Flying with a firearm

[81Sprint]

Flying up to Spokane Saturday to pick up my new Ram 3500 in Coeur d'Alene and then drive back to Vegas. I have never travelled on plane with a firearm, but I bought a hard sided lockable case with TSA approved locks for the trip. Is there any other things to look out for? Have been on Southwest airlines site and TSA and both say I can put loaded clips in the case (not in the pistol) as long as its secure and not loose. But any issues flying into Washington? Never been there

 

[Sleek-Jet]

It is easy. You can't do kiosk or remote check-in, you'll have to go to the counter.

Declare you are traveling with a firearm, they'll have you fill out a form. Then be prepared to show them the gun is unloaded and lock it back up in the case. Ammo has to be in a separate container. Then you cool your jets for a bit till TSA gives you the OK and go enjoy your flight.

Handguns can travel in your checked luggage as long as it is in a secured case.

Very important, be nice and polite. I've never had an issue and most ticket agents couldnt care less.

Be sure to check local gun laws where you are going.

 

[81Sprint]

Ammo in a separate container like not in the secured case? or just factory packing

 

[seanroberts]

You don't use TSA locks for the weapons case. This needs to be your own lock, lock the ammo in a separate lock box. They have gotten stupid over this over the years. The box can't be opened with the locks on, some will try to see if they can get the weapon out. I fly all over with weapons.

 

[77charger]

Ammo in a separate container like not in the secured case? or just factory packing

Ammo has to be in factory box

 

[81Sprint]

Ok, makes sense. I also just got on the USCCA website and they said the same thing basically. I joined when I got my CCW but never really looked deep on their website. Good to know on the TSA locks

 

[snowhammer]

Ok, makes sense. I also just got on the USCCA website and they said the same thing basically. I joined when I got my CCW but never really looked deep on their website. Good to know on the TSA locks

If the original package contained a dozen, make sure you have a dozen, don't bring an opened package that has a few missing.

 

[ToMorrow44]

Ammo in a separate container like not in the secured case? or just factory packing

Ammo can be in the magazine in the locked case with the gun as long as they’re separated. They’ll make you show them that it’s not loaded. If you’re carrying any extra ammo, then it needs to be in a factory package. But just a pistol with 1 mag, you can put it all in the same case.

I would print out all this info from TSA and your airline and have it there with you. I’ve run into issues with the gate agents not knowing what they’re talking about.

One lady almost went code red when I opened the case and she saw a loaded magazine and started yelling “there’s bullets in there!” She was insistent that the bullets could fall out of the magazine and go off. TSA guy from the back comes out, looks, and goes “yep you’re good, lock it up”.

 

[81Sprint]

Ammo can be in the magazine in the locked case with the gun as long as they’re separated. They’ll make you show them that it’s not loaded. If you’re carrying any extra ammo, then it needs to be in a factory package. But just a pistol with 1 mag, you can put it all in the same case.

I would print out all this info from TSA and your airline and have it there with you. I’ve run into issues with the gate agents not knowing what they’re talking about.

One lady almost went code red when I opened the case and she saw a loaded magazine and started yelling “there’s bullets in there!” She was insistent that the bullets could fall out of the magazine and go off. TSA guy from the back comes out, looks, and goes “yep you’re good, lock it up”.

That's exactly what I DON'T want to happen

 

[4Waters]

You don't use TSA locks for the weapons case. This needs to be your own lock, lock the ammo in a separate lock box. They have gotten stupid over this over the years. The box can't be opened with the locks on, some will try to see if they can get the weapon out. I fly all over with weapons.

Sean good to see you, hope you're doing well

 

[Sleek-Jet]

That's exactly what I DON'T want to happen

Just be prepared to roll with it. Make sure to show up earlier than usually just so you have time in case something goes sideways a bit.

 

[dspracing]

Do not wear any political apparel.
Arrive plenty early.
When you arrive, contact this first airline rep you see and let them know you will be traveling with a firearm.
You will be checked in and escorted to the back where you will display your firearm to a TSA agent.
Lock it back up and you are on your way.

 

[dribble]

I just did this. Get the airport about 20 minutes earlier than you normally would. They made me wait 15 minutes before going to security just in case they wanted me to unlock the case so they could inspect it. Nobody paged me and nobody inspected the weapon. I barely made it onto the plane on time

 

[wallnutz]

I did this last year and started a thread. Some good advise in there. I flew no problem with gun and ammo. But I did put my ammo in a separate lock box. I had two brand new boxes of defense loads. I copied all the rules and had them with me, I even called the airlines the day before to confirm nothing changed. Just get there a little earlier. Remember when you arrive your bags will not be on the conveyer, they will be in the secured area right there.

Flying armed

So I fly out next week to pick up a new to me RV. With all the BS going on I prefer to travel armed. I have looked what the requirements are and think I get the jist of them. Have any one of you done this? any problems? Looks like the ammo might be a sticking point. AA says it has to be in a...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[HocusPocus]

I have made this trip 4 times in the last year and a half to pick up a truck at Dave Smiths with no problems. When you get to Spokane your bag with the firearm in it will be at a side area and you will need to show id to pick it up, never had any hassles.

