Tips for Flying with Firearms for the First Time

Not much to add to what has already been said. I have flown with firearms out of Logan more times than I care to count. It really is low key. I will instead list what has gone wrong and how to potentially deal with it.

I have had the checkin person try and affix something to the outside of my suitcase indicating a gun is inside. This notice goes inside your case, not outside. For example when you have a gun case cable locked inside your regular suitcase, the notice is inside your regular suitcase, not outside. If you have a dedicated gun case it is not an issue since the fact you have guns is obvious.

I have never had them take issue with moon clips with ammo or magazines with ammo or a loose round in the gun case (think unload and pop the chambered round and drop it all in a locked pistol case). In theory this is not ok since all ammo should be in a cardboard box (not in moon clips or magazine)

I have had TSA ask to get access AFTER I have cleared security. They asked for my keys "because it will take too long to bring it outside security, reclear you, etc, blah blah blah". This has happened multiple times. I have always REFUSED. They ultimately have either gone away or escorted me to the secure baggage inspection area and let me open. NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR KEYS or combo or whatever. The case is only unlocked by you EVER.

Occasionally the person checking you in has not done it (people do have a first time). Having printouts of the ability to pull up on your phone is useful. Being patient and walking THEM through the process can work. You can also request they bring in someone who has done it before. Being courteous always works. Even NO can be done courteously.

Remember it is all routine. Logan is easy. Other airports can be more interesting. I have had no issues in DFW or either Houston airport. I have had challenges in some purple states where the airports in are blue areas and they seem to just like messing with people for the sake of messing with people.
 
I fly fairly regularly out of Logan w/firearms. It’s much less troublesome than you may be imagining.

You’re required to use non-TSA locks on the gun cases and you will keep the keys on you after checking them in.

No need to label the locks, when you arrive at the counter (must use Full Service check in line) just hand the person your Drivers Lic, and calmly declare that you need to check a couple firearms. They typically will not even blink an eye at it, it’s much more common than you may think and they’re used to it.

They will fill out a small tag, maybe ask you to show them that the cases are locked properly and ask if they’re unloaded and that any ammo is packed accordingly and separate from the firearms themselves. You will then write your name, address and phone number on the back of the firearms tag, and either place it on top of the case or they tape it to the case for you. If TSA needs you they then have your phone number to call you and meet you for any issues. This has only happened once to me because one of my ammo boxes was damaged/unusable on my trip so I stuffed like 50 rds on ammo in a sock, TSA had issue with this and called my cell, the TSA guy came and found me and explained that he’d need to confiscate the ammo as it can’t travel that way, meh, I was ok with that and understood and the guy was pretty cool about the whole thing.

Ironically flying out of Logan with a firearm(s) is much easier than a lot of other airports I’ve gone thru. Expect that when flying back to Logan at the end of your trip, their checks will be different. You will do the same, check in, declare firearm, and fill out the tag to put inside your bag or on rifle case.

They then may make you wait for a TSA agent to come to the check in line and then follow them to one of their back rooms, where they will them open your bag and go thru all of your clothes, gun boxes and ammo boxes. They will swab everything for explosive residue and run the swabs thru their machine in the back room looking for anything that stands out other than gun powder residue.

It’s a little frustrating and takes extra time before you can even get into the security line, so be prepared to always arrive and give yourself an extra 30mins than originally expected.

I’ve never been detained for longer than that, and never, knock on wood, had any firearms stolen while traveling.

Just be casual about it, it’s a daily occurrence for airports everywhere. Not a big deal at all. Have fun!

ETA: When you land don’t waste time doing anything except going directly to luggage pick up. Sometimes they’ll be right on the conveyer belt and sometimes they’ll be automatically brought to the office for lost/special items and you’ll need to show ID to pick it up. Quick and easy and I prefer when they do this as their are thieves that show up at airports just to try and steal a couple bags and walk out like they own them.
The Firearms Tag should never go on the outside of the case, unless it is inside luggage. This is to prevent easy theft.

Typically, the completed tag goes inside the case, once you have confirmed it is unloaded.
 
I have flown with a pistol in and out of Logan several times (American Airlines so others may be slightly different)

In my case, the pistol was in a locked Pelican case cabled to the frame of my luggage.

Pelican case/cable was secured with a non-TSA lock that I retained the key for. Luggage itself had a TSA lock on it.

Each time through Logan was slightly different but largely the same.

You can't use the kiosks... go to the full service line. Usually this ended up being faster than the kiosks, but you can end up behind a non-english speaking family of 10 trying to take bowling balls to Estonia so plan some extra time.

Tell the agent that you need a firearms declaration card. They fill out part of it, you sign and date it. If the firearm case is inside another case, the card gets taped to the outside of the firearm case but inside the luggage. Bring your own tape sometimes they can't find any. I put a strip of packing tape with a folded tag on the case before I go to the airport. I just peel up the tape put the card down and slap the tape back down over it. The rest of the check in process is normal but your luggage will likely get a tag that means you have to pick up your luggage at the baggage office instead of on the carousel.

One time out of Logan they had no problem with me opening my luggage to tape the declaration card to the case, another time as soon as I said "firearms declaration" they didn't want me touching my bag any more and I was instructed to "open the zipper a little bit and slip the declaration card in". I did as they requested after taking a picture of the card (in case someone claimed I didn't file one). In neither case did the agent at Logan want to see the firearm or verify it was unloaded. In other states they wanted to see that the gun was unloaded. I fly with an empty magazine well and a chamber flag, so that would be easy.

At my destination I have had the bag come out on the carousel before, so if you have the time you might want to stand and watch the bags come out and then go to the baggage office in case someone messes up. You don't want your case riding around unattended. Expect delays at the baggage office since they often take the "special" bags to the baggage office at the end of the cycle and then you have all the people who didn't get their bags wanting to file reports.

