How to make sure the airlines don't lose your luggage

[atxgun]

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/24/se ... cked-.html

It basically says fly with a gun and your luggage gets extra tracking since they definitely don't want to be responsible for loosing it. That makes some kind of sense and I hadn't thought of that.

What I don't get it the article claims you get to lock your actual luggage (also preventing the TSA from rummaging through your underwear). Can anyone confirm or deny this? I thought it was just that you locked the actual gun in a hard sided case but the luggage itself had to be open for inspection.

I double checked the TSA's website before posting this and their firearms instructions didn't mention either still being required to leave your luggage unlocked or specifying it should also be locked.

(Obviously I have never actually flown with a firearm).

[E10]

That isn't how things have worked when I've flown with my gun(s), but I've flown only on Southwest. The guns were in a locked hard case inside a larger bag. I checked the bag and told the ticket agent it contained a firearm. She gave me the card to fill out and took it back and put it in the bag. The bag was not conspicuously marked - it looked like all the others. She put it on the conveyor and it dropped out of sight down the ramp. The next time I saw it was at the destination airport checked baggage pick up, all safe and sound. I don't know whether it received any higher security attention, but I think I would rather have stealth. A shiny, hard case with an special tag just screams, 'Gun!' In my own humble opinion, it's better to disappear into the masses, same as carrying a concealed handgun.

And, being originally a Texas airline, Southwest may just have a more mature attitude towards firearms.

[atxgun]

That isn't how things have worked when I've flown with my gun(s), but I've flown only on Southwest. The guns were in a locked hard case inside a larger bag. I checked the bag and told the ticket agent it contained a firearm. She gave me the card to fill out and took it back and put it in the bag. The bag was not conspicuously marked - it looked like all the others. She put it on the conveyor and it dropped out of sight down the ramp. The next time I saw it was at the destination airport checked baggage pick up, all safe and sound. I don't know whether it received any higher security attention, but I think I would rather have stealth. A shiny, hard case with an special tag just screams, 'Gun!' In my own humble opinion, it's better to disappear into the masses, same as carrying a concealed handgun.

And, being originally a Texas airline, Southwest may just have a more mature attitude towards firearms.

To clarify my understanding of how this worked was the hard-sided, locked case is necessarily placed inside your luggage; not transferred out in the open by it's own.

It may have been on this very forum I remember reading a post about how it used to be a big sticker labeled FIREARM was affixed to the checked baggage until it was realized that was a stupid idea.

I somewhat found it odd they would be making it more obvious to numerous people outside the xray screeners a gun was inside, both from my initial posting confusion and the anecdote cited. But at the same time the desire to not want to be responsible for losing one made me wonder how much communication about the contents went down the line.

[cbunt1]

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/24/se ... cked-.html

It basically says fly with a gun and your luggage gets extra tracking since they definitely don't want to be responsible for loosing it. That makes some kind of sense and I hadn't thought of that.

What I don't get it the article claims you get to lock your actual luggage (also preventing the TSA from rummaging through your underwear). Can anyone confirm or deny this? I thought it was just that you locked the actual gun in a hard sided case but the luggage itself had to be open for inspection.

I double checked the TSA's website before posting this and their firearms instructions didn't mention either still being required to leave your luggage unlocked or specifying it should also be locked.

(Obviously I have never actually flown with a firearm).

I flew from Houston to Atlanta on Continental a few months ago. The process wasn't too bad, but I did have to explain it to one of the clerks.

I simply told them I'd like to declare a firearm (NOTE: Say "I'd Like to Declare a Firearm" Not "I have a gun" ). They then give you a declaration card to fill out, which basically states that the gun is unloaded and in a safe condition, the ammunition is stored according to TSA and Airline policy, blah blah blah.

I was then sent directly to a TSA station (or one was brought to me, depending upon the airport), whereupon I was asked to open my baggage, my gun case (which was inside) and have my gun inspected. Interestingly enough, this consisted of nothing more that a cursory look...they aren't allowed to touch the gun, nor are you allowed to "show clear" as I would have expected.

Once the inspection is done, you're asked to lock your gun case, and you can put it back in your luggage. Any additional inspection of your luggage is done at that time, and the "cleared/inspected" tag is dropped in your bag, it's flagged as having been screened, and you may lock your bag with your own lock. (it's actually preferred).

So, to make a short answer long, yes, by traveling with a firearm, you can lock your luggage with your own lock, and be present while the TSA rifles through your drawers.

[boomerang]

Federal law (18 USC Sec. 922) says "No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm."

[TheBrit]

I'd read something similar before and thought it was a great idea. However, over the years I've had friends I have met at various gun courses and shoots who had their firearm 'lost' (stolen) by the airlines whilst on route.

When you fly with your handgun you run the risk of having it stolen. I always take an inexpensive handgun whenever possible. If attending a gun course or shoot I drive, even if that means several thousand miles driving.

[jimlongley]

There is NO extra tracking, frequently your boarding pass and baggage bar codes are printed before you declare.

TSA will rummage through your underwear if they feel the need to, in spite of locks if necessary.

You are allowed to lock your bags, you must lock gun cases.

Large gun cases (rifle, shotgun, machine gun (seen one)) obviously will not fit inside another bag and will travel just fine that way.

18USC922 has been covered.

[cougartex]

That isn't how things have worked when I've flown with my gun(s), but I've flown only on Southwest. The guns were in a locked hard case inside a larger bag. I checked the bag and told the ticket agent it contained a firearm. She gave me the card to fill out and took it back and put it in the bag. The bag was not conspicuously marked - it looked like all the others. She put it on the conveyor and it dropped out of sight down the ramp. The next time I saw it was at the destination airport checked baggage pick up, all safe and sound. I don't know whether it received any higher security attention, but I think I would rather have stealth. A shiny, hard case with an special tag just screams, 'Gun!' In my own humble opinion, it's better to disappear into the masses, same as carrying a concealed handgun.

And, being originally a Texas airline, Southwest may just have a more mature attitude towards firearms.