Now, this is a sample of one and I still have a return trip.

However, for my first trip it was boring. Most painful part was paying the baggage fee, $30.

In a Pelican 1510 case, I packed 2 handguns in the center pull out section from a Midway range bag, just in the padded side pockets. Also, 100rds of ammo in a Dillon plastic ammo box and several empty mags in a mag pouch. Leatherman, odds and ends like shoes, sunscreen, tools, ammo sack and oil. Double padlocked.

Holster, belt and mag pouches went in the carry on.
Again, sample of one.

Gate agent: Checking in?
Me: Ues and I need to declare two unloaded firearms and ammunition.
GA: Please sign this declaration tag and put it in the case. Is the ammunition under 11lbs?
M: Tha k you. Yes, less than 11lbs of ammo.
GA: Thank you, that will be $30 for the bag and I need a good phone number in case they need to inspect the contents.
...
GA: Here’s your receipt and boarding pass, have a nice day.
M: Thank you.

I waited until it was time to board and then went to my flight. I got a text saying my bag had been loaded, before my turn to board so I got on the plane.

Got a text that my bag had been transferred to the next flight and it was to be picked up at the baggage office. They did have to take me back to the ticket counter as the claim office was locked but no biggie. They did put a giant zip tie on it before they released it to me. Not a biggie either.

This is how it should be and I hope my return flight goes as smooth, but I have more time leeway.

Ugggh, I have to fly back to NC in the summer and then fly out of Atlanta....I have no doubt that leaving TX with a gun will not be an issue but the return has me worried....I might just forgo carrying during our trip...

Or better, might just UPS a gun to myself there and then to myself on the way back.

Las Vegas is about the same.
JFK was very different. They called 2 cops and a police supervisor. The supervisor looked at my AR and said "Nice rifle. I had one like it in the military" and left with one of the cops. The rookie stayed and was rooting around in my case, pulling out the foam and looking everywhere. I finally (10 minutes of this) leaned in and said "if you'll tell me what you're looking for, maybe I can help?" He said "I can't find the serial number on this" (upper of the rifle). I explained to him the difference between an upper and a serialized lower. Then he took my license and CCW, wrote down all the information, including my rifle serial number, and he let the agent take my case.
Jackasses almost made me miss my flight.

Bruce

When I flew out of Salt Lake last year with a firearm, the Delta folks inspected it while I watched. Then they had me lock it and they zip tied my bag closed. IIRC my bag and I were treated with special care from there. I did not have to wait at a carousel to collect my bag. It was expedited to the Delta claims office and I picked it up without a wait. Return trip was identical.

I only connected through Atlanta and will flying out of NC straight home.

Last time I flew with a handgun, I declared at the counter and then they had me open the case, rack the slides to show they were empty, re-lock the case.

Weird feeling standing at the counter with a gun in your hand.

They then hand walked the bag with case in it over to TSA to get inspected, and some special tag put on it.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
Ugggh, I have to fly back to NC in the summer and then fly out of Atlanta....I have no doubt that leaving TX with a gun will not be an issue but the return has me worried....I might just forgo carrying during our trip...

Or better, might just UPS a gun to myself there and then to myself on the way back.

I’ve checked a handgun flying out of ATL lots of times. I’ve never had an issue at all. Depending on the airline, they might make you show them the gun is clear, other just take your word for it and have you sign the declaration card, and maybe escort your to TSA for them to check your bag. Then off you go.

Phred, I’ve never travelled by air with my gun, so it seems like there are many places for shit to go wrong....

Flying with a firearm is simple in most cases. The problem comes if you're diverted to a place that is not firearm friendly, and then can't connect. New York, for example, where you overnight and have to check the firearm in the next day, again. A well known case doing just that cost a SLC man a lot of money and headache. It also exposes the firearm to potential theft during the transit. Less so if you have it in your checked luggage.

If you put your firearm in checked luggage, it's a wise idea to put luggage straps around the bag you check. I've had a bag ripped in two in transit, with everything scattered. The luggage strap holds it all together, even if the case gets damaged. Less chance of losing your firearm. I prefer a strap that goes around the bag two ways (forms a + on each side of the bag) so it won't slip off. Learned that the hard way.

[drift] so could I just use this gunvault using only the key by removing the battery therefore turning off the buttons on top, and using the cable that is provided to attach it to the frame of a roll-on (obviously checking it) and one mag of ammo?

That’s basically what I use. Mine is the roller combination style, so no key, no electronics. I use the included cable to tether it to the frame of my suitcase. Once the suitcase is all packed up, I use a small padlock on the zippers to lock the suitcase shut.