Posted: 10/6/2015 2:43:18 PM EDT
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I know there was a thread in this recently, but I can't find it. I am flying to DFW for a couple of days and would like "best practices" from anyone that has to check firearms when traveling. I've read the TSA rules and know I have to have a locked box in my checked bag.
Thanks in advance. |
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I did so recently to AZ
1. locked gun case inside your luggage if possible 2. walk inside and declare your firearm to the ticket agent 3. they will get a gun tag and have you fill it out. then place in bag 4. walk over to the far right side of check in to the TSA special screening room 5. watch TSA paw your panties  They will ask you to lock the case if you haven't already (mine was already locked they never looked inside)
6. watch luggage disappear 7. proceed through the anal probing station like the rest of the cattle. 8. retrieve your luggage in the normal way. Hope that helped! It was totally painless for me. Special shout out for CMSHOOT for all his help. |
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Did it yesterday from Hartsfield. Have it in a locked case, do NOT use TSA locks. Mine was inside a suitcase that was also locked with non-TSA locks. No ammunition in the case with the firearm, I had no problems with loaded magazines in a pouch inside the suitcase. Inform the airline agent that you need to declare that you're transporting a firearm (I usually tell them up front that I need to fill out an orange card), you sign on the card certifying that the firearm is unloaded, date it, and put it in the case with the firearm, lock your bags back up. The airline agent will have you take your luggage to one of the oversized luggage TSA luggage checks, they may ask you to unlock the outer suitcase so they can swab the inside and outside of your luggage, including the outside of the firearm case. They'll have you lock it back up, then you're done, they'll have someone transport it from there to your flight. I'll let you know Friday how Ft. Lauderdale does it :-) (but I've done it at Dulles, Salt Lake City, Denver, New Orleans, etc... same basic process, no issues) |
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Second everything put here so far-
Some airlines try and push away from official guidance on ammo amounts and what they can be transported in, so you might check with your specific airline and print their official guidance (flown with ammo in magazines and with it in original cardboard/plastic First I flew with my handgun I had it in a slightly smaller than briefcase sized pelican that the airline was suppose to pull from the aircraft and I pick up at their desk where folks get oversize luggage (strollers/guitar cases/type stuff) and instead they just threw it on the carousel with a great big steal me sign while I'm at the desk trying to get it. In hindsight I should have checked luggage and put it inside of it instead of trying to fly with only carry on. |
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Quoted:
I did so recently to AZ 1. locked gun case inside your luggage if possible 2. walk inside and declare your firearm to the ticket agent 3. they will get a gun tag and have you fill it out. then place in bag 4. walk over to the far right side of check in to the TSA special screening room 5. watch TSA paw your panties They will ask you to lock the case if you haven't already (mine was already locked they never looked inside)
6. watch luggage disappear 7. proceed through the anal probing station like the rest of the cattle. 8. retrieve your luggage in the normal way. Hope that helped! It was totally painless for me. Special shout out for CMSHOOT for all his help. Painless for me as well. With the exception of step 7. 
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| Domestic flights are a breeze, specifics are well covered already. International is a horse of a different color, especially so in some countries. I've never taken a handgun on an international flight but been worked over pretty good on some hunting trips I've taken. I'll never fly to Africa or points beyond with guns again via anywhere in France or England, too much of a hassle and then the unknown factor if they will put the guns on the same flight with me once they disappear from my view. |
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Quoted: Painless for me as well. With the exception of step 7. Quoted: Quoted: I did so recently to AZ 1. locked gun case inside your luggage if possible 2. walk inside and declare your firearm to the ticket agent 3. they will get a gun tag and have you fill it out. then place in bag 4. walk over to the far right side of check in to the TSA special screening room 5. watch TSA paw your panties They will ask you to lock the case if you haven't already (mine was already locked they never looked inside)6. watch luggage disappear 7. proceed through the anal probing station like the rest of the cattle. 8. retrieve your luggage in the normal way. Hope that helped! It was totally painless for me. Special shout out for CMSHOOT for all his help. Painless for me as well. With the exception of step 7. I fly enough that it's worth having TSA PreCheck. |