Flying with a gun.... I'm concerned.

[WW]

I always break mine apart and put it in a soft gun case in between layers of clothes. I buy a 3 ft x 2ft plastic container from Walmart and it's usually good for about 2 trips. Holds around 90 lbs per trip so I cant complain.

[Rapscallion Vermilion]

The question of using TSA locks bears some looking in to.  My understanding of the law is that they should not be used for gun cases.
As stated in the TSA regs (49 CFR 1540.111), only the passenger is supposed to have the key or combination.  The TSA locks violate that.

Not true. A buddy of mine just inquired about this and this is the exact response "verbatim" from the TSA:

"Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center regarding travel with firearms using TSA-recognized locks.

On flights that originate in the United States, passengers may transport a firearm in accordance with 49 CFR §1540.111 under the following conditions:

The firearm must be:
• Unloaded;
• Declared to the airline;
• In checked baggage, not carry-on;
• In a locked, hard-sided container.

Travelers may use any kind or type of lock for securing firearm cases, including
TSA-recognized locks. However, TSA does not recommend or endorse any specific brand or type of lock to use on firearm containers.

For clarification, as defined by 49 CFR §1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Please be sure that all firearms are unloaded and properly packaged, prior to arriving at the airport.

We encourage passengers to familiarize themselves with TSA Travel Tips at www.tsa.gov\travel\travel-tips. The Web site has information about prohibited and permitted items, the screening process and procedures, and guidance for special considerations that may assist them in preparing for air travel. Passengers may also search the Web site's database of prohibited and permitted items using the "When I fly can I bring my... feature on the homepage of www.tsa.gov.


We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center"

Another thing I would do is print out all info concerning flying with firearms and ammo and place a copy in the case with the weapon, and have a copy on myself. This will help with the incidents where individual airline agents want to create their own rules on how and what they want packed, as well as any TSA agent and their "interpretation" of the law.

It's certainly true that TSA will let you fly with TSA locks on your gun case.  However, it is also well known now that all eight of the TSA master keys have been hacked and you can buy them online or print them out on your 3D printer.  I think the regulation I cited is pretty clear with regard to the passenger being the only person with a key to the locks, but I have no problem with others arriving at their own interpretation.

[joey46]

Nice post "Andy S".  Whenever this comes up on this forum or almost all others my first recommendation is to go to the airlines web site and bring up the  CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE read that then read their specific instructions for flying with a firearm. The info will be there and will answer all your questions.  Not a big deal and on airlines such as Southwest a simple process that is outlined step by step in their printed instructions..  Agree that it is always best to have a direct flight for any checked luggage firearm or not.  No reason to make this a hard thing.  It isn't.   

[goatman]

Also in the USA you can mail it to yourself with USPS. Send it to whoever (friend,outfitter, or relative) and at the bottom Att: Your name. They are not allowed to ask what is inside. I also will second the tip about if going to Canada do not go through Toronto. Border crossing there will 100% make sure you miss your flight and USA agents coming back will hassle you. One friend with me was pulled in and was told to prove ownership. I went through coming back easy. They had several firearms they were holding back. The other friend didn't get his guns or his luggage till 2 days after he was home. Delivered by the airport to his home. Was told to sign for them. He told the driver wasn't signing till inspected. He said he didn't care what they looked liked and drove off without signature.

[willy9889]

 Flew Delta out of Detroit Metro to Tampa in mid March to go tag my first Osceola. I'm Canadian and had to drive an hour and a half to get to the border then clear customs. Went pretty smoothly until I had three loose shells in the gun case beside the shotgun. TSA took exception to that.....not sure what the reason. 10 more shells in a little cardboard box as well and that was ok. Agreed to let them seize the 3 shells and it was all good. Just make sure any shells you take are in the original factory packaging. Wouldn't hesitate to fly with a firearm again and I will admit I was a little uncomfortable with the process until it was over with.

Willy

[joey46]

The longer this thread goes the more mis-information and confusion that is posted.  Typical for a flying with firearms thread on any forum. Two posters on here, if caught and convicted, won't again need to worry about flying with a firearm, they'll have a felony conviction so their gun days will be over.  Again - read the CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE and the specific line by line instructions for flying with a firearm that your chosen airlines will have on their web site.  If you want to spend (waste) some money then try the shipping to yourself or shipping to a third party outfitter.  Will probably work but no reason to do it.  I always fly S/W Air and my standard size hard sided and locked (two non TSA locks) gun case containing my 870 is one of my two FREE checked bags.  All my hunting gear and clothes will fit into my second FREE checked bag.  Couldn't be easier unless you get in a big hurry and forget a step such as having three loose shells banging around inside a gun case or suitcase where the primers could be impacted in transit.

