Is bringing a firearm as checked baggage worth the hassle?

[batcat6]

In 1997 on a trip to Ivory Coast, Africa, I had to boxes each weighing just under 100 lbs. One had my guns...a 9mm, a .40, and a 12 ga Mossberg, and a slew of ammo (maybe 20+ lbs of it). A flew Portland to Chicago, where I transferred to Air France. The Air France opened my gun box and found all that ammo. The gate guy called me at the gate and asked "Does all that ammo weigh more than 10 kgs?" I answered, "I don't know how much that stuff weighs". He looked me in the eyes a few seconds and took off. A few minutes later he called for me to board the flight to Paris then Abidjan. When I got to Abidjan, the customs agent picked the box that had not been opened in Chicago and had me open it. There he found all my soft stuff like water filter and cereal boxes. The guns went right through. Thank God for Chicago!

 

[hunkajunk]

Not much hassle at all.

I recently flew from Seattle to Kansas City on Southwest. I'd say the time involved in the extra security checks was less then 15 minutes total for the trip. After you declare your unloaded firearm they will instruct you where to take your bag or where to wait. No one ever actually looked at my gun. My case was inspected but never opened.

Be sure to check with the airline and the TSA for the rules and regs.

FYI: I used a small pelican case with 2 master keyed-a-like locks. I carried my ammo in the plastic boxes they came in.

Happy traveling!

 

[raftman]

Big thanks for the input, all. It did prove helpful. Made sure to check the airline's (Continental Airlines) policy, they accept firearms, as long as it's 5 guns or fewer (they don't care about scopes, like some airlines seem to). They also allow ammo to be in the same container as the firearm, but there can be no more than 11 pounds of ammo.

I did go on my flight last week, and am already back home. I decided it was best to bring a pistol (it usually is, after all), especially since the vast majority of you seem to have had relatively positive experiences. Made sure to arrive plenty early in case it did become more of a hassle. It was actually almost no more hassle than flying without a firearm.

Did what was suggested and merely asked the one of the ladies at the Continental desk, "Is this the place I request a firearms declaration form." The lady said yes, handed me a little form to fill out and sign, and gave me the orange tag. Seemed to act like was a very routine thing and in way out of the ordinary. I like that. The pistol was in the original plastic box it came in (along with a 25-round original manufacturer's box of ammo), locked up with a typical master lock). Oddly enough, they didn't actually bother to check if it was unloaded, the lady took my word for it and signed off on the tag, and told me to put next to the pistol case or affix to the case. After that I went to the scanner, the scanner guy had me open the suitcase and looked at the plastic case and tag, and said it would be fine to lock my suitcase at that point, they scanned my suitcase, and gave me the thumbs up, and I was off on my way.

I drove back (was traveling out to pick up a car) so I dunno if the procedure would have been any different coming back from the destination.

It's good know for future reference, that traveling doesn't effectively obligate one to arrive without their primary SD tool.

 

[marty8587]

Glad it went well! Trying not to sound crazy, it's good for us to make it a routine thing and positive experience.

 

[Abiqua]

Oddly enough, they didn't actually bother to check if it was unloaded, the lady took my word for it and signed off on the tag, and told me to put next to the pistol case or affix to the case.

They are not allowed to touch the firearm. Liability if it is loaded and there is a discharge. When you declare the firearm, you are also declaring that it is unloaded. If they do handle the firearm you should not confront them directly but ask to speak to a supervisor.

Also, the declaration tag must go on the inside of the case when it is closed. It is against TSA regs for the bag to be marked or identified in any way as containing firearms.

 

[raftman]

They are not allowed to touch the firearm. Liability if it is loaded and there is a discharge. When you declare the firearm, you are also declaring that it is unloaded. If they do handle the firearm you should not confront them directly but ask to speak to a supervisor.

Also, the declaration tag must go on the inside of the case when it is closed. It is against TSA regs for the bag to be marked or identified in any way as containing firearms.

The thing is, I've heard that people to get pulled aside to show that the gun is indeed empty, rather than just taking one's word for it.

The tag didn't go on the outside of the suitcase, it went onto the plastic pistol case, which was inside of a locked suitcase. So the suitcase itself was in no way marked as containing a firearm, just the plastic pistol case inside of the suitcase.

 

[Abiqua]

The tag didn't go on the outside of the suitcase, it went onto the plastic pistol case, which was inside of a locked suitcase. So the suitcase itself was in no way marked as containing a firearm, just the plastic pistol case inside of the suitcase.

