Airline Hassle

[PotterCountyPa]

Has anyone tried declaring a pistol lately on Alaska Airlines? I am flying to Pittsburgh next month (non-stop flight) and would like to declare my Glock 10MM. I have read their requirements and I will secure my pistol and ammo in a locked case, but I would like to know what the "hassle factor" is. Are they going to make me open the case so they can inspect it? Are they going to inspect the contents of my checked baggage and/or make me take everything out? What should I expect? Thanks in advance.......

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[biggie24420]

I believe I used Alaska in April of 2018. I went to the ticket booth, declaired my firearms (pistols). I was told to go to the area (a few booths down from where I checked in) to have TSA inspect my pelican box inside my suitcase.

TSA inspected the two locks on my case, didn't ask me to open it and they tagged it and put it back in my suitcase and took possession of it (suitcase).

I landed in Arizona and I had no issues. From Arizona, I drove to California. Once I was done in California, I flew back to PDX.

In California, as soon as I declared my forearms, the staff/employee got really nervous. I was like, oh here we go lol. But they also didn't make me open the box and just tagged the pelican case and stuffed it in my suitcase and took it.

Once I got to PDX and picked up my suitcase, I noticed two heavy duty zip ties attached to my suitcase in a + pattern. Trying to take the zip ties off was a pain. So I got to my pelican case, went to the restroom and immediately loaded and holstered my Glock..... because I was gonna take the max home.

It was my first time traveling with firearms and it was a smooth experience.

 

[No_Regerts]

In California, as soon as I declared my forearms, the staff/employee got really nervous.

Is that you, Chuck Norris?

 

[DB is Here]

Is that you, Chuck Norris?

No it's Popeye.

 

[mrblond]

No it's Popeye.

 

[teflon6string]

...
So I got to my pelican case, went to the restroom and immediately loaded and holstered my Glock..... because I was gonna take the max home.

Thanks! What-ifs, educated guesses and links to rules and regs are okay, but it's always good to hear from someone who's actually been there and done that. I'm interested in hearing other accounts, too. Hope it's always that easy. I visit AZ for a week or two of daylight every winter. I'll plan accordingly to wait in an extra line or two.

 

[Lars]

My son traveled from PDX a few years ago with firearms. The only hassle he had with TSA is that the guy wanted to talk about guns.

 

[P7M13]

I traveled with Firearms this year using Delta, Alaska and Southwest, one of the destinations being Pittsburgh.
Leaving PDX, give yourself more time - they've been training TSA agents at the Oversize inspection counter, and once it took me ~30 minutes longer than expected.
If you're flying out in the early AM, be at the baggage check the full two hours before your flight.

When leaving Pittsburgh, give yourself the full two hours to get out. Coming back, if you don't know the drill at the airport, it can add 30-45 minutes to your departure.
Cannot remember if it was PIttsburg or San Antonio, but I waited a long time (prolly 20m, felt like 45) before a clerk escorted me back behind the counters where the TSA inspected my firearm.
[ETA] If you're going back to Potter County, beautiful countryside! Long haul, but I can see why you may not want to fly into NY State.

[ETA-2]

1. Make sure there are TWO (2) locks on your pistol case. Met a fellow firearms enthusiast at PDX who was given grief for only one lock.
2. Do NOT use TSA locks.
3. I use four digit combo locks because sometimes TSA will page you at the airport to access your case for inspection. Has happened 2x at Philadelphia.
4. I have traveled with firearms dozens of times. Every.Single.Time they have inspected my case inside and out. At least twice their chemical inspection flagged my case, so they took EVERYTHING out and inspected it all.
5. I have watched them inspect bags when the pistol case was within the clothing luggage. I always use a locking Pelican that's 12x14x7 or bigger when carrying any firearm.
6. Back when firearms were being stolen at PDX, a TSA agent warned me, "If I can get my pinky into your case, you're not flying." No, my shizzle is locked down tight, so flying was not a problem.
7. Ammo in a retail box, or in a reloader's ammo case. While some here fly with ammo in the magazine, I speculate that would be a fail at most places.
8. If your gun is in the case, chamber flag in, mags empty and separated - the TSA agents recognize that you know what you're doing. I've been behind forgetful folk who leave loaded mags in their backpack.

In general, flying with a firearm is not a problem, it only adds time, 15 - 30 min or so. I have found every TSA agent at EVERY airport to be chill, even apologetic.

Some gems from past threads on flying:

1. Keep a copy of the TSA regs readily available on your phone for any idjits that may try to impede your joy.
2. If ANY clerk give you grief, do not even respond - ask for their manager.
3. Once you start looking, you will realize a lot of other folk fly with firearms too. 'Murica - I love it !

 

[slimmer13]

I flew Alaska Airlines Spokane to Fairbanks and back in Nov. I declared a checked handgun both ways, zero hassle or delay. No indication that TSA ever inspected my suitcase or pistol case.

 

[Alexx1401]

The system was set up to be easy. Rules are clearly defined, at least as clear as rules like this can be. Every time this comes up there is always some who say they just flew airline xyz and it was a snap. I always cringe when I see it. So again, the system was set up to be easy. The problem is human being are still in charge not robots. So some are lucky enough to get a moron to deal with. Often the moron is someone who thinks they know everything. So bottom line? Check the written rules and follow them. Get to the airport hours early. don't let the stories of how easy it was lull you into showing up just in time unless missing the flight is no big deal. If you get there early and take something for entertainment after you get past security, much less stress. You "should" get right through, and there is lots of stuff on the other side of the security check points. If you win the luck of the draw and get some moron? What to not do. Get demanding, pull out printed copies of the rules, and in general try to out expert the expert who you are trying to deal with. Stay calm, ask for a supervisor. There will be one there who came with a brain but they may not be close by. Chances are very good it will be simple if you do your part. It's very easy to make sure. Only part you can't control is if you get some moron to deal with.

