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Well, I'm back from vacation and wanted to share my experience of flying with my gun.

First of all, if anyone is hesitant or unsure about doing this..Don't be. It couldn't have gone more smoothly.
The important thing is to do a little research of the airline and TSA guidelines, and of coarse the laws in the state(s) which you will be traveling.

I used a Nanovault, which for those who don't know is a slim steel lockable box with a steel cable to attach it to something solid.
I stored the unloaded gun and a box of ammunition inside and locked it. The steel cable looped around the structural support inside my luggage.

Upon checking my luggage I informed the baggage clerk that I need to declare my firearm (don't say gun) and that I need to fill out the appropriate form. The form is really just a card that has your contact info and flight info.

At this point I was expecting her to call for a TSA agent but she never did. She just asked me to open the box so she could see the gun and ammo. That was it. I locked the box and she taped the form onto the outside. I closed up the luggage and locked it with a TSA lock.

Coming back the other way was a little different but still effortless. This time the baggage clerk called a TSA agent who showed up in a couple of minutes. He leaned down, looked at the gun and said "looks good to me". He explained that my luggage would still be subject to search but the box inside would not since it had the form on it

Overall it wasn't any harder or more time consuming traveling with my firearm and I would highly recommend it to anyone who can legally do so.

On a related note, I was never searched or scanned while going through security. I basically just took off my shoes, emptied my pockets, and walked through a metal detector.

In closing, I would like to extend my gratitude to all who have participated in this thread and I hope it will help others who may have concerns on the matter.

Thanks.

74novaman wrote:have a safe trip!!

Thanks.

Update: just went through security and it was quick and smooth. The lady at the baggage desk didn't blink about the gun.

To my surprise I didn't have to go through a scanner or get searched ...just had to walk through a metal detector.

The Annoyed Man wrote: BTW, thank you for the very nice text message yesterday.

Don't feel too special TAM, I accidentally sent terryg the same text.

To fill everyone in..I was texting my wife a little message but due to my fat fingers and being distracted, the message ended up going to a few other folks as well.

Back on topic.... Going wheels up tomorrow. Gun and ammo are secured in my NanoVault with the cable attached to the inside of my luggage. I'll post the results if...I mean after I make it through security.

Wish me luck.

wgoforth wrote:Fly with your gun? Wow, neat trick! Saves on airfare I guess!

..an air rifle maybe.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

To be honest, at first I was a little hesitant to even try to take a gun with me on my trip... mostly because of the thought it might get lost more than anything else. But once I started thinking about being unarmed while in three other states, I knew I had to have it with me.

I'll post a "TSA" report from my phone once I make it through security at the airport. (this coming Tuesday)

BTW..The last time I flew was 1989. Back then I just walked through a metal detector and boarded the plane.
.........Things sure are different these days.

OK, I talked to someone at Southwest Airlines. She seemed well versed in proper procedures. I was told that keeping ammo in the same hard-sided case as the gun is allowed. She did recommend that the ammo should be in its original manufacturers container/box to avoid problems.

I just test fitted my Nanovault to make sure everything fits and it does.

The Annoyed Man wrote:Doesn't the ammo have to be packaged separately from the gun in an appropriate container?

Here's what the rules say...

# You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
# You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
# You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.

I plan to keep the ammo in speed strips (which cover the primers) and keep the speed strips in an ammo wallet/pouch which completely encloses the ammunition.

I will be flying with my gun (S&W 642). I've read the last couple of threads on the subject but wanted to give a rundown of my plan and see if anyone has anything to add or recommend.

- I am going to use a Nanovault steel gun safe with a keyed lock and steel security cable.
- I will place the unloaded gun and two speed strips of ammo (10 rounds) inside and lock it.
- I will secure the cable to the structural reinforcement bar inside the suitcase so the gun safe cannot be removed.
- I will keep the key in my possession.
- I will have printed copies of TSA and Southwest Airlines rules and regulations in my possession.

Of coarse I know to go to the luggage counter and fill out the firearm declaration form and I will probably have to let TSA visually inspect everything, but other than that, does anyone with experience in the matter have anything to add?

Thank you in advance for you thoughts.