Firearm in checked baggage?

[ScubaSigGuy]

Has anyone flown out of DFW recently with a pistol in the their checked luggage? If so, how long did it take to check in? Did you have any challenges?

I need to fly down to Orlando this week and pick up a vehicle that I'm driving back, and I'd rather not make the trip back unarmed.

Thanks!

[RoyGBiv]

DFW is one of the easiest airports to fly a checked gun out of.
Just go straight to a full service counter. Don't bother with a kiosk.

As far as time goes, it's unusual for the whole check in process to take more than 10 minutes including wait-in-line time, but that can certainly vary by airline, time of day, day of week, etc. More crowded = longer lines = longer wait. Checking a firearm at DFW is pretty routine. 5 minutes once you get to the counter, max. Don't need to worry about The Inquisition.

More here from an earlier post.
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=84832&p=1088732#p1088732

[thetexan]

Yes, very easy. Here is the American Airlines procedure at DFW. Different carriers may have different rules regarding their procedures for carrying on their airline but the TSA procedure is usually the same.

1. Pack your gun, unloaded, in a small locked container.
2. Pack any ammo in another small locked container.
3. Pack these two separate locked containers in your luggage that you intend to check.

Walmart has a great little locked metal box that is perfect.

4. Walk up to the ticket counter and declare to the clerk that you have your packed handgun in your bag and would like to have it checked through TSA. Be careful how you phrase this so as to not cause alarm.
5. The clerk will escort you and your bag to the TSA bag inspection station.
6. The TSA officers will inspect your bag and ensure that your gun is unloaded and in a locked container and that your ammo is locked in a separate container.
7. After the inspection TSA takes custody of your bag and will be responsible for getting it on the plane.
8. At the destination end you will go to the TSA office and pick up your bag.

Here's a tip from your uncle tex....want to never lose another bag on a flight?...always carry your handgun and go thru this procedure. TSA will take personal care of your bag from start to finish and ensure that that bag with a gun is always accounted for! By the way, be sure you know the gun laws at the destination state!

No need to thank me...I'm happy to be of service.

tex

[AJSully421]

Agree with the above, except for the "ammo in a second locked case" part. You can do it that way, but it is not required. I have flown 8 times with a pistol. 2x with Southwest, the rest American. Every time my ammo was in a regular (card stock) ammo box right off the shelf and in the same locked case as the pistol. Never had one problem at DFW, Love, SLC, Denver, Phoenix, or Las Vegas.

Also, the phrase is: "I need to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked bag."

[GeekwithaGun]

Agree with the above, except for the "ammo in a second locked case" part. You can do it that way, but it is not required. I have flown 8 times with a pistol. 2x with Southwest, the rest American. Every time my ammo was in a regular (card stock) ammo box right off the shelf and in the same locked case as the pistol. Never had one problem at DFW, Love, SLC, Denver, Phoenix, or Las Vegas.

Also, the phrase is: "I need to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked bag."

I agree with the above. However I have had more issues at DFW with TSA than anywhere else. Last year we flew Spirit to Denver out of DFW, I use a nano-vault type lock box with combo lock for pistol, i also place my pocket knife in there - no ammo, not large enough for a box. My ammo was in two fully charged 17 round magazines inside a cardboard ammo box. I have done this many times before and have had no issues out of DAL, DFW, Tampa, Detroit until then. The agent who scanned my bag after we checked in at counter and filled the declaration out said ammo must not be in the magazine, however he let it pass and we went on our way. He stated that ammo must be in a non-metallic box. It is the only issue I have had. In Denver I bought a plastic ammo box that holds all the ammo for two mags plus extra. Just a pain to recharge mags at destination. If allowed at destination, I would claim my bags and go into restroom to re-holster and have mags ready to go.

With Southwest, the full service counter sends the bag through and we do not have to accompany to TSA - I think it was on AA out of Detroit also did this, so not sure if TSA or airline. I have never had to pick up my bag from TSA at the final destination and I believe that your bags with a firearm must not be identifiable as having a firearm - no special tags or tape. Just another bag moving through the system.

This has been my experience, yours may be different.

[twjones]

I typically fly Southwest - never had any issues.

I use the Bulldog Vaults Personal Safe with Key Lock. You can pick one up for about ~$25.

I only thing I remember about Southwest is they have an odd ammo limit (like 11 lbs or something like that).

With Southwest, they didn't take me to TSA. I just signed and was on my way.

Hope this helps.

[ScubaSigGuy]

Thanks folks, I appreciate the info! The last time I checked firearms was pre 9/11, and I was still on active duty.

[GeekwithaGun]

Here is the TSA link for travel with firearm and ammunition. I need to refresh my own brain on what is allowed. I will probably review, print this and carry with me every time I fly.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting ... ammunition

I think I have been lucky with the means of transport in regards to magazines/charged or not. See definition of "loaded firearm".

