Checking firearms
Jun 22, 2011, 12:49 pm
#76
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Westminster, CO
Programs: UA1K, Platinum Elite
Posts: 343
I disagree. There are multiple processes to screen checked firearms.
I would like to point out something that no one has mentioned, because the odds of it happening are very rare. I have heard people state that to prevent theft throw a gun into the bag, thus the bag is checked in front of you, and so on. Ok, lets say that works, and often it will.
But what happens when and if you bag is put on the wrong plane, unloaded at another destination, and when the airline employees realize it, submit it for re-inspection by TSA, the lock is cut off, the gun found - and now your luggage can not go, stuck in an airport you are not.
As example, today I had to screen bags that the airline put on the wrong plane, then waited at the baggage claim area before the airline employees realized were put on the incorrect flight. So the bags had to be rescreened before being flown to their original destination. It doesn't happen often, but considering how many hundreds of thousands of people who fly in a single day, I would guess it happens thousand of times a day around the country.
I realize this is off topic, just wanted to throw this out there to make sure your aware of the possibility. Have fun discussing it by yourselves.
Add: the other day I remember having to screen a baby carriage that was put on the wrong flight. Family got it the follow day. Felt bad for them.
I would like to point out something that no one has mentioned, because the odds of it happening are very rare. I have heard people state that to prevent theft throw a gun into the bag, thus the bag is checked in front of you, and so on. Ok, lets say that works, and often it will.
But what happens when and if you bag is put on the wrong plane, unloaded at another destination, and when the airline employees realize it, submit it for re-inspection by TSA, the lock is cut off, the gun found - and now your luggage can not go, stuck in an airport you are not.
As example, today I had to screen bags that the airline put on the wrong plane, then waited at the baggage claim area before the airline employees realized were put on the incorrect flight. So the bags had to be rescreened before being flown to their original destination. It doesn't happen often, but considering how many hundreds of thousands of people who fly in a single day, I would guess it happens thousand of times a day around the country.
I realize this is off topic, just wanted to throw this out there to make sure your aware of the possibility. Have fun discussing it by yourselves.
Add: the other day I remember having to screen a baby carriage that was put on the wrong flight. Family got it the follow day. Felt bad for them.
Why wouldn't your errant bag make it back to you if misrouted. . . in the US?
Jul 6, 2011, 10:15 am
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Arizona
Programs: Southwest, US Airways, Hilton Marriott
Posts: 32
The dilemma is that over half of the airline folks INSIST that the declaration should go INSIDE the hard guncase with the firearm(s) inside the locked suitcase. I've tried to explain that the TSA like to be able to see the declaration without opening the gun case but have been met with so much heated resistance that I've given up training the trainers. I just smile and do as I'm told. I make more flights that way.
Jul 6, 2011, 11:33 am
#78
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,886
Some airlines have the notice on their website (Delta, for exampe), so you can fill out two of them for just this situation.
One goes inside, one goes outside.
One goes inside, one goes outside.
Jul 6, 2011, 2:49 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Baggage claim isn't sterile.
Jul 20, 2011, 9:40 pm
#81
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
Why on earth would you identify a firearm is in your luggage on the outside? The TSA doesn't personally pack it on a plane with a camera following them.
Jul 21, 2011, 7:32 am
#82
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,886
Minimize the opportunities for interference
Small cases (revolvers, for instance) that you can pack in a larger case, get one inside the hard case, and one inside the larger soft case in which it is packed.
Large cases (shotguns, rifles) are pretty obviously gun cases, there is no disguising it. One goes inside, one gets taped to the outside.
However, even this precaution won't save you from the other means of TSA incompetence and inability to comply with FARs on firearm transportation. Such as failing to screen the cases at the check-in desk, and requesting that you give them the keys so they can search it out of your control, which is the most common one.
Jul 21, 2011, 10:26 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
They're at least supposed to be. You can walk from the street to baggage claim without going through security, though. It wouldn't be that hard for a terrorist to walk into baggage claim and find a misdirected bag and put his bomb in it. Sure, he probably would have to try many times but it would be basically risk-free.
Jul 21, 2011, 11:39 am
#85
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 628
The provisions of this chapter, except for sections 922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9) and provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p), shall not apply with respect to the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession, or importation of any firearm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to, or issued for the use of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof.
Does that work?
Jul 21, 2011, 12:33 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: United
Posts: 2,710
18 USC 925(a)(1) states:
The provisions of this chapter, except for sections 922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9) and provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p), shall not apply with respect to the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession, or importation of any firearm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to, or issued for the use of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof.
Does that work?
The provisions of this chapter, except for sections 922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9) and provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p), shall not apply with respect to the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession, or importation of any firearm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to, or issued for the use of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof.
Does that work?
Jul 22, 2011, 8:59 pm
#87
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Goodyear,AZ for now then FL Spacecoast
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles, American AAdvantage, Avis Preferred, Budget Rapid Rez, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,145
Jan 15, 2013, 11:09 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I'll be traveling on US with some firearms. What all is on the form the ask you to fill out when you declare the firearm?
Jan 16, 2013, 9:20 am
#90
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,886
From their site:
"US Airways will allow passengers to transport firearms in accordance with Federal Law.
Items of shooting equipment will be accepted as checked baggage only.
A passenger who presents checked baggage that contains a firearm must declare the weapon and sign a written acknowledgement that the firearm is unloaded.
Firearms must be packed in a manufacturer’s hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
Baggage containing firearms must be locked at all times and the key or lock combination retained by the passenger.
A Firearm Unloaded Declaration form (available only at the airport) must be signed and placed inside the bag or gun case.
Checked ammunition may not exceed 11 lbs/5 kg per person. Ammunition clips with ammunition loaded are not accepted. Ammunition must be packed in the original manufacturing package or constructed of wood, fiber, plastic, or metal and provide separation for cartridges. Ammunition may be checked in the same piece of luggage as a firearm. No additional documentation is required.
There is no limit to the number of items contained in rifle, shotgun or pistol case, up to 50 lbs/23 kg, 62 in/157 cm in maximum.
A passenger who presents a firearm to be checked to an international destination must be in possession of all required import documentation for their international destination city and any international transit points. It is the responsibility of the passenger to acquire the required documentation from the applicable government entity prior to travel (usually a consulate or embassy). Firearms will not be accepted for transport if international import requirements have not been met."
Images from older, completed forms online:
http://www.arkansascarry.com/uploads...rways_back.jpg
and
http://thegunzone.com/images/declarationform.jpg