Air Travel

[BadMammaJamma]

I know this may be a tricky subject...but I am going on a business trip soon and was wondering if anyone can explain the "how to's" of traveling with a firearm, specifically involving traveling on an airplane. I know that you don't need to try and enter the airport with one...unless you would like to end up like swiss cheese...but I know that you can send one via the airplane to meet you on the other side...I am going to try and find some information on the Delta website, but would really like some experienced armed-travelers to chime in...thanks in advance for the (I am sure) colorful comments and advice!

 

[jacobsen919]

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/dangerous_goods/index.jsp


Weapons
We do allow small arms ammunition, in quantities not exceeding 11 lbs. (5 kg) per person, as checked-baggage only. The weapon must be securely boxed and intended for that person's own use. More than one passenger may not combine quantities into one package. See more details under shooting equipment.

Below are additional guidelines related to traveling with weapons:

Firearms are permitted as checked-baggage with special requirements.
Gunpowder (e.g., Pyrodex, black powder, mace, pepper spray, and tear gas) is never permitted.

 

[jacobsen919]

Shooting equipment
Shooting equipment is accepted as checked baggage only. It must fit within the very specific criteria that we outline below.

Declare to the Delta representative that you are checking a firearm.
Declare the existence of a firearm to security personnel if a security checkpoint is prior to the Delta counter.
All firearms must be declared by the passenger to a Delta representative at the main ticket counter .
Present firearm(s) unloaded and sign a "Firearms Unloaded" declaration.
Firearms must be packed in a locked manufacturer's hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
Maintain entry permits in your possession for the country or countries of destination or transit.
Ensure small arms ammunition is packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, plastic or metal boxes and provide separation for cartridges.
If you need to travel with a weapon as checked baggage, you are responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all Federal, State, or Local laws regarding the possession and transportation of firearms. TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms. For more information about this regulation you can visit the TSA site.

If you are transporting a firearm to the United Kingdom as checked baggage, a permit from the United Kingdom is specifically required. You must contact the United Kingdom for more information about securing this permit.

Ammunition in excess of 11 lbs. per passenger or that contains potential projectiles is not allowe

 

[klarktx]

I travel constanty and always take my ccw as detailed above. Not a big deal

 

[KAHRex]

Declare to the Delta representative that you are checking a firearm.
Declare the existence of a firearm to security personnel if a security checkpoint is prior to the Delta counter.
All firearms must be declared by the passenger to a Delta representative at the main ticket counter .
Present firearm(s) unloaded and sign a "Firearms Unloaded" declaration.
Firearms must be packed in a locked manufacturer's hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
Maintain entry permits in your possession for the country or countries of destination or transit.
Ensure small arms ammunition is packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, plastic or metal boxes and provide separation for cartridges.

A month or so ago I travelled with mine for the 1st time and I had questions, too, but if you follow the directions above you won't have a problem.
Tell the agent at the counter of your unloaded weapon, show it to them, sign the card they give you, put the card INSIDE the locked hard sided gun case, put gun case in your suitcase. They'll direct you to TSA where they (at least ATL did) will open your suitcase and take swab samples and run it through a sniffer. Why? Who knows.....cuz they WILL detect gunpowder, duh. They'll advise you if you're good to go and if so, you're on your way. On my return trip from San Antonio I showed the gun to the agent, signed the card, an employee took it and me to TSA, they took it and that was it. Now, the good news.......When I arrived in ATL and picked up my luggage, everything was right where it was supposed to be.
I put my Kahr inside my Walther case since that's the only case that actually had a handle that I could get a lock over and secure tightly. Lockable snaps were not necessary.
Get there a little early, just in case. Hope this helps.

 

[bid9394]

Like stated above, it's not that hard.
1. Unloaded weapon in a lockable hard case.
2. Ammo stored seperately in manufacturer's box
3. Checked bagage only.
4. Simply tell the airline counter agent "I have a declaration"- they know what that means; no need to draw a lot of attention to yourself from bystanders. Unlock the case and show them the weapon is unloaded' fill out the form and place in case with weapon. You will be escorted to the TSA screener. When done, keep your keys with you (don't place in luggage).
5. At your destination, you pick up your luggage just like everyone else.
6. Make sure you know the laws at your destination. GA Packing.org has a list of states who have CCW reciprocity with GA, if you plan to conceal carry.

 

[BadMammaJamma]

Thanks guys...this has been very helpful...

 

[Saneril]

Was with my brother when he was traveling on Delta and it was not a big deal. I wasn't aware that you couldn't use TSA locks but then again, I wasn't the one traveling so hadn't done the investigation. We were NOT escorted to the TSA station to have them check it out but just told where it was. Also, the counter agent when checking for loaded status merely pulled the magazine out to determine if it was empty, she never checked the chamber. Hopefully that was an exception and not the rule but the whole process only involved probably an extra 5-10 minutes before he was declared good to go.

I was tagging along in case he WASN'T good and I had to take the handgun with me instead of it flying with him. Was good to know that it really wasn't a big deal.

 

[07JKX]

I travel constanty and always take my ccw as detailed above. Not a big deal

what kind of bag do you use? like a aluminum locking case or just standard luggage with a lock? i would be nervous as hell with a gun of any value in the hands of the people that take your bags.

 

[klarktx]

I usually use this ( see link below) for the very reason of your concern.

I don't mind showing a TSA agent my set up for declaration, but the handlers behind the scenes are some crappy folks. S this looks inconspicuous . I even added a few junk stickers ( vans, smashing pumpkins) to make it look even less like an item of object.

I've never had an issue. I also carry a less expensive pistol when traveling, as opposed to home. Just my method.

I know a few guys that have also configured the book cutout. Seems to also be ok, but TSA could reject that if it looks shoddy.



http://www.amazon.com/Leather-Disguisable-Pistol-7757-Concealment/dp/B004FJI3TM