Flying to Nashville. Worry about airport issues

[Topdog77c]

Will be flying out of San Antonio via Southwest Airlines to Nashville. How much hassle is it getting your carry weapon through.? Been looking at the airline and airport rules. Seem to be all in alignment. Anyone have do's and dont's? Thanks.

[RoyGBiv]

Do
Read the rules... both the airline and TSA
Read the old threads here... use search... Have the right box for your gun(s)
Make absolutely certain your guns are unloaded before you try and check them
Relax, it's pretty easy.


Don't
If you are changing planes or become stuck in a gun-unfriendly location, DO NOT TAKE POSSESSION OF YOUR LUGGAGE. Notify airport security of your problem, but do not pick the luggage up, for any reason.

Don't worry so much.... It's pretty routine for them, even though it's new for you.

[Topdog77c]

Thank you. I will search for similar subjects.

[smoothoperator]

Will be flying out of San Antonio via Southwest Airlines to Nashville. How much hassle is it getting your carry weapon through.? Been looking at the airline and airport rules. Seem to be all in alignment. Anyone have do's and dont's? Thanks.

It's easy and legal in checked luggage. Maybe almost as easy but not as legal in carry on bags.

The simplest way is spend $20-25 for a nanovault or similar locking box and put that inside your bag. Gun has to be unloaded. Mags have to be unloaded or in mag carriers, but easiest to unload. Ammo has to be in properly encased magazines or ammo boxes, but easiest in ammo boxes.

When you check in, tell them you have an unloaded firearm to declare. You can say, "I have a gun!" if you want, but it's easier the other way.

They will give you a declaration card. You sign it. It goes in the luggage, preferably inside the locked box.

Inspection by TSA varies from airport to airport and sometimes week to week. It's usually pretty easy but sometimes time consuming.

[RoyGBiv]

They will give you a declaration card. You sign it. It goes in the luggage, preferably inside the locked box.

I'm still not 100% certain, but, I believe the card goes outside the gun box, inside your luggage.

If the purpose of the card is to show airport handlers downstream (at connecting airports, etc) that your luggage was properly inspected and there is no need for further screening of "that locked metal box that might contain a gun", then what good would it do to have the signed firearms declaration locked up in a place where nobody can see it without finding you and asking you to open it for them, since you are, presumably, the only one with the ability to open that box.??

I have always put the card on top of the gun case, inside the luggage.

Anyone have a definitive answer here??

[brentski]

The card goes inside the case. It seems to be easier as we move from post 911 times. Some times all is needed is the card and the case is opened by you in front of the ticket agent, always ask before unlocking. Other times you open the case in front of the agent, then take the re-locked case to TSA screening, open it have the case rummaged through, re-locked and move on. I always stay with the case when unlocked while being inspected even though TSA says I can leave while they inspect then watch them re-lock the case. I also unlock the case after asking permission of the gate agent and/or TSA and never give your combination out. Do not use TSA approved locks as even TSA frowns on this. I give myself an extra 45 minutes and be sure you do not carry any firearms parts through screening at all, not even choke tubes. As any parts need to be in check bags, period. Ammo needs to be in plastic cases or preferably factory boxes, not with the weapon but in your other checked bags. I am by no means an authority but do this several times a year with no issues.

[Laneman]

I checked a firearm several times through Austin airport. Each time the red tag was placed inside my locked pistol case, which was then placed inside my locked checked suitcase. I believe some airlines require a hard sided suitcase, so check their rules too. Some airlines will have their own people look at the weapon also and you may have to show them while in a back room that it is unloaded. I had one person operate the slide himself, another asked me to do it for her. One TSA lady didn't know where the red tag went and wanted to hang it outside my suitcase. Yeah lady, I want the luggage handlers to know I have a 600 dollar pistol inside my suitcase. I have carried my ammo in a plastic ammo case and had the original cardboard box too. I use the plastic ammo cases because the ammo boxes sometimes open and spill out. The ammo can go in your same suitcase as the locked gun case, just not inside the actual gun case. It has always been easy, no hassles at all. Just whatever you do and I mean whatever you do, make triple sure it is unloaded before you hand it to anybody or you will be one sorry inmate.

