First Time Traveling with a Sidearm Through O'hare

[soylentgreen]

Yes, it seems every airport has different procedures. I checked the TSA website and my carrier's website before traveling.

 

I arrived at the American counter. I declared that I was transporting an unloaded firearm in my checked bag. The woman gave me the tag to sign and instructed me to put it in the locked case containing the gun. She asked if I had ammo. I replied that I was. She asked to see it. I pulled it out. It was in the original manufacturer's box. She said that the ammo must be in a hard-sided case. I said, no, the original manufacturer's box is acceptable according to the TSA and AA's websites. She asked her neighbor at the next terminal who also said it must be in a hard case. I insisted that wasn't true. She said she'd check. She went over to the TSA checkpoint and returned shortly saying I was correct. A red tag was put on the suitcase.

 

I was then escorted to the X-ray. The bag was checked. I was then escorted with the bag (which I was not allowed to touch) back to AA where it was placed on the belt. I went through security and had an uneventful flight. When I arrived in San Antonio, the bag was waiting for me in the AA baggage claim office. They requested a photo ID. I showed it and they gave me the bag.

 

Checking in at San Antonio, they didn't care if I put the tag in the gun case. They said just put it in the checked bag. They asked if I had ammo. I said yes. They asked if it was in the original manufacturer's box. I said yes. I was told to take the bag to the TSA office myself. Once inside, the swabbed it (no X-ray) and took it away.

 

At O'hare, I went to the AA baggage counter and they didn't have it. The attendant said it might come out on the carousel. I was told to check there. He said if it was there he needed to know that so he could report that they mishandled a bag with a gun. As soon as I got to the carousel, the bag came out. I grabbed it, checked to make sure it had my critical items. Then I reported it back to the AA rep and went on my way.

[Bubbacs]

Sir, please proceed to the baggage carousel and see if your bag shows up there!

If it shows up there, please come back to us......with your handgun and ammo......and let us know, we need to make a report that we mishandled a checked bag with a handgun inside!

 

And yet we are all better serviced and secure with the TSA ( The Slowbus Association ) in charge of air travel!

[AlphaKoncepts aka CGS]

I always urge people to print the TSA and the airline instructions and bring them with you, for this very reason.

Thanks very much for sharing your experience.


Next time mail it to yourself?

[Craigcelia]

A red tag was put on the suitcase.

 

What was the reason behind the red tag? I didn't think they put identifiers on the outside of the bag.

 

This was totally different from my 2013 flight with United. I opened my suitcase and gun case in front of the ticket counter, put the orange declaration card in the gun case. Got escorted to TSA screening. never saw the bag till I landed and it was on the carousel.

[Odinson]

 

A red tag was put on the suitcase.

 

What was the reason behind the red tag? I didn't think they put identifiers on the outside of the bag.

 

This was totally different from my 2013 flight with United. I opened my suitcase and gun case in front of the ticket counter, put the orange declaration card in the gun case. Got escorted to TSA screening. never saw the bag till I landed and it was on the carousel.

 

Craig: What you reported with United has always been my experience with American. A little disconcerting that they changed their practice recently with picking up in the baggage office - I bet that happened because they pretty much label the bags as having guns in them, and some got stolen.

 

Flying out of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio has always been super easy - no stupid questions like at O'Hare. e.g. Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

[Craigcelia]

 

 

A red tag was put on the suitcase.

 

What was the reason behind the red tag? I didn't think they put identifiers on the outside of the bag.

 

This was totally different from my 2013 flight with United. I opened my suitcase and gun case in front of the ticket counter, put the orange declaration card in the gun case. Got escorted to TSA screening. never saw the bag till I landed and it was on the carousel.

 

 

Yea, I don't get the red tag deal. and this below......

" the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!"

Wow! Talked about being an uneducated idiot.

[Odinson]

She really was not smart. Asked me to take out the firearm and magazines and show her it was unloaded. I did and she said she didn't even know what she was looking at. In response to her most dumb question, I told her 'No, I'm a good guy'. I probably should have spoken to her supervisor but they would likely be as mentally challenged.

