Flying Out To FL.

[Glock Fan]

I often travel with a roll-on suitcase, cooler (the kind with wheels) and my firearms case. The cooler would have my hunting stuff if I'm going hunting or various gear that didn't fit or didn't need to be in the suitcase. If you're short on space and would like to make packing easier, you can pack your ammo in the cooler along with your child's stuff. I strongly recommend duct taping the cooler shut, and sign your name or place a postage stamp over the end of the tape to ensure that it's not tampered with.

When you get to your destination, you can unload your clothes or whatever was in the cooler, then stop at the nearest Wal*mart to stock up on food, beverages, etc. I found that the cooler of "goodies" makes life easier regardless of where I'm headed.

Happy travels!



gf

 

[sambo42xa]

ONE more question and I'm all done..........
According to TSA regulations taken right off of their site, it says in one part about Magazines.........
"You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard)".
From the above quote (TSA), is it acceptable to load the magazines; put them both in a Pocket Holster and lock them up in a separate case from the gun I guess is my question.
I have two magazines, each hold 7 rounds. I'll worry about more ammo out in FL (if there is any left, lol). Thanks!

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

ONE more question and I'm all done..........
According to TSA regulations taken right off of their site, it says in one part about Magazines.........
"You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard)".
From the above quote (TSA), is it acceptable to load the magazines; put them both in a Pocket Holster and lock them up in a separate case from the gun I guess is my question.
I have two magazines, each hold 7 rounds. I'll worry about more ammo out in FL (if there is any left, lol). Thanks!

Loaded magazines need to be in a magazine pouch. If the pocket holster has a form fitting magazine pouch then you're fine. Just make sure the airline defers to TSA regulations and doesn't have any additional restrictions.

 

[sambo42xa]

Well that sucks now because I do not have any Pouches. Looks like I'll just have put the ammo in a locked case (per restrictions), but now that leaves me with the Mags because neither Jet Blue OR TSA Massport Logan airport have ANYTHING that I have seen on what to do with Magazines.

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

Well that sucks now because I do not have any Pouches. Looks like I'll just have put the ammo in a locked case (per restrictions), but now that leaves me with the Mags because neither Jet Blue OR TSA Massport Logan airport have ANYTHING that I have seen on what to do with Magazines.

Looks like they need to be unloaded. Jetblue also has additional restrictions I don't like such as a limitation on the number of firearms per case. Not good if you travel with long guns and pistols as those will be declared as two separate items.

Also be forewarned that you're going in and out of MA which requires a permit to possess so be sure to have a copy of the FOPA and the US AG's opinion on the FOPA with respect to air travel that's on the Flying out of NY State thread posted recently.

 

[sambo42xa]

Yeh, I got JetBlue (TSA rules) all printed out as suggested on here. No, just one gun, two mags and 14 rounds. Like I said, NOTHING is mentioned what to do with the empty mags. What has everyone else been doing with theirs?? Now do I say, "all this just to take my gun with me on vacation"? We're talking about protection, right? So it shouldn't matter what You have to do to transport your firearm. My Wife already told me it seems like alot of aggrevation just for this. That's all I need now, get to the airport and there is something they find not in place even though I know I'm good. Now She'll be standing there with the Rugrats shaking Her head at me possibly missing our flight. This is a first for me and I don't really think I'm up to challenging someone (TSA) when I'm called upon. Everyone here has been a big help. Everything that has been said I found in the regulations for both Airline and Massport but somehow I still feel like everything is not going to go as planned.
I'll give both the airlines and Massport a call tomorrow and go from there. Thnx. guys.

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

Yeh, I got JetBlue (TSA rules) all printed out as suggested on here. No, just one gun, two mags and 14 rounds. Like I said, NOTHING is mentioned what to do with the empty mags. What has everyone else been doing with theirs?? Now do I say, "all this just to take my gun with me on vacation"? We're talking about protection, right? So it shouldn't matter what You have to do to transport your firearm. My Wife already told me it seems like alot of aggrevation just for this. That's all I need now, get to the airport and there is something they find not in place even though I know I'm good. Now She'll be standing there with the Rugrats shaking Her head at me possibly missing our flight. This is a first for me and I don't really think I'm up to challenging someone (TSA) when I'm called upon. Everyone here has been a big help. Everything that has been said I found in the regulations for both Airline and Massport but somehow I still feel like everything is not going to go as planned.
I'll give both the airlines and Massport a call tomorrow and go from there. Thnx. guys.

