Guns at airport checkpoints...

[VaTom]

Regarding the orange card for a locked cased firearm in a checked bag. I have only flown once with two pistols in a locked pelican type case (two padlocks) in checked in bags. The airline ticket agent at the counter (not TSA) is the one you declare the firearm to, open and show them the case, lock it in their presence. In my situation they put the card in inside the checked bag not the gun case.

 

[Kinman]

My neighbor works for T.S.A., he's in management now but started out as a grunt on the line. He told me that it is amazing how many people are still trying to get through the line with contraband stuff, even though it could mean delaying their flight or even jail time. The most common excuse is "I forgot." That was also the most common excuse my Canadian Border Guard friend and neighbor used to say Americans try to use when caught with a firearm at the border. They hate that especially when the firearm is loaded, they make sure to give you plenty of warning about bringing firearms, tobacco, alcohol, fresh fruit, sometimes poultry, eggs. It can take some getting used to if your used to travelling with a firearm in your vehicle or on your person but everyone should know and be aware of the rules while flying or traveling across the border. I used to feel really naked on our weekly trips across the border, I eventually got used to it.

 

[eveled]

It’s ridiculous how they treat people. There should just be a way to ship whatever the offending item is home.

 

[DeathGrip]

^ That would be nice but think about the logistics.

 

[Racer X]

Congress amended the knife blade boycott in the TSA regulations years ago, but Homeland chose to ignore congress and said we are not going to be doing that.

The regs are goofy. Knitting needles were banned, but ball point pens are allowed. I'd be FAR more worried by a slender pointy roller ball pen than some thick and blunt wooden knitting needles.

 

[Racer X]

It’s ridiculous how they treat people. There should just be a way to ship whatever the offending item is home.

At SeaTac airport near Seattle, there is, or at least was, a USPS self serve kiosk where you could mail a padded envelope home. TSA walked the lines and answered questions about what is OK or not. If you mailed it before they found it themselves at the checkpoint, they didn't care.

 

[Beemerguy53]

It’s ridiculous how they treat people. There should just be a way to ship whatever the offending item is home.

At my local airport, there is a UPS store outside the checkpoints that will package and ship for you. Inside the checkpoints there is a mailing system available if you don't want to surrender something you inadvertently packed. It's run by a private company, not the TSA, but it's right there at security.

Bottom line: At at least some airports, you can ship things home. You can also just check your bag too...there is no way I'd give up a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife just to avoid having to go to baggage claim.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Congress amended the knife blade boycott in the TSA regulations years ago, but Homeland chose to ignore congress and said we are not going to be doing that.

The regs are goofy. Knitting needles were banned, but ball point pens are allowed. I'd be FAR more worried by a slender pointy roller ball pen than some thick and blunt wooden knitting needles.

Actually, you have the story about the knife ban backward. TSA amended its regulations to permit small knives, but the airlines objected (especially the flight attendants) and Congress intervened to ban them. I remember that well; I was really looking forward to being able to carry my keychain Swiss Army Knife on me, rather than having to pack it in a checked bag.

Knitting needles are not banned.

No Knives on Planes - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Knitting Needles | Transportation Security Administration

 

[bearman49709]

I never have to worry about any of this, last time I was on a airplane was September 1984 and don't see me getting on any in the future.

 

[03hemi]

In GA, you're allowed to carry anywhere in the airport up-to TSA entrance.
If you're a passenger and forget it's in your bag and have a carry permit there's a new law that allows you to turn around and put it in a safe space, i.e. car or locker. However, if you are not a CCW holder you are arrested by TSA and questioned, this is a relatively new law since last year.

 

[Beemerguy53]

In GA, you're allowed to carry anywhere in the airport up-to TSA entrance.
If you're a passenger and forget it's in your bag and have a carry permit there's a new law that allows you to turn around and put it in a safe space, i.e. car or locker. However, if you are not a CCW holder you are arrested by TSA and questioned, this is a relatively new law since last year.

TSA checkpoint officers don't arrest anybody, anywhere. They are not sworn LEOs and have no arrest powers.

TSA Myth Busters: Do TSA Officers Arrest Passengers? | Transportation Security Administration

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Knitting needles are not banned.

