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Hey guys,
Last weekend I had a meeting in, of all places, New Orleans. So I flew American Airlines from DFW airport to Louis Armstrong International (New Orleans). First of all I looked up the rules and guidelines on the American Airlines website, and ended up calling thier reservations department to clear up a few questions. Basically, they told me that my weapon had to be unloaded and in a locked box, as did my ammo (same box is fine). I took one handgun, 3 magazines and 1 box of ammo (50 rds) so the weight requirement was not an issue. All these items went into the same, hardcase box. When I arrived at the gate, I informed the ticket agent that I needed to "declare a firearm" . She game me a small card to fill out, which basically says I am declaring that I have a firearm and that it is unloaded. This card then goes into the box with the weapon, and a TSA agent grabs my luggage with the locked weapon box inside. I follow the TSA agent for a while, and we finally arrive at what is some type of weapons check-in area. Another TSA agent takes possession of my luggage, and inspects my weapon. Then, while wearing latex gloves, he applied some type of "trace element" material to the weapon. (I am not exactly 100% sure what this was all about, but we can all make a guess). Then the weapon is placed back into the lock box, with ammo, magazines, ect. I am asked to sign another form, which basically says that my weapon is in the lock box, and my luggage. Everything is locked up, and I am sent to my flight, TSA keeps control of my luggage. When I arrive in New Orleans, my bag is sent up with everyone else's at "baggage claim" and I am good to go.
Now its interesting that my flight leaving New Orleans to DFW was very different. Went through the same procedure with the ticket agent, but this time I am allowed to carry my luggage over to an X Ray machine. Everyone's luggage is getting this treatment. Not exactly sure what to do, I told the TSA guy at the X Ray machine that I had a declared weapon in my luggage. Now this gave me priority, and my bag immediately went through the machine. That was it, and I was set.
I must say, the TSA employees were very friendly and helpful. My experience, as a whole, was a good one. The weapons check procedure probably added an extra 20 minutes to my process time.