Going to Florida, TSA Aircraft case

[jontheturboguy]

First, need to know what I can and can't do while in the great state of Florida with my Indiana LTCH.

Second, I need a good recommendation of a TSA approved case for going down there, since I will be flying aboard an aircraft.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Panama]

I really have no idea about the can do's or can't do's, but I know Midway USA has some really inexpensive TSA/FAA approved pistol cases or you can spend as much as 100 bucks on a real nice one.

Going to Florida........................I think I hate you!
(not really) Have fun in the sun, wish it was me going!

 

[Bill of Rights]

Check out Center Of Mass Central or Cabela's -- Secure-It Handgun Storage Safe

I just picked up a second one of the latter item recently. FYI: The security cables that you get for laptop computers fit the slot on the side of this very well, too.

Edit: IIRC, you cannot OC, which in FL means your gun can't "print" through your clothing. If someone can look and tell you're armed, you can be busted. For more info: http://handgunlaw.us/documents/USOffLimitsA-M.pdf

Have a fun trip.... and yeah, I hate you, too.

Blessings,
B

 

[blainepoe]

I am flying with a firearm for the first time in a couple of weeks to Texas. I purchased this storm im2050 case from Industrial Safety Equipment: Hard Hats, Safety Glasses, Gloves and Signs for my px4-sc. It will hold the gun, extra mag, factory mag loader, and my pocket knife. This particular model is small (they make all sizes), and is probably overkill, but it locks really well and is well made (not to mention I really trust the bag "throwers" with my firearm ). It cost me just under $45 shipped, but I feel much better about taking the firearm with me and it not getting beat to hell. It does take a little creativity with the cubed foam too get everything nicely situated, but is a nice finished product .

Have a safe trip,
~Poe

 

[Hiram Abiff]

So what extra steps are needed??

How does one get a firearm through security?

 

[4sarge]

How does one get a firearm through security?

Wear a turban, carry a Koran and the TSA will wave you on through

Sorry, I couldn't resist. A**hole from TSA was on the news last night stating that the TSA has made the Security Screening Process an "Experience". So is a "Root Canal"

Video of the TSA in action wearing their new police uniforms complete with shiny badges. I think that this is the 3rd at taxpayer expense uniform change

 

[blainepoe]

How does one get a firearm through security?

Here are the general TSA guidelines for taking a firearm: TSA: Traveling with Special Items

You also have to check with your individual airline for specific requirements.

~Poe

 

[jontheturboguy]

How does one get a firearm through security?

It doesn't.

You have to call the airline first to "declare" your firearm, and then actually check it in when you get to the air port.

 

[shawkpilot]

Everytime I check a handgun at an airline, it is in the cheap plastic case that the gun was purchased in. I wrap a gunlock around the handle and stick it in my checked suitcase. Just tell the ticket agent that there is a firearm in the bag, she will give you a card to sign stating that it is unloaded. You put the card in the locked box with the gun, and away you go. Some places like Cincinnati, just send the bag back, others like Dallas, require that you send the key for the lock back to TSA so they can drool over your firearm, then send the key back. Either way, it's pretty painless. You can carry ammo too, as long as it is in the factory packaging, or a reload box. No loose ammo.

As for what you can do with the gun once you get it to FL, you'll have to ask someone else. I normally just take mine to the ranges while I'm out of town.

 

[Britton]

Two things I had an issue with while going from IND to ORD, make sure your ammunition is separate from the gun, and make sure you show up at least two hours early in Orlando. If not two hours early you will miss your flight due to the extra hassle of the gun, not a bad thing if you have the extra time to lay by the pool.

 

[hoosiertriangle]

I just got back from Florida on Monday and I took my pistol with me. Shawkpilot is pretty much spot on. Airline practices vary a great deal. I flew on Airtran and their policy is no ammo in the same piece of luggage as the locked pistol case. I just put the ammo deeper in the luggage and when they ask about ammo, I say there is none.

Some airlines want to you to open the locked pistol case to see that the pistol is unloaded, some just trust. Sometimes the little orange card you sign stating the pistol is unloaded goes in the locked pistol case, sometimes it goes on top of the locked pistol case. In Indy, they just send your bag through and tell you to wait after passing through security with your key in case TSA needs to inspect. I've never had to provide a key. In Orlando, a gate agent escorts you and your bag to the security screener and your bag goes to the head of the line to be screened so you can be on your merry way. Again, I've never had to produce a key.

