Anyone fly with firearms lately? Experiences to share?

[atltrader]

Just curious if anyone has flown in the last few months on any of the major airlines having to check a pistol in, and if so how's the process been? It's been a few years for me but I'm really wanting to be armed once I get to my destination next week. Biloxi and New Orleans for those wondering. I know the airlines have links you can follow to check pistols and other firearms in with them but was just curious if the process has been muddied up lately with any specific airline. Thanks in advance...

 

[boomer]

follow the TSA / airline rules. I would make sure Louisiana has a reciprocal carry permit with Georgia.

 

[ngcsugrad09]

It super easy. Bring a hard case with locks for it (not TSA locks). I like the combo locks that are easy on and off versus worrying about losing a key.

Basically at check in, declare you have a firearm to the check-in agent. They'll make you sign a firearms declaration that it's unloaded, then will tag the case. If just a pistol, you can put your lock box in your suitcase, or do it as separate luggage if it's bigger. In Atlanta, you take it to the oversize luggage screening where they'll look at it on their x-ray machine and either send it to the baggage system or want to look inside. Then you go through security like normal.

When you pack the gun, make sure the ammo is in either a factory type box or get a 50/100 rd reloading type box for carrying ammo. I've had them occasionally not allow it in magazines. Also, double check it is unloaded as that's what TSA is really looking for. If not, it's not a fun day for you.

At your destination, it'll get separated to the airline baggage office to verify your ID. If flying Delta, the app won't let you check-in for your return flight, as you'll have to go through it all at the airport in the same fashion. All in all, I do it quite a bit and it's not that bad. Atlanta is generally easier to deal with than a lot of airports.

 

[atltrader]

follow the TSA / airline rules. I would make sure Louisiana has a reciprocal carry permit with Georgia.

The last time I flew with one a few years back, I went to Biloxi, so I'm not as concerned about having my bag tampered with. If I were flying into New Orleans, I'd be a little more tentative.

 

[atltrader]

It super easy. Bring a hard case with locks for it (not TSA locks). I like the combo locks that are easy on and off versus worrying about losing a key.

Basically at check in, declare you have a firearm to the check-in agent. They'll make you sign a firearms declaration that it's unloaded, then will tag the case. If just a pistol, you can put your lock box in your suitcase, or do it as separate luggage if it's bigger. In Atlanta, you take it to the oversize luggage screening where they'll look at it on their x-ray machine and either send it to the baggage system or want to look inside. Then you go through security like normal.

When you pack the gun, make sure the ammo is in either a factory type box or get a 50/100 rd reloading type box for carrying ammo. I've had them occasionally not allow it in magazines. Also, double check it is unloaded as that's what TSA is really looking for. If not, it's not a fun day for you.

At your destination, it'll get separated to the airline baggage office to verify your ID. If flying Delta, the app won't let you check-in for your return flight, as you'll have to go through it all at the airport in the same fashion. All in all, I do it quite a bit and it's not that bad. Atlanta is generally easier to deal with than a lot of airports.

Thanks for the insight, that sounds almost identical to the process I went through the last time. Just curious though, to play it safe, do you give yourself any extra time before going through TSA, in case you were to get called back to the oversize luggage office for any reason? I think I gave myself an extra 20 minute window just to be on the safe side.

 

[ngcsugrad09]

TSA is super fast, it's the airlines that take a bit longer. Delta makes you go to the assistance line with the other tards.

 

[palmettomoon]

TSA is super fast, it's the airlines that take a bit longer. Delta makes you go to the assistance line with the other tards.

Oh Lord. The foreigners with six gigantic suitcases bursting at the seams with cargo straps holding them together. They take forever redistributing their crap to get the weights of each under the limits, babbling and arguing all the while.

I do not miss air travel. It was fun and very nice in the 1980s, not so much after 9/11.

 

[Ex313]

I'm taking notes. I might have to fly back to Detroit this year and I'd like to take a little friend.

 

[Soul]

Oh Lord. The foreigners with six gigantic suitcases bursting at the seams with cargo straps holding them together. They take forever redistributing their crap to get the weights of each under the limits, babbling and arguing all the while.

I do not miss air travel. It was fun and very nice in the 1980s, not so much after 9/11.

This just hits like a ****ing truck. I absolutely despise those people. The audacity of them to argue also gets me. This is one of the few times where I wish DMV style workers worked at airline counters where they kick any unprepared moron out of the line instantly.

 

[palmettomoon]

This just hits like a ****ing truck. I absolutely despise those people. The audacity of them to argue also gets me. This is one of the few times where I wish DMV style workers worked at airline counters where they kick any unprepared moron out of the line instantly.

It's even worse sometimes in their home countries. In Brazil for example, they'd have cop like workers escorting couples with snot gobblers to the front of EVERY line. It'd add an hour to an hour and a half to every wait in a queue.