by Jeff Schwarm
(Guns Save Life) – With concealed carry becoming more and more common, there comes the question “How do I fly with my firearm?”
Relax, it’s not nearly as difficult as one might imagine. I had occasion to fly from Chicago to Florida on American Airlines recently, and the process was straightforward.
First, get to the airport early. We are told two hours before, I find that a good rule of thumb.
Of course your firearm must fly in checked baggage, so be prepared for the bag fee; mine was $25. You must check in with a real person, not the kiosk! I politely tell the agent first thing that I am traveling with a firearm, and they begin with your ID, same as any flight, and then will produce a declaration card, indicating your name and flight number.
Agents’ interest in the firearm vary widely; most simply want you to assure them it’s empty. No need to take it out and demonstrate anything. My agent never even looked inside the case, which I padlocked in front of her.
Ammunition in the magazine was no problem. Loose rounds are not permitted. Mags out of the gun of course, but locked I them in the same case.
The nice woman taped the declaration card to the outside of the locked case and I placed it back in my luggage. Then my bag was handed to another agent who took me and my bag to the TSA sniffer machine, where it was (discreetly this time) mentioned to the TSA agent that a firearm was in my bag. It was stuffed in the machine and spit out the other end, and handed back to the same baggage handler who escorted me back to the same counter, put my bag on the belt and sent me to security. My bag had a small TSA sticker that indicated it had been scanned, I’m uncertain if there was any other data on it.
After an uneventful flight I arrived at baggage claim. Note: there is nobody there to hand you your bag, it’s mixed it with all the rest. Make sure you have the right one! I always discreetly check inside my bag to make certain the firearm and case are inside, then zip it up and continue on my way. There’s really nothing more to it.
It’s good advice to have your serial number with you, in the event your bag was lost. I always carry my FOID, even though no one outside of Illinois knows much about it. Carry your concealed carry card if you intend to carry your weapon on your person, and check to make certain your permit is recognized where ever you intend to pack your heater.
Having flown multiple times ith a firearm, direct flights are always a good choice – less places to look if things go wrong, although transfers to other planes and other carriers have never been a problem. Being polite with the ticket agent can only help. They are not interested in anything other than getting you on the plane, but being difficult won’t help.
Every airport and airline has their own ways of doing things, but it’s not as difficult as one might think.
I’d encourage you to bring your personal protection with you. Just know the process and be early!
I agree with Jeff.
I refuse to fly via Chicago, but I frequently travel with my weapon. I’ve never experienced any extra cost, delays, or problems. Just tell the agent which bag has a weapon in it and they’ll fill out the sticker for it. They don’t need the serial number or info on the gun, but I’ve always had it with me just in case I need it later. Some baggage clerks already have a stack of the forms partially filled out and have told me that they check dozens of firearms a day.
I usually fly from Bloomingon, Indy, or St. Louis. Destinations are all over the country other than the Northeast. Each airline and airport has their own method of dealing with the checked bag, but it’s never been a problem.
I always leave a plastic wire tie in the chamber and that shows up on the xray; so they have never opened the case to inspect my weapons. I’ve been told that checking that the weapon is unloaded after the xray is ambiguous is the most common reason for TSA to actually inspect the bag.
The bags are not marked specifically, but they are tracked closely. In fact, if you have other valuables to carry, some people place ammo or a weapon in the bag so it gets the “special” handling. Plus, you get to use a “real” lock, not the TSA imaginary one on that suit case, or on the hard case inside the normal suitcase.
There is no additional fee for these. I get one or two free checked bags from my normal airlines, but if you have to pay for a checked bag, that’s the only charge.
When traveling, I’m often in unfamiliar territory and having a way to defend myself helps lower the stress level. Know the laws at your destination and any intermediate points where the airline may strand you temporarily. After flying for years with my CCW, I feel naked and vulnerable when flying to those certain states where my license isn’t valid.
That first trip with the weapon has you a bit nervous. But, it really is not a big deal. Stay protected!
Jeff,
Good article! I had a recommendation from a TSA Agent on carrying ammo: She said if a round manages to work it way out of the loaded magazine, and it is discovered, it is considered a loose round – you don’t want that! She suggested placing your loaded magazine(s) in a magazine pouch (it would need to fit in your locked case). That way the rounds are trapped, and can’t get loose.
IT’s cheaper to ship it to an FFL wherever you’re flying.
Patriot Nurse AND Ann Barnhardt have both had firearms stolen by the union mooks of TSA.
There’s no accountability there.
Remember: IF YOU WANNA PROFESSIONALIZE, YOU GOTTA FEDERALIZE!
please do not forget that organized burglary rings operate at chicago ohare baggage claim and atlanta baggage claims for sure and many more. they send sell it some of it at alabama’s unclaimed luggage place.
they sure robbed the army units blind. we had reports of empty shipping containers. atlanta, newark, ohare, sidney, and heathrow. ohare cleaned out my unit’s stuff coming basck from iraq kuwait saudi. oh so nice…