Loading weapon in public

[Bob in Big D]

You are supposed to declare that you have a fiream in your checked luggage. It has to be in a locked hardsided case with a TSA approved lock.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Excaliber]

It has been a few years since I flew with a gun, but I think you are asking for trouble if you walk up to the counter and pull your gun from a holster. They will already require you to step to the side/ an out of view area to do a weapon check. At that point they expect your weapon to be boxed and unloaded. If you plan on doing it in front of them you're not going to make many friends.

You don't have to rack like in the movies. You can do it slowly and discretely.

Ticket agents usually do this check at the ticket counter by having you remove the boxed gun from your luggage, open the box, and showing it is unloaded. This is best done without touching the gun. I have never had them provide an off view area for doing this, and I've flown with guns many times.

Best pre-arrival prep: Remove the slide and magazine from a pistol and place them and the receiver in the box separately.

Open the cylinder and place a cable lock through either the cylinder opening or the barrel of a revolver.

Next best for a pistol: Remove the magazine and leave the slide locked back with a chamber flag in the ejection port.

After inspection, you lock the box and fill out a declaration tag that goes into your luggage - preferably on top of the gun box so it's readily visible to a TSA inspector.

Drawing a gun at the ticket counter is NOT the way to handle things for anyone who wants to make his flight. There is NO good reason to do this, since the gun has to be unloaded and in a locked container in your luggage before it goes to TSA inspection.

[AustinMRH]

Yeah the last time I flew with SWA, they had me open and show off to the side. They also had me remove the bolt from my rifle and carry it in my check on bag.

[Beiruty]

Use the bathroom, the large one, the one that that is called Family room.

[ELB]

...
After inspection, you lock the box and fill out a declaration tag that goes into your luggage - preferably on top of the gun box so it's readily visible to a TSA inspector.

...

I've found this a minor but interesting trivia point. Most agents have told me to put it INSIDE the gun box (which in my case was always a pistol case inside of a bigger piece of luggage), but some have had me place it on top of/outside the pistol case. Some times it is orange, sometimes white. I just do whatever they say, and it has always gone thru OK.

Also, the agents who actually make me prove it is empty have been in the minority. Most just ask me, and then have me fill out the tag.

[Excaliber]

...
After inspection, you lock the box and fill out a declaration tag that goes into your luggage - preferably on top of the gun box so it's readily visible to a TSA inspector.

...

I've found this a minor but interesting trivia point. Most agents have told me to put it INSIDE the gun box (which in my case was always a pistol case inside of a bigger piece of luggage), but some have had me place it on top of/outside the pistol case. Some times it is orange, sometimes white. I just do whatever they say, and it has always gone thru OK.

Also, the agents who actually make me prove it is empty have been in the minority. Most just ask me, and then have me fill out the tag.

I've had the same experience with variations in where they want the tag. If they insist on putting it inside, this provides an excuse for the TSA inspector to want the gun box opened, so I try to get them to let me put it on top if I can get their buyin without argument. I end up doing whatever they settle on - it's their airline.

In the last couple of years, the majority of agents have asked me to open the box to show it's unloaded, but they're clueless about what they're looking at. They apparently just want to be able to say they made me open the box. More security theater, but, once again, it's their airline.

[varko]

I have had to do this a couple of times when I’ve been on my motorcycle and had to go somewhere where I couldn’t take my gun. I dropped the mag and put it in by backpack, the extra round in my pocket, and the gun in the locked storage on my bike. (I just don’t feel comfortable leaving a loaded gun with my bike, especially with the slight chance someone may have seen me put it there.) Both times I did this I was as discrete as I could be. I usually try to plan ahead and if I know I’m going somewhere off limits I take the car.

[WildBill]

This is another option.

[Divided Attention]

WOW! A monkey suit! I haven't seen one of those in decades when Dad used to load his own film! That is awesome! Can you imagine!

I will say though it has got to be funny if folks are watching me holster my weapon in my car after work. I keep it locked up during the day as I can not carry where I work, but as soon as I come out to the car I holster weapon and mags as long as there is no one in the cars/area right around my car.