 

[L84Cabo]

It doesn't have much to do with the airline you're traveling on. It usually has more to do with the airport itself and whether you get a knowledgeable ticket agent or not.

It's really the airport that sets the declaration and inspection process for all passengers/airlines using that airport. For example in some airports your gun/luggage simply goes in back for TSA inspection.

In other airports you walk your bag over to a special TSA agent and they inspect the bag with you standing there. This is my preferred process. Because if you're in an airport where there is no stand alone inspection, it's usually best to hang out for 20 minutes or so BEFORE you cross through security, in case there's a problem and they call you back. It's no fun getting called back once you've already gone through security.

The other possible problem is that you get a new or inexperienced ticket agent and they simply don't know what the process is. Those can be...entertaining. One agent was completely clueless and thought I was doing something illegal. Fortunately her trainer stepped in and things went fine.

If you're going out of SeaTac they have a secondary inspection. The TSA agent there really hasn't done much on any of the times I've gone through. They check my form, swab my case, give my bag a quick check and make sure it's secured, and then send me on my way. I travel with a single large Pelican case that serves as both my suitcase and my gun case. In this manner I get to lock my entire contents with MY locks. They've never really checked my gun or my contents much. They're really just making sure my case is solid and locked appropriately. Obviously though, anything is possible.

So give yourself a little extra time, read and follow the rules, make sure your ammo is secure in a factory carton or similar, and you should be fine.

Also note that the process at baggage claim can vary too depending on the airport. Usually they're holding my case at the oversized luggage desk. But it has been out on the carousel too. So check both places.

Give yourself enough time on the way back too. The airport at the other end may have a different process than your home airport, and it may take longer than what you're used to.

 

[WillametteWill]

My wife flew Alaska today with a firearm (PDX). They just hand you a declaration card to fill out and (at PDX) send you to oversize. PDX is opening every case now (they say it is standard with all airports but it is not...I have flown 30+ times this year and only maybe 3 other airports have asked for my keys). Her case alarmed so they had to call for a supervisor which took a few extra minutes, no big deal. Very polite folks as usual.

Did learn this today though. If you have a "normal" looking suitcase and the gun box in inside, they will place it on the carousel just like Southwest. If the outside case is a Pelican, it goes to the baggage claim office for pickup. Even if there is not a firearm in it! They told me wife this today in Phoenix and I have had it happen before with them.
Nice post above by P7id10T. Do that and you will not likely have any issues.

 

[gryghin]

I wouldn't say that I fly often, maybe once or twice a year, but I always fly with my firearm. My experience is pretty much the same as mentioned above.

I've flown PDX to Charleston, SC; Houston; Nashville; New Orleans; Jacksonville, FL without issues. Like mentioned some of those airports bring your bag in back and the ticketing agent asked me to wait for the ok, usually 15 minutes.

One thing I started doing is use my hard case from my car since I can lash it inside the luggage.

 

[Jerry]

I've flown from PDX to Phoenix a number of times in the past 4 or 5 years with a handgun and have not had any issues. You want to have a bag to check in to travel with a firearm, unless your packing a long gun. The locked gun case will go into your checked bag.

Go to the check in counter and let them know that you are "declaring a firearm". The will send you over to the TSA guy who will not open the locked case ( 2 locks!), but will run a sniffer around the case to check foe explosives. I haven't had to open a case in over 2 or 3 years.

The only problem that I ever had was in El Paso at the airport, but that's a story for another day......

Whatever TSA's current protocol is, for gosh sakes be polite and respectful.

 

[Sdmotorcop]

I flew on Alaska from PDX a couple of weeks ago. I went to the ticket counter and told them I was declaring a firearm. No weird looks or anything. After receiving my boarding pass, I was instructed to go to a TSA agent a few feet away that was doing oversized baggage and firearm checks. She requested I unlock my firearm case (I use a small hard case with two master locks), She looked at the firearm (did not touch it) to verify it was not loaded (slide was locked to the rear). While she checked the contents of my luggage, I re-secured my firearm. I was given a small form to fill out verifying the firearm was not loaded and asked to sign. I was given a copy and a copy was placed inside my luggage. The TSA agent placed another form inside my luggage saying it had been checked. I was asked if I wanted a zip tie placed on my luggage to which I replied yes. The whole process took less then 4 minutes.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I fly from Seattle to Florida and Pensylvania.
Never a hassle. When at the bagage check in declare you have a firearm.
They sent my case to a TSA room andvhad me open the case for inspection.
They insert a papern i close it up and put the locks on then procees to my gate.

No hassles. But give yourself extra time for the extra proceedure.

 

[thereddog]

A few years back, i flew out of Medford to Phoenix and had no issues. I was kind of surprised that upon return to medford, my pelican case was spit up at the regular luggage carousel and had i not been there, anyone could have taken it away.

It was a pelican box with 2 bull moose locks on it.

 

[WillametteWill]

A few years back, i flew out of Medford to Phoenix and had no issues. I was kind of surprised that upon return to medford, my pelican case was spit up at the regular luggage carousel and had i not been there, anyone could have taken it away.

I actually prefer it that way if there are no markings on the bag. It just looks like any other bag on the carousel. If it looks like a Pelican case with a gun in it, when then not so much. I'll be picking my bride up in a few hours and with Southwest, it will be on the main baggage carousel. As and example from earlier this year at PDX, worry as much or more about the employees who see a special bag tag.