[ascendmfg]

Looks like I'm going to have to fly to vegas this weekend, I know I can fly with my weapon (checked,locked up). Anyone have a preferred airline due to ease of check in/ weapons friendly?

Thanks In advance

Ben

 

[usSiR]

I dont really know...

but you are only allowed so many rounds to trasport as well, just give each of them a call and see. Dont be surprised if they want to physicaly see it that it is unloaded and locked up

 

[jaredbelch]

You should fly JetBlue

Sorry they don't let you link to the answer specifically, but if you click the link and search for firearms you get the answer.
http://help.jetblue.com/SRVS/CGI-BIN/we ... e=obj(2228)

Ammunition for the firearm cannot be placed in the same container as the
firearm. Ammunition must be housed in a separate container that is completely
separate and distinct from the firearms locked box. The ammunition must be
packaged in a fiber, wood or metal box specifically designed for carrying small
amounts of ammunition. Ammunition is limited to 10 pounds per customer.

All firearms must be unloaded and must be packed in either a crush-proof
container specifically designed for the firearm, or in a hard-sided container.
The container must be lockable and only the individual checking the baggage
should retain the key or combination. Any container which cannot be locked is
not acceptable. TSA recommends that you provide the key or combination to the
security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain
present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared.

ETA: The easiest way would be to check in from home online (24 hours ahead) or at the kiosk in the airport, then go to the counter to "drop" your bags and declare the firearm then.

-Disclaimer: I work in the airline industry

 

[apollosmith]

I think you're probably safe with any of the airlines - just make sure you read and follow their specific guidelines. You shouldn't have a problem in Salt Lake with any airline - they see guns checked every day. Coming back from Vegas, I suspect you might have better luck with Southwest or Frontier as they fly primarily in the west and are more likely to be familiar with the process. I haven't really heard of an airline that is bad to check a gun with.

 

[MountainManXD]

I just got a ticket to fly one way to Denver. I am looking forward to flying with my gun for the first time :shades: . I was wondering what you all do in regards to carrying up to the counter and unholstering, or do you just unholster in the car before you go in. I am flying forntier, and I would assume that they have a little experience with guns.

 

[apollosmith]

I flew Frontier a while back and had a good experience. Read about it here. They will certainly be familiar with the situation. Just try to get the agent that looks the most experienced.

I'd recommend having the gun cased in your luggage and ready to declare before you enter the airport. You will probably have to show that the gun is unloaded and locked, so you can lock it at that time, if you choose. Unholstering, unloading, or otherwise handling a gun in the airport (or any public place) is not advised.

After you declare with the airline and put the firearms declaration tag in your luggage or in your gun case, you'll take your baggage to the TSA screeners. Be sure to tell them you have a firearms declaration and don't leave until they indicate the baggage has been cleared. If they can't clearly tell the gun is locked and unloaded, they may ask you to demonstrate this again to them - if you're gone, your gun and bag may get left behind.

 

[Sam Fidler]

I have flown with weapons many times and have never noticed any substantial difference between airlines; each have to follow the same FAA guidelines. The only significant variations were the responses individual ticket agents. Some didn't know what to do, a few would overreact. For about a year I was making a regular monthly commute from Tucson to Las Vegas, leaving Fri afternoon and returning Sun night. The same ticket agent that checked me in on Fri was working the baggage claim Sun night when I returned. I had her trained well. She had tags ready for me at check-in and would have my rifle case waiting for me when I got off the plane.

 

[usSiR]

Just watch out for the silly prices...
Maybe the'll charge you extra to bring a gun now :lol:

"Oh sir you you want to bring your gun for you're self defense? That will be $15 more and $1 per bullet, we have to offset the weight to cost, ya know those things are heavy..." :ROFL:

 

[aashooter]

I suspect you won't have much of a problem with any of them. SLC seems to know their gun regs and so does Las Vegas. With Front Sight outside of Las Vegas, they see an awful lot of guns coming through their airport.

 

[ascendmfg]

I flew Delta, and didn't have any issues at all. It was smooth as silk

Ben

 

[bane]

Same with SouthWest (but to Washington state not Vegas)

 

[Tarzan1888]

It would be easier to name the wones not to fly.

