I just had to write about my experience just this morning 05/17/2021 checking a firearm in at the United Airlines Terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport.
As many have heard checking a firearm in NJ can gain a person a non scenic ride to a nearby Jail. That was not my experience: HOWEVER CAUTION CAUTION CAUTION: I am a retired Law Enforcement Officer and I was carrying my 45 M&P Shield under the protection of the LEOSA "HR 218" Federal Statue.
Here is what I did and how it went: (By the way I have checked guns in at DFW Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Miami, West Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Omaha, NE, Tuscon and many other airports around the country.)
1. Unloaded my pistol at the hotel, unloaded all magazines and placed all ammo in its original box. Because I was in NJ I did not want to become a test case of their ban on magazines holding more than 8 rounds nor keeping hollow point ammo. (I believe NJ is way out of bounds on this but like I said I did not want to be the test case. Sure I think I could beat the rap but not the ride to jail.
2. Placed my gun and magazines in a solid hand gun case and locked both sides with an approved TSA COMBINATION case. Placed that gun case in a "roll aboard, and locked it too with an approved TSA lock.
3. When I arrived at the airport I told the ticket agent I had a firearm to declare. He directed me to gate 5 Terminal C where I met another ticket agent.
4. Told her I had a firearm to declare and she requested my ID. I gave her my DL so she could look up my flight info. My wife waited with me . As she was bringing up my flight information and had found it, I showed her my retired Police Department Issued ID along with the approved and issued badge my agency provided me. MY ID and Badge clearly indicate "RETIRED" but she asked me If I was going to fly armed. I know that is illegal under LEOSA and said "NO I am checking it."
5. She filled out my firearms declaration and instructed me to put it inside my "roll aboard" That is where I always put it but I thanked her anyway.
6. She made a phone call and I thought it would be to the Port Authority Police. I could not hear what she said. Soon another United employee arrived and called someone on the radio. There was a brief exchange but after than she said, just wait here she will be down in about ten minutes. I expected to see a Port Authority female officer and a few moments later I saw the distinct flashing lights of a Port Authority Police vehicle outside the Terminal but:
7. Within five minutes a very polite United employee arrived and asked me if I was waiting for assistance. I told her about the firearm and she asked me if my declaration was in the case. She said follow me and took my roll aboard and said she would escort me to TSA. On the way there she asked me if I had ever checked a gun at Newark and when I said no she apologized and said the process was different at each airport. Frankly, just the way she said things made me think I was being taken to a Port Authority Police Office. I told her I had flown armed on many occasions (when on active duty on official business) and she seemed surprised but asked me no questions.
8. We got on an elevator and went upstairs to the second level and she came to a locked door and said wait here I will take it inside, should be about ten minutes or less. She entered and I am expecting the swat team to descend on me at any moment. Five minutes later she says, "You're all good to go and your bag and is locked and so is your gun case. Have a great flight and TSA Pre Check is right there" as she pointed out the entrance to Pre Check which I have.
9. Two hrs and 25 minutes later we landed at our destination, waited for 30 minutes and my bag was third through the the doors of baggage claim. The gun was in its case, the case was locked and all was well. No muss no fuss. I wonder if showing the ticket agent my badge and ID negated the calling of the PAP.?