 

One trick that I learned here was to put my locked hard case inside a large luggage. That way I can use the open cover of the large luggage to block my ministrations from the public behind me. I get enough grief from the AA people...

Texas has got it together. Illinois, in so many ways, is far behind.

[jagt48]

That's quite a bit of hassle. I flew home from Vegas a few months ago on Southwest. I declared that I had a firearm to the ticket agent. She had me fill out a card and stick it on the hard sided case. And that was it. She didn't ask about ammo or anything. I waited for fifteen minutes just in case TSA wanted to inspect it, which they didn't. I then picked up my bag from the carousel at Midway and went home.

[Teufel Hunden]

It is against federal law for them to put any identifying markers indicating the luggage has a firearm in it.

 

I flew out of O'Hare for Thanksgiving on Spirit. Declared at the counter, they wanted to see the firearm to verify empty, obliged. Relocked, stowed in luggage and took it to X-ray. They scanned then have me to things up to proceed through security. What I think eased the process for me: hard lockable case for firearm. I cleared and locked the slide back and inserted a chamber flag. That was the only thing in that case. Second, locked case for ammunition, magazines and pocket knife. Magazines empty, ammo in manufacturer box. Both boxes security cabeled to the interior of my luggage. Declarations tag on the case holding the firearm, and inside the luggage. No issues coming or going. Nobody marked the exterior of my luggage, nor would I have permitted it. The documentation I printed from TSA clearly states that is a no-no. I also had a TSA lock on my suitcase. It shows if the luggage has been opened by TSA. Undisturbed going, it had been opened coming back. I was a little nervous because it was my first time, but I quickly figured out that it was only new and different for me. Everyone else (ticket agent, TSA) had been through it many times and was just a normal part of their day. Total time added to check in was about 10 minutes each way.

 

My big dilemma on both ends was how to verify the firearm was still in my luggage without anyone else seeing it and freaking out.

[Helpdesk9]

 

And yet we are all better serviced and secure with the TSA ( The Slowbus Association ) in charge of air travel!

Except it wasn't TSA, it was American Airlines.

 

Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

The correct response to this is ALWAYS "I need to speak to your manager IMMEDIATELY."Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[Xwing]

That's a lot more hassle than standard. Just flew to Vegas on Monday w / checked firearm on United. They asked me if it was unloaded, gave me the declaration to put inside the bag, and sent it through x-Ray while I watched. Then I was on my way after about 5 min. My bag has always come on the normal carrousel. I just pick up at my destination as normal.

[kwc]

I don't fly in and out of Chicago, but I HATE flying on American with a checked firearm. They are inconsistent, frequently violate procedures (e.g. ask me for the case combo), and in STL they make me wait in the full service line (usually only one open) to check in. I avoid American if I can.

[Gamma]

That's quite a bit of hassle. I flew home from Vegas a few months ago on Southwest. I declared that I had a firearm to the ticket agent. She had me fill out a card and stick it on the hard sided case. And that was it. She didn't ask about ammo or anything. I waited for fifteen minutes just in case TSA wanted to inspect it, which they didn't. I then picked up my bag from the carousel at Midway and went home.

Vegas airport has firearms handling down pat due to the SHOT show. Days that people are leaving after SHOT they even have dedicated check in lines for those with firearms.

[RoadyRunner]

My big issue when traveling was the return trip. They wouldn't let me 'check-in' online to secure my seat because my outward journey had a checked firearm. That really sucked, because I got a terrible seat because of it. This was American as well.

 

Otherwise, it was pretty uneventful. Bag just came out on the regular carousel each direction. This was to Atlanta from O'Hare.

[Odinson]

 

And yet we are all better serviced and secure with the TSA ( The Slowbus Association ) in charge of air travel!

Except it wasn't TSA, it was American Airlines.

 

Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

The correct response to this is ALWAYS "I need to speak to your manager IMMEDIATELY." Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

You're right of course. I was being selfish and just wanted to get it done and get to the lounge. I usually get some kind of stupid comment at ORD with AA so I will definitely have an opportunity to do the right thing.

