Flying United with Firearms and Ammo - HELP NEEDED

parallax · Aug 30, 2013

has anyone else here besides me,, had the tsa, split upper and lower on a ar-15 and look around inside?. I had this happen to me a few years back.. it kinda bothered me that they were taking apart my rifles. made me wonder what they were up to..

MinnesotaORnewbie · Sep 1, 2013

I have thought of this and simply pulled the back pin and left the rifle in a semi open position, and had the BCG out of the gun. They never even touched the rifle.

MilitantBEEMER · Sep 3, 2013

Well flight check in was uneventful. Placed the nano vault and secured it with the security cable inside a hard side bag. The TSA agent swabbed the back and case for residue and that was it. I locked the bag zippers together with a non TSA padlock and all was well. Easy peasy!

Will_Power · Sep 4, 2013

Forgive me if this has been answered (two pages, so probably). I'm throwing in my experiences, just as a "me, too!" experience as I most always fly United.

MilitantBEEMER said:
If I place my unloaded handguns in a Gunvault Hard side locking case and secure it to the inside of my luggage, can my luggage be softside that is locked as well? According to the United website it says hardside luggage.

Second question, can I place my ammo in the original boxes inside the locked softside luggage or does it need to be in the hard side case as well?

A locked hardsided case for your firearm inside of "normal" softsided luggage works fine. I do it all the time with my handgun in a Pelican case.

I've travelled with ammo in boxes and the green plastic containers in my softsided luggage. Never had a problem with it, and the TSA and airline folks have all been pretty nonplussed about things (with the exception of the time I got into a good guns conversation with a United checkin lady who was looking for a new handgun herself, haha).

8ball · Sep 4, 2013

I'd add one point - any case (soft or hard) that is secured by zippers can be opened, rummaged through and closed again using only a ballpoint pen. I'd never check one, and I certainly wouldn't pack a firearm in one. They are the #1 target for luggage thieves.

MilitantBEEMER · Sep 8, 2013

Well the flight back was smooth as well. The only difference is the TSA who was a she was less friendly and would not allow me in the inspection area to observe them going through my luggage, additionally she would not allow me to place my non TSA lock on the bag myself, she said she had to do it. I knew this not to be true so I just watched diligently from 20 feet to make sure all was well.

All and all I would not hesitate to fly with a firearm again.

Thank you to everyone on here that shared your knowledge and experiences.

MilitantBEEMER

rayd8 · Sep 8, 2013

I've flown with firearms several times a year for about 10 years now, and the info above is pretty good. Here's my experience:

- I like to remove the barrel (pistol) or the bolt (rifle) and zip tie to frame or stock. No questions about loaded status.

- I've checked loaded pistol magazines in a locked, hard carrier both inside and separate from soft luggage. Never tried rifle.

- I've checked SBRs. Had the ATF 5320 form ready, but it was never looked at. Also, if you get the form fill it out for a full year....you never know if you'll go back.

-I've checked suppressors. No form necessary and no one has ever asked for one.

- With firearms, I avoid connecting through: CA, IL, NY, NJ and MA. If you get stuck and have to recheck your luggage you might have problems because those states suck and they seem to ignore the federal transport laws.

- I've only travelled to TX with NFA items. Took a direct flight And had appropriate paperwork.

- don't use a lock that anyone has a key to except for you. I keep one key In my wallet and another in my carry on bag.

- Always carry your optics with you. Re zeroing at your final is cheap compared to replacing spendy glass.

Safe travels.

MilitantBEEMER · Sep 8, 2013

"- With firearms, I avoid connecting through: CA, IL, NY, NJ and MA. If you get stuck and have to recheck your luggage you might have problems because those states suck and they seem to ignore the federal transport laws. "

My destination was Illinois with lay over in Chicago. I was a little unnerved about this part but there were no issues. On a side note, when I was at O'hare heading to my connecting flight I counted at least 15-20 government agents in suits roaming the E concourse. Not sure what that was all about?

rayd8 · Sep 8, 2013

MilitantBEEMER said:
"- With firearms, I avoid connecting through: CA, IL, NY, NJ and MA. If you get stuck and have to recheck your luggage you might have problems because those states suck and they seem to ignore the federal transport laws. "

My destination was Illinois with lay over in Chicago. I was a little unnerved about this part but there were no issues. On a side note, when I was at O'hare heading to my connecting flight I counted at least 15-20 government agents in suits roaming the E concourse. Not sure what that was all about?

I'm sure it was just a coincidence that they were roaming......

Like I said, I 'avoid' those areas.......

greydog111 · Sep 10, 2013

MilitantBEEMER said:
I have searched TSA, United, Interwebs and this Forum and cannot get a clear answer to a question.

If I place my unloaded handguns in a Gunvault Hard side locking case and secure it to the inside of my luggage, can my luggage be softside that is locked as well? According to the United website it says hardside luggage.

Second question, can I place my ammo in the original boxes inside the locked softside luggage or does it need to be in the hard side case as well?

Thank you in advance for your help. I fly out in 4 days and want to make sure there are no issues at PDX. I am taking a taxi to the airport and will have no one with me to take the firearms back home if United hassles me.

MilitantBEEMER

I flew United last spring. Shipped a PPK. Locked hard case, unloaded, inside a hard sided locking suit case. It must be declared at check in, inspected, unloaded. Ammo can be shipped likewise in a factory box or hard plastic ammo box. Greydog.

P7M13 · Oct 3, 2021

Annddd, I'm flying to NY soon, but most of my guns are illegal there. M'fers.

parallax said:
has anyone else here besides me,, had the tsa, split upper and lower on a ar-15 and look around inside?. I had this happen to me a few years back.. it kinda bothered me that they were taking apart my rifles. made me wonder what they were up to..

I've seen some crazy shizzle with my guns being inspected -- seems the TSA doesn't teach their firearms inspectors about firearms and some of them go by what they see in the movies.

MilitantBEEMER said:
Well the flight back was smooth as well. The only difference is the TSA who was a she was less friendly and would not allow me in the inspection area to observe them going through my luggage, additionally she would not allow me to place my non TSA lock on the bag myself, she said she had to do it. I knew this not to be true so I just watched diligently from 20 feet to make sure all was well.

See above. Forget which airport. Had to wait for the escort, then walk 15 minutes through the bowels of the airport to a room where they inspected my case, but I was required to stand outside in the hallway. Total time added > 45 minutes. Glad I arrived a full two hours in advance of the flight.

rayd8 said:
- Always carry your optics with you. Re zeroing at your final is cheap compared to replacing spendy glass.

Yep. Ever watched the baggage handlers throw the cases onto the belt up into the airplane? I've seen multiple bags dropped, missed, overthrown or otherwise bounced. I've had to replace two hard side cases because they were broken (one a wheel snapped off, the other a split up the side of the case at the hinge) - to the point where I ask, "how the F did they do that?"

Mathias · Oct 3, 2021

JSJPDX said:
I think is is going to depend on your airline and their rules. I have flown Alaska with my handgun and ammunition in a Gunvault secured inside of a softsided duffle without any issues. TSA just cares that it is unloaded and locked inside of your luggage and that it is declared with the appropriate tag attached.

Would also suggest picking up some plastic shell holders for your ammunition. By the time the airline baggage handlers get through with your luggage you may have loose shells all over the inside of your bag if in the original cardboard boxes.

Best advice, call your airline and ask them.

What he said