[E.Marquez]

You are supposed to declare that you have a firearm in your checked luggage. It has to be in a locked hardsided case with a TSA approved lock.http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp

No sir, it specifically CAN NOT be a TSA approved lock. It MUST be a lock only you control accessed to
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

TSA does RECOMMEND you supply a key, but it's not required, nor has it been an issue on any flight I have been on in the last few years.. (dozens with a firearm)

You simply have to be available to open the case if TSA wants to do a second inspection after the scanner, or do the primary inspection by hand (some Airport TSA sections do it by hand, some by scanner first, just depends)

[E.Marquez]

49 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations - Title 49: Transportation
http://cfr.vlex.com/source/code-federal ... z15Xmc8tc0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
States "(1) The passenger declares to the certificate holder, either orally or in
writing before checking the baggage, that any firearm carried in the baggage
is unloaded;"
By law there is no required form to be filled out, this is done at the direction /discretion of the airline.
TSA and the CFR only describe what the air line MUST do minimally IF they decide to allow firearms to be transported on aircraft the own or control.
My understanding of what i have read is, the Airline can add to the TSA, CFR requirement as they see fit, up to include just saying NO weapons allowed at all.

...
After inspection, you lock the box and fill out a declaration tag that goes into your luggage - preferably on top of the gun box so it's readily visible to a TSA inspector.

...

I've found this a minor but interesting trivia point. Most agents have told me to put it INSIDE the gun box (which in my case was always a pistol case inside of a bigger piece of luggage), but some have had me place it on top of/outside the pistol case. Some times it is orange, sometimes white. I just do whatever they say, and it has always gone thru OK.

Also, the agents who actually make me prove it is empty have been in the minority. Most just ask me, and then have me fill out the tag.

I've had the same experience with variations in where they want the tag. If they insist on putting it inside, this provides an excuse for the TSA inspector to want the gun box opened, so I try to get them to let me put it on top if I can get their buyin without argument. I end up doing whatever they settle on - it's their airline.

In the last couple of years, the majority of agents have asked me to open the box to show it's unloaded, but they're clueless about what they're looking at. They apparently just want to be able to say they made me open the box. More security theater, but, once again, it's their airline.

[Excaliber]

49 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations - Title 49: Transportation
http://cfr.vlex.com/source/code-federal ... z15Xmc8tc0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
States "(1) The passenger declares to the certificate holder, either orally or in
writing before checking the baggage, that any firearm carried in the baggage
is unloaded;"
By law there is no required form to be filled out, this is done at the direction /discretion of the airline.
TSA and the CFR only describe what the air line MUST do minimally IF they decide to allow firearms to be transported on aircraft the own or control.
My understanding of what i have read is, the Airline can add to the TSA, CFR requirement as they see fit, up to include just saying NO weapons allowed at all.

...
After inspection, you lock the box and fill out a declaration tag that goes into your luggage - preferably on top of the gun box so it's readily visible to a TSA inspector.

...

I've found this a minor but interesting trivia point. Most agents have told me to put it INSIDE the gun box (which in my case was always a pistol case inside of a bigger piece of luggage), but some have had me place it on top of/outside the pistol case. Some times it is orange, sometimes white. I just do whatever they say, and it has always gone thru OK.

Also, the agents who actually make me prove it is empty have been in the minority. Most just ask me, and then have me fill out the tag.

I've had the same experience with variations in where they want the tag. If they insist on putting it inside, this provides an excuse for the TSA inspector to want the gun box opened, so I try to get them to let me put it on top if I can get their buyin without argument. I end up doing whatever they settle on - it's their airline.

In the last couple of years, the majority of agents have asked me to open the box to show it's unloaded, but they're clueless about what they're looking at. They apparently just want to be able to say they made me open the box. More security theater, but, once again, it's their airline.

The form is actually helpful because it shows a TSA inspector who opens the baggage that the weapon was lawfully declared.

[PUCKER]

Please bear with me for this long post, in regards to TSA lock / non-TSA lock.

