contents allowed in flight case.

[Mister]

I'll be traveling from PA to FL via AirTran airways. This is the first time I've considered taking pistols, one for my wife and one for me. I've read the requirements and think I'm pretty clear on them but have a couple of questions I'd like to ask this forum.

1. can I pack 2 pistols in the same locked case?

2. could I pack cigars in the locked case used for the pistols?

Thanks, Rick

 

[Lucky Dog]

#1. Yes
#2. I have no idea, but why not?

Go to the baggage check in and declare your stored in baggage weapons. They will then escort you and your bag to the TSA and you watch them check your bag. They may or may not want to open the lock box containing the weapons. They tag the bag as already inspected you have to lock the bag containing the lock box with your weapons, with a non TSA lock. You have the only key to the container holding the weapons and the lock that is locking your luggage containing the weapons.


That's how it worked for me to and from PA.

 

[Islander]

The actual number of pistols is determined by the airlines, but my bet would be ALL allow at least 2 pistols in a case.

I use a Pelican suitcase and lock the whole thing.

Good resource here:
Packing & the Friendly Skies

 

[Lucky Dog]

Yeah, my luggage is soft sided so I had to lock it as well as the metal gun box.

 

[mark.leclair]

Good to knows

If you are going to transport, inform the airlines that you are transporting. Do not have any ammunition at all. Two in one case would be accepted by most airports.
*Why would you carry cigars in a gun case? You can get a small humidor cheap that would transport just fine.

Mark

 

[Islander]

If you are going to transport, inform the airlines that you are transporting. Do not have any ammunition at all. Two in one case would be accepted by most airports.
*Why would you carry cigars in a gun case? You can get a small humidor cheap that would transport just fine.

Mark

Notification is of course not an option and not to be taken lightly. It is a federal requriement as well as an airline requirement.

Ammo is no big deal. I carry it almost every time I fly. Can normally carry up to 11 pounds, depending on the airlines, as long as it is in the original box or even in your mags if they are inside mag pockets that seal the tops. Just cannot have the weapon(s) loaded. Also, ammo can be inside same locked container as weapons, or even in an unlocked luggage bag (which is how I normally carry mine).

 

[Islander]

Yeah, my luggage is soft sided so I had to lock it as well as the metal gun box.

You don't legally have to lock the softside luggage, but sure is a great idea. THAT lock must be TSA approved, whereas the inside lock must NOT be a TSA lock.

If possible with your bag it is a good idea to use a cable to attach any small locked handgun case to the larger luggage in which it is carried. Normally you can attach to the retractable handle rails inside the luggage. This reduces the chance of smash and grab of the smaller case.

 

[BigSlick]

Notification is of course not an option and not to be taken lightly. It is a federal requriement as well as an airline requirement.

Ammo is no big deal. I carry it almost every time I fly. Can normally carry up to 11 pounds, depending on the airlines, as long as it is in the original box or even in your mags if they are inside mag pockets that seal the tops. Just cannot have the weapon(s) loaded. Also, ammo can be inside same locked container as weapons, or even in an unlocked luggage bag (which is how I normally carry mine).

+ 1 To What Islander Said... AMMO is no big deal. I travel all the time with my Glock. Ammo is stored in the magazine. The magazine is placed in the gun holster and locked in a travel safe. Have made nearly 30 round trips in this manner with no questions asked. The only time I was questioned was with the ammo in a cardboard box. Go figure.

 

[Islander]

I know a lot of people losing luggage. I would be affraid of loses.

Temporary loss rates are 1% for the worst airlines and about 0.5% for the airline we fly. Of those bags, 99% are returned to their owners. That means about one out of 20000 bags is permanently lost. I wouldn't lose any sleep thinking about the possibility of a lost bag. It's possible, but not likely.

 

[Lucky Dog]

I also had the smaller case locked to the rail inside the suitcase.
The TSA agent that inspected my bag said the lock did not have to be TSA approved because no one else would be looking in my bag.

 

[Islander]

I can’t argue with facts, so be it. I just don’t trust union workers or the government workers most of those SOB are dishonest. Think about it… union = scum= dishonest= thugs= Chicago= Obama and why would you chance sending jewelry in the hands of scum. I would send it private and insure as necessary. Don't think for one second they do not open you luggage.

Thankfully we're talking firearms here. For airline travel, these MUST be locked with non-TSA locks. Only the passenger can have the key to the locks. When they open them for inspection, you will almost always be there to watch (very rarely you will not have that option, maybe one flight in 50, depending on the airport).

If you have jewelry to ship on the plane, you can include a flare gun or other device and receive the same requirements/precautions as with an actual firarm.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I also had the smaller case locked to the rail inside the suitcase.
The TSA agent that inspected my bag said the lock did not have to be TSA approved because no one else would be looking in my bag.

The only chance you take by locking the outside bag with a non-TSA lock is that IF they want to inspect the luggage, they WILL inspect the luggage and for the rest of the trip your non-TSA lock will be included inside your luggage in at least two pieces and your luggage will travel the rest of the trip unlocked. I would conjecture, without proof, that non-TSA locks on luggage probably increases the chance of the bag being chosen for a "random" inspection - just my tinfoil hat thinking, though.

I agree with everything Islander has said so far.

 

[Lucky Dog]

I've lived my story as told.
All locks and contents were as I left them when I recovered it at baggage claim.

YMMV

 

[Islander]

I've lived my story as told.
All locks and contents were as I left them when I recovered it at baggage claim.

YMMV

I sent a 4" Buck Knife with a 3" blade through security on three different times in my laptop bag. Didn't know it was in there!

But my statements address what one should do, not what can be done. :biggrin:

 

[tommypotatoes]

I'm getting ready for an upcoming trip, which will involve flying. I just picked up one of these Secure-It safes: Link Removed
It's a tight fit but it complies with TSA and FAA requirements, and it has a cable to lock it into the baggage frame...

 

[Lucky Dog]

That's pretty much what I used in my luggage.