[mybigguns]

Interesting, I've had zero problems with AA at ORD. TSA has also been great, and my luggage usually seems to be one of the first to come out on the carousel. I always figured they'd never lose my bag checked with a firearm due to the headaches it would cause them .

[soylentgreen]

And yet we are all better serviced and secure with the TSA ( The Slowbus Association ) in charge of air travel!

 

The only thing I could think to myself was...if the gun gets stolen due to their idiocy, who will get arrested? If I carelessly left a gun somewhere for someone to take it, I'd be in cuffs before the count of three.

[soylentgreen]

I always urge people to print the TSA and the airline instructions and bring them with you, for this very reason.

 

Thanks very much for sharing your experience.

 

 

Next time mail it to yourself?

I had the webpage saved on my iPhone in case I needed to pull rank on them. It got resolved without having to go that far.

[soylentgreen]

 

A red tag was put on the suitcase.

 

What was the reason behind the red tag? I didn't think they put identifiers on the outside of the bag.

 

This was totally different from my 2013 flight with United. I opened my suitcase and gun case in front of the ticket counter, put the orange declaration card in the gun case. Got escorted to TSA screening. never saw the bag till I landed and it was on the carousel.

 

 

The red tag says "special handling". There may be other uses for it beyond transporting firearms, but I don't know. In any case, all those items are supposed to go to a controlled location and you must show ID to get the bag. I think this is a prudent and reasonable thing to do. You don't want a gun rolling around on the carousel for anyone to grab...regardless of whether it's labeled or not.

[soylentgreen]

 

 

. Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

 

 

Well, people often make bad jokes when they're nervous. If you're not familiar with guns, you could be nervous at thought of one.

 

When people ask me if I'm going to kill someone, I simply answer "I hope not" or "Only if they've got it coming."

[Odinson]

 

 

 

. Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

 

 

Well, people often make bad jokes when they're nervous. If you're not familiar with guns, you could be nervous at thought of one.

 

When people ask me if I'm going to kill someone, I simply answer "I hope not" or "Only if they've got it coming."

 

You are right on. Although she was obviously trained (she followed the right procedures) she appeared petrified. I am too outgoing (according to my wife) and I do tend to get people talking...

[razorray11]

Flying out of O'Hare on United was actually kind of a pleasant experience for me. I walked in seeing the long lines, went up to an agent that was standing there, declared that I had a firearm in my suitcase, and she walked me straight up to the counter. They checked my bag with the usual questions and they walked me straight over to TSA and took my bag and I went to my gate, didn't have to wait in any lines.

 

Flying back with a different story I had missed my connecting flight so I had to rent a vehicle to drive four hours home. I had to call my wife and have her go to the airport in my hometown to pick up my bag that would be just spinning in the carousel with my firearm in it.

 

I had called the airport in my hometown in advance to let them know that my wife would be picking up my bag since I missed my connecting flight. They said it was fine just as long as she had ID. They didn't ask any questions. My wife walked in, showed her ID, and they let her through to picked up my bag, and just walked out.

 

I would be terrified to know if any airline has a policy to place an identifiable sticker on my luggage stating that I had a firearm in it. That would just scream "steal me"

 

Just like sports stadiums that have special lights for people to park their cars that conceal carry. It's just plain stupid.

[TRJ]

 

. Flying to Vegas the check-in lady asked me if I was going there to kill someone!

 

Well, people often make bad jokes when they're nervous. If you're not familiar with guns, you could be nervous at thought of one.

When people ask me if I'm going to kill someone, I simply answer "I hope not" or "Only if they've got it coming."

Or you could be half deaf like me...I smile and nod at people a lot because I missed what they said. This would be one if those times when that would happen.

[Tango7]

Last time I flew out of ORD with guns I flew TWA to SAT. Guns were in a double scoped rifle case and ammo was in magazines in a foreign GI duffel bag with a padlock on it.

