Gun Case Pried Open AA Flight DFW to East Coast

[E.Marquez]

May I suggest a case for you..
Pelican 1750 Long rifle
http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or one of the smaller ones if your just taking pistols.
I use an 1150 http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1150" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
for just pistols and ammo.

And I have a 1620
http://pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1620" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
that i use as a "suitcase"

I can attest to the strength, and ruggedness of these cases in handling and use, travel and like the which most will never see.

[alvins]

I've been asked to open the case and show clear once.

I was baffled - and curious if the ticket agent knew a thing about firearms or not.

It's kind of funny that I open carry a .45 all day long an work, but all of a sudden I'm seen in plain clothes with a pocket pistol on the airport and I get looks.

Interested to see what my trip to MA, CT, and NY in the August, and possibly DC in Sept will involve while carrying.

Be REAL careful up there. They don't care that you are a LEO and are even less impressed that you are from Texas. And we know that the airport people will turn you in so quick you'd think they get a bonus for doing so.

they probably do get a bonus.

[RoyGBiv]

A little update.

On my return flight things worked a little differently. Instead of taking me to the TSA oversize check in, the gate agent simply handed me a Firearms Dec Card. I filled it out, and locked the case and then duct taped the ends. He said to pay attention to the Terminal PA, because if TSA needed to open it for any reason they would be paging me.

I will be getting a new case ASAP.

Based on the comments I have also decided to contact DFW Airport Police, Irving Police, and the correlating departments at my destination airport.

Irving's finest directed me to DFW airport police. A Sgt. at DFW Airport Police listened to what I said and then passed me onto an officer to take a "Criminal Mischief" report. The Officer than refused to take a report saying "things like this happen."

She said although they do patrol the gates they can't be everywhere at once and that occasionally ramp workers do things like this. She was not interested in investigating it any further, did not ask about my flight #'s or gates, and said nothing else could be done.

Although my insides were boiling I calmly told her that I hoped the attitude of the DFW Airport Police towards this type activity changed sometime before someone actually manages to end up with weapons and ammo in the secured area of the airport, around thousands of passengers, and millions of gallons of jet fuel.

Lame...

I will buy a new metal case, devise a cable lock system to secure my weapons in the case, and realize that once again Airports are generally secured using reactive measures, not proactive.

You got the officers name, yes?
My first call would be DFW security supervisor.
If I didn't get a different answer, I'd call the local news station.
Given what happened in Colorado yesterday, I'm certain they'd love to hear your story.

[RoyGBiv]

I've been asked to open the case and show clear once.

I was baffled - and curious if the ticket agent knew a thing about firearms or not.

It's kind of funny that I open carry a .45 all day long an work, but all of a sudden I'm seen in plain clothes with a pocket pistol on the airport and I get looks.

Interested to see what my trip to MA, CT, and NY in the August, and possibly DC in Sept will involve while carrying.

Be REAL careful up there. They don't care that you are a LEO and are even less impressed that you are from Texas. And we know that the airport people will turn you in so quick you'd think they get a bonus for doing so.

If he's a "Qualified Law Enforcement Officer", Mr. Bloomberg can go suck eggs........ LEOSA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Enforc ... t#Case_law" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Carry Big Stick]

I have only flown once with a couple of handguns from DFW to Orlando. They never asked to open it just x-rayed it. I was paranoid about them getting stolen after reading some of the horror stories. So I used a steel briefcase that double locked. But I wanted to make sure if they wanted to steal them they were gonna have to work for it. I took a long cable lock and secured the case to the spine inside my suitcase. If they wanted them they were going to have to take the whole dang suitcase.

[dihappy]

Thats ridiculous that she did not want to take a report.

The fact that they cant be everywhere at once is not the point, the point is having a report filled out so that there is a record of a potential recurring problem there.

Thats the lamest reply and also would have asked for her name and contacted her supervisor and the media.

[steveincowtown]

Thats ridiculous that she did not want to take a report.

The fact that they cant be everywhere at once is not the point, the point is having a report filled out so that there is a record of a potential recurring problem there.

Thats the lamest reply and also would have asked for her name and contacted her supervisor and the media.

I have left a message for the Chief of Police at DFW, with no reply as of yet. I thought about contacting someone in the media but here within lies the problem.

#1> I was carrying 3 of 4 of the exact same weapons that were just used in a horrible shooting. I feel like this could cause any TV reports of this to be skewed.

#2> The general public is NOT going to look at this situation and say "I can't believe someone tried to break into his gun case."

I would suspect that the general consensus amongst the sheeple would be "Oh my goodness! You me he had guns in an airport, and then on our flight, with AMMO!!! OH THE HORROR"

I think any publicity would unfortunately cause more harm than good, for both me personally and all of us that choose to bring our tools with us when we travel.

[rm9792]

I Very, very disappointed in my airline, DFW, and the destination airport. When did someone have the time to do this? Where would someone do this that they would not be caught?

Cant speak for all airports but I have clearance at Hobby for phone work. There are several places that the luggage cruises thru on a belt that are not guarded and are secluded. I had to duck under one conveyor belt to get toa phone room on one occasion. I could easily grab bags and go in the phone room for plenty of time and privacy.

[RoyGBiv]

#2> The general public is NOT going to look at this situation and say "I can't believe someone tried to break into his gun case."

I bet the GP would have a fit if they thought somebody was trying to get at your guns while in a secure area of an airport.

I'd bet they care less about what you shipped legally and in a secure container than the fact that 1. your guns were tampered with and 2. their own belongings were on the same conveyor.

Just my guess.... That's how I'd feel, anyways.

Just burns my buns that the officer refused to file a report....

[Jim Beaux]

Thats ridiculous that she did not want to take a report.

The fact that they cant be everywhere at once is not the point, the point is having a report filled out so that there is a record of a potential recurring problem there.

Thats the lamest reply and also would have asked for her name and contacted her supervisor and the media.

I have left a message for the Chief of Police at DFW, with no reply as of yet. I thought about contacting someone in the media but here within lies the problem.

#1> I was carrying 3 of 4 of the exact same weapons that were just used in a horrible shooting. I feel like this could cause any TV reports of this to be skewed.

#2> The general public is NOT going to look at this situation and say "I can't believe someone tried to break into his gun case."

I would suspect that the general consensus amongst the sheeple would be "Oh my goodness! You me he had guns in an airport, and then on our flight, with AMMO!!! OH THE HORROR"

I think any publicity would unfortunately cause more harm than good, for both me personally and all of us that choose to bring our tools with us when we travel.

The type of guns you own are not pertinent to the fact that your personal property was damaged in a theft attempt, why even share the specific info? 50% of the general public in the U.S. are gun owners and I would wager that number is higher here in Texas. Im sure you will get a lot of sympathy. I bet that 100% of the population care about their luggage being vandalized and stolen.

You can believe that the police care a whole lot more about the publicity then you.

I would call the chief one more time and leave a message that this is a courtesy call informing him that you will be calling city hall & the press in regards to the lackadaisical attitude youre being subjected to. Wait 30 minutes & start dialing. Let the chips fall where they may.