OK - I need some advice.
I've taken...about a billion hours of firearms training, MAG-40, Defensive Pistol I and II, Defensive Carbine I and II, Defensive Shotgun, Low light Pistol, etc, etc. I'm going to be in PHX in May for corporate training (YAWN) and afterwards am driving up to Pahrump, NV where I have a Lifetime Membership for Front Sight (thanks Pain Killer) and am taking their 4-day Defensive Handgun course.
I'm going to fly to PHX for training and then drive to NV. I'll ship my ammo to my hotel in AZ. Fly with my handgun(s). I know how to fly...I'm United 1K and GLobal Entry. I need to fly out of O'Hare...around here my only choices are originate in ORD or fly through ORD.
So my question...I've never flow with firearms. I've read the ATF site on what to do. I've checked United's site about what to do. I'm planning to arrive VERY early, print out copies of the ATF and United pages on what to do (to educate those extraordinarly sharp TSA agents). I'm going to call them 2 weeks ahead to check. I won't let them unlock the cases without being present. I've got a Pelican case for the handguns with like-keyed padlocks, I'll check the ammo in my checked baggage.
Any other advice? While I would be amused by clever comments like "don't go through Chicago", that's not an option.
ship your firearm to yourself? and pickup the ammo in AZ locally? I figured with the hazmat fee involved on the ammo you're probably better using it to ship the firearm to yourself at the destination.
When you check in at the counter, tell them you'd like to declare an unloaded firearm. They'll ask you to open the case. You'll sign a form that will go in the case with the gun. Make sure they put it in the pelican case with the gun. They'll have someone walk with you to the TSA screening area to drop off the gun. You may or may not be able to see them open the case. Make sure you use TSA compliant locks on your case and lock both sides.
It's not too bad. Just make sure you know the process as the United agents may not have a lot of experience with this sort of thing.
Phil, the advice to use TSA approved locks flies in the face of every other reading I've done on this. The keys to the lock(s) should remain on your person. If TSA needs to open the case, they'll bring you to the secure area to open it. http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/11/how-to-fly-with-your-firearm/
Quote from: ItsanSKS on April 26, 2015, 11:51:39 PM
Phil, the advice to use TSA approved locks flies in the face of every other reading I've done on this. The keys to the lock(s) should remain on your person. If TSA needs to open the case, they'll bring you to the secure area to open it. http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/11/how-to-fly-with-your-firearm/
Unfortunately, if TSA wants in your case, they're getting in with or without the keys, whether you're there or not. I use TSA-compliant combination locks. It makes things a lot easier.
I have heard horror stories of people trying to do just this originating at ORD, because not too long ago it was illegal just to possess it within the city limits - so having gotten it TO the airport by any means other than flying in means you broke the law. I've heard that's changed recently though, but I don't know how much I'd trust free advice on that.
Fly through ORD from a less hinky place if you want to check it in your luggage - then follow this procedure.
Quote from: ThePoet on April 26, 2015, 11:11:25 PM
When you check in at the counter, tell them you'd like to declare an unloaded firearm. They'll ask you to open the case. You'll sign a form that will go in the case with the gun. Make sure they put it in the pelican case with the gun. They'll have someone walk with you to the TSA screening area to drop off the gun. You may or may not be able to see them open the case. Make sure you use TSA compliant locks on your case and lock both sides.
It's not too bad. Just make sure you know the process as the United agents may not have a lot of experience with this sort of thing.
Quote from: ThePoet on April 27, 2015, 12:18:11 AM
Quote from: ItsanSKS on April 26, 2015, 11:51:39 PM
Phil, the advice to use TSA approved locks flies in the face of every other reading I've done on this. The keys to the lock(s) should remain on your person. If TSA needs to open the case, they'll bring you to the secure area to open it. http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/12/11/how-to-fly-with-your-firearm/
Unfortunately, if TSA wants in your case, they're getting in with or without the keys, whether you're there or not. I use TSA-compliant combination locks. It makes things a lot easier.