The truth is I have flown in and out of SLC hundreds of times and have never had a problem, with any airline that flies into or out of SLC.

Just know and do the drill.

1. I would like to declare an unloaded hand gun in a locked box in my checked baggage.

2. I also have some ammunition in approved containers in my checked bag.

3. Sign the little card and put it in or on your locked box (as they direct you).

4. Have them accompany you to TSA.

5. When TSA waves you off, tell them to have a nice day, and board your flight.

Tarzan

 

[whiptrackercracker]

Yep I think its all pretty much covered here. Make sure you check with the Airlines themselves as some have different regs as to how you check a firearm that are a little bit stricter than the TSA's. Some for example do not allow ammunition inside the locked case with the gun. However, all the ones mentioned here I believe do, or at least as I remember. Make sure to print off the TSA and Airline rules and have them with you. Sometimes you end up with the one agent who has not a clue of what to do. They may even tell you its illegal. I tend to catch the worst folks and I have had everything from its illegal to it most not be locked up told to me. Its better just to be prepared, although it should go speedy and efficient without problems. Also, the agent should only be giving you a little airline tag that you fill out and sign and put INSIDE your locked case with the gun. A few times I have had the agent bring out the Law Enforcement forms, and that is for carry on a plane and a good way to go visit prison for a few years. The first time I did it, I was probably more nervous than the agent. But it really is quite simple and easy, actually almost too easy. You'll find, however, that every airport has its own spin on the hoops you have to go through to check the bag. Sometimes you just check it, sometimes the TSA or an officer hand inspects it, and sometimes you are taken into a separate location to have it checked. So be prepared for anything. Checked luggage is usually priority marked and many times hand carried to the plane. Still, you want to make sure that you have the serials written down just in case. That way if it does for some rare reason get stolen, you can notify the local police and closest ATF branch quickly. SLC and Vegas both have good records for luggage and as long as you stay with the big airlines you should not have many problems. There are a few like alaska that I would stay away from. Insider TSA friends talk about their security practices and non existent for the most part. Although this is not true at many airports, I've heard it at a few like SEATAC and MIDWAY. But you should be good to go at VEGAS. Good luck, and welcome to the CCW travelers group!!!

 

[Matai]

So, the regs say a gun must be transported in a locked box or container. What qualifies as a locked box? I have the hard plastic case my gun came in when I bought it, but it doesn't have a lock. I could drill a hole in it and run a padlock through it. Would that work?

What about just locking the luggage with a TSA-approved lock? And if you do that, does that mean you need to check two bags: one for the gun and another for the ammo? (Clothes and sundries in there, too)

If I need to go out and buy something, I'd like to know sooner rather than later since I'll be flying to Vegas next month.

A related question: do any of you know what the rules are for carrying a weapon in the casinos? The Nevada state website indicates the recognize the Utah CFP without limitation, so I imagine I could CC. I don't think I want to take the risk of OC'ing while out of state. (Casinos have a certain reputation)

Thanks so much! :grinningjester:

 

[bane]

So, the regs say a gun must be transported in a locked box or container. What qualifies as a locked box? I have the hard plastic case my gun came in when I bought it, but it doesn't have a lock. I could drill a hole in it and run a padlock through it. Would that work?

What about just locking the luggage with a TSA-approved lock? And if you do that, does that mean you need to check two bags: one for the gun and another for the ammo? (Clothes and sundries in there, too)

If I need to go out and buy something, I'd like to know sooner rather than later since I'll be flying to Vegas next month.

A related question: do any of you know what the rules are for carrying a weapon in the casinos? The Nevada state website indicates the recognize the Utah CFP without limitation, so I imagine I could CC. I don't think I want to take the risk of OC'ing while out of state. (Casinos have a certain reputation)

Thanks so much! :grinningjester:

Matai,

Yes, your plastic box will work if you drill a hole through it and run a padlock through that -- that is essentially all my box is and I have flown with it (but only once) with no problem. Just make sure the plastic box is heavy-duty enough that you can't bust into it/rip off the lock with your bare hands very easily... you want it to be a pretty rugged plastic not a cheap plastic.

