Key Takeaways
- Episode 69 details a flight from Chattanooga to New Orleans with American Airlines, highlighting check-in experiences.
- The author declared their firearms and encountered a streamlined TSA process, receiving quicker clearance than usual.
- USA Carry Travel Tags offer convenient access to reciprocity maps and airline firearm policies, available for pre-order.
- Arrival in New Orleans went smoothly, with the author receiving their checked bag promptly.
- Different airports have varied procedures, but the final outcome remains consistent: successful travel with firearms.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Episode 69 was filmed August 28th, flying American Airlines from Chattanooga to Charlotte and on to New Orleans. Easy process, but the wait worked differently than I’m used to.
Check-In at CHA
Declared firearms. Agent asked about battery-powered devices and tobacco products — none. I opened the bag to show the case and realized it wasn’t locked yet. Locked it right there and we kept moving.
Filled out the declaration form, signed it, and slipped it into the FedEx sleeve. He asked what type of firearm I had. Handguns. I said three, then corrected myself to five.
Here’s where it went differently. Instead of sending me to wait by a flagpole for 15 minutes, he walked the bag straight back to TSA, which was set up right behind the counter. They ran it through the scanner while I stood there. He told me they’d let him know when I was clear and mentioned they might need to open my locks.
A few minutes later a TSA agent looked over, stuck her thumb up, and that was it. Good to go.
More from USA Carry:
USA Carry Travel Tags
Used the wait to talk about the USA Carry Travel Tags. Scan the QR code and it pulls up a page with my reciprocity maps, NFA forms, a link to each airline’s firearm policy, and TSA’s firearm policy. They come in a pack of two with a cable attachment. Pre-order is open now and I should have them in hand within about three weeks.
Arrival in New Orleans
American tags the bag for office pickup. I waited until I saw someone bring it into the office, then walked over, showed my ID, and they handed it over. Checked the locks on the case — intact. On my way.
Final Thoughts
Every airport routes it a little differently. Some send you to a flagpole with a timer. This one had TSA right behind the counter and gave me a thumbs up. Same outcome either way.