They do say what to do with it here in their checked baggage policies;

The ammunition must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal box specifically designed for carrying small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition is limited to 10 pounds per customer.​

This means no loaded magazines; get yourself a plastic reloader box if you don't have the original factory boxes and put it in there. They also do not allow ammunition to be in the hard side locked firearm case. Southwest does. This is why I fly Southwest. If TSA allows it, they allow it.

Southwest allows loaded magazines in magazine pouches, carriers or boxes Link Removed;

Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).​

 

[Glock Fan]

I always thought that it was funny that the TSA and airline regs mentioned that the ammo must be packaged in the original packaging, fiber, wood or metal box. Most reload boxes are made of plastic. There's no mention of plastic here, but I've never had a problem once I explained how the plastic box is better than the cardboard original packaging. :biggrin:



gf

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

I always thought that it was funny that the TSA and airline regs mentioned that the ammo must be packaged in the original packaging, fiber, wood or metal box. Most reload boxes are made of plastic. There's no mention of plastic here, but I've never had a problem once I explained how the plastic box is better than the cardboard original packaging. :biggrin:

If you reload, those boxes are the original packaging. :yes4: :wink:

 

[sambo42xa]

Unless I totally missed it, I still do not see any mention of EMPTY MAGAZINES. Still wondering where to put those.
I'll give them a call later this morning.

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

Unless I totally missed it, I still do not see any mention of EMPTY MAGAZINES. Still wondering where to put those.
I'll give them a call later this morning.

D'oh! I missed the empty part. You have two choices, in the hard side firearm case or your checked baggage, pick one or flip a coin. If the airline objects to your first choice, then do as they ask. TSA won't care which you do. I put mine in a zip lock baggy with my smaller holsters in my checked baggage. I'm going to upgrade to a box as the magazine feed lips eventually puncture the baggy.

BATFE does not classify an empty magazine as a firearm, but it is a firearm part that is integral to the normal operation of a (semi) auto firearm.

 

[sambo42xa]

Just got off the phone with TSA, and they said, " EMPTY mags can go in the case with the gun". NOT inserted, but in the case with the gun. I told the (polite) girl what I had already done and She said I should have no problem and............enjoy your flight.
Again, THNX. for All the feedback! Hey, sorry, but I'm a virgin to this................:biggrin:

 

[wolfhunter]

Empty magazines aren't regulated. Tuck them in your suitcase wherever you have room.

 

[Glock Fan]

Whatever you do, don't attempt to board the plane with a magazine, empty or otherwise. It could get ugly. As long as it's in your checked baggage, you'll be o.k.



gf

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

Whatever you do, don't attempt to board the plane with a magazine, empty or otherwise. It could get ugly. As long as it's in your checked baggage, you'll be o.k.

What also can get ugly is if you get diverted to a jurisdiction that has a magazine capacity restriction.

 

[Glock Fan]

What also can get ugly is if you get diverted to a jurisdiction that has a magazine capacity restriction.

When and if that happens, I'll simply disassemble my magazines, put the magazine parts into a plastic bag or container and call them my "magazine parts kits". This has been working here in PRHI for several years and has actually been recommended by a few LEO here in the state.

Unless you take the magazines out in public or use the "hi-cap" magazines where others will see you, it's highly unlikely that anyone will ever know that you have them. Through experience, so far TSA has said nothing about my firearms or equipment except on one occasion when I was traveling with a bunch of LEO to a training convention. The LEO had full auto MP5 rifles and auto M-4 rifles. The brilliant TSA Agent picked up one of the rifles and held it up and said something like "Hey, this is an automatic machine gun." The look on the face of other travelers was worth a million bucks.


gf

 

[LVLouisCyphre]

When and if that happens, I'll simply disassemble my magazines, put the magazine parts into a plastic bag or container and call them my "magazine parts kits". This has been working here in PRHI for several years and has actually been recommended by a few LEO here in the state.

Don't know if that'd fly in the PR of CA, MA, MD, NJ or NY. I know the CA AG Firearm Unit salivates over high capacity mag busts.

Unless you take the magazines out in public or use the "hi-cap" magazines where others will see you, it's highly unlikely that anyone will ever know that you have them.

My first firearm instructor taught me, "Murphy's law is everywhere."

Through experience, so far TSA has said nothing about my firearms or equipment except on one occasion when I was traveling with a bunch of LEO to a training convention.

The LEO had full auto MP5 rifles and auto M-4 rifles.

What was the tip off it they were NFA firearms? The safety selector or the ATF forms? LEOs traveling outside of their jurisdiction should have a copy of the respective ATF forms with them.

