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Re: Ammunition

As Mr. Longley noted earlier, there is no TSA rule requiring ammo be packed only in an ammo manufacturer's cardboard box, much less that the box actually be the one that particular ammo came from (!). I have flown with the ammo loaded into magazines and the magazines secured inside leather carriers, and that seemed work just fine. American Airlines is the only airline I have run across that requires a manufacturer's cardboard box exclusively, so now I just wrap two magazines with a small sheet of foam padding (to keep them from shifting and rattling), and put them in a spare Winchester white box I had laying around. I reinforced the box with clear packaging tape, and tape it shut so the mags don't popout one end during transit. When I get to the other end, I just slip into the restroom nearest baggage claim, and presto, my pistol is fully configured and ready to go.

I have flown a number of times with my pistol(s). As others have noted, the actual implementation of the TSA rules varies quite a bit from airport to airport. I have had my gun looked at by both the agent AND the TSA inspector, by one, by the other, and sometimes neither. Seldom does an airline agent actually verify that it is really unloaded (I can only think of this happening twice). I have been told to put the white card (which used to be orange, or maybe it still is with some airlines) inside the gun box, but more recently, on top of, but outside, the gun box.

I really can't think of any "problems" I have had with either airline agents or TSA people -- at worst, a couple times an inexperienced agent had to go ask her supervisor what to do. In fact, one time the zipper/locking mechanism on my checked bag broke after opening the bag for a quick TSA peek, and the TSA guy actively worked with me to use some of my zip ties (which I keep in an outside pocket of the bag) to secure the zipper for the rest of the trip.