I have had zero issues flying with long arms domestically, but it has probably been 20 years since I flew with a handgun. I know the drill used to be advise the agent and get taken to the back to verify gun status, locked case and they would take it to fly in the pilots compartment, probably have to see TSA first nowdays. I will check with the airline in advance but I was wondering how well things work with a connecting flight? I would hate to get to Spokane and find my gun is still in Denver! Has anyone flown with a handgun lately and have any advice as to how troublesome it can be? Also, have there been problems transferring the weapon to the connecting flight? Thanks for any advice! Airline is Frontier all the way. Lee.

Have not flown for a few years, but I believe it still is the same- declare at counter, locked in container in checked bags, pick it off the carousel at the terminus of the voyage.

Has something changed?

My guns are usually delivered to the Baggage Claim desk and I am required to show ID and baggage receipts before the firearm is turned over to me. If the gun ends up un attended on a carousel I'm thinking its in error.

Lee, as long as you follow the rules outlined above there should be no issues. However, with ammo. be careful. It must be in a proper ammo box and not loose. My son had some ammo loose in a plastic bag and it was confiscated! Not surprising!
Peter.

Last time I flew with a handgun was from Nashville to Miami to pick up a BMW. I put the handgun and loaded clip (not in the gun) in the box it came in and locked it in my briefcase which I checked thru. Declared it at the desk on ticketing and picked up off the carousel in Miami. No problems at all. Waited till I had exited the terminal before reloading the gun. Long guns are handled differently ,I think strictly because of the larger case. I could have as easily put the pistol case in my suitcase except in this case I didn't have any as my toilet articles were in my briefcase as I was driving back to Nashville. Made the mistake once when stopped by police in my car because of a damaged windshield (dodged a deer and hit a marker and destroyed the windshield) and failed to declare my handgun. The officer had seen my concealed carry permit when I gave him my license and he asked me about it. I apologized and told him I was still a little shook from the collision (and I was). He had me get out of car and got in and took the Kahr from the center console and removed the clip and ejected the round in the chamber. He asked me if I had any more and I told him I had a 10mm behind the passenger seat and a 9mm in the trunk. He checked me out on radio and returned my Kahr,clip and single round and reminded me the chamber was empty. Directed me to where I could get the windshield replaced and made a call to them telling them to expect me. Most courteous in every respect. As long as you are polite and legal I have never had a problem. I think the secret is 'be polite'. You really have to appreciate the situation from the officers point of view.

The last time I traveled with a firearm on the airline I work for (Southwest), I checked the locked (with "TSA" locks) case at the check in counter and signed a card stating that it was unloaded. TSA came and picked it up. At my destination, I collected it at the Baggage Office. This process can vary from time to time, and airline to airline.

A little side story: some years ago (pre 9-11, thankfully!), one of the other A&Ps that I worked with at a different airline was commuting between his dad's place Anchorage to Phoenix with a cased HK 91. Somehow, the gun case got a "special handling" sticker stuck on it... which means it was brought up from the bag pit and given to him as he was leaving the aircraft (on the WRONG side of Security!!!).

My friend Jonny, not stopping to think things through, took the case and went out the jetway door (he had a valid airport badge), across the ramp, and into the shop we worked out of. Once in the shop, he laid the case on a workbench and went off to use the restroom.

Needless to say, the next person to happen by got curious, opened the case, and found an HK-91. If this were to happen now days, it would probably make the 10 o'clock news!

Porosonik.

I'm under the impression that TSA locks are NOT acceptable for cases containing firearms. I've done it in the past, but was chastised on this site for doing so and the last couple of times I've used Master locks, with no problem.

Point of clarification.

TSA locks are forbidden.

I flew from LaGuardia to Charleston, SC this past Thursday and had no problems whatsoever.

I would go so far as to call it a pleasant experience.

quote:

Originally posted by HPMaster:
Have not flown for a few years, but I believe it still is the same- declare at counter, locked in container in checked bags, pick it off the carousel at the terminus of the voyage.

Has something changed?

It is my understanding that all firearms must be in a airline approved hard case. "No TSA Locks" and Unloaded. If leaving the country you need a 4457 customs form. You must declare the firearm at the ticket counter and it will be taken to the TSA counter along with yourself. You give the keys to the TSA agent and they will open the case. After they are done the keys will be returned to you and the case will head for your plane.
Ammo should be in an appropriate container and in your checked bag and needs to be declared at ticket counter. There are weight restrictions on ammo, not counting the weight of the container. No gun parts can be in your carry on luggage. Scopes are now allowed. You can expect your firearm to be run through the TSA data base they claim it is to check for stolen weapons.
This is what I have learned on eight trips to Africa. Just my .02 cents worth.

First, print out the 'sporting equipment' or 'firearms' section of the airline's contract of carriage policy. Bring that with you to the airport.

Put your UNLOADED handgun in a lockable case or small cash box. Place that in box/case in your suitcase. Ammunition may or may not be allowed in the same case (depending upon the airline).

Declare the handgun to the ticket counter representative. Depending upon the airport and airline, the rep may ask you to show that the handgun is unloaded. You will fill out the orange declaration tag and place that inside the lockable case.

At this point, again depending upon the airport and airline, you will either lock the case (non-TSA locks) and place it in your lockable suitcase (TSA locks), or bring the luggage over to the TSA baggage check area, where they will ensure that you've filled out the declaration tag and placed it with the handgun. You will then lock it all up and turn it over to TSA (ask them to put the 'Checked by TSA' security tape across the bag.

George