First flight since getting CCW


elkhuntCO

elkhuntCO

SEMPER FI
I am going to be flying to Indianapolis from Denver in May and I would like to take my CCW Sig with me. I have looked at the Southwest site and the TSA site for info on flying and checking my weapon, but I am still a little iffy. I am sure many of you have flown before and checked your weapons, what am I in for?

Thanks,
Chris

Semper Fi
 

I flew to Alaska two years ago with no trouble.
1)Pistol in locking case/ammo in cases as described in airline & TSA sites
2)Declare pistol in suitcase when checking in at airport. (You'll have to go to the counter for this)
3)Ticket agent will ask you to open suitcase & pistol case
4)You will be instructed to sign a "Firearms Declaration", which will go in or on your pistol case (depends on the airline or agent)
5)You will be asked to stand by until your suitcase clears the Xray (Some airports take your bag at the ticket counter, others have you carry it to the Xray machine)
6)Once your bag clears Xray, make your way to TSA strip search and carry-on destruction
7)Enjoy your flight
8)pick up your suitcase at baggage carousel
9)Repeat for return trip
 
It made me feel incredibly uncomfortable when the TSA guy stuck his finger up my ass. Were any of my friends here on USACARRY bothered by this practice?
 
KN, you shouldn't use pick up lines just because you like the uniforms.
 
kn1080 said:
It made me feel incredibly uncomfortable when the TSA guy stuck his finger up my ass. Were any of my friends here on USACARRY bothered by this practice?[/Q


are we serious here cause i was thinkin of takin mine on a upcoming trip but im about to have some dude stick a finger in my ass just cause im bringing a gun with me and doing it with in the law......:fie:
Click to expand...
 
Sorry 'bout that. The worst security check I've gone through involved a carry-on bag that I'd used as a range bag. Residue from expended cases set of their sensor. I was frisked more diligently and stood by while the emptied my bag and ran chem tests on everything.
 
Well my first time flying with my pistol was no big deal. Everything went just fine, I locked my pistol with a cable style gun lock inside my gun cas and then locked the case with double locks, and locked the case inside my suitcase after having declared it and having it inspected by TSA. All in all it was no big deal and I will feel much more comfortable next time. It was sure nice to have my CC with me in a strange town.
Thanks for all the advice and help.

Semper Fi
 
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.
 
The Full Monty...

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

  1. Review 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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
[*]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.
 
This may seem like a dumb question...

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

PC170454.jpg


I've heard it will suffice for driving purposes....but wondering if it needs to be MORE secure for airline?
 
mrjam2jab said:
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?
Click to expand...
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..
 
mrjam2jab said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
HootmonSccy said:
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..
Click to expand...

Islander said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
mrjam2jab said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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