DFW airport & declaring your firearm experience?

[jailbird]

I've flown out of DFW & DAL a few times using the Nano with no problems. Once at DFW the TSA agent went off on the ticket agent for having me put the card inside the Nano instead of outside, so I got to enjoy a show.

On the way back from CA it's been okay. I did get a bad stare once, but that's it.

I do think that if you check a gun you should get automatic precheck through security, since you already told them you have a weapon!

[mr1337]

Just be sure to get there a few minutes earlier than you would otherwise, especially if it's your first time checking a firearm. Tell the person at the baggage/check-in counter that you need a firearms declaration form. It should be an index card sized slip that you fill out your name, address, flight information, and sign the back affirming the firearm is unloaded. If they give you a big sheet of paper, it's the wrong form (I've had that happen before, it's for LEO bringing a firearm on the plane itself).

Also note that if you're flying AA, not all AA counters can process your firearm. There are counters that are off on their own in smaller areas that will tell you to go to the main check-in counter in another part of the building, probably a 5 minute walk. Just a heads up on what to expect.

After you sign the card, the airline agent will ask you to open your bag and place the card inside. Some will simply put it in your bag, and some will want to put it inside the hard-sided case that contains your firearm. Some agents may ask to verify the firearm is unloaded, but most will not even want to see it.

I use a Gunvault with the cable wrapped around part of the frame inside my rolling luggage. Baggage thieves are looking for a quick and easy snatch. It's unlikely that they will be able to take your whole bag, which is what they would have to do to steal your gun.

Just make sure:

• Firearm is unloaded
• In your checked bags (not carry-on)
• In a locked, hard-sided container
• Ammunition is stored in devices designed for ammo storage (does not need to be inside hard container)
• Firearm is declared to the airline at the check-in counter

[Carolina Cajun]

Just be sure to get there a few minutes earlier than you would otherwise, especially if it's your first time checking a firearm. Tell the person at the baggage/check-in counter that you need a firearms declaration form. It should be an index card sized slip that you fill out your name, address, flight information, and sign the back affirming the firearm is unloaded. If they give you a big sheet of paper, it's the wrong form (I've had that happen before, it's for LEO bringing a firearm on the plane itself).

Also note that if you're flying AA, not all AA counters can process your firearm. There are counters that are off on their own in smaller areas that will tell you to go to the main check-in counter in another part of the building, probably a 5 minute walk. Just a heads up on what to expect.

After you sign the card, the airline agent will ask you to open your bag and place the card inside. Some will simply put it in your bag, and some will want to put it inside the hard-sided case that contains your firearm. Some agents may ask to verify the firearm is unloaded, but most will not even want to see it.

I use a Gunvault with the cable wrapped around part of the frame inside my rolling luggage. Baggage thieves are looking for a quick and easy snatch. It's unlikely that they will be able to take your whole bag, which is what they would have to do to steal your gun.

Just make sure:

• Firearm is unloaded
• In your checked bags (not carry-on)
• In a locked, hard-sided container
• Ammunition is stored in devices designed for ammo storage (does not need to be inside hard container)
• Firearm is declared to the airline at the check-in counter

mr1337: Thanks for all of the info my friend, I will be sure to get to the airport super early just to have time to play with in case it takes longer. As for the ammo goes, is it ok if I store the ammo in the original box that it came in?

[GeekwithaGun]

Same experience as everyone else with ticket counter and TSA for firearm at DFW and DAL. the last time I flew on Southwest from DAL, the agent at the check in taped the declaration to the vault I use (also cable tied to frame of luggage). I have never been asked to show the pistol was unloaded or remove it from the case.

as far as ammo, I have done this several ways and have never had an issue. (a) packing full box(s) of factory ammo and packing two empty mags in luggage; (b) placing two loaded mags inside the empty factory ammo box (9mm 17 rounders) along with a loose round from the chamber and tape it up. I did (a) the first time traveling with a firearm, wasn't sure what to expect and wanted to be sure it was good to go. I used option (b) this last trip to and from Detroit.

I usually take one or two 50 round factory ammo cardboard boxes, I simply put in the luggage (not in locked case with pistol) with a TSA approved lock

the regs on TSA web site says non-metallic box (cardboard suggested if I recall). There isn't anything I have seen on AA's or SWA's rules about having to unload the magazines and they have never asked about ammo. On SWA they place the declaration on the vault and send the bag to TSA, I have only been asked to wait nearby security one time to make sure everything was good. At DFW and AA, they walked me and my bag to TSA, TSA screened it and sent me on my way.

I have not traveled with rifles yet, but I did observe the same experience of several other travelers ahead of me at DAL - no muss no fuss with SWA.

[txcharvel]

Sitting in the airport now flying home, firearm in checked luggage. Your experience will also vary greatly from airport to airport. I've never been asked to open my nano vault much less demonstrate that it's unloaded. I would think it would be illegal to display it like this.

In Austin, once you declare and they tape the card to your vault, you'll be directed to a TSA agent who will check your bag and your vault for explosives (because of course, since you are declaring a firearm you could be transporting a bomb???). Once this is done you're all set. I always stay around to see them close it back up even though they tell me I can leave.

In some airports, like Houston Hobby, once you declare your firearm and they tape the card to your vault, you're done. They take your bag right there. In Harlingen you're directed to a TSA agent that is running every bag through a big X Ray machine.

In the past I've always used old ammo boxes, but the last few times I've just kept ammo in the magazine.

Your mileage and experience may vary, much like TSA's success finding prohibited items.

[treadlightly]

Sounds like airports are friendlier about guns than they used to be.

I fly Toyota 4Runner, and nobody ever gives me any grief.

Good plan. My personal favorite airline is our new Goldwing. Since it's a horizontally opposed powerplant with three on each side, I just realized - it's a six-shooter!