I travelled to Indy, IN, last week with my revolver. Flight out from DFW to IND on AA was easy/typical, declared firearm at counter, filled out the "unloaded firearm" form, counter person got a bag porter, we walked over to TSA, I handed TSA my unlocked case along with bag, he looked in the case (didn't touch the gun) and under the foam, he said "OK" and I locked the case with a non-TSA lock, put the locked case into my bag (oh, he did tape the "unloaded firearm" placard to the outside of the case) and zipped it shut, we talked guns for a few minutes (is that the new one? pricing, etc., very pleasant), good to go.

Arrived IND, got bag, got case out of bag, unlocked it, peeked in (so no one else could see), gun/ammo there. Got rental car, loaded up there.

Good trip in Indy, worth my time.

Flight from IND to DFW was QUITE a bit different. As I was preparing everything at my hotel room that morning I made a conscious decision to put my non-TSA lock in my right shorts pocket instead of a zippered compartment in my briefcase. I return the rental car and discreetly put the revolver into the case (unloaded, of course), grab my bags and head into the terminal, it's a bit of a walk, escalators, etc. I get to the AA counter, declare firearm, agent gives me the form, I sign it, I reach into my pocket for the lock....OOOOOPS....no lock...but what's that????? A hole in my pocket???? Well, the lock went BYE BYE somewhere between the hotel and there. I explained my situation to the agent and he was most helpful - "I'll hold your bags, there are a few stores that sell locks." So, I went to one of the stores in the airport (these were all on the non-secure side) and I bought a lock, a TSA lock, as that's all they sold. That was pretty much my only choice, I did remember reading this on the AA firearms page: "Firearms will only be accepted if unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container only (for example - rifle case. TSA approved locks are now accepted)." However, when you look at the TSA regs it says what bronco has below. So I'm in a quandry....

Well, back to the counter, all is well, put locked case (with TSA lock) into my bag and here's a twist from SOP at other airports. The agent hands me this form (Checked Firearm Clearance Form) and tells me to ask for the TSA Supervisor at the security checkpoint, they'll radio down to the TSA bag check area and confirm if everything is OK:



So, off to the security checkpoint, I make it through, go to the Supervisor's cubicle, show him the form, he radios down, and then he specifically asks me this: "Does the case have a TSA lock on it?" I answer to the affirmative, he says: "OK, you're good to go." Because I've never dealt with this type of encounter (as I've always had the case and bag in front of a TSA agent and done it that way) I ask again if everything really is OK and he says yes...so, on my merry way. Apparently, if things weren't "OK" and they needed to look in there then I would've been paged and I suppose I'd have to meet them somewhere, open the case, etc....kind of a backwards way to do it.

So, end of story - I arrive at DFW, get my bag and I see the TSA "your bag has been checked" form, get the case out of it, unlock it and discreetly peek into it, yep, still there, hop in the wife's car at curb, discreetly load up, etc. So, that's my experience with a TSA lock on a gun case....something new, it appears? As in so new the TSA hasn't updated its website or just the "way it is" at IND? Either way, glad it worked out for me! Oh, shorts went to the tailor that afternoon for extra heavy-duty new pockets!

You are supposed to declare that you have a firearm in your checked luggage. It has to be in a locked hardsided case with a TSA approved lock.http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp

No sir, it specifically CAN NOT be a TSA approved lock. It MUST be a lock only you control accessed to
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

TSA does RECOMMEND you supply a key, but it's not required, nor has it been an issue on any flight I have been on in the last few years.. (dozens with a firearm)

You simply have to be available to open the case if TSA wants to do a second inspection after the scanner, or do the primary inspection by hand (some Airport TSA sections do it by hand, some by scanner first, just depends)

[Excaliber]

Please bear with me for this long post, in regards to TSA lock / non-TSA lock.

I travelled to Indy, IN, last week with my revolver. Flight out from DFW to IND on AA was easy/typical, declared firearm at counter, filled out the "unloaded firearm" form, counter person got a bag porter, we walked over to TSA, I handed TSA my unlocked case along with bag, he looked in the case (didn't touch the gun) and under the foam, he said "OK" and I locked the case with a non-TSA lock, put the locked case into my bag (oh, he did tape the "unloaded firearm" placard to the outside of the case) and zipped it shut, we talked guns for a few minutes (is that the new one? pricing, etc., very pleasant), good to go.

