Flying and Checking a Firearm

[ArcadiaGP]

I'll be flying out to Texas in November for a couple days.

Any tips/pointers on how to fly with a firearm?

I'd like to cause as little hassle as possible. I assume a locked case is needed? Do I have to show someone, or do paperwork prior to arriving at IND airport?

Pretty much a beginning-to-end walkthrough would be very helpful.

If I remember correctly, Texas has reciprocity with us... I'll just peruse over to the reciprocity thread and make sure on that...

 

[Drail]

Good luck. Go to your airline's website and print out their rules. Keep them on your person because the chances are real good that the airline counter person won't have any idea how to deal with you. Go by the airline rules, the TSA also has their own rules but the airline is the operator of the aircraft so they get to decide how to do things on their aircraft. Normally your gun must be in a locked pistol case that only YOU have the key to. You may place this inside a hard or soft piece of luggage. Do not use a TSA lock on the gun case. Go to the ticket counter and politely inform them that you have a firearm to declare. People around you may step back a couple of feet or faint. Make sure they don't assume that you are a LEO, that's a whole different set of forms. (been there done that) You will have to sign a form and an orange tag will be placed in the pistol case. Do not let them try to place the tag on the outside of your suitcase. It must go inside. You will then be escorted to a TSA point where they will inspect (fondle) your firearm. Smile at the nice TSA folks. You may carry ammunition in factory boxes or plastic boxes in the same suitcase the gun is in. Some airlines allow ammo to be packed in magazines if the ammo cannot come out of the mag. Each airline has their own max amount of ammo, it's usually around 10 lbs. Also do detailed research on the laws of any city that you may land in. This is where most folks have gotten into trouble. You may be legal when you lift off but a criminal as soon as you hit the ground in some cities. Know the local laws and airline rules. Have fun.

 

[Classic]

I have made the flight from Indy to Austin and back w weapons on several occasions as I worked and lived there for 3 years. Always made me a bit uncomfortable to hand them over and watch them go down the luggage belt.

Handguns are easier as they can be in a locked case inside your checked bag so you have some extra padding for the trip. I was never treated disrespectfully or rudely and in fact some of the agents had some interest in what I was traveling with.

Used a big 2 rifle shipping case for the long guns. Last trip I made the case had arrived ahead of me somehow and I found it sitting next to the wall in the Austin luggage claim. Anyone could have walked off with it.

Check with the individual carrier, some have different interpretations regarding rules for weapons and for ammunition transport as well. But in general here is how it goes:

Make sure weapon is unloaded.
Declare at ticket counter, sign and certify it is unloaded
Take encased weapon to TSA agent for inspection, open case (some checked and some didn't even look)
Lock case and TSA agent places on luggage belt
Wave bye-bye
Retrieve checked luggage and firearm at destination from luggage carousel (usually)
Take a deep breath

Yes, TX does recip. on carry. I went CC.
Lots of shooting places and events down there.

 

[JdsBiff]

If flying out of Indianapolis you don't see the TSA until after you have checked your luggage and gone through security. I was given a ticket to hand to the TSA superviser after I went through security, at which time they retrieved my case and then opened it for inspection. Seemed stupid to me since that gave access to a firearm after security. This was in June of this year.

 

[IUprof]

I flew to Houston last year to hunt and took two rifles in a hard case. It was like it has been described by other posters. In Houston the case was in the baggage claim office rather than out in public view. I had to show ID to claim it, but it was not an issue.

 

[Arickosmo]

I have a link that I'll post later from home. Best info I've ever seen on this subject.

 

[Arickosmo]

Mac's Guide to Flying with a Firearm: - Glock Talk

Sorry, took me a while to remember to post it.