 

[PaPaG]

I few up to SLC last year from Vegas. I hate delays so I got there 45 minutes earlier than supposed to and they held me til the last minute since I was traveling with a firearm but they assured me that I would get on the plane. It was very easy just had to follow the updated policies and make sure as others have told you to print up their current policies and also call just in case.

 

[SkyDirtWaterguy]

And whatever you do, do not go through security with any loose rounds or spare magazines left in your carry on bags. You will feel like a celebrity with all the attention you will get!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Ammo has to be in factory box

This...I fly with my gun all the time. Make absolutely sure it's unloaded before you go in. I've seen guys have a bad day over this before.

If you can have a lock that runs through the action down the mag slot and around (cable it makes things easier.

 

[81Sprint]

I have made this trip 4 times in the last year and a half to pick up a truck at Dave Smiths with no problems. When you get to Spokane your bag with the firearm in it will be at a side area and you will need to show id to pick it up, never had any hassles.

Yep, that's where I got mine from. They made it super easy

 

[USMC2010]

I've flown several times in the last 6 months with my pistol. Zero issues. Biggest difference in airlines I noticed, United tags the bag too and it gets picked up at the baggage office. Southwest it comes off the conveyor with everything else.

 

[D19]

What good is a gun if it's unloaded and locked up in a suitcase.

Gun laws are so stupid.

 

[Havasu Surfer]

Does having a trigger lock make anything smoother in the inspection process?


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[Havasu Surfer]

I did this last year and started a thread. Some good advise in there. I flew no problem with gun and ammo. But I did put my ammo in a separate lock box. I had two brand new boxes of defense loads. I copied all the rules and had them with me, I even called the airlines the day before to confirm nothing changed. Just get there a little earlier. Remember when you arrive your bags will not be on the conveyer, they will be in the secured area right there.

Flying armed

So I fly out next week to pick up a new to me RV. With all the BS going on I prefer to travel armed. I have looked what the requirements are and think I get the jist of them. Have any one of you done this? any problems? Looks like the ammo might be a sticking point. AA says it has to be in a...

www.riverdavesplace.com

Given that airlines have a 50# limit before added cost I would imagine with a firearm,2 lock boxes, mags and ammo things can add up pretty quickly. Any chance they allow new original packaged ammo that can go in with carry on if in a locked box?


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[USMC2010]

If the original package contained a dozen, make sure you have a dozen, don't bring an opened package that has a few missing.

I fly with a partial box no prob. Last time I returned from Austin I had gone to the gun range a day or two before and didn't clean until I got home. The range gave me a second receipt copy just in case it set off anything.

 

[wallnutz]

Given that airlines have a 50# limit before added cost I would imagine with a firearm,2 lock boxes, mags and ammo things can add up pretty quickly. Any chance they allow new original packaged ammo that can go in with carry on if in a locked box?
Nothing in a carry on. You can lighten the load with one box of 20 and put it in the same lock box as the unloaded gun. I traveled with two boxes because I was driving so far through some cities where there were protest. Also my gun case fit my gun and mags only.

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[snowhammer]

I fly with a partial box no prob. Last time I returned from Austin I had gone to the gun range a day or two before and didn't clean until I got home. The range gave me a second receipt copy just in case it set off anything.

That is good to hear as it makes sense.

I was asked to show that the ammo package was full.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

Does having a trigger lock make anything smoother in the inspection process?


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It shouldn't matter, the firearm has to be unloaded and secured and locked in its own case.

 

[dribble]

The Southwest website has their rules. I flew out of Sacramento with the firearm unloaded and two loaded magazines in the same container I cut out the foam to secure the mags and that was it. No problem.

 

[Good Stuff]

Flying up to Spokane Saturday to pick up my new Ram 3500 in Coeur d'Alene and then drive back to Vegas. I have never travelled on plane with a firearm, but I bought a hard sided lockable case with TSA approved locks for the trip. Is there any other things to look out for? Have been on Southwest airlines site and TSA and both say I can put loaded clips in the case (not in the pistol) as long as its secure and not loose. But any issues flying into Washington? Never been there

Just went to Nashville. Made sure my CCW was valid. Most people who get into trouble flying are jammed up by the laws for the place they are flying into. Had my gun and 4 loaded magazines locked into the case. Southwest had me wait at their front desk at LAX until my bag cleared the X-ray machine. Flying home at Nashville they just sent me on my way once I checked my bag and put their form inside. Airlines also have different rules so just check with them and print out whatever rules they have so you can show your intent to follow what they asked for if they try and change it on you. It was super easy and my bag came right out of the carousel. Southwest also didn’t have a stupid tag on the outside saying ”Firearm Inside” like other airlines do.

 

[240Hallett]

Do you have to declare ammo if there is no firearm involved?

 

[PlumLoco]

Everything was quick and easy through 4 different airports on our Alaska trip a few years ago. Coming back home, the crew at LAX paid way more attention to my wife's camera equipment. She had to pull out and disassemble a shit ton of stuff. Any camera, light, or case was pulled apart.