Before this experience, I expected to go into detail about how much time and trouble it is to check a firearm on a standard flight. As one who is a firearms professional and CCW advocate, I wanted to know how hard it was to check a firearm onto a domestic flight. So, after some basic research on reciprocity laws, airline policies, and TSA requirements, I pack my bag, AND my 2nd Amendment gear for a trip. I should disclose that I am not a lawyer or expert in airline travel policy, so please do your own research for specific airline carriers and state law that apply to your situation. This blog is only to inform, and describe my experience.
With that said, the first thing I learned is that you need a secure lockable hard-case for your gun, and its accessories. So, being the cheapskate I am, I decided to reuse an old storage case I bought for my pistols I bought years ago when I moved. It’s large and designed for multiple guns, but it was just the right size to fit into my suitcase, and fit the bill in terms of being a hard-sided lockable case. Problem one solved!
Next I had to lock the firearm in a way that made it inert in the event it was inspected. I don’t believe that is a formal requirement, as I think it just has to be unloaded. But if was inspected, I wanted to show I was diligent in making sure it was safe. Again being cheap, I just pulled out one of the hundreds of gunlocks that I have amassed over the years, and locked the breach and mag chamber. Problem number 2 solved.
Next was the ammo. According to what I read, I was able to transport up to 11 pounds of ammunition. I have seen other requirements from other carriers, but when I searched the Sprint Airlines Website, it referenced that maximum amount in their policy. It also stated that the ammo was not to be loosely packaged, or must be packaged in the original box. So, I just repurposed some 50 round 9mm ammo trays, and taped them together to enclose the 50 rounds I was taking with me. In addition, I also had enough room in my large case for two empty magazines. Some airlines allow you to have the magazines filled, but other blogs cautioned that some TSA agents don’t appreciate that. So I decided to error on the safe side, and packed them empty. I was ready for my trip.
Now Checking-in the Next Day…..
As always, there are always 2 major hurdles to airline travel: initial check in and security. Now when you are traveling with your gun, it adds another layer of potential delay to your schedule. As such, when I arrived at the Spirit Airlines ticket area, it was packed with meandering lines of frustrated travelers, crying children, sports teams, and their stuff. Needless to say I was concerned, seeing that I was going possibly add to the mayhem with my situation, as there were only 3 ticket agents on duty. I felt like I was going to be that dude at Starbucks with the overly complicated coffee drink order, holding up the line. However, once I finally got to the counter (60 minutes later), the agent was courteous and professional, despite the mass of passengers staring at her and her every move. Surprisingly, she was not phased by my special situation in the least, as I declared my firearm while handing her my ID. I don’t believe she even looked up from her computer after I said it.
After she found my reservation, she routinely asked to see the firearm. I proceeded to open the 3 locks securing the case, so she could confirm the firearm and contents were secure per Federal standards. She did not touch anything while she reviewed the gun, and proceeded to fill out an orange card, had me sign in 3 places, ripped off the receipt section, and handed it to me to confirm it was processed. She then proceeded to place the large orange card inside the case with the gun. I was then handed my standard checked-bag receipt, and told to take my bag and its contents to the TSA agents working in the oversized baggage area. Fortunately at the Atlanta airport, its was close to the ticket counter areas. So away I went to see the TSA.
When I arrived at the Sprint Airlines Oversized Bag area, I immediately declared I was traveling with a firearm, and was asked to set my bag onto large table and stand back. My ENTIRE bag was then inspected and swabbed, not sure why but I did not ask. Looked rather like standard procedure, because they did still did not even open the pistol case yet. Once the swabs came back clear for any “suspicious residue,” they asked me to open the pistol case, to re-inspected the contents. Once finished, they then asked me to resecure hard case inside my checked bag, lock the external lock, and informed me they would route my bag to my flight from there. They were pretty efficient overall, and minimal time was lost even with the TSA check. From there I went to security as usual from that point, just like any other flight.
Once in Detroit, I was not sure if my bag was going to the regular baggage claim, or if I would have to claim it at the Sprint Airlines Baggage Office. Turns out is showed up on the turn-style, just like a regular bag. So, the TSA routed my bag, just like they said they would. Once I got my bag, I was off to my destination, and could go about my business with the option of exercising my 2nd Amendment Rights. The first phase of my test was a success!
Return flight from Detroit Metro Airport:
Checkin was a breeze in Detroit, as the line was waaay shorter. Once I got to the ticket counter, I declared my firearm as soon as the agent asked for my preboard pass. Again, as before she asked to witness the firearm to confirm the secure storage of the gun and ammo. As before, she then filled out the orange ticket in triplicate, made me sign all tabs, gave me my receipt and requested I resecure gun case. However, unlike in Atlanta she had me lock the case in her presence, and then attached the tag to the outside handle of the locked case. Moreover, I did not have to go see TSA agents, as she had me lock my checked bag, and took it to the conveyer like a regular checked bag. That was it! I was home bound.
Once back in Atlanta, I simply proceeded to the baggage claim area, and waited for my bag to come to turnstile as usual. It did, and the final phase of my little test was complete. Overall, the experience was pretty uneventful. However, the things I learned were:
1. Invest in a smaller and slimmer pistol hard-case. One that can easily slip in and out of the luggage with one hand, and lock with a single key. I now admit, the 3 locks was a bit much. This will save time at the counter, and with TSA.
2. Plan on allowing even extra time for check-in. Even though I did not miss my flights on this trip, it could have been a fail if the TSA agents were busy, not available, or just jerks.
3. Remember, if you plan to check your gun, you have to go to the counter, so pre-checking is not an option. You have to get in line with the common folk.
4. Remember that airlines and airports do things differently, so be ready to be flexible. My experience was with a pistol. However, if you choose to bring a long gun (for a hunting trip or competition), the process may be different.
5. It pays to do your research! Getting there and relying on the ticket agent or the TSA to give you legal advice is a bad idea. Know the laws and policies that pertain to your travel schedule and destination. Also avoid layovers to cities that are unfriendly to the 2nd Amendment (I won’t name names). The internet is filled with horror stories of innocent people that had to spend time in jail, just because they declared a gun on a layover, or weather forced their plane to land in a city that was hostile to legal guns.
Well, it turns out that my preconceived notions about traveling with a firearm were – unfounded. This experience has shown me that the airline professionals and TSA were pleasant, well trained, and efficient in handling the additional requirements of processing a firearm for a flight (at least in Atlanta and Detroit). Hopefully my experience dispels any fears of traveling with a firearm on domestic flights. Just know that once you learn the rules, you can travel with confidence and security, exercising your 2nd Amendment Rights for you and your family. Carry on; and carry often.
MM