Have gun will travel.. in the air

[Frost49]

Taking my first flight with a gun in June. I have read TSA webpage, I have read frontier airlines webpage. Going to CO. Let me see if I understand everything correctly.
1. Must be in a hard sided lockable container. I have that already.
2. Must have TSA approved locks. I have ordered 3 combination locks.
3. Ammo must be in original cardboard ammo box OR if in a magazine either in a mag pouch that snaps shut or if the mags are loose in the container must be taped over the ends.
4. Must declare at check in that I have a firearm to check.
5. Only transported in checked baggage.

Is there a form I need to fill out before I go? I can't seem to locate one on either the TSA or Frontier's sites. Am I missing anything? I want this to be as trouble free as possible.

Thanks for any help or advice.
I plan on screaming I HAVE A GUN when I enter the airport to make sure everyone knows it safe.

 

[SEIndSAM]

The airline will furnish the form when you declare the gun at baggage check. Also, you have to go inside, you can't do this curbside.

 

[SSGSAD]

The airline will furnish the form when you declare the gun at baggage check. Also, you have to go inside, you can't do this curbside.

I traveled, in 2004, with a handgun .....

I don't remember any form .....

Maybe I forgot, or is this something new ?????

 

[Frost49]

The airline will furnish the form when you declare the gun at baggage check. Also, you have to go inside, you can't do this curbside.

What info is on the form? Just name address and all that? OR do they need details on the gun? Make, model, mileage, last oil change?

 

[JdsBiff]

Do not use TSA locks on the gun case, they can be any kind of lock and only you should have a key to it, I use small master locks. Use TSA locks on the suit case it will be in but not on the gun case itself. If they want it opened do not surrender your key unless the case is opened in front of you to insure that nothing is tampered with.

 

[SEIndSAM]

What info is on the form? Just name address and all that? OR do they need details on the gun? Make, model, mileage, last oil change?

They give you a card and it lists fight number, the date, your name, address and phone number. On the back side you sign it, it swears that the gun is unloaded, blah, blah blah. They then tape the completed card to the outside of the handgun case.

At Indianapolis, they give you a 2nd piece of paper that you have to give to the TSA Supervisor after going through the metal detectors. They call down to baggage to make sure everything is cool...

Indianapolis is the only place I have had to do the 2nd paper for TSA.....Never had to do it anyplace else.

 

[Flyguyxii]

I just recently flew with my firearms down to Texas using southwest. I flew out of Indy with no issues however plan on extra time in case they do want to open your gun case. They gave me the extra piece of paper to hand and tell you to ask for a TSA supervisor. I tried that and was told I didn't need to give it to him. This comes into play later. My case of course was scanned and they of course found gun powder residue on it. I barely got through security and was called. They asked for my keys which I told the first TSA agent I would not give it to him per regulations which he of course said there was no such thing. I pulled my phone out and went directly to the TSA website to prove my point he said no key no fly. I then asked to be escorted to my case so I could open it for them and was told he could not do that as it was an insecure side of the airport. The agent that ended up coming to get my key ended up being pretty cool and assured me that I wasn't breaking any laws if I gave home my key to open the case. He also said that if I wanted to be escorted to my case I would have to go back through security and that if I wanted that originally that I should have requested that when I checked in. This is where the sheet of paper comes into play that they give you when you check inthat you are supposed to ask for a TSA supervisor. They had my keys for all of five minutes and he said there was no problems and was good to go. He complimented me on my setup and we talked guns for a few minutes and off I went. This was the first time I had flown with a firearm and I learned a few things along the way. I intend to fly with one again here in a few weeks when I go to Texas again but this time I'll be ready.

 

[brotherbill3]

Wife just flew to and from Florida - took her EDC with her.

Small hard case from Gander, and 2 regular master locks (only 1 is required by we put 2 on since case has 2 spots)
Gun was emptied,
mags emptied (this is airline specific, TSA regs are OK w/ mags loaded - airline was not)
ammo in a factory box (or a small ammo box is OK too) - ammo must be in a locked box as well.
other stuff that you don't want TSA paws on - can go in the locked box.
mags, ammo box, gun (locked open) with a large yellow zip tie in as a chamber flag only (not required but done to show empty chamber), a small folder knife
all went in the locked box - secured with the standard master locks (as noted above posts these are NOT "TSA" locks)

This box went in the top of the checked Suitcase - the suitcase got TSA locks so if they opened IT they wouldn't cut these locks.
Suitcase goes in checked baggage and CANNOT be checked at curb (though they did weigh it for her).

Took copy of printed TSA (and airline) rules in carry on.
She got a paper at IND at check in to take to a TSA window; and asked about how long she was there.
- after stating time - OK 'd- cleared and ready to go.
On return trip - (smaller airport) this did not happen
- BUT at return airport she had to open the case (at the check-in station) per their request to let them verify gun was empty etc. (visual inspection only)

No question and no issue - ... well at Indy the guy seemed a bit surprised that a woman was declaring a gun
... she wasn't as lucky with liquids on the return trip - and lost a bottle of suntan lotion she forgot about in the carry-on.

We had a lot of questions (had a very long Q-n-A thread on FB with a few friends that answered) as this was less than a week after the Ft. Lauderdale incident
... I have to go back and find the links ... it was remarkably easy (as it should be)

and it makes it even more evident that people must fly by the hundreds or even thousands every day across the country for the last 30 yrs
and we've had 1 incident and "some people" want to make it impossible. (geez /rant)

 

[Frost49]

Thanks for the replies. I think it's a good idea to have the TSA and Frontier guidelines printed out like Brotherbill said. That way I have them in front of me if an issue comes up. Frontier's policy on ammo is it can be in the mags, but the mags must be secured with tape on the end or in a pouch that closes. I have a double mag belt pouch I'll be using. I'll put the gun locked open, the 2 mags in the pouch and my knife I want to take with me in there as well.

 

[Alamo]

I just recently flew with my firearms down to Texas using southwest. I flew out of Indy with no issues however plan on extra time in case they do want to open your gun case. They gave me the extra piece of paper to hand and tell you to ask for a TSA supervisor. ... They had my keys for all of five minutes and he said there was no problems and was good to go. ...

...
At Indianapolis, they give you a 2nd piece of paper that you have to give to the TSA Supervisor after going through the metal detectors. They call down to baggage to make sure everything is cool...

Indianapolis is the only place I have had to do the 2nd paper for TSA.....Never had to do it anyplace else.

This has been my experience every time I have flown from Indy. Whenever I waved that piece of paper at the TSA guys at the check point, they sent me over to a booth just inside the secure area where the person (supervisor?) manning the booth asked me to wait a few minutes, and then in most cases sent me on. Occasionally they would ask for the key. And yes Indy is the only place I have seen this arrangement.

I noticed that years ago the TSA dropped language about customer retaining the key from their website. Last I looked, it was still in the federal code, BUT! leading off the same section there was also a statement to the effect that nothing that followed was meant to interfere with the TSA inspection procedures.

Do not use TSA locks on the gun case, they can be any kind of lock and only you should have a key to it, I use small master locks. Use TSA locks on the suit case it will be in but not on the gun case itself. If they want it opened do not surrender your key unless the case is opened in front of you to insure that nothing is tampered with.

I have an email fromt he TSA Security Center (think that's what it is called) that says TSA locks are fine on a gun case as far as they are concerned. As noted just above, they seem to have an out for this written in the federal code.

 

[hpclayto]

I put whatever gun I'm taking in a glock case, wrap a cable lock around the handle, toss it and a box of ammo in my suitcase and call it a day. Never had an issue.