Travel Frequently Asked Questions

[Rhino]

The online prices are probably going to be the best but Dayton Armory in Beavercreek used to carry them if you're in a hurry. I assume they still do.

[XDm45]

I'm pretty sure i have seen them at fin, feather, and fur as well

[mreising]

Now, if I'm straight on this, I will go to the check in counter with the EMPTY pistol and magazines placed in a lockable sturdy case along with the ammunition which is in plastic/fiber container (probably the same box the ammo came in), then declare this to the ticket agent, who will tag it, take it to the TSA agent who, after examining, will place in my suitcase and put on the conveyer belt. LONG sentence, that, but in general, that would be the procedure? I'm usually anal about getting to the airport WAY before flight time, just in case of unexpected long lines, so that should help in case of any "speed-bumps" with TSA. I'll have to check with the airlines I'll be flying with (I think United) about their policies.

Hmmm, another question - when arriving at my final destination, can I simply pick up the suitcase off the belt and leave?

Thanks for the responses, btw.

Bear in mind that different airports, and sometime even airlines, have slightly different procedures. Here at CVG (Cincy) you go to the counter to check in and check your bag, declare the firearm, they have (usually) a TSA agent inspect to ensure it is unloaded, you lock it in the case and it goes on the conveyor to the bottom of the airport (where bags disappear forever) to be loaded on the plane. In SLC, you check in at the kiosk and then tell the counter agent at the baggage check that you have firearm to declare and they put one of the Rubbermaid tubs on the conveyor as a signal and eventually someone comes out to check that it is unloaded. In SEA, you check in at the counter, tell them you have a firearm and they have you wait next to a door at the side of the counter area until someone comes out. In Dayton, once you check in and declare, you carry your bag over to the TSA inspection/x-ray unit because it is in the terminal area instead of in back. In Anchorage the girl at the counter picks the gun up, looks at it and says "Nice!". Gotta love those Alaska girls . Please note that the above applies to the Delta terminals at the above airports and some of the procedures may have changed again, they sometimes like to do that.

[Daniel]

Do you remember where you got it from? I agree with being able to use it in a hotel/motel room, too.

I'm pretty sure I bought it at Gander Mountain.

Now, if I'm straight on this, I will go to the check in counter with the EMPTY pistol and magazines placed in a lockable sturdy case along with the ammunition which is in plastic/fiber container (probably the same box the ammo came in), then declare this to the ticket agent, who will tag it, take it to the TSA agent who, after examining, will place in my suitcase and put on the conveyer belt. LONG sentence, that, but in general, that would be the procedure? I'm usually anal about getting to the airport WAY before flight time, just in case of unexpected long lines, so that should help in case of any "speed-bumps" with TSA. I'll have to check with the airlines I'll be flying with (I think United) about their policies.

That's about right. I always go to the airline's website for their specific info. I always get to the airport early and almost always zip right through security. Better safe than sorry.

Hmmm, another question - when arriving at my final destination, can I simply pick up the suitcase off the belt and leave?

Yep.

[Jake]

I always go to the airline's website for their specific info.

You have to be careful there.
AirtTran burned me once.
I printed out their pages from the website and had them tucked in my lock box (just in case).

At the check in counter, they questioned my method of how my mags were packed.
I'd traveled using the same method on a few separate occasions with no problem.
I was told that TSA had changes the regulations and Air Tran's website info was out of date.


Whatever the case, I left behind aprox. 17 rounds of premium Ranger .45 acp ammo.

[Rhino]

I'm pretty sure i have seen them at fin, feather, and fur as well

I don't think they have a store in the Dayton area.

You have to be careful there.
AirtTran burned me once.
I printed out their pages from the website and had them tucked in my lock box (just in case).

At the check in counter, they questioned my method of how my mags were packed.
I'd traveled using the same method on a few separate occasions with no problem.
I was told that TSA had changes the regulations and Air Tran's website info was out of date.


Whatever the case, I left behind aprox. 17 rounds of premium Ranger .45 acp ammo.

That's who I taught how to check for an unloaded firearm! I couldn't remember who it was before.

I always take both the TSA and airline policies with me.

[charben]

I always take both the TSA and airline policies with me.

I printed both TSA and American's policies to take with me tomorrow. I decided to take the "Infidel" sticker off of the G26...don't need to draw MORE attention to me right now!

[charben]

Here's my homemade pistol travel kit:



This is just a simple steel "gadget box" from TSC that I bought for $11.99. I like how it doesn't say "GUN" by its looks. It is just the right size to fit two handguns.



I bought some foam at WalMart for $7.99 and cut it to shape. Easy.

[dcludwig]

In Dayton, once you check in and declare, you carry your bag over to the TSA inspection/x-ray unit because it is in the terminal area instead of in back. In Anchorage the girl at the counter picks the gun up, looks at it and says "Nice!". Gotta love those Alaska girls . Please note that the above applies to the Delta terminals at the above airports and some of the procedures may have changed again, they sometimes like to do that.

I'm flying out of Dayton. When you carry your bag over to TSA, do you carry the pistol case seperately, or inside the suitcase, or does it matter?

[mreising]

In Dayton, once you check in and declare, you carry your bag over to the TSA inspection/x-ray unit because it is in the terminal area instead of in back. In Anchorage the girl at the counter picks the gun up, looks at it and says "Nice!". Gotta love those Alaska girls . Please note that the above applies to the Delta terminals at the above airports and some of the procedures may have changed again, they sometimes like to do that.

I'm flying out of Dayton. When you carry your bag over to TSA, do you carry the pistol case seperately, or inside the suitcase, or does it matter?

Keep it in the bag but make sure you declare it. They may have already come over and inspected it when you declare it at the baggage check-in. My latest trip out of there a couple of weeks ago (unarmed) I noted a few changes in the security checkpoint setup so they may have a different procedure now. It still looks like the same basic arrangement.

[Rhino]

You don’t carry your bag to TSA in Dayton anymore. You just check it at the ticket counter.

[dcludwig]

You don’t carry your bag to TSA in Dayton anymore. You just check it at the ticket counter.

Thanks for that info. TSA has to inspect and tag the gun case though, correct? Or is the counter agent permitted to do this? I'm not flying out until August and heck, procedurers may even change again before then. I just really like being prepared when I fly and avoiding TSA hassles (I've even purchased a "TSA lock" for my suitcase, whatever good that will do...)

But, I appreciate your response and hopefully it will just be taken care of at the counter.

btw, it's pretty much a cardinal sin in flying to put valuables in suitcases (i.e., cameras) and of course we have no choice in this matter with firearm transport. Has anyone known of missing handguns while flying? I have purchased the case with the cables that others have recommended. I also have 130 decible alarm that I will place along with the cabling so it will engage if the case is removed from the suitcase. Nothing is fool proof in flying, but it will be a deterrent I'm sure. I've flown probably 20 -30 times since the 80's and have yet to lose any luggage - a few items that were delayed but never lost (airport language for stolen) awell, I'm make sure everything is well documented before my departure.

[Rhino]

Last time I flew out of Dayton (last year), everything was done at the ticket counter. TSA never got involved. The ticket agent told me that TSA would page me if they wanted to inspect the case or the gun.

[mreising]

Thanks for the updates. I have not taken a gun thru there for a while and I used carry on bag on my last trip earler this month so I did not notice the change for checked bag screening. Like I said, I noticed something looked different.

[pleasantguywhopacks]

Last time I flew out of Dayton (last year), everything was done at the ticket counter. TSA never got involved. The ticket agent told me that TSA would page me if they wanted to inspect the case or the gun.

Good to know. We are thinking of flying out of there this summer.