LEO smuggles pocket of live ammo at IAH security

[gigag04]

By request.


It is like Dec 22nd +/- a few days. I have a 12 hour day at the department's training range, we are going to go from 8am-8pm. My dad has recently gotten a new 52ft Benetau sail boat and has invited my girlfriend and I to fly in for the weekend and sail around SoCal with him - so me in my infinite wisdom book a 1050 pm flight out of IAH, when I'm training about 2 hours away. About 745 I tell our rangemaster that I need to leave to make my flight, so I strip down pistol, AR, and shotgun, and clean the same. I jump in my car and the road.


Now mind you all day long we are doing running and shooting drills, stoppage drills, and setting up different scenarios for tactical reloads. We constantly were getting the command "OK now load 6 in one mag, and 6 in another." Our G22 mags hold 15 so you dump some into you're highly pocketed 5.11 pants and setup the drill. You fish out what you can to setup the next one, but obviously you miss a few her and there. Especially since 5.11 is of the opinion that "tactical" means lot's of pockets.

So, back to driving, traffic was light and I managed to get parked no problem. My gf works inside IAH behind security so she is grabbing a drink waiting on me to get in. I go through the checkpoint, no checked baggage, and I keep setting off the metal detector. I bartended for 3 years at this airport and am well aware how to go through security fast, and hassle free. All my metal was off, but I keep tripping it up.

So, after 2 strikes I get wanded and it keeps alerting on my knee area (you know...where the big cargo pocket is). So, he says he's going to pat me down. I say go ahead as I get it...I do it daily. He asks "what is this" when he feels something in my leg pocket. I tell him I have no idea, I can't see it, and can barely feel it. We open up the pocket and I'm like "oh cool a few rounds leftover. You can have those." I had some in my other pocket too but not many, maybe 5-6 total. I didn't think it was a big deal as they used to take wine openers away from me for years. They guy looks at me and is like "umm...yeah...sit down right here." I try to tell him it's OK, I'm an LEO, I show him a badge and ID card and he is like..."ummm yeah..." and then wanders off, closing me in the glass terrorist box (terminal E).

I start thinking....man this isn't good. I have 40 minutes till my flight and these guys aren't in a hurry to help me. I'm notified that they have called HPD to investigate and I will not be making my flight. Understandably this is not acceptable to me, but who am I at this point. I politely inform them that per Texas and US law LEOs are on a short list of people authorized to carry loaded weapons beyond the checkpoints of airports. They kind of shrug and go on with everything else. A new TSA officer comes by to "keep an eye" on me. I know that as soon as the police show up this will cleared up, and I let them know I understand they are doing their job. I begin to put my things back together and get dressed. They TSA officer tells me not to. I POLITELY tell him I understand his concern, but I think I can make my flight, and if it's ok with him I would like to get ready to haul outta there as soon as I'm cleared. He shrugs and says "whatever." So I'm dressed and on the phone updating my gf of the current turn of events. Then they start hollering to get off the phone. Here is where I kind of messed, but I was mad about being told "whatever" and that it was taking HPD 30 minutes + respond when there was a marked unit outside the entrance to terminal E - so I kindly reply "or what?"

Well that went over well and then they started demanding my phone number (I'm sure to add me some watch list or something). The OIC of the TSA guys was being helpful and let me know that he was trying to get a hold of continental to reschedule my flight. I tell him thanks but I think I can make it.

Anyway - at the last possible second HPD shows up, tells me he's sorry that I had to deal with all this and sends me on his way - after exchanging the usual professional greetings and so on. I make it to my gate with about 2 minutes to finish the beer I grabbed on the way - at a brisk walk at that.

My GF found this whole episode hilarious. Especially since as she put it "I ruin people's days for a living." HPD guy took the rounds. For the most part the TSA guys did a good job at being professional and working with me in a sticky situation. They followed their SOP's despite my best efforts, so I have no complaints.


But this is definitely a blooper I will not repeat.

[chabouk]

Do you think this would have been handled the same way without credentials and the "usual professional greetings"?

[gigag04]

Depends...since by law I am allowed to have such things in that area, there isn't any charges to file. On a non-leo person, the ofc may deside to use discretion on something like that. Or he may take a report and they can get a warrant if they detectives/CA decide to prosecute it.

On site arrest would be unlikely but possible.

[OldSchool]

A similar story:

Consider a father on his way to a TDY location. Family are there to see the father off on his flight. As they go through the checkpoint (pre-9/11), the bells go off and security find a rifle cartridge in the pocket of the older boy (purloined from the father's cartridge case).

The extent of the action taken by security was only the confiscation of the cartridge (although I suspect long laughter, well after the perpetrators had passed through).

I believe that the father's face (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) was red all during the flight....

[kalipsocs]

I am tired so no long story, but I remember taking a friend to see both of our long distance GFs in CO. We talked guns the whole way and he mentioned shooting shotguns earlier that day before we met up to get on the plane. 2 days later, we are all 4 walking to the grocery store and he reaches in the same jacket he wore the entire time through security and the flight and comes out with a loaded 12 gauge shell. Now how the HECK did he get through security with that! This is post 9/11 as well. We were all shocked and worried by what could have happened, and he cut it open and tossed it in a trash can while we were walking. Food for thought though...

