I'll be, probably, flying 2-3 times with firearms and looking to book flights. EDIT: Firearms will be locked in a hard side rolling Pelican per applicable rules, laws and regulations. I'll have a few pistols, a couple for competition and my carry gun where allowed.

I'm looking for recommendations or places to avoid if possible. Such as there a nearby airport that might be a better bet.

Specifically I'll be flying to Seattle, WA; Lincoln, Nebraska; Phoenix, AZ; Frostproof Florida.

Airports of concern are SEATAC, MSP and Lincoln and Tampa or Orlando. MSP and SLC are change connecting airports. SEATAC and Lincoln are arrival and departure airports.

Assuming you mean unloaded and locked in luggage, no worries with SeaTac

MSP is fine, so is FSD if you want to connect through

So the pelican case will be exposed? I wonder how they handle the declaration?

I’ve always had a pelican (or storm) inside a suitcase, cable locked to the frame with locks only I have keys to. The signed declaration goes right next to the case (often taped to it), the clothes are packed around it and the TSA lock is on the outer case.

I’ve been in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor a few times with no issues (though one AA agent needed a little help figuring it out. Have only flown myself into the Seattle area and used BFI instead of SEATAC. Haven’t done Nebraska or Florida.

Having a copy of both the TSA rules and the policies of the airline(s) you are flying can help a lot if run into an agent that isn’t familiar.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:
Having a copy of both the TSA rules and the policies of the airline(s) you are flying can help a lot if run into an agent that isn’t familiar.

Great advice.

There some agents out there who do not know their own rules. A couple times I've had a ticket agent demand to inspect a weapon for clear. When I explained I was making the declaration not her and showed her their own rules she insisted anyway, so I showed her the weapons were clear, then I went to the TSA agent. The second time I showed the agent her airline rules and she relented. Both happened at PDX, different airlines.

It is possible that the rules/procedures have changed. The first few times the agents asked me to show them that the firearms were clear. "Okay, can you move to the side so I can pick it out of the case without pointing it at you? Once out, I'll point it at the ground and you can move back, but I don't want to touch it with you in front of the muzzle." "Thanks!" More recent trips, they didn't even want the case opened, just wanted me to sign that the pistols were unloaded.

What you see is what you get; it all depends on who you deal with, rather than the geographical location. Some locations are hostile toward firearms; New York and other such places. But for the most part, it's about the same where ever you go, and the same regulations and policies apply.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
What you see is what you get; it all depends on who you deal with, rather than the geographical location. Some locations are hostile toward firearms; New York and other such places. But for the most part, it's about the same where ever you go, and the same regulations and policies apply.

This exactly. You shouldn’t have any trouble at SeaTac or Sky Harbor based on my experiences at both (at least since TSA fixed their screening procedure at SeaTac, which was years ago). In fact, I can say that I’ve never had a real issue with the airline counter folks. It’s always been the TSA when conflicts have arisen (no kidding, right?).

Decide now whether you will relinquish control of that key (in violation of federal regs) when/if TSA demands that you do and/or what lengths you’ll go to in order to follow the law or make a point - up to and including missing your flight and possibly dealing with the local constabulary (who won’t know the law any better) when TSA radios for LEO assistance.

Also, IMO, the only reason to travel with an exposed weapons case is if you’re flying with long guns and have no choice. Pistol boxes should most definitely be packed in regular luggage. Also, be sure to check your airline regs. I believe there may still be one or two out there that have funny rules about ammo which exceed TSA regs (i.e., can’t have it in the same luggage as the weapon, must be in factory boxes, etc.). I’ve run into both and it’s not what you want to deal with at the airport.

-Rob

I've of course done here, Greenville, S.C. as well as Las Vegas, Portland OR, and a number of others with no problem... but never some place like New York or Chicago (did have to make a connections in Chicago last year that was a nightmare, but not because of the gun) Since this is all federal with TSA should there be no difference? I've found the airline clerks at the check in desk is the gamble more than anything else....

