I'm getting ready to fly to CA for a week and am considering taking along a CZ with 10 round mags. Anything different about flying into and out of SFO for carrying? Flying is one thing, but taking a gun into SFO does worry me.
I use a small gunvault nanovault and attach the cable to the inside of my luggage. I usually leave the 1911 at home because I don't trust TSA not to steal my gun, instead opting for the Jframe. The revolver is also easier to deal with because some airlines say no ammo in magazines. I will be traveling this summer and am considering taking an auto. Have not decided yet.
Now that I am returning from my trip I can elaborate. (Don't go posting details about your trip on social media.) I packed my J frame with a paddle holster and a pocket holster. The little revolver is easy to negotiate while traveling. For instance it is easy to load safely in the cell phone lot after picking up the rental car. I simply locked it inside the nanovault attached to the inside of my luggage. I also locked my knife in there. Flashlights and ink pens will pass through security and you can carry those on the plane.
What strikes me me as odd when traveling is there seems to be no set procedure for checking a firearm. Indy will make you give them the combination to the gunvault even though TSA websites says this is a no no. Their rules are noboby in the secure area. They are polite and I just give them the combo. I have never had any TSA personnel ever open the safe during a return trip. So this is an INDY thing.
First time ever ever when I checked in for the return flight the computer flagged me because it knew I checked a handgun on the flight in. Not a problem. Some airlines will zip tie your bag so carry on some nail clippers. American puts a tag on the bag and makes you take ID to claim the bag at the baggage office. Good thing is the airlines doesn't or at least shouldn't lose your luggage.
Thanks for the info Vert.
I'm flying United back in...and have now perused both sites. I think I'll be ok following your lead from what I've read.
I flew American last week. They do indeed put a tag on your luggage and you have to pick it up at the baggage office. My bag got there before the conveyor started. So faster but all the employees knew there was a gun in there like it was some sort of secret. I personally couldn't care less if they know. I think the airlines should use red tags for handguns and purple tags for sex toys and lube. Think of how colorful the baggage line would be.
I lived in California for ten years before moving to Indiana (happiness was California in my rear view mirror). Don't EVER leave anything in an unattended or parked vehicle anywhere that you would be upset about if it were stolen, for any length of time, whether it's visible through the windows or not, and covering things with a blanket or some other concealment cover does nothing to lower the probability (if anything it increases it). They'll smash the window(s), then open the trunk and rifle through the glovebox and center console and every other storage area to see what you hid in them, and do it in 30 seconds or less. This caution applies everywhere statewide. It's a den of thieves.. . .
For reference. We left out of here and drive to the west coast via grand canyon and phoenix, vegas, California...then back to Reno. 4k miles of driving. Only snafu was in San Fran. Smash and grab stole my hiking backpack. Should have taken it in...guess there are 'dozens' of those a day in SF. Gun was always inside the room in Cali...
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