[chuckybrown]

Several years ago I landed in London, and began unpacking my things in my hotel room. There in a side compartment of my duffel bag were two fully loaded clips of Speer Gold Dot .45 ammo. Made it through baggage screening, and there I was with two loaded clips for my Para P12. It was a tough thing to do, but I ditched the ammo and clips so as not to have problems on the return flight.

[yerasimos]

Personally, I would never dream of scheduling a flight so close to hot-range activity, though I know some individuals have to do so by apparent necessity. As the OP's account details, it is all too easy for something to go wrong, and if you do not have some sort of official status (like being a sworn LEO, or a congresscritter---a CHL does not count), then trouble will accummulate quickly.

In times past I have typically worn a completely different change of clothes for flying, one that was not worn at the range, so as to minimize the chances of any stray cartridges or other gun paraphernalia being left behind in a pocket, or burnt powder residue (possibly?) setting off the puffing sensor machines (not sure what exactly to call those). Easy in and out, come and go. Take some time and use a little forethought to make TSA's job as easy as possible, and you just "get on down the road," to paraphrase Rick Perry.

[sjfcontrol]

Anybody ever gotten any grief for going thru security with one or more empty shell casings? I've often wondered if finding one in a bag would set off alarms.

[The Annoyed Man]

Anybody ever gotten any grief for going thru security with one or more empty shell casings? I've often wondered if finding one in a bag would set off alarms.

It might not get you cuffed, but it would certainly get you thrown out of kindergarten.

[McKnife]

I drove straight from the Front Sight range in Nevada to the airport for a flight back to Houston and boarded the plane in about 30 mins. People were looking at me funny because I looked very 'tactical' and had my name duct taped all over my shirt and hat. (To ID people on the range)

I had to pay $15 extra because my checked baggage weighed 80lbs. and had so much leftover ammo. I had about 12 boxes of blazer brass in .45 and 10 boxes of American Eagle in 9mm, plus 5 days worth of clothes, several guns, gear, mags, snacks, etc... WAYY over the allowed amount of 11lbs of ammo limit.

It was a good time. I will admit, I double-checked everything in the bathroom before going through security.

[McKnife]

.

[jimlongley]

Well, I locked the shotgun and wrapped the shells in brown paper bags and placed everything in a locked padded rifle case ready for check-in. - After checking the case, a nosey TSA agent saw me and DEMANDED a thorough inspection of my case and equipment. Soooooooo... I unlocked the case and he searched everything except the actual shotgun...

You were in violation of the very specific rule requiring the ammo to be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The TSA agent was right, not nosey, and doing his job, and you were in the wrong and just lucky to get away with it.

Come on to my presentation Saturday in Mesquite and I can explain it in detail.

[sjfcontrol]

You were in violation of the very specific rule requiring the ammo to be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The TSA agent was right, not nosey, and doing his job, and you were in the wrong and just lucky to get away with it.

Come on to my presentation Saturday in Mesquite and I can explain it in detail.

Presentation? What presentation?

[chabouk]

You were in violation of the very specific rule requiring the ammo to be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The TSA agent was right, not nosey, and doing his job, and you were in the wrong and just lucky to get away with it.

Isn't that an FAA regulation that is up to the airlines to enforce, not TSA?

I recall that you were a TSA agent. Is TSA charged with enforcing FAA regs, or just security issues?

[jimlongley]

You were in violation of the very specific rule requiring the ammo to be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The TSA agent was right, not nosey, and doing his job, and you were in the wrong and just lucky to get away with it.

Isn't that an FAA regulation that is up to the airlines to enforce, not TSA?

I recall that you were a TSA agent. Is TSA charged with enforcing FAA regs, or just security issues?

The ammunition in containers designed to hold ammunition regulation is a TSA regulation, although it might also be an FAA regulation also. "Loose" ammunition, defined as that not contained in a proper container, is a fire hazard and is not to be allowed in the hold of an aircraft, at least according to TSA.

In a seperate thread we had several people tell some "I had my Stupid on" tales and I am sure many more could be added, including my friend Mike who had a .22LR round in his back pocket and stuffed a pair of pliers on top of it, resulting in a muted pop and his britches lighting on fire.

The problem, as TSA sees it, is that loose ammo, which is defined as ammo not contained in a suitable container, could be inadvertantly discharged by the primer coming in contact with something hard enough. TSA, despite being a (insert unsubtle invective) Federal Agency. actually knows that a round not contained in a firearm chamber is not likely to go very far very fast or with a great deal of force, but it can and will start a fire, not desireable in the hold of an aircraft.

During TSA's early days there were almost daily problems with people carrying ammo in bandoliers (eventually declared not a suitable container) and clips (really!) and magazines. Clips and magazines were eventually declared to be OK within certain parameters.

Anyway, before I present all of my good stuff here:

You were in violation of the very specific rule requiring the ammo to be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The TSA agent was right, not nosey, and doing his job, and you were in the wrong and just lucky to get away with it.

Come on to my presentation Saturday in Mesquite and I can explain it in detail.

Presentation? What presentation?

I have the honor of presenting "Flying with Guns" at the TSRA meeting in Mesquite on Saturday at 1:30pm. I was a TSA agent for three plus years and also traveled quite a bit with guns.

I will reveal the arcane and occult secret inner workings of the . . . Wait, that's the wrong presentation, never mind.