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Flying with a firearm?

DesertFam

DesertFam

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Has anybody recently flown with a firearm?

I ordered a new truck in Iowa and will be flying out to go get it and driving it home to California. I have my CCW's and would feel much better traveling if I was able to bring a gun. Just curious how much of a pain it is or what the process is realistically like when showing up at the airport.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Ziggy

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A search pulls up a couple other threads on it too.
 
boatpi

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Most airlines have it on their own website. Last time I did it was on JetBlue. No big thing the big deal is make sure you have that FAA proof case and the luggage is locked or unlocked dependent upon their own regulation.

When you get to the check counter, the check in person will probably have a document for you to sign.
And read in detail the part regarding the ammunition that’s important to make sure the weapon is completely unloaded, and separated if possible
 
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77charger

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Never flown but may soon with one. By looks of things it’s pretty simple.

Locked appproved case
Declare it
Ammo last I heard had to be in factory box and of course locked so no loose rounds.
 
Hypnautic

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When I travel--I only arrive 1:15min prior to departure. When traveling with firearm--I give myself an extra 30 min since I have to check in at the ticket counter. After I check in and they take your bag they usually ask you to wait for 5-10 minutes just in case TSA needs you to be present to open the case.
Pretty straight forward process.

Have the firearm in open/locked position with either cable and/or trigger lock already in place. Empty clips can be in case. No ammo in case.

BoatPI is correct with the FAA case and lock. But check with the airline and state rules as some require trigger locks. On the case (i use the original case gun came in) have a lock for each location that a lock can be put on. For example--my case has a lock opening on each side so I have two locks for the case. I had one Agent in Georgia tell me the case could be pried open from one side while locked and required locks wherever the case permitted.
Ammo is another concern. Rules state must not be loose and in original packaging. For this--I carry only new unopened boxes of ammo. Cannot be stored in case with gun. I just pack them in ziplock bag next to case.

At the counter--I always tell them I need to check a firearm before I even put my bag on the counter. Follow their lead if they want you to pull out the case and open it. If you open the case--open the case towards them. Half the time the Agent will only inspect the outside of the case and not even have me open it. They just ask if its locked, unloaded and contains no ammo.

You will also need to check with the airlines as some make you pick up your bag at the baggage office. Others will send it out on the carousel.
 
angiebaby

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2Driver

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I just flew to Bend OR with my Glock. Read up on it on American Airlines site.

Gun unloaded in a locked secure hard case. Ammo must be in the original box and can be in the gun case but not in the gun or mags.

Declare at bag check in. " I'd like to declare a properly stored firearm."

Depending on the airport they will ask you to present the gun at check in or at larger airports they will walk you over to TSA and have them inspect it. TSA opened my case and dropped everything on the floor: Glock, Mags, Ammo. From there your bag will go to the plane.

At baggage claim your bag will be delivered to the counter where you claim a missing bag. At Sky Harbor in Phoenix it took 45 minutes after landing. At Bend (Redmond OR) it is a small airport and a guy walked out with my bag calling my name. .... No one told me about the special bag pick-up process.

Leave a little extra time. I taped an airtag to the outside on the case and put a second air tag in my luggage. Air tags in bags don't always register accurately, but eventually they will when someone with an iPhone gets in range.
 
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DesertFam

DesertFam

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Hypnautic said:
When I travel--I only arrive 1:15min prior to departure. When traveling with firearm--I give myself an extra 30 min since I have to check in at the ticket counter. After I check in and they take your bag they usually ask you to wait for 5-10 minutes just in case TSA needs you to be present to open the case.
Pretty straight forward process.

Have the firearm in open/locked position with either cable and/or trigger lock already in place. Empty clips can be in case. No ammo in case.

BoatPI is correct with the FAA case and lock. But check with the airline and state rules as some require trigger locks. On the case (i use the original case gun came in) have a lock for each location that a lock can be put on. For example--my case has a lock opening on each side so I have two locks for the case. I had one Agent in Georgia tell me the case could be pried open from one side while locked and required locks wherever the case permitted.
Ammo is another concern. Rules state must not be loose and in original packaging. For this--I carry only new unopened boxes of ammo. Cannot be stored in case with gun. I just pack them in ziplock bag next to case.