I would be wary of sending my key to my locked firearm in back without me. I would offer to go and stand by, but I would not send the key alone. I would have to search the TSA guidelines, but I thought they used to state that you should never give your key to anyone and it should remain with you at all times.

Also, I'd print out a copy of your airlines policy on checked firearms. Checkin people aren't familiar with such things many times and you will need to educate them. If they give you any problems about checking your firearm, ask to speak to a superviser and be firm but polite.

Good luck and happy flying with your pistol!

 

[CarmelHP]

As part of the Brady Act, you should retain the key. TSA is made of imbeciles though and often will not know anything about the law they are supposed to be abiding by and/or enforcing.

 

[alfahornet]

Can anyone comment on how easy it is in Indianapolis to check a gun. I am mostly flying United to Reagen or Dulles in Northern Virginia (DC) From the above posts I figure plan in some extra time.

 

[clpdcpl]

All I do is declare it when I check in.

 

[Bill of Rights]

Ditto on you keeping the key and on planning extra time. I had a TSA in Indy insist that I had to give him the key/combination so they could drool over my pistol out of my presence "...or you can have the bag back!" Needless to say, that was not an option, and I'd taken a shuttle bus, so I couldn't just go lock the gun in the car, either. Many letters written to TSA to request that the agent be counselled went unanswered, and like I'm sure they intended, I finally got sick of screwing with it and dropped it. The next time I flew, though, I had a copy of the law, the airline policies, and the TSA's own website in my pocket.... and instead of any problems, I went straight through: sign the declaration card at the ticket counter, show them the unloaded pistol with empty mags (mags can only be loaded if the ammo is fully enclosed, i.e. feed lips covered) wait near the ticket counter for 10 min., if not called, go on to the gate. At my destination, the first thing I did was open my case at baggage claim (off in the corner, in private) and check that all was well. It was.

Blessings,
B

 

[alfahornet]

Thank you.

 

[-XL-]

Technically the frame is the part that is the legal firearm. Lock the Frame and the ammo in a box. I use the heavy sentry document firesafe inside a backpack.

Take the barrell, slide, springs, and magazine and lock them in another bag. That way the TSA has very little to F around with.

 

[colt45er]

Ditto on you keeping the key and on planning extra time. I had a TSA in Indy insist that I had to give him the key/combination so they could drool over my pistol out of my presence "...or you can have the bag back!" Needless to say, that was not an option, and I'd taken a shuttle bus, so I couldn't just go lock the gun in the car, either. Many letters written to TSA to request that the agent be counselled went unanswered, and like I'm sure they intended, I finally got sick of screwing with it and dropped it. The next time I flew, though, I had a copy of the law, the airline policies, and the TSA's own website in my pocket.... and instead of any problems, I went straight through: sign the declaration card at the ticket counter, show them the unloaded pistol with empty mags (mags can only be loaded if the ammo is fully enclosed, i.e. feed lips covered) wait near the ticket counter for 10 min., if not called, go on to the gate. At my destination, the first thing I did was open my case at baggage claim (off in the corner, in private) and check that all was well. It was.

Blessings,
B

Provided my destination is "carry Friendly" I go to the corner, inspect, load, and insert into holster.

I just picture someone seeing me check my unloaded gun and then robbing me.

 

[Feign]

In Indy:

We had to give our keys to a guy and he was back within five minutes.

I remarked before we handed him our keys that TSA guidelines specifically state that we are not to give the key to anyone at any time. He did not take that as fact and explained that we would have to go to some other area and do the checking there and that it seemed to be a big hassle. This was after explaining to the ticket counter lady that it was unloaded and after signing the orange "FIREARM IS UNLOADED" tag.

In Orlando:
Showed the ticket counter lady that it was unloaded (I did NOT like doing it there at the counter at all), put the tag in the box, signed the slip of paper, then watched as the bag was scanned in at the TSA mondo screener.

In short, Indianapolis = dickbags. I will be printing things out next time like BoR and demanding to be present at the opening.