Guess I have something else to look forward to with TSA if I travel with short rifles or shotguns or manage to acquire a RDIAS for the AR-15s I'm going to build.

The brilliant TSA Agent picked up one of the rifles and held it up and said something like "Hey, this is an automatic machine gun." The look on the face of other travelers was worth a million bucks.

How long before that brilliant TSA agent was given a pink slip or arrested by local PD?

 

[Glock Fan]

Don't know if that'd fly in the PR of CA, MA, MD, NJ or NY. I know the CA AG Firearm Unit salivates over high capacity mag busts.

My first firearm instructor taught me, "Murphy's law is everywhere."

What was the tip off it they were NFA firearms? The safety selector or the ATF forms? LEOs traveling outside of their jurisdiction should have a copy of the respective ATF forms with them.

Guess I have something else to look forward to with TSA if I travel with short rifles or shotguns or manage to acquire a RDIAS for the AR-15s I'm going to build.

How long before that brilliant TSA agent was given a pink slip or arrested by local PD?

Good point on the "Murphy's Law" statement.

Not sure about the MP5, but the TSA Agent saw the selector of the M4 and the rest was history. We did take a long time checking in due to the excessive forms and the fact that two of the LEO were flying armed. I checked in my gear earlier that day and met them curbside to help them get all of their gear checked in.

In general, I haven't had much problems with the TSA Agents in the last year or so. They usually screen my baggage and send it through. Once the baggage clears the screening machine they send me on my way.

Believe it or not, the "brilliant" TSA Agent is still working there. He's been moved to the passenger screening area rather than the baggage counter near the airline ticketing agents. From what I understand, Sheriff Deputies arrived after we left and completed an incident report. The guy wasn't arrested, but was suspended for about a week or so. :nono: It's very scary that this "brilliant" individual is still on the job. He gave me grief about a bunch of electronic devices and power cords in my bag once. (after the incident). While he was searching my bag by hand, I made a comment "Feel free to hold up the items and tell everyone what they are, I'm sure that nobody will be afraid of my car chargers, iPod, digital camera and other electronics." He looked at me with a very puzzled look, then after a few seconds remarked "I don't see how these could be put into full-auto mode." He smiled and helped me pack my stuff up and sent me on my way. It seems that he has learned his lesson. :wink:



gf

 

[sambo42xa]

Just got back from sunny FL. yesterday and I have to tell ya, going through the airport was painless!
Packed the PF9 with the slide locked back with a lock through it. Then locked it inside my in the car safe (shown previously on this thread). Two 7 capacity mags filled, rolled up in a sock not rubbing against each other, locked inside the gun case my KelTek came in and put two padlocks on the case. The gun went in My suitcase while the ammo went in another suitcase. Got to Boston Logan Airport and went to the counter and said, "I need to declare a firearm". The NICE Girl said ok, but did not know what to do. She called over an agent. The guy came over and asked if I had the firearm which I replied, Yes, right here in this suitcase. Asked if the gun was locked, which again I replied yes. Please open the suitcase and show me. Right ontop of the weight scale I first unlocked my suitcase, then opened it and pulled out the car gun safe, unlocked that and opened the cover so He could see the slide was also locked. He then asked if I was law enforcent; marksman which I replied, no. Told Him it was for All lawfull purposes/protection. He shook His head and said good. He asked where the ammo was which I pointed to the other suitcase while telling Him it was locked up. He just said ok. Never even checked it. He proceeded to show the Lady how to fill out a card etc., it was a small manila card that had on one side "declared firearm" and the other had baggage/TSA/ #'s which I had to sign. They affixed it to the gun case after I closed it back up. Tucked it back up in the suitcase and that was it.
Orlando Airport coming back to MA.- Same thing, Lady didn't know how to fill out declared firearm. Pulled out form for me to fill out which said LEO. I told I was not, so She called for help. Agent came over and did pretty much the exact same thing from MA. including NOT checking the ammo. After I signed the card and locked everything back up. She escorted me to the end of the counter where the TSA agents were doing their screening (screening machine). She told them there was a declared firearm and also ammo in these two bags. They put the bags ontop of the conveyer, TSA on the other end checked the screen and when both bags came out he said, ok.
Painless!

 

[sirsig1780]

I have used in-car gun safes from center-of-mass Center Of Mass Central when I fly. I lock my gun in one and the ammo and knives and pepper spray in another and put them in my luggage. Have never had a problem flying on Southwest our of RI.