Arrived IND, got bag, got case out of bag, unlocked it, peeked in (so no one else could see), gun/ammo there. Got rental car, loaded up there.

Good trip in Indy, worth my time.

Flight from IND to DFW was QUITE a bit different. As I was preparing everything at my hotel room that morning I made a conscious decision to put my non-TSA lock in my right shorts pocket instead of a zippered compartment in my briefcase. I return the rental car and discreetly put the revolver into the case (unloaded, of course), grab my bags and head into the terminal, it's a bit of a walk, escalators, etc. I get to the AA counter, declare firearm, agent gives me the form, I sign it, I reach into my pocket for the lock....OOOOOPS....no lock...but what's that????? A hole in my pocket???? Well, the lock went BYE BYE somewhere between the hotel and there. I explained my situation to the agent and he was most helpful - "I'll hold your bags, there are a few stores that sell locks." So, I went to one of the stores in the airport (these were all on the non-secure side) and I bought a lock, a TSA lock, as that's all they sold. That was pretty much my only choice, I did remember reading this on the AA firearms page: "Firearms will only be accepted if unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container only (for example - rifle case. TSA approved locks are now accepted)." However, when you look at the TSA regs it says what bronco has below. So I'm in a quandry....

Well, back to the counter, all is well, put locked case (with TSA lock) into my bag and here's a twist from SOP at other airports. The agent hands me this form (Checked Firearm Clearance Form) and tells me to ask for the TSA Supervisor at the security checkpoint, they'll radio down to the TSA bag check area and confirm if everything is OK:



So, off to the security checkpoint, I make it through, go to the Supervisor's cubicle, show him the form, he radios down, and then he specifically asks me this: "Does the case have a TSA lock on it?" I answer to the affirmative, he says: "OK, you're good to go." Because I've never dealt with this type of encounter (as I've always had the case and bag in front of a TSA agent and done it that way) I ask again if everything really is OK and he says yes...so, on my merry way. Apparently, if things weren't "OK" and they needed to look in there then I would've been paged and I suppose I'd have to meet them somewhere, open the case, etc....kind of a backwards way to do it.

So, end of story - I arrive at DFW, get my bag and I see the TSA "your bag has been checked" form, get the case out of it, unlock it and discreetly peek into it, yep, still there, hop in the wife's car at curb, discreetly load up, etc. So, that's my experience with a TSA lock on a gun case....something new, it appears? As in so new the TSA hasn't updated its website or just the "way it is" at IND? Either way, glad it worked out for me! Oh, shorts went to the tailor that afternoon for extra heavy-duty new pockets!

You are supposed to declare that you have a firearm in your checked luggage. It has to be in a locked hardsided case with a TSA approved lock.http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp

No sir, it specifically CAN NOT be a TSA approved lock. It MUST be a lock only you control accessed to
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

TSA does RECOMMEND you supply a key, but it's not required, nor has it been an issue on any flight I have been on in the last few years.. (dozens with a firearm)

You simply have to be available to open the case if TSA wants to do a second inspection after the scanner, or do the primary inspection by hand (some Airport TSA sections do it by hand, some by scanner first, just depends)

I suspect your experience was another one of those cases that illustrates the difference between what's supposed to happen and what actually happens when the officials involved apply their own interpretations.

They are NOT supposed to put the firearms tag on the outside of the case for the obvious reason that it then serves as a "steal me" indicator.

The TSA lock should go on the suitcase that holds your gun case, and your non TSA lock should go on the gun case itself. There should be no need for the TSA to open the gun case, because they can see what's in it on x-ray. However, they sometimes do. In my experience, they always ask me for the key and open it in my presence, then close everything up in my presence, give back the key, and we all go on about our business.

However, I've seen enough variations over the years that just about nothing would surprise me. When you see aberrations, it doesn't usually mean that procedures have changed - it just means that the training on them didn't take.

[PUCKER]

Excaliber - take note of the text from the "flying with firearms" section on the AA site, that has changed (regarding TSA locks are now approved), it use to not say that (meaning, it didn't have that part last year, it's fairly new). So, AA policy has changed? Or they (AA) know something we don't? I dunno.