Flying with a gun poll

[FirearmFan]

I know that there have been previous threads before about checking a firearm while traveling and I've read them but the thought of trying it makes me a little uneasy so I thought I'd create a poll and see what people's experiences have been.

I'm getting married and for the honeymoon we are going to a Dude Ranch in Montana for a week of horseback riding and general Montana goodness. Montana accepts Minnesota's permit and I'd like to carry as we will be deep in the wilderness and Montana is home to many four-legged predators. We're going to fly and I've never flown with a gun before. So what have your experiences been?

[MrVvrroomm]

The several times I've done it, it's been a non-issue. This has been with the company formerly known as Northwest, Sun Country, and Southwest.

[nyffman]

Most of the time it's no big deal. I did have a clerk who got a little bit anxious one time in Bullhead City. She called for the police officer who was on duty at the airport. He just did a quick check and said I was good to go. Be sure to check the web site for the airline you're using and the TSA website so you have some idea what you're in for, then go with the flow when you get down there. Generally, you can expect it to go smoothly.

[brent375hh]

It can be either depending on who is doing the checking. Read the TSA laws. Print them out and be prepared to show airline employees or TSA what they are.

There are some TSA clowns that don't know what to do but like the act like they are in are the big man in charge. Others, like one I met in Miami, were as cool as it gets. He did not even ask if he could see that it was unloaded, said "why would you lie about it". I wish there were more like him. Others (most) will want your key to open and examine, but are not always sure what do do, like "how can I tell if it is loaded", but you are not allowed to touch it. They will fiddle with it and may or may not figure out how to work the action, but give up after a while or ask you for instructions after they are stumped. You are the only one that is suppose to be able to unlock the case, but I have had TSA people tell me that I need to have a TSA lock on the gun case, which is not correct.

Also check with your carrier to see if they have any additional restrictions.

Have a great trip.

[1911fan]

When I go, I take the slide off. Boxed together when they open it I just say it's obviously apart and they don't blink. Piece of cake. It if was a revolver I would consider zip tying it open. But with a 1911, I just keep the slide off

[tman]

viewtopic.php?f=52&t=16331


Have I re-posted my MSP pistol story here? I can't seem to find it.

[solidgun]

I always follow that "arrive as early as possible" saying, but I usually pick early morning flights. Last 50+ times I have flown going to various locations, I checked in my firearm and arrived at my gate about 15 minutes after checking in.

I have my Pelican case laid out so that the gun is placed in pieces. I have yet to lose it, but I usually carry Glocks for travels that involve flying.

1. Glocks are cheap enough to replace
2. Magazines are readily available
3. Easy take down
4. Reliable
5. No sentimental value (I am sure they will lose my luggage someday.....)

Here is a picture of my flight Glock:

[Steelheart]

When I go, I take the slide off. Boxed together when they open it I just say it's obviously apart and they don't blink. Piece of cake. It if was a revolver I would consider zip tying it open. But with a 1911, I just keep the slide off

I like that idea.

Steelheart

[PhilaBOR]

I always follow that "arrive as early as possible" saying, but I usually pick early morning flights. Last 50+ times I have flown going to various locations, I checked in my firearm and arrived at my gate about 15 minutes after checking in.

I have my Pelican case laid out so that the gun is placed in pieces. I have yet to lose it, but I usually carry Glocks for travels that involve flying.

1. Glocks are cheap enough to replace
2. Magazines are readily available
3. Easy take down
4. Reliable
5. No sentimental value (I am sure they will lose my luggage someday.....)

Here is a picture of my flight Glock:

Great setup. I thought ammo was supposed to be not in the same case as the gun? I know mags have to be unloaded and ammo in factory box.

[PileDriver]

Drive. Can be cheaper (was for us going to FL), no TSA, bring all the guns you want.

[solidgun]

Great setup. I thought ammo was supposed to be not in the same case as the gun? I know mags have to be unloaded and ammo in factory box.

Ammo can remain in the same case as long as they are contained in a recommended case. If the magazines are loaded, they must be encased as well.

Drive. Can be cheaper (was for us going to FL), no TSA, bring all the guns you want.

This is not entirely true. Please review certain state laws if you will be passing through several states to get to your destination. http://www.nraila.org/gunlaws/federal/read.aspx?id=59
While I would prefer to drive for competitions/training to protect my expensive items from loss, you cannot avoid flying.


Also, when you fly, your firearm may not be covered under certain travel insurances against loss or damage.

[Pat Cannon]

I've done it once to Colorado. No big deal, but I checked hassle 'cause flying is a hassle anyway.

[monschman]

I have personally never encountered any issues, but one of the things that actually works weel for me to is ship the dang thing to myself overnight at my final destination. It's handy when you pass through places like newark with any regularity where i hear they get twitchy about crazy gun nuts with guns.

[ComradeBurg]

I've flown with firearms a few times and it's no more hassle than flying normally is. You just have to declare you have firearms in your check baggage and they'll open the case, place a tag in it, and walk you over to an X-Ray machine. Once at the X-Ray machine a TSA thug will run it through and possibly ask you to open the case for a visual inspection.

The only thing I've gotten out of flying with a firearm were compliments from TSA thugs on the pieces I had with.

[crbutler]

It can be a hassle, but usually with the airlines folks as opposed to TSA. They (TSA) have policies, and to top it off they have supervisors who have been there and done that. It usually is helpful if you have time, and when they start in on you just politely ask to speak with the supervisor. It may take 15 minutes for them to get there, but they are around and if you played by the rules, you are fine.

What's even sillier is that our TSA is usually much more difficult than various other countries customs and immigration folks in countries that have draconian gun laws. Canada is not bad. South Africa is a pain because everyone wants "a christmas present" but is straightforward aside from the bribery, Zimbabwe is easy, and Zambia is expensive but very easy. Getting the gun back in to the good ol' USA, well, that's almost a full procto. I would hate to be a foreigner coming here to hunt with the scrutiny and need to repeatedly explain everything if you get a bad egg at Customs.

I am assuming that you are talking in the US and with handguns here. That is easy, but with my experience, about 1 out of 6 flights there will be significant baggage delays.

As folks have said above, bring a copy of the airline's policy, and a copy of the US regs. If they ask you do do other than what is in those, ask politely for a supervisor and show them your paperwork, and odds are it will go smoothly, at least until you are at LaGuardia.