Originally, right after 9/11, they were. They were afraid that some little old lady would knit an Afghan.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Originally, right after 9/11, they were. They were afraid that some little old lady would knit an Afghan.

 

[Kinman]

Actually, you have the story about the knife ban backward. TSA amended its regulations to permit small knives, but the airlines objected (especially the flight attendants) and Congress intervened to ban them. I remember that well; I was really looking forward to being able to carry my keychain Swiss Army Knife on me, rather than having to pack it in a checked bag.

Knitting needles are not banned.

No Knives on Planes - Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Knitting Needles | Transportation Security Administration

Not too many people have ever seen a C.I.A. letter-opener, I picked one up decades ago at some Army Surplus store. Its basically a carbon fiber copy of an old Russell "Sting" and is actually made by Russel, even fits in the Sting's sheath...however if you have it in the sheath the metal clip will blow your cover. Although I've had it so many years and am somewhat attached to it I did try to get on a plane recently or at least after 911 and got through completely. I wonder about the ceramic blades, whether or not they get through. I used to put my carry blade in my checked baggage when I travelled, I can understand how people can forget they are carrying something that is contraband, although a loaded revolver is a bit of a stretch. I used to carry a Model 39 while riding motorcycles, I still have the pistol its my wife's bedside piece. I remember being a long ride and stopping to use a restroom, I was tired enough to forget that I had the 39 clipped to the inside of the small of my back and when I dropped trou in the stall it fell into the toilet with a resounding splash...just wet but embarrassing all the same.

 

[Golddollar]

Originally, right after 9/11, they were. They were afraid that some little old lady would knit an Afghan.

< < < rimshot > > >

 

[Beemerguy53]

Not too many people have ever seen a C.I.A. letter-opener, I picked one up decades ago at some Army Surplus store. Its basically a carbon fiber copy of an old Russell "Sting" and is actually made by Russel, even fits in the Sting's sheath...however if you have it in the sheath the metal clip will blow your cover. Although I've had it so many years and am somewhat attached to it I did try to get on a plane recently or at least after 911 and got through completely...

Posts like this make me want to scream. You knew airport security rules prohibited knives, but instead of complying, you deliberately tried to smuggle a knife through the checkpoint anyway. People like you are the reason we have to take our shoes off, empty our pockets, and get scanned by machines looking for non-metallic threats. Way to go. Do you have the same lack of respect for gun laws? Traffic laws?

Here's a story about a guy who thinks like you do...only he wasn't quite as clever. I wonder how much his legal fees will run, in addition to the $4000 fine TSA levied on him?

TSA: Passenger tried to sneak 3 knives in hollowed-out book onto Charlotte flight

 

[delcrossv]

The cure for TSA woes:

Seeing how #1 daughter is probably moving to ND, this is becoming a really attractive option.

 

[Muss Muggins]

That’s true, but you’re still gonna get fined civilly in federal court even if you have a CCW . . .

In GA, you're allowed to carry anywhere in the airport up-to TSA entrance.
If you're a passenger and forget it's in your bag and have a carry permit there's a new law that allows you to turn around and put it in a safe space, i.e. car or locker. However, if you are not a CCW holder you are arrested by TSA and questioned, this is a relatively new law since last year.

 

[03hemi]

TSA checkpoint officers don't arrest anybody, anywhere. They are not sworn LEOs and have no arrest powers.

TSA Myth Busters: Do TSA Officers Arrest Passengers? | Transportation Security Administration

Go into security with a gun in your bag w/o a carry permit and let us know how it turns out?
Symantics, you know what I mean. You will be detained and taken into custody until the sheriff's dept. shows up.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Go into security with a gun in your bag w/o a carry permit and let us know how it turns out?
Symantics, you know what I mean. You will be detained and taken into custody until the sheriff's dept. shows up.

No, it's not a matter of semantics. TSA does not have the authority to detain anyone or take anyone into custody. The only authority they have is to keep you and your prohibited item -- gun, knife, etc. -- from going past the checkpoint.

You might be a little confused about this because local LEOs are right there at checkpoints in almost all large airports...there's no waiting for them to show up.