Posted: 7/22/2005 12:24:39 AM EDT
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I got bored tonight and someone was asking about flying with guns over at Glocktalk so I knocked this little bitch out. Use it in good health! Glocktastic's Flying with Firearms FAQ TWENTY SIMPLE STEPS (As a LEO, it tends to go a little smoother for some reason), but here is what you do: (You may think this complicated, but it's worth it as it works... I fly often and now always bring a pistol or two) 1.Go to your airlines website and Print their firearms transportation policy (3 copies) making sure there is a company logo on the printed sheet and a url header showing it's from their corp. website. 2.Go to TSA's website... www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=09000519800ac232&print=yes (Print three copies) 3.Go somewhere and laminate 1 TSA page and 1 airline page back to back. (Everytime I have flown with a weapon, someone was exacerbated by my preparidness and politely asked to keep the copy of their policy that I had as they had never seen it!) The laminated one stays in your carry-on and if you always fly on the same carrier like me, the 1 dollar lamination pays for itself quickly. Here is an *example* that will work for most people on Glocktalk. -You have a glock pistol which came in a newer OE black case like this:  If you have this one, then you are a badass:  I haven't tried it with tupperware since it's not 'hard-sided'...  You should also have an OE glock cable lock then too, right?  This is all you will need to transport your *firearm*. But, You say you want to bring some ammunition, do you? www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=09000519800ac232 Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above. 4.Load up two mags of your favorite ammo (no HP in NJ) and place them in one of these. (They are 12 bucks on ebay) Or use something similar~ (I use this and carry this)  (If you have another cable lock, it makes things even easier and people are less apt to want to finger**** your heater) 5.Next, Place the Pistol (I go cable locked open/slide locked back) <-- (this is where having two cable locks comes in handy~ )or just empty with no mag loaded, inside the glock container (or your choice of hard sided container). 6.Then, add your two full mags in the fobus mag holder (or your sidearmor mag holder, etc) 6a.You may also choose to add a 50 round box of ammo. The only way to fit it with a Glock(or whatever gun), mags and mag holder is to butcher your foam inserts :) (I also included a folder knife in mine) 7.Next, close the full case. Take one (or your other if you used one on the gun) OE red glock cable lock and wrap it around three times through the handle of the case. (This is a *TIGHT* fit) You may have to practice this a few times to do it smoothly in front of the TSA and airline folk. Now lock the cable lock and tug to confirm its secure. (I will work on a picture of this later) 8.You should have two sets of keys for the cable lock(s) on your pistol (if applicable) and the one used on the case. Keep one set on your key ring and the other set can stay on a chain around your neck or another safe place. Note: (The metal which the keys are made of does not set off the metal detectors at DIA or DFW airports). You are now ready to go to the airport after you pack your undies and other crap. 9.Walk into the terminal and approach the ticket counter. Using your *inside voice*, smile in a coy manner and say: "Hi! I need to check in with you and also declare and unloaded and approved firearm." (Here you may choose to produce a DL/CHL-CCW-CWP for ID to sooth the clerk, or LEO creds if applicable {no CCW badges, dork :) nachos at the airport are $$$} ) The professional ticket agent/clerk/whatever they're called will *read: should* produce a similar looking white card like so: (Forgive the crappy phone cam pics, fiancee has digital cam on vacation) -front-  -back-  Note: a good boy/girl scout will have a stack of these in his/her gunsafe to save valuable minutes at the airport ;) 10.Fill out the card and return it to the agent/clerk. (Note: If at this time, they wig out/act stupid/ are clueless/call the police/etc, produce your laminated sheet displaying their corporate policy allowing checked firearms/TSA policy and ask them to chill out.) 11.They will (read: should) have you show them the unloaded firearm/secure ammo and then place the card into the guncase, leaving it unlocked. (This will vary, some will have you re-lock it) 12.They should now process your bag into the airlines system and print/apply a claim/track sticker onto the bag. 13.After they tell you that you are a pimp(ette) for being prepared, ask them if they want their own copy of thier company policy regarding the transportation of firearms and break out one of the extra two copies :) 14.They will swoon for a moment, then should (this varies at each airport) send you, or have you escorted by TSA to a "secure firearms check-in area". DFW has a dude in his own little line that comes over, grabs your bag, asks you to unlock it and then runs it through the conveyor. They then ask you to re-lock the case yourself while they watch. The liberals working the TSA horse at DIA were/are a little clueless. They proceeded to tell me my mags were not approved containers for ammunition. I again produced my well weathered laminated copy of the TSA Firearms policy which reads mags in pouches are good to go, and politely told them they were/are full of crap (missinformed). 15.After they are done swooning over you in the TSA cave, offer them their own copy (your remaining extra that you printed off- providing you haven't used it to wipe the vomit off your chin in disgust of their unprofessionalism  ) 16.They should ask you to repack your weapon and mags/ammo back in your lockable case, secure the case, and place it in your bag to be checked. 17.Now is the time you double check your bags nametag(s) (have more than one on there with email, multiple phones and address) DO NOT ALLOW THE TICKET AGENT OR TSA PERSONNEL TO PLACE ANY STICKERS ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR BAG THAT SAY FIREARM OR ANYTHING SIMILAR. THIS IS AGAINST THE LAW AND TSA POLICY ! (Follow TSA guidelines RE: locking your bags) 18.Now, the TSA dude(ette) will take your bag and send it on its way. It will (read:should) make its way to the belly of your plane and be waiting discreetly on the baggage carousel at your destination in good shape. 19.Once you have exited the secure area of the airport (you will know when), enter the restroom with your bag. Enter the largest stall available, preferably one with a diaper station, and load and secure your weapon (unless prohibited by law or lack of CCW). 20.Do not unpack and load/holster weapon in the parking garage when you think you are alone, LEO or not. It is a bad idea. Don't ask me how I know. (All airports have police. Some have tac teams :) ) Flying home is/should be the same process. When in doubt, ask for a supervisor. Exercise your 2A! Even in airports! Just know what your doing and... "Be a good scout, BE PREPARED!" This FAQ is (TM) (C) (R) Glocktastic, 2005. All rights reserved. Covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: RE38,492, RE38,476, 6,850,787, 6,826,419, 6,816,741, 6,699,194, 6,684,090, 6,658,276, 6,654,624, 6,650,917, 6,643,530, 6,606,511, 6,584,336, 6,501,975, 6,463,311, 6,430,525, 6,360,114, 6,263,222, 6,236,872, 6,229,856, 6,206,830, 6,157,850, 6,067,462, 6,011,986, 6,002,952, 5,919,134, 5,823,950, 5,769,785, 5,758,644, 5,685,299, 5,632,272, 5,490,505, 5,482,036, international equivalents, or one or more of the patents referenced at www.glocktalk.com/patents. Products containing AMMOfaq® feature are also covered by U.S. Patent 6,770,028. Other patents pending. edited for spelling and such~ -gt |
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Or... 1. Get letter of authorization from your Chief 2. Inform airline when you make your reservation that you'll be flying armed. (Don't forget to complete the FAA "LEOs Flying Armed" training either by taking the class or viewing the video) 3. Identify self with DL, Badge, ID, and present Chief's letter to ticket agent. 4. They'll escort you through (read: around) security and you even get to board first. ...assuming of course you're flying "in the line of duty" The one thing they should have added to HR218/SB253 should have been authorization to fly armed. |
| You can fly to NJ with HP ammo as long as you have LE credentials with you. I forgot about the ban on HP in NJ last time I was there and they made a stink about it at the counter on the way home. They were upset because I had "hollowed" out my bullets. I showed them my badge and they said all was well. |