AUS-LBB-AUS Experience

[AJKAHR]

Flew out of ABIA on Friday heading to Lubbock for Father's day.

K9 in a Hardigg case with 3 mags, all full. Two 50rd boxes of practice ammo loose in the suitcase. Southwest agents were super fast to clear and tag me. TSA didn't want to open the bag. I was in and out of baggage check in 5 mins.

Leaving Lubbock this evening, Southwest counter is TINY @ LBB. Took a long time in line. SWA agents checks and clears me, not much static. Says he isn't sure if TSA will want to look at it. Take it over there and the guy is very seriously telling me I need to remain being this stainless steel counter/barrier while he checks the case. Looks at the 3 mags and is FREAKED and says he needs to call a super as he is not sure that they are secure enough. In the mag, all in cut-out foam sections in a military grade hardsided case... He was actually sweating at this point.

Super comes over after a few minutes and says, "Yes, of course. They're fine." Leaves the agent to finish checking my bag. He almost doesn't put my two master locks back on the box to which I requested, "Please lock my case in my presence, before you close the suitcase."

Agent: "Of yes, it has to be locked. Oh yes."

This noob wasn't going to lock my case. And when we got home, they had even searched my wife's bag... Stupid note on top of her clothes.

The thing that really ticked me off, this being my first flying w/ gun experience, is how absolutely inconsistent the airports are. I've always known this about general security (shoes vs no shoes, etc.) but when talking about guns in checked luggage, this should be a 100% standard routine at EVERY airport...

Just goes to show that with a pulse and a uniform, you too could be a TSA agent...

[Photoman]

I feel for the guy. No telling the LACK of training they get. It's also hard to imagine for us, being around guns all the time, how it is for those who are not around guns all the time. It really is a frightening for them...being brainwashed by the media and all.

Sounds like TSA needs to update their training procedures.

[AJKAHR]

TSA needs to be dismantled and privatized...

[jimlongley]

I was a TSA screener for three years and I have to disagree about the requirements for employment, that only applies to supervisors and up.

OTOH, you were quite lucky to get your full mags through. If you go to the recommended TSA site about traveling with guns, you will find that magazines are NOT considered suitable for ammunition carrying except under certain, limited, circumstances. I argued that one for a long time as a screener, but never won.

It always surprises me to hear of people, CHLs in particular, who travel with guns, who don't bother to find out the rules before they go.

[AJKAHR]

It always surprises me to hear of people, CHLs in particular, who travel with guns, who don't bother to find out the rules before they go.

I actually did lookup the rules, per Southwest Airlines. Which is who everyone told me I needed to check with. Not the TSA. The TSA is the last disorganization I would look to for any type of guidance.

From the SWA website:

Guns and Ammunition
Guns

* Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through.
* Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and prove that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms.
* Paintball guns are allowed in checked baggage and are not subject to the container requirements of firearms. Customers must declare the paintball gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter. Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carryon only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end). TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.
* Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, LOCKED container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
1. A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
2. A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
3. Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made.
* Firearms may be checked and will count toward the three piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.
* Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.
* Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.

Ammunition

* Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only.
* The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
* When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person.
* Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition).
* Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage!
* Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage.
* Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed.
* Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be conditionally accepted.

The loaded mags where in tight-fitting foam cutouts in a hard-sided case...

I find it hard to believe that a fine disorganization such as the TSA would allow one of the most successful airlines (which flies CHL holders every day) to continue a policy that was not in line with their almighty word...

[jimlongley]

I actually did lookup the rules, per Southwest Airlines. Which is who everyone told me I needed to check with. Not the TSA. The TSA is the last disorganization I would look to for any type of guidance.

Obviously "everyone" was not exactly right, but that's beside the point. If you looked back in the archives here you would find several recommendations to use the TSA web site as a reference and take a printed copy with you. Why would you decide that TSA's web site would be wrong when they are the ones enforcing the rules is beyond me.

I find it hard to believe that a fine disorganization such as the TSA would allow one of the most successful airlines (which flies CHL holders every day) to continue a policy that was not in line with their almighty word...

Once again it's interesting that you would take Southwest's word over TSA's, Southwest's web site has not been updated in years, as evidenced by their reference to three checked bags vice the two they allow these days. The Federal rules do not limit the amount of ammo to 11 pounds, only Southwest and certain other airlines do, and the Federal rules have other differences too.

Also note that if you check a bag at curbside at Love Field, with a gun in it, they will take it.

I worked at Love Field as a screener for three years, I was a top level tech support engineer at Alcatel before I was laid off and that kind of job is hard to replace (I managed after three years but it was a long fight.) Fifty to seventy five percent of the screening force that I worked with were in similar circumstances to mine, highly expert in their fields but stuck working for low wages under unknowing and incompetent management, but we did our best. Most of that cadre has moved on now, and those that are left are not as ighly motivated as we were at the start, but they are still better than what was there before.

You won't hurt my feeelings at all by continuing your rant against TSA, I don't work there anymore (I like to tell people that I finally found a real job) but you really did get away with something that you would not have if I had been screening your bag.

[AJKAHR]

Congratulations on finding a new job.