Flying While Armed by

OfficerResource.com member Cochese

Flying with Firearms
You need to travel via plane, and you need to take your gun and ammunition with you?

It’s not as hard as you might think. As a service to our readers we present:

Flying with Firearms FAQ: TWENTY SIMPLE STEPS

You may think this process is complicated, but it’s worth it, and it works. Throughout the process, WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK FOR A SUPERVISOR.

1.Go to your airline’s website and Print their firearms transportation policy (3 copies) making sure there is a company logo on the printed sheet and a URL header showing it’s from their corp. website.

2.Go to TSA’s website and print three copies.

3.Go somewhere and laminate one TSA page and one airline page back to back. Kinko’s will do this for you.

Everytime I have flown with a weapon, someone was amazed by my preparedness and politely asked to keep the copy of their policy that I had, as they had never seen it! That is why I tell you to make three copies. Two will be given away as you work your way through the process.

The laminated one stays in your carry-on and if you always fly on the same carrier like me, the one-dollar lamination pays for itself quickly.

Locate the box that your gun came in when you purchased it. For example, if you are carrying your Glock with you, locate the plastic Glock box. If you do not have the box that your gun came in, you can get one for five dollars at Bass Pro/Outdoor World, or at most gun shops. You want a box that opens like a suitcase.

Also, if your gun did not come with one, obtain two cable-type gun locks.

This is all you will need to transport your firearm.

But wait! You say you want to bring some ammunition, do you?

From the TSA Website:

Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).

The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above.

4. To comply with this requirement, load up magazines of your favorite ammo (no hollowpoints in New Jersey!) and place them in one of these fobus magazine carrying pouches (they are 12 bucks on eBay and elsewhere)

5. Place the Pistol, with a cable through the action and padlocked, inside the hard sided container.

6. Add your two full mags in the fobus mag holder (or your Sidearmor mag holder, etc) to the hard sided container. You can also include boxed ammunition but it may be more conventient to buy it where you are going. I also include a folding knife in mine.

7. Next, close the full case. Take one (or your other if you used one on the gun) cable lock and wrap it tightly around the handle of the case. (This is a *TIGHT* fit) You may have to practice this a few times to do it smoothly in front of the TSA and airline folk. Now lock the cable lock and tug to confirm its secure.

8. You should have two sets of keys for the cable lock(s) on your pistol (if applicable) and the one used on the case. Keep one set on your key ring and the other set can stay on a chain around your neck or another safe place. Note: (The metal which the keys are made of does not set off the metal detectors at DIA or DFW airports).

You are now ready to go to the airport after you pack your undies.

9. Walk into the terminal and approach the ticket counter. Using your inside voice, smile in a friendly, professional manner and say, “Hello! I need to check in with you and also declare and unloaded and approved firearm.”

(Here you may choose to produce a Driver’s license and your CHL-CCW-CWP to soothe the clerk, or LEO creds if applicable, but none of this is required at this step.)

The ticket agent should produce declaration card…

Note: a good Boy Scout will have a stack of these in his/her gunsafe to save valuable minutes at the airport .

10. Fill out the card and return it to the agent/clerk.
(Note: If at this time, the ticket agent becomes distressed or shows signs of indecision, produce your laminated sheet displaying their corporate policy allowing checked firearms/TSA policy.

Throughout the process, WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK FOR A SUPERVISOR.

11. The ticket agent should have you show them the unloaded firearm/secure ammo and then place the card into the guncase, leaving it unlocked. (This will vary, some will have you re-lock it).

12. They should now process your regular baggage into the airlines system and print/apply a claim/track sticker onto the bag.

13. After the ticket agent (and their manager, if that person has been called over) compliment you for being prepared, ask them if they want their own copy of thier company policy regarding the transportation of firearms and break out one of the extra two copies.

14. The agent then should (this varies at each airport) send you, or have you escorted by TSA (with your firearm in its box) to a “secure firearms check-in area”. DFW has a TSA agent in his own little line that comes over, takes your gun case, asks you to unlock it and then runs it through the conveyor. They then ask you to re-lock the case yourself while they watch.

It is possible that the TSA personnel will tell you that magazines in magazine holders are not approved containers for ammunition. Produced your laminated copy of the TSA Firearms policy which reads mags in pouches are good to go. Be polite: you attract more bees with honey than vinegar.

Throughout the process, WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK FOR A SUPERVISOR.

15. Again, offer the TSA personnel their own copy (your remaining extra that you printed.

16. The TSA personnel should ask you to repack your weapon and mags/ammo back in your lockable case, secure the case, and place it in your baggage to be checked.

17. Now is the time you double check your bags nametag(s) (have more than one on there with email, multiple phones and address).

DO NOT ALLOW THE TICKET AGENT OR TSA PERSONNEL TO PLACE ANY STICKERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR BAG THAT SAY FIREARM OR ANYTHING SIMILAR. THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW AND TSA POLICY!

(Follow TSA guidelines RE: locking your bags)

18. Now, the TSA agent will take your bag and send it on its way. It should make its way to the belly of your plane and be waiting discreetly on the baggage carousel at your destination in good shape.

Once you have landed, not consuming any intoxicating beverages on the way, locate your baggage and confirm identity by nametag, then check integrity of the bag and contents carefully, not exposing your weapon.

19. Once you have exited the secure area/cold zone of the airport (you will know when), enter the restroom with your bag. Enter the largest stall available, preferably one with a diaper station, and load and secure your weapon (unless prohibited by law or lack of CCW).

Unpacking and loading/holstering weapon in the parking garage when you think you are alone, LEO or not, is a bad idea.

Written by Cochese and Scott Auld.

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