Air travel with a pistol

[yellowstang]

I know I have to declare I am carrying a firearm (I will not have any ammo) and have it in a locked box inside my checked baggage from what I read.

First question, has anyone done this on American Airlines? Any issues?

Second question. What is a good lock box for a pistol?

My Dad is giving me his old 22 revolver, nothing super fancy. It's a Ruger Bearcat 22 revolver. I think he bought it in the late 50's or early 60's. I'll be flying back from Colorado with it.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Ive flown with a rifle before, in a locked hard case. I went through the security check, they asked me if I could slide the bolt out of the receiver rather than just have it open. Otherwise it was relocked, they put sealer tape on the case, and it went under the plane. That was several years ago, so they might have different procedures now.

[lowthreeohz]

Just print out the FAA/TSA instructions for declaring the weapon and keep the copy on you. many gate agents dont have a fucking clue what they're talking about and will lie to or unintentionally mislead you.

hard case, slide lock, no ammo, you'll be fine. when i flew with a handgun a few times they had a TSA agent meet me at the ticket counter (after declaring) then i showed them its secure and unloaded, then escorted me to the bag drop where i parted ways from the weapon/baggage. pretty simple, especially if you're lucky enough to get an agent with a clue.

[yellowstang]

Thanks, I'll go look for that printout now. Although I have plenty of time, not going till June 6th

[likeitfast55]

Just print out the FAA/TSA instructions for declaring the weapon and keep the copy on you. many gate agents dont have a fucking clue what they're talking about and will lie to or unintentionally mislead you.

hard case, slide lock, no ammo, you'll be fine. when i flew with a handgun a few times they had a TSA agent meet me at the ticket counter (after declaring) then i showed them its secure and unloaded, then escorted me to the bag drop where i parted ways from the weapon/baggage. pretty simple, especially if you're lucky enough to get an agent with a clue.

This, I do it all the time. Just go to the TSA site and look at the rules, easy. Printing a copy is a great idea to show the mentally challenged TSA agents you will run into.

[F8LSVT]

This, I do it all the time. Just go to the TSA site and look at the rules, easy. Printing a copy is a great idea to show the mentally challenged TSA agents you will run into.

While on this subject, this brought up a question I've wondered about for a long time
you might can answer Randy. In the wake of 9/11 there was all kinds of talk about allowing airline pilots with chl's to carry on board a flight. Did they ever do anything towards that end?

[71chevellejohn]

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items#6

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition

[LANTIRN]

Just wear it on the plane. It is all about how you carry yourself; just walk thru that metal detector and pat down like you own the place. Everything else after that will just fall into place.

[likeitfast55]

While on this subject, this brought up a question I've wondered about for a long time
you might can answer Randy. In the wake of 9/11 there was all kinds of talk about allowing airline pilots with chl's to carry on board a flight. Did they ever do anything towards that end?

If you are referring to this............

http://www.tsa.gov/about-tsa/federal-flight-deck-officers

Yes, plenty of us are FFDO's. Its funny how times change............in the not so distant past, we were required to be armed if we were transporting US Mail.

[svauto-erotic855]

I did this just a few weeks ago. Locking case, ammo must be if factory boxes and not in the mags, firearm must also not be loaded. The agent at the gate will send you to someone who will inspect the case who will then watch you lock it up if everything is in order. That agent will also make sure that the case gets onto the plane. No one but you is allowed to have the key or combo to the locks on the case. Some airlines have a weight limit as to how much ammo that you can carry. I just use a Pelican case and some Master set it yourself combo locks.

[GhostTX]

I did this just a few weeks ago. Locking case, ammo must be if factory boxes and not in the mags, firearm must also not be loaded. The agent at the gate will send you to someone who will inspect the case who will then watch you lock it up if everything is in order. That agent will also make sure that the case gets onto the plane. No one but you is allowed to have the key or combo to the locks on the case. Some airlines have a weight limit as to how much ammo that you can carry. I just use a Pelican case and some Master set it yourself combo locks.

All this. I've never been asked to keep the slide locked back, but have had a few ask me to show it's cleared.

And even if you have a hard sided locking case in your checked bag, and if you have it with just pad locks, you can't pry it open if the latches are undone. TSA at DFW is real anal about that (at least in my experience).


AA's ammo weight limit is 11lbs total...across all your checked bags.

[white88]

Mail it back to yourself.

[Chili]

Mail it back to yourself.

Why pay to ship it when he can take it for free on the plane?

[yellowstang]

I'll be checking it in at the airport in Denver, so I may get one of those wigs that looks like I have dreads, a knitted cap, not shave for a few days and I should be able to carry it on!

I won't even have any ammo for it, so it'll just be an empty revolver.

[F8LSVT]

If you are referring to this............

http://www.tsa.gov/about-tsa/federal-flight-deck-officers

Yes, plenty of us are FFDO's. Its funny how times change............in the not so distant past, we were required to be armed if we were transporting US Mail.

That's great, I'm glad they have something like that in place.