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

Decide now whether you will relinquish control of that key (in violation of federal regs) when/if TSA demands that you do and/or what lengths you’ll go to in order to follow the law or make a point - up to and including missing your flight and possibly dealing with the local constabulary (who won’t know the law any better) when TSA radios for LEO assistance.

This is a good point. Federal regs require that the case containing the handgun must have a non-TSA lock, and the passenger must retain possession of the key, not handing the key to TSA, but opening the case if requested to do so.

As you point out, Rob, some officials do not know this and demand the key, possibly leading to a major pissing contest.

Because of this, I always recommend a combination lock; this avoids the question of who has the key.

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Note to Riley: You mentioned Orlando or Tampa. I have no knowledge of Tampa, but the Orlando airport (MCO) should be no problem. Orlando-Sanford (SFB) is also served by a few airlines, notably Allegiant and a few others. While I based the V-Tail at SFB for a few years (no problem with being armed at the areas of the airport that I used), I have no knowledge of the airline side, but based on my wife's horrible experience, along with those of a few friends, I would take Greyhound, or walk, before using Allegiant.

I have flown into Tampa and Phoenix many times as well as a number of other airports around the country with no problems. This became much easier since TSA established rules and procedures post 9/11. Prior to that you were subject to the whims of the individual airlines. Just stay out of the communist states and you should be ok.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

Having a copy of both the TSA rules and the policies of the airline(s) you are flying can help a lot if run into an agent that isn’t familiar.

Absolutely! My step-son, who is an attorney in the county prosecutor's office, drove here (Florida) from his home in Ohio. For his flight back, I printed one sheet with Federal regs on one side and airline policy on the other side, and gave it to him.

I travel about on various airlines with checked firearms with very little issues.

However there is one issue you may have from what you described. I use a Pelican Air Case 1615 case for work and when traveling with a firearm. Most airlines have a policy and it is sometime airport specific that they will not put a "Pelican" case on the belt that has locks on it. They consider the bag to have "valuables" in it and instead of putting it on the belt the baggages guys will walk it out from out back and ask for your ID or claim check before handing it over. This means you get your bag last and you should keep an eye out on the doors leading behind the baggage claim area. When everyone else gets their bag and the belt stops look for the scraggly baggage dude coming through the door with your Pelican case.

If its a hand gun you may be better off putting the gun and case in a regular suit case rather than a pelican case.

At some airports, TSA will put your case through the machine right away. You stand there and wait to open the case if they ask. At others, the screening happens behind closed doors. Be sure to listen to the PA announcements. I have been summond back once to open my case for TSA. The TSA person said it was because I packed my computer in the case.

Only once has my case not been placed on the baggage carousel. I had to go to lost luggage and show my ID and claim ticket to retrieve it.

Twice I've had high and mighty airline ticket agents. One asked me to show that my firearm, Marlin 1895, was unloaded. I opened the case, started to pull the rifle out to turn it over and open the action. She said I didn't have to because she could tell it was unloaded just by looking at it. The left side of the receiver was facing up and the action was closed, so I assume she had x-ray vision. The second one wanted to look inside the case and saw all the deer jerky and sausage I had packed in with the rifle and said I wasn't allowed to do that. She may have been correct, but the TSA agent she called over said it wasn't a problem.

TSA rules and airline rules! The regs. were put in place long ago and the ground crews are the only concern. There is no control once the package is between check in and baggage retrieval. What is 'safe' today may not be tomorrow. Low key is preferable not something that says "Steal me"!

If your plane gets diverted to another airport (weather, mechanical, whatever), and the airport is unfriendly (NY, NJ), do not take possession of your bag. Even if the airline wants you to, you should refuse it.

RSW in Fort Myers, SWFL is GTG. I fly through there with firearms on a regular basis w/o issues.

Thanks all! Due to the size of the handguns and associated magazines etc., I figured it best to use a separate Pelican. I need at least a 1450 size which takes a fairly large suitcase to fit it inside of.

While I haven't tried to check anything in a couple years, the TSA drama prior led me to just Fed Ex everything to myself at my destination. Its a little more expensive but have had no issues ever since

The only airport that consistently busts your balls is Atlanta- Delta in particular.