Flying with a handgun
 

Hi, I'm going to be flying (Southwest Airlines, SJC to BUR, round trip) with my handgun for the first time. My buddies back home want to see my new handgun. :D

I rather not check-in my carry-on (with my handgun in it) because I have a nice Tumi carry-on and I don't want it getting banged up. I was thinking of buying a Pelican 1170, stick it in my North Face backpack, and check that in. I figured that would be discrete as my parents will be picking me up from the airport.

Would checking in a backpack (in any way) be a bad idea? Would a backpack at baggage claim be more prone to theft than a carry-on? Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips? If this works out, I'm planning to fly with this setup regularly. Thanks!

Welcome to Flyertalk, cazzette. I'm sure you'll get ample advice from the regulars here. In addition, I'd suggest you contact the airline directly for specifics on checking firearms. My hunch is that neither the Pelican product nor the backpack will meet safety requirements.

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essxjay
TS/S moderator

The pelican case will meet the requirement of it being in a hard sided lockable container. So you are good there with no issues. I'm hesitant about the backpack as you have noted, highly mobile and the smaller the item the more likely it would grow legs or get lost. If it was me I'd buy a cheap suitcase and just check it with the pelican case inside.

Here's SW's info on it.

http://www.southwest.com/html/custom...ggage-pol.html

I'd suggest printing it out......and having it available as sometimes folks are clueless of their companies policies and procedures.