Reasons?
Didn't want to hassle with checking in the pistol
Didn't want to chance losing my pistol to some luggage pilfer, etc.
Well, this time I decided to change that. Flew on American from DFW to CHS, direct flight.
Checked the TSA and AA websites as suggested by fine folks on this forum. Decided it was easier than I had originally thought.
Packed my Springfield 1911 in a hard-sided case
Unloaded with a flexible (coated) cable lock thru the breech and down the mag chute - locked.
2 magazines (empty)
20 rounds JHP personal protection rounds (original box)
Locked both slide locks with Non-TSA padlocks
Packed it inside my luggage.
Off to the airport.
Checked in with the counter and declared an unloaded firearm. The American Airlines counter person never blinked an eye. She just said, "Gotta fill out some paperwork and we'll take you to TSA to have your bag checked."
Easy as that. She had me open my luggage, open the locked case and demonstrate that the pistol was unloaded. She had me sign a form (attesting to the unloaded state of the pistol), put that form in the case and relocked it securely.
She called for another person to escort me to TSA oversize baggage check.
This person hollered out to another American employee "Got a gun here!!" I turned around and politely asked him not to shout that out -- Told him it makes me nervous and other customers nervous and the police nervous. No need to advertise. GRRRRRRRR. But he did quit it immediately.
Went to TSA. Really nice fellow greeted me. I stated that my luggage had an unloaded firearm that I wanted to declare.
He was very nice - joked with me about the pistol - he feigned surprise that I said "loaded", then grinned really big and laughed and said that having some fun on the job was just his way of getting thru the day. I joked back too (very slightly) - just wasn't sure if he was on the up-and-up. He was.
He opened my locked luggage and did the swipe inspection. Never touched the locked gun case. Never asked what type of weapon it was, closed it back up and relocked it (one of those TSA combination locks). All this while I was waiting there.
Actually only took about 5 minutes for the counter lady to do her thing and about 5 minutes for TSA-man to do his thing and I was on my way to the gate. Whew, a relief, but I was still nervous about the pistol being out of my sight.
Flew to CHS and anxiously awaited my luggage. Came up the chute. Quick check showed all was OK and I was off to the beach for a week.
Really nice having my sidearm while comfortably enjoying a vacation.
Virtually the same process coming back from CHS to DFW. Same type of paperwork, however this time TSA inspected the bag after it disappeared down the luggage chute behind the counter. Smaller airport maybe, I don't know.
Arrived at DFW - luggage arrived - pistol safe and secure. I was very happy.
Since I've crossed this hurdle, I'll be much less likely to leave my pistol behind when I fly again (inside the US). I'll still be thinking about it being out of sight, but I feel that the overall process is not as daunting as I'd feared it would be.
There are always risks with the luggage, but I hope to fly with my 1911 when future trips allow. I'll always consider that taking along my CCW is a viable option.
Others have written about their experiences too, but this was a first for me and I'm happy with the way it turned out.
LabRat
However, I havent flewn in over six months.