[AJSully421]

Agree with the above, except for the "ammo in a second locked case" part. You can do it that way, but it is not required. I have flown 8 times with a pistol. 2x with Southwest, the rest American. Every time my ammo was in a regular (card stock) ammo box right off the shelf and in the same locked case as the pistol. Never had one problem at DFW, Love, SLC, Denver, Phoenix, or Las Vegas.

Also, the phrase is: "I need to declare an unloaded firearm in my checked bag."

I agree with the above. However I have had more issues at DFW with TSA than anywhere else. Last year we flew Spirit to Denver out of DFW, I use a nano-vault type lock box with combo lock for pistol, i also place my pocket knife in there - no ammo, not large enough for a box. My ammo was in two fully charged 17 round magazines inside a cardboard ammo box. I have done this many times before and have had no issues out of DAL, DFW, Tampa, Detroit until then. The agent who scanned my bag after we checked in at counter and filled the declaration out said ammo must not be in the magazine, however he let it pass and we went on our way. He stated that ammo must be in a non-metallic box. It is the only issue I have had. In Denver I bought a plastic ammo box that holds all the ammo for two mags plus extra. Just a pain to recharge mags at destination. If allowed at destination, I would claim my bags and go into restroom to re-holster and have mags ready to go.

With Southwest, the full service counter sends the bag through and we do not have to accompany to TSA - I think it was on AA out of Detroit also did this, so not sure if TSA or airline. I have never had to pick up my bag from TSA at the final destination and I believe that your bags with a firearm must not be identifiable as having a firearm - no special tags or tape. Just another bag moving through the system.

This has been my experience, yours may be different.

The real factor on the experience is the airport itself. At Salt Lake, no matter what carrier you use, you take your bags over to the scanner, and if you declare a firearm, they will put your bag at the front of the line while you stand there and will give you the "all clear". At Las Vegas, the bag goes to the back on the same conveyor as everyone else and they ask for you to hang out at the check in area for 10-15 minutes and listen in case your name is called. I have had varied experiences at DFW, depending on what terminal I am at. Mostly, it is that you take your bag to another area where a TSA guy scans it, and then they toss it on the conveyor. IIRC, at Love, a guy came to the back counter and took your bag back to another area, they asked for you to wait 5 minutes and if nothing, then go on. One time the guy poked his head out the door and gave me a thumbs up.

As far as mags and such, TSA says mags that are contained- I remember that they use the word "boxed" (like in a mag pouch) are fine. I think that SW is OK with it, but I know that AA will not allow loaded mags, no matter how they are contained.

I have always unloaded the mags and I put everything pistol related in that locked case. Never had an issue, even the two times that the TSA asked to open and inspect the inside of the case.

But you are right, experiences are pretty varied depending on the airport... even different experiences at the same airport. The only two that have been 100% the same each time for me are SLC and Las Vegas.

[chl-dawg]

any experiences /issues at IAH via United?
i've read the TSA site and united rules and familiar with them but wanted to get any recent reports.

thanks !

[RoyGBiv]

experiences are pretty varied depending on the airport... even different experiences at the same airport.

Just smile and say "Ok", whatever they ask you to do...

Last time through AA at DFW (a few weeks ago) I checked in at the ticket counter, signed the form and they tagged my bag, then I rolled my luggage about 40 feet to the TSA guy who opened the bag, rubbed around all over the inside with a cloth patch and tested the patch for residue. After he finished and gave me the thumbs up, I handed him my TSA compliant lock (locks the outside of the bag, not the gun case which has it's own key lock) and asked him to put it on and spin the dials. He was happy to do it. Told him thanks and went to the security checkpoint. EZ.

[RoyGBiv]

oops...

[txyaloo]

any experiences /issues at IAH via United?
i've read the TSA site and united rules and familiar with them but wanted to get any recent reports.

thanks !

No issues. I fly United out of IAH fairly regularly carrying a Pelican 1750 full of NFA goodies.

[DevilDawg]

Adding to the continued hijack.

Flying Houston/Denver/Reno and returning Reno/Houston next month on United. I see from the previous and other similar threads that TSA and United shouldn't be a problem. However we will not arrive into Reno until 11:30PM local. Will I be able to recover my bag at that time?

[AJSully421]

Adding to the continued hijack.

Flying Houston/Denver/Reno and returning Reno/Houston next month on United. I see from the previous and other similar threads that TSA and United shouldn't be a problem. However we will not arrive into Reno until 11:30PM local. Will I be able to recover my bag at that time?

Of course, they have to give you your bags. I'd bet they have staff 24/7, at least while there are flights scheduled to arrive.