At the counter--I always tell them I need to check a firearm before I even put my bag on the counter. Follow their lead if they want you to pull out the case and open it. If you open the case--open the case towards them. Half the time the Agent will only inspect the outside of the case and not even have me open it. They just ask if its locked, unloaded and contains no ammo.

You will also need to check with the airlines as some make you pick up your bag at the baggage office. Others will send it out on the carousel.
Click to expand...
Great info. Thanks
 
Tamalewagon

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CO and NV are the only states that do not grant reciprocity to a CA CCW on your way home. I doubt you'll get far enough south for NM to be an issue.
reciprocity states.jpeg
 
Flyinbowtie

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Be patient.
Don't let surprises surprise you.
Wife and I flew in to Salt Lake from Sacramento about 5 years ago to buy our truck. I checked my handgun and ammo as directed, and went to the specified place to pick it up in SLC. Sacto TSA had their act together, very professional. SLC...not so much...I was sent back to the open baggage merry- go-round where I not only found my normal bag, but there was my handgun case circling the thing. Someone had slapped a neon green "Handgun" sticker on my gun case.
There was no attendant checking claims, no TSA rep in sight, any of the 30-50 people standing around could have grabbed that pistol and walked out.
I grabbed it , fuming, and returned to the airline counter and asked for TSA to join us. Cindy could not believe what she had seen.
The TSA person arrived, but seemed disinterested. Then, a TSA "supervisor arrived as I was explaining what happened, and she tried to turn the tide by with an air of superiority, asking me for my ID again.
I don't normally display my retired cop credentials...but I did right then.
The TSA "supervisor" looked sorta shocked, and replied, "well, we are short staffed, we do the best we can".
Indeed. I told her I hoped that would be good enough if someone intent on commiting a crime came through her area of responsibility.
Then the elbow in my side by my wife told me it was time to go.
Being me, I wrote a letter to TSA mgmt.
Never heard back.
So, be ready for any and all screwball stuff. Airtag your gun case.
 
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Fly with weapons several times a year. Allow yourself and extra 30 minutes tops for check in. AirTag in case. I AirTag every piece of luggage anymore.
 
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ToMorrow44

ToMorrow44

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I’ve done it several times. My tip is to print out the TSA and Airline Regulations and have them with you. Most times the ticket agent doesn’t know the exact rules and will try and tell you some BS.
 
92562

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You can get your Arizona CCW very easily online, and doing do picks up several more states you can carry including Nevada and New Mexico. Colorado is still a no.
 
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USMC2010

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Blackmagic94 said:
Pelican case hard side

Padlock on each corner that has tsa rating

Unloaded, box of ammo in original box in same case
Click to expand...
It is highly recommended to never use a tsa approved lock, if they require inspection they can call you back. I've never been called back but one time had to wait until I was told they wouldn't need to see me.
 
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USMC2010 said:
It is highly recommended to never use a tsa approved lock, if they require inspection they can call you back. I've never been called back but one time had to wait until I was told they wouldn't need to see me.
Click to expand...
This, I’ve seen TSA reject cases with a TSA lock on the case. They only want you the owner to have access.
 
USMC2010

USMC2010

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Magazines must be empty, show up with it all locked up. declare at the counter. Flyinbowtie is correct, you have to be mindful of which carrier will handle the bag normal vs pickup at the office. I flew into Boston a couple years ago, my bag had a thick zip tie in the zipper pulls. I didn't want to destroy my bag and was able to borrow a tool from someone at a gas station to open back up, that was a first.
1000003294.jpg
 
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As USMC2010 says, it's good Idea to have a leatherman or dikes in a side pocket of your checked bag. Ever time I fly back from Tulsa to SLC my bag or gun case will have the really thick zip ties around the bag. Occasionally when coming back from International flights as well.
 
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SLT Kota said:
I know a guy who always flys with a cheap, properly declared, firearm for the sole purpose putting pressure on the airline to keep up with his bag, they really don't want to lose a bag with a gun in it.
Click to expand...
Airlines have lost my guns twice. First time showed up a week later. Second time they still could not find it after a month. Filed a claim through my insurance for almost 60K for the two rifles. They arrived in 2 days after my insurance got on the task. haha
 
Loo Dog

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Take I-80 to the 15 and you’re in constitutional carry states the whole way until you reach CA. Fuck a permit, the 2A is your permit.
 
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