Flying and firearms

MrsS · 06-12-2008, 07:37 PM

I am planning on flying very soon and have read Northwest's policy on transporting firearms.

Just wondering if anyone else has transported their firearm when traveling by plane?

Did you have any problems at the airport, etc?

How did you store your firearm and ammunition?

turner · 06-12-2008, 07:48 PM

MrsS, I've traveled many times with firearms and ammo enroute to hunt and also simply returning from a trip where I purchased firearms. Two things I'll suggest: 1. Bring your smile and good disposition with you. Most airline workers are not really "gun" savvy. Don't touch or pick up your firearm when the "locked" case is opened, instead ask if they want assistance or help. Most I've dealt with were very friendly, if not knowledgeable.
2. Keep keys handy and locks locked unless asked to open them. You will have to sign a form declaring the gun unloaded...again, DON'T attempt to show them it is, unless asked to do so. Stay close by until your gun has been looked at by both the airline people and the security people.
I've seen ammo done both ways; WITH the firearm in the locked case and also placed in a normal suitcase which did not require locking. Best to be specific with your airline and call them and ask them that question.
I've never had a problem traveling with a firearm, but also know now to simply remain calm and helpful when people not well versed in firearms knowledge are doing their jobs. Good Luck!

MrsS · 06-12-2008, 08:07 PM

Turner:

When do you declare you have a firearm in your luggage? At the check-in desk or to security outside?

thunderjohn · 06-12-2008, 09:36 PM

I've flown several times with a checked pistol.
I've always told the ticket agent that I need to declare a firearm.
I have it in a lockable case, but unlocked as the TSA guys want to inspect it. After inspection I locked the case, with the pistol's slide
locked open. The last time, the guys said thanks for having the slide
open. We could see it with the xray. That was it.

But I hear horror stories about lost luggage and lost firearms. I read
somewhere ( you may want to check out this option) that you can ship your own firearm to yourself at your final destination. Ship it to you c/o
your friend for instance.

Just check out NW's policies real well and you'll be fine. Pretty sure the gun and ammo have to be in different luggage.

MemphisJim1 · 06-12-2008, 10:07 PM

My experience with Northwest: Last year I went to Tampa area to visit my father and take custody of two heirloom rifles to bring back to Memphis. Departing here, I took an empty 2-rifle hardcase and checked it at the curb, as it was empty. At Tampa airport I went straight to the Northwest counter; even before I got there the clerk recognized the case, said "Follow me," and led straight to TSA. TSA wanted to know if I had any ammo and told me to standby while they checked the case. At Memphis I claimed the case and an accompanying suitcase at the carousel and came on home. The suitcase had been carefully searched (I guess they were looking for the phantom ammo).

Palladin8 · 06-12-2008, 10:20 PM

I have traveled several times with guns and like turner stated be patient. I declared the firearm at the counter. Make sure you allow for extra time as the process can take awhile and if you are running late it will tick everyone off. It is best to not keep the ammo in the same case as the firearm. If you put it in a suitcase you should ensure the suitcase is also locked. I would also suggest that you buy the locks that are approved by the TSA. The ones they like to see have two key slots, one for your key and one for the TSA skeleton key. That way if there is any question they can open the case without having to drag you off the plane.
It can be a pain to fly with a firearm but it really depends on the airport and the people you are dealing with.

TXplt · 06-14-2008, 06:54 PM

I've flown with checked firearms on several occasions with US Airways and (mostly) American.

It's always been a fairly painless process for me (but I mostly fly between Texas and Pennsylvania which are two gun-friendly states)--I do the U-Do-It check in, print out the boarding pass, and select the bags I'm checking. When I go up to the baggage check-in counter, I inform the baggage person I'll be checking an unloaded firearm--they then give me a form to fill out stating the firearm's unloaded and sometimes I need to show them the pistol's unloaded (I generally ask "do you need me to show you the pistol's unloaded" and see what they say). They then have me lock the gun in its pistol case, and I then place this into my soft-sided checked baggage. If the airline person checks it, that's it. If you have to take it to the TSA checked baggage thing, you'll probably want to let them know that you have an unloaded and declared firearm in your checked baggage. I transport the firearm in it's gun case, with a lock on it and sometimes include ammo in the same case in its original container (NOT in the gun or clip if applicable). As long as you declare the firearm and it's unloaded and in checked baggage, it's pretty user-friendly.

Obviously, never attempt to go thru the gate screening with firearms or components. Do a quick check to make sure that everything has been packed in the checked baggage and not with you.

06-12-2008, 07:37 PM	#1
MrsS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from the 26th state of the union; now living in the 16th. Posts: 1,422	Flying and firearms I am planning on flying very soon and have read Northwest's policy on transporting firearms. Just wondering if anyone else has transported their firearm when traveling by plane? Did you have any problems at the airport, etc? How did you store your firearm and ammunition? __________________ Gun Control...is the ability to hit your target.