In your case, you will have an independent piece of luggage with the firearms. In that situation, as I understand it, the declaration card goes inside the case and then you lock the case with non-TSA locks. Nothing should be on the outside of the luggage that indicates it contains firearms. I don't know that every hole in the case needs a lock, but it needs to be locked well enough that you can't pry it open enough to get the firearms out. That might be a lock on every hole, or not. Bringing some zipper ties might not be a bad idea to "secure" all the other holes. Zipper ties is what the TSA seems to use to secure the case if they cut the locks off. A lock in every hole would be safe.

I carry a spare lock in case TSA wants in and doesn't call me so they cut the lock (I have heard stories of that happening on rare occasion).

As others have said, if diverted, do not claim your luggage. Let the airlines handle it. Some states (New Jersey in particular) are known for jamming people up over "possession" in such cases.

I bring copies of the airline's policy and the federal policy. Never had to use them. I figure the most likely use would be if they insist on putting the declaration on the outside of the luggage instead of inside or if they think that you have to use TSA locks on the gun case.

It really isn't a big deal. It is a few more steps and a little more time. Often it ends up being less time (I have bypassed lines at the kiosks to go to the empty full service counter and have had my bag show up at the baggage office before the carousel ever started moving for everyone else) but it can take longer, so plan ahead.
 
Well, I might be doing this soon. As I just read American Airline's policy: Firearms and ammunition − Travel information − American Airlines

The gun is simple enough, but what does this mean for ammunition?

Ammunition must be:

In the original packaging from the manufacturer or in packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition (made of fiber, wood or metal), with a maximum of 11 pounds (5 kgs) per container or customer. Ammunition is not accepted loose or in magazines or clips.

Two mags full of 9mm for CCW. Do I have to find a manufacture's package, or a fiber/wood/metal case for 30+ rounds?
 
Well, I might be doing this soon. As I just read American Airline's policy: Firearms and ammunition − Travel information − American Airlines

The gun is simple enough, but what does this mean for ammunition?



Two mags full of 9mm for CCW. Do I have to find a manufacture's package, or a fiber/wood/metal case for 30+ rounds?

Yes. Any cardboard or cheap ammo box with a shell tray works. I tried going thru with like 50 rds in a sock one time because the cardboard box got wet and damaged, TSA called my phone and tracked me down inside the airport to tell me they were confiscating the loose ammo.
 
So I am a little confused. Can you just put your ammo in a checked bag that is different from the fire arm container?
 
So I am a little confused. Can you just put your ammo in a checked bag that is different from the fire arm container?
Yes. the requirement is in your checked luggage, not in the same container as the gun, in original packaging. So for example if you have a little single gun lock box cabled inside your suitcase, just throw the box of ammo in your suitcase. done.
 
Yes. the requirement is in your checked luggage, not in the same container as the gun, in original packaging. So for example if you have a little single gun lock box cabled inside your suitcase, just throw the box of ammo in your suitcase. done.
So do I have to have a separate locked box in my baggage just for the ammo?
 
Yes. the requirement is in your checked luggage, not in the same container as the gun, in original packaging. So for example if you have a little single gun lock box cabled inside your suitcase, just throw the box of ammo in your suitcase. done.
Incorrect.

The actual TSA rules just say the ammo has to be in a locked container in secure packaging. It can be in the same container as the firearm.

I have done this several times.

Airlines sometimes make crap up.
 
Incorrect.

The actual TSA rules just say the ammo has to be in a locked container in secure packaging. It can be in the same container as the firearm.

I have done this several times.

Airlines sometimes make crap up.
Agreed that they make shit up. Most of the airlines I fly require the ammo to not be in the same container as the gun itself. Their airlines, their rules. They have to follow TSA requirements but can make up anything additional they want.
 
Agreed that they make shit up. Most of the airlines I fly require the ammo to not be in the same container as the gun itself. Their airlines, their rules. They have to follow TSA requirements but can make up anything additional they want.
Which Specific airlines?

I have flown United, American, Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, Spirit, and Alaska

The only one that ever gave me an issue was Jet Blue, they wanted ammo separated from the firearm.
 
Tips from Dr. Seuss. He probably tried to fly with one of his Glocks once.

You should leave your Grox home when you travel by air.
If you take him along they charge double the fare.
And your Grox must be packed and locked up in a Grox Box,
which costs much, much more than a little old fox box.
So it's heaps a lot cheaper to fly with your foxes than waste all of that money on boxes for Groxes.
(Oh say can you say,1979)
 
So I am a little confused. Can you just put your ammo in a checked bag that is different from the fire arm container?
If you Google the airline, you will find their policy.

Here is a scdeenshot of AA.

The ammo does not need to be in the original box, but it needs a box designed for ammo.

SmartSelect_20210103-053603_Chrome.jpg
 
Same policy at JetBlue. Never had an issue.

  
  • Ammunition must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal box specifically designed for carrying small amounts of ammunition.
  • Ammunition must be housed in a separate container that is completely separate and distinct from the firearms locked box. It may be in the same checked bag as the firearms box as long as everything is packaged properly.
  • Ammunition is limited to 11 pounds per customer.
 
Flying with firearms out of Logan is not really a big deal, its routine and most ticket counter agents check in firearms daily, its really not much different then flying with a set of golf clubs or skis.
 
Flying with firearms out of Logan is not really a big deal, its routine and most ticket counter agents check in firearms daily, its really not much different then flying with a set of golf clubs or skis.
The big difference if you must get in line and wait for godot, I mean an airline agent. You cannot curb check with a skycap.
 
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