First flight since getting CCW

[BigSlick]

I travel all the time with my pistol using several carriers. I keep my ammo in the same gun box as my pistol. No problems as long as the ammo is boxed. There is a limitation as to how much ammo you take with you so I only carry a 25 round box. Its small and fits into the case quite well.
In some airports/carriers you will be required to show that the pistol is empty. Southwest does not seem to care as they have never looked inside the case. At some airports the TSA will escort you to x-ray the bag. Others do not. If the airport has the x-ray machines in the open then stay with your bag until it clears. This way if there is a problem you will be there to "assist" and of course you have the key if they need to open the case to check the weapon. After you bag has cleared, have a nice flight. In Nashville, you take your bag to the x-ray machine. If you tell the TSA guy there feeding the machine with bags that yours has a firearm and he will move your bag to the front of the line. Handy when things are backed up. You watch as your bag clears screening, gets tagged with a little sticker and placed on the conveyor to go to the baggage handlers. Some places are different. Detroit for example screens their bags out of view and the ticket agent simply puts your bag on the conveyor after you have declared your pistol of course. Return trip is the same.
Keep in mind that the TSA can change the procedure at any time and when they do they often fail to update their website in a timely fashion. Ditto for the airlines.

[GHF]

Having traveled a number of times, here's how I go at it:

1. Review http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm[/URL] to understand TSA policies and procedures. Have a copy with you when you reach the airport.
2. Put the unloaded weapon(s) in a lockable hard-sided case with locks only you have the keys/combination to open. TSA locks are not allowed.
3. Steps that will make it easier to show that the weapon is unloaded - especially when x-rayed.
   
   • If the weapon is a:
     
     • semi-automatic
       
       • lock the slide open
       • put a cable tie through the barrel and out the breach to show that the chamber is empty
     • revolver, flip the cylinder out
   • Do not put the magazines in this locked case with the gun(s):
     
     • it invites questions about them being loaded
     • if the gun case is "liberated" from the checked bag by a Criminal Entrepreneur, the lack of magazines frustrates the "Liberator", since the weapon is now initially a single shot one
4. Check the airline(s) you are flying on:
   
   • To determine if the ammo
     
     • MUST be in boxes (plastic reload boxes work)
     • can fly in loaded magazines
   • If loaded magazines are permitted, make sure the pouches fully cover the magazine top where the cartridges are visible.
   • The round(s) from the chamber(s)/cylinder(s) must be in a box, not loose
5. Secure and protect magazines (separately from the weapon) and ammunition boxes from possible damage.
6. Put the lockable hard-sided case with the weapon and the ammo/magazines into a cheap, non-descript bag - with clear labeling outside and inside - for checking in.
   
   • If possible, develop a way to attach - in a lockable way - the hard-sided case to the piece of luggage it has been placed into.
   • The labeling should be limited to:
     
     • Your Name
     • Your Cell Phone - if you have one, or your home phone if you do not
     • Your personal email address - if you have one
     • NO ADDRESSES, JOB TITLES, ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD BE INDICATED
7. Other stuff - like shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, etc, could be in this checked bag also.
8. Have the rules for the airline in hand when you check this non-descript bag at the airport.
9. Make sure you have the keys/combinations to the lockable hard-sided case with you and you alone (Per Federal Regulations 49CFR § 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals - Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:) at all times. You will have to open the lockable hard-side case:
   
   • to demonstrate to the airline that the weapon(s) are not loaded at check in (a signed form/tag indicating that will go in with the weapon(s))
   • if the TSA wants to see
10. Have the serial number(s) and descriptions of your weapons on you, so if they "disappear" you can report the loss/theft immediately to the:
    
    • airline
    • FAA Regional Office
    • ATF Regional Office

Other things to consider:

1. Check Handgunlaw.us and/or Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity Maps to determine:
   
   • If you can possess the weapon at all your stops
   • Where and how you can carry at all your stops
   • What are the deadly force rules in each state you are visiting
2. Have a copy of the Don Young Transportation Letter on hand - http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/doj_doc_nyc_air.pdf. This covers changing modes of travel - car to plane to car - in a single journey.

[freddie07]

Wow GHF, you sure know your stuff. Thank you for putting that info out for everyone. I actually copy and pasted your whole thing there and printed it for my job. Some of the guys here weren't too sure about some things and that cleared it up.

[HootmonSccy]

Glad things went well for you Elk..
The couple of times I've traveled with guns, I'm always amazed at how little of a big deal it is..
I think it is the way it should be, but I'm still always amazed...