BTW- that "ammo must be in original packaging" is usually false on most air carriers.  Ammunition must be in a container suitable for transporting ammunition is normally how it will read.  That can be carrier specific as will the amount allowed. 

 

[dejake]

Au Contraire.  The problem isn't with the airlines, it's with TSA.  I was flying out of Philadelphia to St. Louis, used a non TSA lock.  TSA called SW to tell me they needed the key.  I politely said I would go back and unlock the case.  TSA lady came out, who probably didn't know one end from the other.  She said she needed the key, I explained that I was the only one to have the key.  She promptly said;"fine, I'll bring your case out, and it won't be loaded on the plane."  I chose not to ask for any trouble, and gave her the key.  Arrived, and the TSA inspection card was inside the case.  Flying back, I chose not to be hasseled, and used TSA locks.  They never opened it, go figure.

[g8rvet]

  She promptly said;"fine, I'll bring your case out, and it won't be loaded on the plane."  I chose not to ask for any trouble, and gave her the key. 

A small person with a little bit of power.  Some of them are decent, but most are a holes. 

[Ihuntoldschool]

I would just drive.  Why take a chance with a gun with so much sentimental value?

[LI Outdoorsman]

I fly with guns every year and out of probably one of the toughest airports which is JFK in NY. Never had anyone ever ask for a "TSA" lock..They might write down the make,model,serial number and caliber depends on who shows up to check your gun. Never had them ask if ammo was in "original" packaging just make sure its NOT in the case with the gun or it will be promptly confiscated.The ammo must be in your checked luggage. They will ask you to open the case so they can inspect the gun to make sure that the action is open and isnt loaded..No loaded mags!..Once the gun is deemed safe they will give you a little tag which you sign and put in the case with the gun then you will lock the case in front of them..again any lock is ok,,and will escort you over to a conveyer belt that will xray scan it and send it off with the rest of your luggage. Of course this takes time so give yourself plenty and I mean plenty of extra time for check in , security, etc. A trick i found out about this year is you can ask for a priority check in when you have guns instead of waiting on a long line. Of course I've also found that a positive friendly attitude goes along way to speeding this process along.
I also would NOT  go by what the airlines has on their website regarding firearm travel as I have found this information to sometimes be inaccurate as airlines constantly change policies but not always update the site.
As far as shipping your gun ahead of time you certainly can do that but it will cost you twice as much as taking it on the plane, shipping,transfer charge,insurance, etc..and as someone in the business I've seen more guns get destroyed or go missing having them shipped via UPS or USPS than flying..

[dejake]

Ammunition CAN be in the case.

[LI Outdoorsman]

I once went by what the airlines had on their website about ammo being in the case and even went so far as to print it out and take it with me..Once they saw that ammo in the case they took it...All my Federal turkey loads for my trip went bye bye..I've never traveled with ammo in the case again even though it was plainly stated in the policy it was ok to do so..why take a chance??

[mtns2hunt]

As stated check the regs, TSA and airline. This topic is really getting old and time to put to rest.

[FL-Boss]

TSA is just like any government entity... inconsistent.   Yes, certain airports /airlines can be more difficult and I imagine NYC and Chicago being the worse.  I always travel with 2 boxes of Federal HW in my gun case.. never had an issue.
I have never used TSA locks. MY gun case has 2 locks built in.. plus I add another 2 of my own keyed master locks.
Just leave yourself extra time and all is good! 

[joey46]

Ammunition CAN be in the case.

Yes it can.  "LI Outdoorsman" you got hosed.  Someone, either the airlines or the TSA, owes you for that ammo.  These printed rules aren't "suggestions" and unless TSA considered that ammo improperly packaged (probably be their excuse) had no reason to seize it.  To many just let things slide.  I'd still be screaming.
Agree we are beating the dead horse on this topic and by now anyone that has never flown with their turkey gun is probably reluctant to do so.  Too bad - it is a simple, straightforward process.
I will be flying SWA this fall from RSW (Ft. Myers) or TPA (Tampa) to CMH for Ohio's fall turkey or deer  seasons.  My 870 will be packed in an approved case secured with two non TSA locks.  Ten rounds of turkey loads will be firmly packed in the case in a container designed to carry ammo.  I'll make sure the regs haven't changed before departure.  If they have not I'll bet I have no trouble and my 870 and ammo will arrive without a problem.
BTW - would you want your ammo in its soft cardboard "original packaging" riding in the belly of an aircraft contained in your checked soft bag squished among two hundred other bags or firmly secured in your hard gun case?  Easy answer.  I'm done.