought to it just a reaction. I was given one of the shell casings from the 21 gun salute, and was able to keep it in my carry on bag with out question.

I was a little shocked that they didn't stop me at all because I had a Monte Cristo cigar tube that was metal too.

I got a little more information on his Naval career too. He lied about his age and joined the Navy at the age of 15, with the hopes of saving his Uncle Frank who was a POW on Bataan. He spent time in Saipan and China during WWII. He served 5 years then got out and was in the Naval Reserve for another 5 years.