Just threw that out for general reference. Didn't mean to imply that it applied to your situation. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[HalfNutz]

I do it all the time. Easy.

X2

 

[Tornado-Technologies]

I travel with firearms a lot, including machineguns and silencers. Here's my 2 cents worth.

Get a current print out (as in that morning) of the airlines rules with regards to traveling with firearms. Occasionally you'll find someone at the check-in counter who is antigun or doesn't know there own company policy.
I had one guy who was convinced that a handgun could not be carried in a locked rifle case that held me up for about 30 mins or so once. A locked hard case is a locked hard case, nothing against putting your cloths in there too.

Be super friendly and don't loose your cool. This definitely helps a lot. Try and be discreet.

To check in, go up to the check in counter and advise them your traveling with firearms. Make sure you have you ID and ticket handy. The check in staff if they know what they're doing will hand you a tag to fill out. It has a declaration stating the firearms are unloaded. You sign it and put it in your case. Sometimes they want to look in the case, sometimes not. Next you need to take your case over to the TSA. Some airports may require you to be escorted. Make sure you case is locked and advise the folks there that there's a firearm inside. Tell them you're happy to wait till it goes through. This prevents you from having to come back with the keys if they want to examine it.
Go to the other side of the x-ray machine and tell someone there too. Sometimes they'll open the case sometimes not. We travel with Storm full size rifle cases, and usually get the TSA to wrap them with their fancy TSA packing tape. This makes it less likely that your bags will be bubblegumed with in transit as well as showing TSA folks in the next airport that the bag been inspected.

As for lock, I just use padlocks on the case, no one has ever questioned this.

Ammo. I've gotten away with transporting it in mags before, but most airlines require it to be in the factory packaging. I keep some old boxes handy for this purpose. Check with you individual airline as they often have different requirements with regards to how much ammo you can carry.

If you're traveling with NFA firearms, make sure you have copies of you Forms and 5320.20 if required.
Black rifles and things like beltfeeds seem to scare the check in staff. Don't elaborate on what type of guns they are, people tend to pick up on media used buzz works like AK47, M16, machinegun and for some reason it makes them loose their rational mind.

 

[Contract_Pilot]

I travel all the time and only issue was out of SFO... otherwise declare and go!!!

 

[DK47]

Seatac is not a problem at all, or hasn't been for me. Long arm, handgun, whatever.

I've flown all over the country, including into places where handguns are not particularly appreciated. It isn't the airlines' job to enforce the rules, just deliver the baggage. I even used to fly into NY state (when I was a resident with a permit) and no one even batted an eye at an airline. Same in MD and MA.

First of all this is a great post! It should be a sticky!

You guys are a lot of help with procedures and confidence!

I still had a lingering question that I can't seem to find the answer to.

So I understand that TSA staff is just there to transport baggage, but I'm flying from Oregon to Oakland and I will be bringing pistols with mag capacities higher than 10 rounds, and also a rifle or two with pistol grips, fore grips, and detachable 30rd mags, which are not allowed in California. I haven't read that anyone has had a problem when picking up their firearms at the counter, but since it's the Republic of California, I was wondering if anyone had any experiences to share with this matter?

I'm planning a shooting trip to Panoche, Calif and possibly taking an LMS Defense class.

I figure if anything, I can just claim to be an ignorant Oregonian...? I've gotten away with it at a gun range in SF when I brought in 15rd Glock mags to shoot with.

 

[Mark W.]

First of all this is a great post! It should be a sticky!

You guys are a lot of help with procedures and confidence!

I still had a lingering question that I can't seem to find the answer to.

So I understand that TSA staff is just there to transport baggage, but I'm flying from Oregon to Oakland and I will be bringing pistols with mag capacities higher than 10 rounds, and also a rifle or two with pistol grips, fore grips, and detachable 30rd mags, which are not allowed in California. I haven't read that anyone has had a problem when picking up their firearms at the counter, but since it's the Republic of California, I was wondering if anyone had any experiences to share with this matter?

I'm planning a shooting trip to Panoche, Calif and possibly taking an LMS Defense class.

I figure if anything, I can just claim to be an ignorant Oregonian...? I've gotten away with it at a gun range in SF when I brought in 15rd Glock mags to shoot with.