06-12-2008, 08:07 PM	#3
MrsS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Originally from the 26th state of the union; now living in the 16th. Posts: 1,422	Turner: When do you declare you have a firearm in your luggage? At the check-in desk or to security outside? __________________ Gun Control...is the ability to hit your target.

06-14-2008, 06:54 PM	#7
TXplt Lost in the Ozone Again Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 2,834 Images: 4 Blog Entries: 2	I've flown with checked firearms on several occasions with US Airways and (mostly) American. It's always been a fairly painless process for me (but I mostly fly between Texas and Pennsylvania which are two gun-friendly states)--I do the U-Do-It check in, print out the boarding pass, and select the bags I'm checking. When I go up to the baggage check-in counter, I inform the baggage person I'll be checking an unloaded firearm--they then give me a form to fill out stating the firearm's unloaded and sometimes I need to show them the pistol's unloaded (I generally ask "do you need me to show you the pistol's unloaded" and see what they say). They then have me lock the gun in its pistol case, and I then place this into my soft-sided checked baggage. If the airline person checks it, that's it. If you have to take it to the TSA checked baggage thing, you'll probably want to let them know that you have an unloaded and declared firearm in your checked baggage. I transport the firearm in it's gun case, with a lock on it and sometimes include ammo in the same case in its original container (NOT in the gun or clip if applicable). As long as you declare the firearm and it's unloaded and in checked baggage, it's pretty user-friendly. Obviously, never attempt to go thru the gate screening with firearms or components. Do a quick check to make sure that everything has been packed in the checked baggage and not with you. __________________ Old fighter pilots never die.....They just wind up in Texas Last edited by TXplt; 06-14-2008 at 06:56 PM.

06-12-2008, 07:48 PM	#2
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	MrsS, I've traveled many times with firearms and ammo enroute to hunt and also simply returning from a trip where I purchased firearms. Two things I'll suggest: 1. Bring your smile and good disposition with you. Most airline workers are not really "gun" savvy. Don't touch or pick up your firearm when the "locked" case is opened, instead ask if they want assistance or help. Most I've dealt with were very friendly, if not knowledgeable. 2. Keep keys handy and locks locked unless asked to open them. You will have to sign a form declaring the gun unloaded...again, DON'T attempt to show them it is, unless asked to do so. Stay close by until your gun has been looked at by both the airline people and the security people. I've seen ammo done both ways; WITH the firearm in the locked case and also placed in a normal suitcase which did not require locking. Best to be specific with your airline and call them and ask them that question. I've never had a problem traveling with a firearm, but also know now to simply remain calm and helpful when people not well versed in firearms knowledge are doing their jobs. Good Luck!

06-12-2008, 09:36 PM	#4
thunderjohn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MN Posts: 223	I've flown several times with a checked pistol. I've always told the ticket agent that I need to declare a firearm. I have it in a lockable case, but unlocked as the TSA guys want to inspect it. After inspection I locked the case, with the pistol's slide locked open. The last time, the guys said thanks for having the slide open. We could see it with the xray. That was it. But I hear horror stories about lost luggage and lost firearms. I read somewhere ( you may want to check out this option) that you can ship your own firearm to yourself at your final destination. Ship it to you c/o your friend for instance. Just check out NW's policies real well and you'll be fine. Pretty sure the gun and ammo have to be in different luggage.

06-12-2008, 10:07 PM	#5
MemphisJim1 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Suburban Memphis (Mississippi side) Posts: 42	My experience with Northwest: Last year I went to Tampa area to visit my father and take custody of two heirloom rifles to bring back to Memphis. Departing here, I took an empty 2-rifle hardcase and checked it at the curb, as it was empty. At Tampa airport I went straight to the Northwest counter; even before I got there the clerk recognized the case, said "Follow me," and led straight to TSA. TSA wanted to know if I had any ammo and told me to standby while they checked the case. At Memphis I claimed the case and an accompanying suitcase at the carousel and came on home. The suitcase had been carefully searched (I guess they were looking for the phantom ammo).

06-12-2008, 10:20 PM	#6
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 405	I have traveled several times with guns and like turner stated be patient. I declared the firearm at the counter. Make sure you allow for extra time as the process can take awhile and if you are running late it will tick everyone off. It is best to not keep the ammo in the same case as the firearm. If you put it in a suitcase you should ensure the suitcase is also locked. I would also suggest that you buy the locks that are approved by the TSA. The ones they like to see have two key slots, one for your key and one for the TSA skeleton key. That way if there is any question they can open the case without having to drag you off the plane. It can be a pain to fly with a firearm but it really depends on the airport and the people you are dealing with.