Travelling with Firearms – a Three State Trip by Air

As a frequent HCS contributor, Mr E., made a trip recently to a few states and wanted to share some observations about the TSA, airline ticket counters and the processes he encountered in various airports while travelling with a weapon. Pay attention all you travelling businessman with CCL’s, this will come in handy! -SF

 

By Mr. E

First, some background.  I started travelling by air with a sidearm in my checked luggage around 2008. There was a long gap for me until recently. My previous work took me mostly by car to border states, so I carried what I wanted “as usual” in CHL/CCW mode on-my-person.  I’m in the business world so anything I take with me is for personal protection.

I started my trip at IAH-Bush Intercontinental.  Before the trip, I verified the following:

• My metal lockbox system, cable and key are working properly.  Keep the KEY with you if you don’t use a combo lock!
• My sidearm is empty, the two mags are empty (checked twice)
• All ammo is in a factory, original box.  25 rds typically of JHP
• Read the specific airline policy for “special items.” Check their website, and call if you are not sure.
• I keep a hardcopy of the TSA rules in my carry-on bag or backpack, in case I run into a “rookie” in the process.  ie, Know the Regulations!

I have been using soft-side baggage for years, and while a hard-sided bag with built-in locks is best for tamper-resistance, there is a work-around.  Also, high-end Pelican or computer hard-cases tend to draw more eyes on the baggage carousel so I go with luggage that blends in.  Think “grey man” but for luggage.  If you travel with $2500 worth of hardware, or are a hunter, use the good stuff!  My CHL/CCW carry gear is typically a $550 Glock, holster, ammo and 2 mags (let’s call it $800 worth).

Once my personal effects are packed at home, I check once more the day of my flight that the gun and mags are empty.  Then I loop the steel cable around the internal frame of the bag and lock the other end into the lock box…then close up my bag.  I head to the airport parking and get a shuttle ride over to the main terminals.

This is where you need to pay attention and plan for a smooth interaction with your airline ticket agent. You will HAVE TO see a ticket agent.  You CANNOT use the kiosks for “check-in and print a bag tag”process. I greet the ticket agent with my ID and say “Hi…I’ll need an orange tag, please, to declare a firearm.” Nothing more, nothing less.   

At IAH in Houston, they go find the orange tag (not always stocked at every agent’s station) and fill it out, and sign or initial (theirs).  Then they ask you to sign it, and place it ON TOP of the case containing the firearm (i.e. touching it, but NOT in it).  You have to do this at the ticket counter, so make sure you are ready for this step.  Don’t open the gun case unless asked. Just put the orange tag on top. Once they hand you your boarding pass, they sent me 20 yards to the oversize/special items line for bag screening.  I carried it over.  Nobody asked if my firearm was unloaded.  There was nothing on the outside of my bag to indicate it was “special.” The baggage agent asked me to wait until the bag went through the scanner, then said I could head to the security line.  

 

At ATL in Atlanta, same process at the beginning, at Delta’s ticket counters.  I walk my bag to the “special items” screening room (about 2 min away) and before I could say hi, they say, “you’re checking a bag with a firearm, right?”  I say “yes” and wait 2 minutes while they scan it.  They did unzip my bag to make sure the orange tag was present, but did not ask me to open the gun lockbox. Nothing was added to outside of the bag.  They did not ask me to verbally confirm the gun was empty. Then 2 minutes later I’m off to the security line.

At STL in St. Louis, same process at the United ticket counter, resulting in the orange tag, that I had to place on top of the lockbox.  Except this time they asked “I have to ask you to confirm that the firearm is unloaded and the ammo is in proper container.”  I said “yes.” but I was asked to wait while the bag went down the normal conveyor belt instead of me carrying my bag to a screening location, to make sure the bag screening did not result in “needing the passenger to open the gun case (lockbox) with the key”. After 15 minutes, I asked if I could proceed, but a 2nd ticket agent said I had to wait another 15 minutes. If I had not checked in early, this could have been a real stress factor in making the flight.

One final consideration is when to gear-up/load-up once you’re on the ground outside the airport.  I had rental cars every time on this trip.  I chose to leave the airport, and load up the chamber and magazines away from foot traffic, security cameras, etc. When you return a rental car you may want to do the same  My advice, is avoid doing this at the nearest gas station, again, too many eyes and cameras. The trade-off is that your firearm becomes “unavailable” precisely where you might need it;  at night, near an airport, which often has as much crime as where your meetings take you.   

If you’re new to the process, prepare and take your time.  It might feel a little like the first time you concealed carry into a Wal-Mart.  The adage of “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” applies to more than just the draw stroke!   

Travel Safe and Stay Dangerous.