). This was my first time flying with firearms - SA XDm 9mm and XDs .45 ACP.Armed with information from the airline, TSA and forum members, I was prepared for the process: pistols in locked hard case, case cabled to internals of suitcase, ammo in original boxes.
The process was SMOOOOOTH both in Austin and in Detroit. The SW agents in both locations handled the transaction professionally and discretely. TSA in Austin swabbed the case, but didn't ask me to open it. OTOH, in Detroit I didn't interact with TSA at all: the SW agent looked at my case and locks, taped on the declaration card, and the bag went on the conveyor belt. Bag pickup was as usual, except I think they were given priority.
I'm glad I took them - I was treated to a shooting lesson by the friend we were staying with who has an IDPA Expert classification.
One downside - MI doesn't have anything analogous to 30.06, so a business doesn't have to advertise that they are CPL/CHL unfriendly, but can ask you to leave if they suspect you are carrying. Well, concealed is concealed I s'pose.