No, you can't just lock the luggage with a TSA lock. The gun case itself must be locked and unable for the TSA and other luggage handlers to get into without doing so in your presence (or obviously breaking the case open). You can, however, ALSO lock your luggage with a TSA lock, which I highly recommend; that will serve to keep all but TSA out of your luggage, thus reducing theft of the firearm case.

Hopefully that helps!

 

[jaredbelch]

So, the regs say a gun must be transported in a locked box or container. What qualifies as a locked box? I have the hard plastic case my gun came in when I bought it, but it doesn't have a lock. I could drill a hole in it and run a padlock through it. Would that work?

What about just locking the luggage with a TSA-approved lock? And if you do that, does that mean you need to check two bags: one for the gun and another for the ammo? (Clothes and sundries in there, too)

If I need to go out and buy something, I'd like to know sooner rather than later since I'll be flying to Vegas next month.

A related question: do any of you know what the rules are for carrying a weapon in the casinos? The Nevada state website indicates the recognize the Utah CFP without limitation, so I imagine I could CC. I don't think I want to take the risk of OC'ing while out of state. (Casinos have a certain reputation)

Thanks so much! :grinningjester:

+1 on what Bane said.

To answer your casino question. Yes Nevada now accepts the Utah permit, and just like here, a private business can post a sign and ask you to leave, but there is no penalty for ignoring or failing to see a sign.

OC is also legal and somewhat accepted there. I OC'd on the strip a couple months ago without any problems. I didn't OC in the casino I was staying at just in case they decided to kick me out.

 

[divegeek]

So, the regs say a gun must be transported in a locked box or container. What qualifies as a locked box? I have the hard plastic case my gun came in when I bought it, but it doesn't have a lock. I could drill a hole in it and run a padlock through it. Would that work?

That'll work. Personally I have a couple of these that I keep in the car, and they're just perfect for slipping into a suitcase. Note that only the gun has to be in a locked box, so if there's no room for the ammunition in your gun case you can just put it somewhere else in your suitcase.

Be sure to check the airline regulations on how the ammunition is packed and how the weapon is stored. Some of them have rules that go beyond the TSA requirements.

 

[LSLD]

That'll work. Personally I have a couple of these that I keep in the car, and they're just perfect for slipping into a suitcase.

:agree:

I have two of these in size medium keyed the same....for both vehicles. Works great!

 

[apollosmith]

The others have pretty much nailed it. The key is to make it LOOK locked when it runs through the X-ray machine. To make this whole process easier, I use a big fat lock on the case. I also open the gun slide and run a cable lock through it and out the magazine well. Make sure the gun is not near other metal items and that the TSA declaration card is in the case but preferably not directly covering the gun. I've never had any problems when following this protocol. Some ticket agents need a little assistance in what they are supposed to do, but TSA has never done more than take a cursory look at the locked case through X-ray.

I flew out of Minneapolis last week and my conversation with the maybe 18-year-old TSA agent collecting baggage went something like this...

Me: My luggage contains a unloaded, locked, and declared firearm.

TSA guy: SWEET! What kind of GUN is it?

Me: A Springfield Arms XD.

TSA guy: Wow! Is it a .45 or a .357?

Me: It's a 9mm.
TSA guy: Cool! What kind of BULLETS does that pistol SHOOT?

Me: Just the regular type.

TSA guy: Ahhh... I guess it doesn't matter, if you get SHOT by any 9MM BULLET you're good as DEAD, right?

Me: Uhhh... that's usually how it works.

TSA guy (YELLING to a co-worker while making a gangster pistol gesture): Hey, this guy's got a gun in his bag!!! An SD 9 M. M.!

After that, he and his pimply faced co-worker gawked at the gun through the X-ray screen while making gun sounds and racking pretend guns in the air. Everyone else in the ticket area quietly stared at us. Needless to say, it wasn't very professional. And I stayed there until my bag was down the conveyor and well out of view.

The guy that was behind me in line looked a bit freaked out and as we walked away my co-worked joked that I'd probably end up sitting next to him on my flight. I did.

 

[MarshallDodge]

That's too funny.

I had a TSA agent ask me about my gun once after it went through the X-ray.

Him: Hey, what kind of 1911 is that?

Me: A Springfield Champion.

Him: Nice, have a nice trip!

I thought it was pretty cool that he could tell that it was a 1911 by looking at the X-ray. 8)