I’ll be taking a trip to NOVA in a few weeks and will be flying in and out of DCA / Reagan airport on American. I’m very familiar with flying with a checked handgun on American in general but I haven’t done that in DCA. Any particular steps that American / TSA requires in that airport?

I have done it a couple years ago with nothing different from other airports. I would check with the airline to see if any of their procedures have changed.

I've done it quite a few times going out of DCA. Southwest, United, American, Jet Blue, never had any problems. I agree with what HayesGreener says, and also print and carry a copy of that airlines/TSA firearm regulations to have on you just in case.

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff:
I've done it quite a few times going out of DCA. Southwest, United, American, Jet Blue, never had any problems. I agree with what HayesGreener says, and also print and carry a copy of that airlines/TSA firearm regulations to have on you just in case.

Thanks for the info! Yes, I have copies of the regs with me. Just wondered about the specific DCA setup for checkin and scanning, since airports vary so widely. I frequently fly between Charlotte and MSP and they are completely different. My local airport is a breeze, as all bags go down the same luggage belt behind the agent.

Just make sure that you have two locks on your pistol case. Airlines and the TSA became REAL sticklers about this a couple of years ago. After you put the padlocks on, ticket agents will make a very good attempt to pry the gun case open to see if they can slip the pistol out. If they succeed, you won't be allowed to check it.

quote:

Originally posted by snoris:
After you put the padlocks on, ticket agents will make a very good attempt ("Do---or do not.
There is no try") to pry the gun case open to see if they can slip the pistol out. If they succeed, you won't be allowed to check it.

Throw some Campbells soup cans in there and I think you've got something!

quote:

Originally posted by snoris:
Just make sure that you have two locks on your pistol case. Airlines and the TSA became REAL sticklers about this a couple of years ago. After you put the padlocks on, ticket agents will make a very good attempt to pry the gun case open to see if they can slip the pistol out. If they succeed, you won't be allowed to check it.

Haha, maybe I need to weld it shut! Honestly, the last 10 times I’ve flown with a handgun, the agents acted like it was radioactive and stood as far as possible from it. They couldn’t have me close my case fast enough. The reason I asked this question is just to get a sense of what to expect at DCA. For instance, in CLT, you can only check a handgun at a few “full service” agents and then have to wait for a TSA rep to walk across the terminal and escort you to a “private” exam area where they visually and physically inspect the suitcase, gun case and sometimes swab for explosive residue. Can take up to 30 minutes extra. In MN, you open the case for the agent, then you personally walk the suitcase down to the oversized baggage area, wake up the TSA agent and stand there while they XRay it. That usually doesn’t take too long except during hunting season or if you get behind big golfer groups. Other airports have a other strange variations.