This seems to be the biggest point of contention...do I use a locked/keyed alike set of padlocks and keep them in my possession, or do I use the TSA approved combo locks? I've seen both pieces of advice. The biggest point I've learned is YOU SHOULD NEVER LET YOUR KEYS OUT OF YOU POSSESSION. I've also seen many people say that the TSA just LOVES to cut open locks if they can't get in and they want to. The guy I trust most, so far, has flown with firearms to Africa and Eastern Europe...he says get the TSA approved/accessible locks.
Sigh...one reason I hadn't gotten TSA locks to date was because how cheap and flimsy they looked...just found these and ordered since they at least APPEAR beefy.
http://www.tamperseal.com/searchalert-extended-hasp-tsa-case-lock-p-187.html
I flew out of Nashville last year to Florida with two pistols. I was there VERY early.
My experience was painless. I simply told the clerk that I needed to declare a firearm. He wanted to look at them and recognized I had chamber flags and no magazines inserted. We filled out a form in duplicate, one copy went into the case.
I used Series 5200 locks on my case and the gate clerk said that was perfectly fine. Once the bag (with case inside) was accepted, the clerk called down to confirm the bag passed inspection. I waited there for confirmation and it took about 10 minutes.
No weird coding on my ticket, no shakedown from the TSA guys, just an uneventful trip. Nashville has a nice little USO, I would learn.
In Florida, my bag appeared with all the others on the baggage carousel. That was a little strange. #)
Quote from: SteelThunder on April 27, 2015, 09:42:50 AM
Sigh...one reason I hadn't gotten TSA locks to date was because how cheap and flimsy they looked...just found these and ordered since they at least APPEAR beefy.
http://www.tamperseal.com/searchalert-extended-hasp-tsa-case-lock-p-187.html
Hmmm, the ability to see if TSA has opened your luggage, I'm replacing all my locks as soon as the internet can get these to my house.
"I don't worry if I'm paranoid, I worry if I'm paranoid enough"
number6
edited typo/grammar
I've flown out of Detroit a few times with pistols in my luggage over the years the last time last fall. I use a flat hard case that holds two pistols but is not a Pelican case. I use keyed padlocks. Declare, inspect, lock up.
Only one time the TSA asked to see them, I was escorted to a room and opened the case to show them but I keep the key. I also cable lock the pistol case inside my luggage so it can't be removed. The luggage itself has TSA locks on them. My experience is that the airlines see a lot of guns and are pretty familiar with the routine.
Late to the comments-saw this today on boards--
Lucky you! I went to FS for the 4 day handgun course a few years back--I flew out of Milwaukee and into Las Vegas as it was the cheapest plane ticket.
TSA did not inspect my suitcase in front of me --- check in, declare, show my unloaded pistols at ticket counter, lock everything up, and off to the conveyor and away it went. No "steal this suitcase" label on the suitcase either thankfully.
I concur TSA will let themselves in your case at will even after the check in is completed, hence the installed TSA locks on the suitcase and the TSA combo locks in my handgun case in the suitcase.
On my return trip, there was a little note saying TSA opened and inspected the contents of my suitcase with the implication that I should contact them if anything was wrong.
Photos etc of contents and serial numbers would be prudent FWIW.
Safe travels!
Thanks everybody for the advice. Pelican case locked in a soft sided suitcase, pictures of the firearms and serial numbers both in the case and on my person. A smile and a friendly professional attitude toward the gate agent in TSA went along way to a very very smooth trip through Chicago to Phoenix.
I recall a RWVA instructor who inadvertently left an unloaded 1911 in a golf bag. IIRC there was no problem with TSA who did find the John Browning designed 45.
Personally having flown into Chicago's O Hare ( 1984-86-91? ) with a 357, was not a life altering experiance .
I vaguely recall telling the airline that the gun was for a competitive event and I did not have any delay .
Just saying :)