Flying with Firearms

[Mad Professor]

I just flew with eight guns and 100 magazines a week ago. I used two Storm/Pelican cases.
OKC is not a big issue. Airports and Airlines vary though. And the rules of a particular airline may be more strict than TSA.

American requires the ammo to be in original cases. I took reloaded ammo and placed it in original boxes from other ammo. Some are fine with it secured in a magazine

There is a limit of 10# of ammo. I’ve heard both per bag and per passenger. AA did tell me per passenger. I had to ship 30# to my hotel. I flew there with about 5# and brought back about 8#.
Shipping ammo is another story. I shipped FedEx on my account. You have to declare ammo and they have to pick it up. You can’t drop it off. I figured a way around that but it was difficult.

OKC AA checked my bag, inspected the firearms.
(Flagging them with weedeater string makes them very happy!) I signed the declarations, one in each bag and locked it up. It gets red tag to go to the bag service office at the destination. It cannot be marked it’s contains a firearm, but that is what it is mostly used for. They placed it on the conveyer with everything else and off it went.

If TSA wanted to check inside they would have called me back.

I had to sign for them on arrival in the BSO.

Coming back I declared firearms (Boise ID) and they tagged my bags and we filled out two the forms. I was then instructed to go to a TSA area where they hand checked everything and opened and swabbed every box, bag, magpouch, magazine etc. My range bag must have 25 zippered compartments. The swab is scanned and everything was secured and off it went.
OKC was 10 minutes, Boise was 30. My previous experience in Denver was just like posted earlier. I was escorted to the X-ray area with three other and had to wait until my bag was processed. About 30 minutes there too.

When I replied to “how many firearms do you have?”, 8 raised eyebrows, but no problems.

When I picked it up at OKC, the lady in the BSO moved one of my bags and said “you gun is way heavier than mine”

Look carefully at your airlines bag and weight limits. I was limited to 50# per bag. I was 49.5 and 46 coming back. 51# would have been an extra $100. 61# would have been an extra $200.
First class would have allowed me to go to 70# without a surcharge.

I also used a carryon bag and then check it at the gate. It avoids an extra bag charge. They usually try to get people to do it. I offer mine up as I’ll be waiting for bags anyhow.

 

[dennishoddy]

Never had an issue with OKC. They sniff around the edges with a wand the last time I left from there a couple of years ago.
As said, Denver is the worst. We missed a connection because of the rule that the case containing the firearm had to go through a special xray in an area across the airport.

 

[JEVapa]

Good day all

I’m not sure if this is the correct forum if not my apologies. I’m going to be flying to georgia this summer for about 8 days and I want to bring some handguns so I can carry. I bought a hard sided case with pull apart foam. I’m flying southwest and according to the TSA and southwest website I can carry ammunition in the same case as the firearm as long as it’s packaged. I plan on just buying a box of 50 rounds and throwing it in there. Will that be allowed and do airlines care if you pack multiple handguns in the same case? I couldn’t find anything online. I’m planning on bringing my Glock 43 my wife’s Glock 43 and a Glock 42. I want to put the three guns my unloaded mags and a box of ammunition in the same case. This should work right? Thanks all!

I fly with guns all the time. They have to be in a locked hardside box with a NON-TSA lock. You carry the only key(s) to that case. When you go to check in, you'll declare it to the agent, they will ask you to unlock the case, and give you a slip that you sign declaring it is unloaded, then you will put said slip (card) into the case with the gun and lock it back up and KEEP THE KEY(S).
You can put chamber flags in them...I do cause it makes it easier. They can also ID chamber flags...at least at Will Rogers.

I highly recommend you get two good locks (like series 5200) and a good case (like Pelican or Storm). People have been caught prying open guns cases because there is only one lock on the case. I also don't recommend small cases. They get stolen real easy. Go with a larger (1500 series or bigger) case because sh*tbirds can't stuff one of those in their pants like they can with the little cases.

edit-I just saw your pic of your case. That looks GTG.

Depending on the airline, you can also carry a certain amount of ammo in retail packaging - no loose ammo, no ammo in magazines. Retail packaging only. For AA, it's 11 lbs. Check with your airlines.

 

[Southernman_67]

My brother-in-law had an issue with TSA they told him he had to have a lock on each side of the case because it could be opened at the corner. Might be safe and use two locks

I had a similar issue flying out of George Bush in Houston. I was using a case I had flown with numerous times, including the trip down there. The case only had a place for one lock in the center. The ticket agent pried up on a corner and got his hand in there. He said it was up to me, but that he knew TSA at that airport would reject it. He sold me a Pelican case and two Master locks that the airline just happened to keep in stock. Of course, the set up was about 50 bucks more than I would have paid at a store, but oh well. It was cheaper than re-scheduling my flight, taking a cab somewhere to buy one and all the other hassle.

 

[AKguy1985]

All of that sounds fine. Just make sure the case is locked and placed inside your checked luggage, request a firearms declaration form at the ticket counter when you check the bag(s), fill it out and place it on top of the locked case inside your luggage.

I'd recommend waiting 10 minutes in the ticket counter lobby, just in case TSA has to open your bag to inspect something. If so they'll have you come to the counter and provide your key, but only if absolutely necessary. You should be present when they inspect the case (again, if necessary).

This guy knows his stuff.

 

[TheDoubleD]

On my last flight-last month I flew from, MSP to PHL and return. I declared firearm and ammunition at the ticket counter. In MSP Delta had me fill out a declaration tag and put it in the Gun case. My regular suitcase was tagged and put on the belt behind the counter. Then the ticket agent walked me over to the oversize baggage check area and I presented my bag for inspection. TSA was at this site. They ran the bag through the xray and I was sent on my way.

In PHL the same routine, except the oversize bag check was with at the end of the ticket counter. Also AA called a supervisor to the ticket counter to verify that I had completed the declaration and placed in the gun case and locked it.

In both locations I had to go to the oversize bag counter to claim my bag. I had to present both my bag claim stub and an ID to claim my bag. In PHL the two guys ahead of me only had present their bag claim stub to pick up their golf clubs.

All agents were polite and professional and seemed concerned with security.

Then they both charged me $70 for oversized bag. $140 round trip.

 

[HiredHand]

Hilton Yam just dropped a video about this topic and makes some interesting points worth thinking about when traveling with a firearm(s).

 

[hipv125]

So I can just check the gun case by itself right? Mines pretty beefy and won’t fit in my checked bag.

 

[JEVapa]

So I can just check the gun case by itself right? Mines pretty beefy and won’t fit in my checked bag.

Yes, it has to be as it's own piece of luggage; it can't be stuffed in another piece of luggage. With the locks and the signed declaration.

 

[Spitfire]

Just don't try to carry on a live .223 round stuck in a side pocket that you missed when packing said carry on bag. Raises all kinds of alarms. Don't ask me how I know.