I would contact the California DOJ and ask your questions. Cause if they don't like it your going to be facing a world of hurt. My son bought a Pistol here and took it to CA where he is stationed in the NAVY and had to register it with the state within 60 days or face Gun trafficing if caught with it.

 

[Shadow]

I'll concur with previous comments that flying out of Portland is no problem but coming back can be a hassle depending on where your coming from. Flying out of Chicago hasn't been bad either. Flying out of Harstfield can be a bit of a pain.

 

[Thebastidge]

I recently read of a park ranger doing inspections for high capacity firearms at a range in CA. I would purchase some 10 round mags, if I were you. If you were traveling interstate through California with your mags, you'd be fine. Since California is your destination, and you plan to do your shooting there, I would reseasrch it very carefully before taking firearms that are banned in California.

 

[SVT-ROY]

Here's my 2 cents: Flying out of PDX is very easy. Just declare, fill out the form, and take your stuff over to the CTX area. I make sure that I witness them locking it back up before I leave just in case. I've had ammo (in box of course), pistols, and a rifle in the same case ... no issues.

Flying out of SFO, as you would imagine, is a nightmare. When I 'declared', the tree-hugging (no-doubt) counter worker's eyes got like saucers and she said: "excuse me, I need to make a phone call" ... huh? So I waited, and then some guys from United treated me like a felon, and who obviously didn't know anything about firearms asked me a lot more questions than were on the declaration form. I had to keep going back to the form and I stuck to my guns, literally. Will never check guns out of SFO in the future.

I haven't checked firearms out of SEA, but I'm sure it would be more like PDX than SFO.

Coming back from hunting in TX (HOU) and AR (LIT) ... never had an issue, in fact there were lines of folks checking firearms!


Bottom line -- it's usually (caveat there) not as much as a hassle as you'd think.

PS: I did check firearms out of SAN (San Diego) ... and that was surprisingly easy ... a la PDX.

PPS: My comments were on airports rather than airlines. I haven't noticed too much differnence there, it's mostly the mindset of where you are (seemingly). On balance, if you're talking airlines, I've only got good stuff to say about Alaska. They seem to understand the travelling hunter/shooter!

I'm going to Vegas and just have a quick layover in SFO both ways. I guess I will find out if Vegas is easy or a hastle. Can you lock your suitcase if you have a firearm in it that's been declared?

 

[marty8587]

I did Vegas to PDX and believe the suitcase had to be locked as well as the case that the pistol was in. Allow yourself plenty of time and remember that they don't like suprises.

 

[lonegunman]

Print the TSA regs for firearms, laminate them and bring them with you. They never read them, trust me on that. Same with airline policies. Note: your stuff is going to be stolen if either the TSA or airline guy is squeezing his junk during the inspection. I traveled for years and had issues every now and then, all of them TSA idiots and all of them violating TSA policies for inspection and handling of firearms. The more anti-gun the region the more problems. Pack your knives and multi-tools in the gun case if there is room, then they cannot steal them later.

95% of the time they are trouble free and even polite. Occasionally they really want to show you they know about guns and stuff.

I'd be careful flying into California with non-Cali legal products. I'd check with whomever is teaching the class, it might be smarter to Fedex the mags to yourself both ways.

 

[pioneer461]

That web page suggests using a hardened Abloy Protect 'puck' padlock and a steel case. The TSA won't be cutting those open any time soon.

Flying with check firearms in luggage is not hassle at all. I travel a lot and because I'm certified for HR218, I always bring along a carry gun on domestic flights. The ONLY place I've had a difficulty was in San Jose, CA, because the TSA agent didn't know his a$$ from a hole in the ground. I now include a printout from TSA's web page with the rules when I pack.

As to locks. I have a friend who had his luggage cut open by TSA. Perfectly legal. (I guess one could make a claim for damage and sue the TSA, but good luck with that.) I use the TSA approved locks. If they want to take a look, they are welcome to. When I declare and identify at PDX, the TSA agents usually don't seem interested in taking a look.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Taking a gun on trips is not hard at all. there really is no hassle involved. The only thing to remember is that it is not going to be covered by insurance if it is lost or stolen.

 

[lonegunman]

Taking a gun on trips is not hard at all. there really is no hassle involved. The only thing to remember is that it is not going to be covered by insurance if it is lost or stolen.

You are either completely wrong or have really lousy insurance. Mine are covered anywhere, anytime for any reason and it was not expensive.