[Topdog77c]

Some great information. I bought a key locked metal Stack-on box. What type of box are you refering to for the ammo?

[Jumping Frog]

Some great information. I bought a key locked metal Stack-on box. What type of box are you refering to for the ammo?

If you aren't a reloader, just keep the ammo in the same box it came in from the store.

[Topdog77c]

I figured it was one of those plastic containers that have a snap lid with individual spots for each round. Now just got to convince the wife of this. Have been around guns since the teenage years. Owned and hunted with shotgun and rifle whole life. But, this concealed handgun thing is something new. A real eye opener. For sure a lot of responsibility. Appreciate all the useful information.

[RoyGBiv]

Strange....
I've never been asked to open my locked gun case.
I always assumed the TSA could see the gun on the x-ray.
I wrap a tie wrap through the barrel before locking the gun in the metal box, so, maybe they can see it's in a "safe" condition on x-ray and don't bother asking me to open it?
Since I don't open the box, I can't put the signed card inside...

[E.Marquez]

The ammo can go in your same suitcase as the locked gun case, just not inside the actual gun case..

No sir, not correct.

There is NO RULE or prohibition from storing the ammo in the same container as the weapon. This has been confirmed by TSA Legal department (and posted here several times), and in actual use many times ov
er. As well as specifically stated as such on TSA's web site, and mentioned in most airlines direction for shipping a weapon.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

• Travelers must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
  Firearm magazines and ammunition clips must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm.
  Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber for a rifle or pistol and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it follows the packing guidelines described above

While I don’t doubt some airline ticket agent erroneously may have stated this nonsense about ammo being required to be separate from the gun, and or a TSA agent did as well.. the regulation and rules clearly state ammo in the gun case is fine, so long as it is pack IAW the published rules.

And as the OP asked about SW Airlines.. This is what THEY say about ammo being packed..

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.

[E.Marquez]

The card goes inside the case.

\ Previously posted
The below is based on the response to me from TSA Legal, when asked about the tag..

Who decides what the procedure is?
TSA stated specifically
" the airline will place a declaration tag inside the checked baggage containing the firearm. This notice alerts Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to the presence of the firearm if they have to open the bag to inspect it. "

That is the written guidance, and is interpreted one of two ways, but complying with the guidance.

If a gun is shipped in a single container, locked with user lock, the declaration will be inside that container and not accessible by TSA.

If the double container is used, either the tag is in the inner case or the outer one, both ways it is adhering to the written guidance "the airline will place a declaration tag inside the checked baggage containing the firearm"

I understand how you have interpreted the guidance, but TSA reps are seeing it other ways sometimes.. Intentions aside, both follow the rules.

I asked a follow on question after receiving the response above.

"TSA Contact Center; Thank you for the prompt response to my questions..
If you could clarify one thing.
The declaration tag, when I travel I place my firearm in a locked box, which is placed in my locked luggage (another secure pelican case). Where should the declaration tag be placed? "

TSA Response:
" The declaration tag is required to be placed inside the checked baggage containing the firearm, not in the outside bag, the firearm container may be separated from the other bag, and the declaration tag must stay with the firearm"

[mossytxn]

Last time I flew Southwest I used something similar to this:

http://www.basspro.com/Stack-On-Portabl ... 004726a167

I placed 2 loaded magazines inside the case with the unloaded pistol and had 0 issues on either end.

Flying out of Dallas the card was merely placed loose inside my luggage. Flying back from El Paso the card was taped to the gun case on the outside.

[RoyGBiv]

TSA Response:
" The declaration tag is required to be placed inside the checked baggage containing the firearm, not in the outside bag, the firearm container may be separated from the other bag, and the declaration tag must stay with the firearm"

Interesting... So, even though I'm not asked to open the locked case, I should just go ahead and do it and stuff the card inside?
I'll need to ponder that for a bit...

THANKS.! for the Horses-Mouth" info.

ETA: Post 1911 for me....