Re: Going to fly with my gun (Final Update)

[USA1]

have a safe trip!!

Thanks.

[USA1]

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.

[RHenriksen]

Glad you had a good experience. It's like when you start carrying: nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but then you figure out it's no big deal.

[terryg]

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.

Wow - USA1 ... when you accidentally sent me that text message ... I really thought I was special. Now I see that you accidentally send text messages to just about anyone.

J/K

Just reading this now - glad you had a safe trip!

[WildBill]

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

I am glad that you are home and had a safe trip.