[Neumann]

The firearm must be in an hard-sided, locked case. You must retain the key or combination. TSA can only open it in an emergency. Otherwise you will be paged to open the case for them, again only if something odd is observed. The case can be inside a checked bag. The declaration tag only goes in the case if it is a stand-alone. If inside a checked bag, it goes on top of or taped to the hard pistol case. According to TSA rules, ammunition must be in a container designed to hold small amounts of ammunition (< 11 # total, including the cases). If in magazines (permitted), the primer(s) must be covered. It is a violation of federal law to designate the contents from the outside of the outer case. A "red" tag probably indicates the bag is heavier than 35 or 40 pounds.

 

I haven't been asked to clear the weapon in the last 10 years, before then only once. Checked bag X-Rays will easily determine if it is loaded or not. Last week in Seattle, the TSA agent only checked to see if it was in a hard, locked case. For some reason, Seattle agents are friendlier and chattier than most, and may tell you what they're looking for.

 

I read the airline's tariffs before flying. So far, none have deviated significantly from TSA rules, and most simply defer to the TSA. I've had ticket agents say ammunition must be in a locked case (not), or in a separate bag (not). Managers know little more than their agents. I stand firm and ask them to show me the rules. For most, that's probably the first time they read them. (I have a copy with me, but they learn better when they have to do some work.)

 

One time the airline lost my bag (left it on the tarmac). When I reported it contained a firearm, they became very attentive. The bag was delivered to my front door the next morning.

 

I use a small micro-safe, attached to the inside of the suitcase with a cable. I need a somewhat larger safe if I carry a revolver. I carry only enough SD ammo for two reloads. If I were to shoot (for fun), I can always buy ammo at the destination.

[Odinson]

Just another data point. Flew to Houston this weekend from O'Hare on AA. Smooth out of O'Hare, opened new Pelican for the lady at the counter. New case has those built-in barrel locks (that can't be picked with a Bic pen barrel) - wasn't sure about these so I brought my padlocks - now that I'm sure, not using the padlocks anymore. The lady just asked me if pistols were unloaded (needed 2 as I was doing a BAPS Steel Challenge at the PSC Shooting Club in Friendswood TX) and if ammo was in separate box. I didn't have to take anything out or explain how firearms work. She did ask me if I was bringing them back with me - when I tried to check in online for my return trip, I could check my wife in but not myself - there was a note under my name that I was travelling with firearms and could not check in online. Followed the case to the xray machine, took about 3 minutes.

 

Got to GWBush in Houston and found that my luggage was at the counter, not on the belt. Retrieved it and on my way. I'd heard here that this was the new policy so I was prepared.

 

Flying back was even easier. I keep the case inside my luggage. This counter lady just had me open the luggage and put the little card on top of the case, no questions at all. Followed the case to the screening room and got the thumbs up 2 min later. I was a little nervous here because we went from the range, to the BBQ joint , then right to the airport. This counter lady told me the luggage would be in the office. Got to ORD and while I was waiting at the office, the luggage came out on the carousel. Goofy.

[RacerDave6]

Delta apparently has some new policies. Zip tying the luggage and slaping a big red steal me sticker on it.

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/03/delta-airlines-changes-how-you-fly-with-guns/#axzz4dtS67b3W

[lockman]

Delta apparently has some new policies. Zip tying the luggage and slaping a big red steal me sticker on it.

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/03/delta-airlines-changes-how-you-fly-with-guns/#axzz4dtS67b3W

 

That policy also violates federal regulations.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[3ddiver]

 

Delta apparently has some new policies. Zip tying the luggage and slaping a big red steal me sticker on it.

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/03/delta-airlines-changes-how-you-fly-with-guns/#axzz4dtS67b3W

That policy also violates federal regulations.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes it does but I bet they couldn't care less.

[RacerDave6]

They probably can get away with it because the tag isn't just for firearms, but also valuable, fragile, or other items requiring special handling.

Wrapping the luggage with zip ties and having LEO walk you out the door is bs.