[BigSlick]

[*]Have the serial number(s) and descriptions of your weapons on you, so if they "disappear" you can report the loss/theft immediately to the:

Airline
FAA Regional Office
ATF Regional Office



This should be a must do for all gun owners especially if you travel with your weapon. I keep photos of all my weapons and ser #'s on my blacberry as well as the safe at home just in case something bad happens. The blackberry is password protected just in case the phone is lost.

[mrjam2jab]

This may seem like a dumb question...

but does this count as a "lockable, hard sided case"?



I've heard it will suffice for driving purposes....but wondering if it needs to be MORE secure for airline?

[HootmonSccy]

This may seem like a dumb question...

but does this count as a "lockable, hard sided case"?

I've heard it will suffice for driving purposes....but wondering if it needs to be MORE secure for airline?

Legally it will probably suffice, but I value my guns a little more than that, but not as much as others...
I prefer a box that has double locks and good hinges on it.. A metal box would be best...

Sig supply's a pretty good box but is all plastic.. (See attached)

When I carry something longer, I have a Bow case I carry (also plastic) that has two locks, and a metal pin through the hinge, but I also run a Cable lock around the whole case and through the handles. Is all this required??? No, of course not, but it provides some additional insurance (at least in my opinion / head).

So, how much security do YOU want around your gun while it is out of your sight and traveling with thousands of other bags through possible multiple cities?? It's your choice. It might be worth spending a few dollars for something a little more substantial..

[Islander]

This may seem like a dumb question...

but does this count as a "lockable, hard sided case"?

I've heard it will suffice for driving purposes....but wondering if it needs to be MORE secure for airline?

TSA is pretty explicit about the case not being easy to pry open. I don't think that caes qualifies exactly, but it would probably make it through. I like Starlight or Pelican cases with hasps on each corner.

You can get used military Starlight cases on Ebay for under $40 including shipping. Those things are pretty bulletproof.

Personally I like to use the suitcase itself as the gun case. You can use a medium sized roller pelican and just lock it up. You use virtually any case inside of that to hold the firearm.

[mrjam2jab]

Legally it will probably suffice, but I value my guns a little more than that, but not as much as others...
I prefer a box that has double locks and good hinges on it.. A metal box would be best...

Sig supply's a pretty good box but is all plastic.. (See attached)

When I carry something longer, I have a Bow case I carry (also plastic) that has two locks, and a metal pin through the hinge, but I also run a Cable lock around the whole case and through the handles. Is all this required??? No, of course not, but it provides some additional insurance (at least in my opinion / head).

So, how much security do YOU want around your gun while it is out of your sight and traveling with thousands of other bags through possible multiple cities?? It's your choice. It might be worth spending a few dollars for something a little more substantial..

TSA is pretty explicit about the case not being easy to pry open. I don't think that caes qualifies exactly, but it would probably make it through. I like Starlight or Pelican cases with hasps on each corner.

You can get used military Starlight cases on Ebay for under $40 including shipping. Those things are pretty bulletproof.

Personally I like to use the suitcase itself as the gun case. You can use a medium sized roller pelican and just lock it up. You use virtually any case inside of that to hold the firearm.

Thanks for the ideas. I supposed i should have mentioned that I would have placed the locked case inside a locked suitcase as well. Was thinking about upgrading to some more like this one.

[Islander]

Thanks for the ideas. I supposed i should have mentioned that I would have placed the locked case inside a locked suitcase as well. Was thinking about upgrading to some more like this one.

That case is pretty, and would work for trunk carry, but it's pretty weak for flying with fireams (locks easy to pick, PLASTIC sides-not aluminum as stated). If you are locking it inside another case, it would be fine.

Note that some TSA folks might ask you to simply lock the inside case and keep the suitcase unlocked. Some folks will not carry a locking case inside their bags for that reason. Just stick to your guns (no pun intended) and insist that you lock your suitcase. The suitcase must be hard shelled on all sides. It cannot be easily pried open. For practicality that means a case with two hasps. Use real, non-TSA locks. Do not use Master locks, as they are be opened with a piece of aluminum. Abloy makes excellent padlocks.

If you ultimately decide not to use a true locking suitcase, you can lock a cable through your inside case and loop it around the guts of the suitcase. By all means in that case use a Pelican or Starlight case or equivalent.

Here is a nice website all about traveling with guns, including ratings of airlines, lock links, etc.:

Packing & the Friendly Skies