I am full time LEO and I just got word today that I will be attending some training in Los Angeles California next week. I wont have time to take the flying while armed class. Has anyone ever flown to California with a handgun as checked baggage. Is it worth the hassle. I hate the thought of being in LA without a concealed carry piece. All I would like to take is my J frame Bodyguard and a couple of speed strips. Can anyone relate their experiences, both good and bad with flying with a handgun as checked baggage.
LEO FLYING WHILE ARMED
- Thread starter Ronald617
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In CA the class is online at the POST website (extradition procedures). Hopefully your state has something similar. I only carry when when I fly for training. Other guys have been bumped to 1st class (closer to cockpit), but that has never happened to me.
I've never checked a gun, but others have told me that it's pretty easy.
I've never checked a gun, but others have told me that it's pretty easy.
I've never flown to CA but I have flown with a firearm from Manchester NH to Tucson AZ on Southwest airlines several times and it couldn't be easier. The firearm has to be in a lockable hard sided case, I use a Pelican case and put it inside my softsided luggage. On Southwest you are allowed to have your ammo in the same hard case, but friends tell me that some of the other airlines require the ammo to be in a seperate case. In NH they have me show the firearm is clear, but in Tucson they must check the firearm on their own, I have a TSA lock on the case so they are able to do this. My favorite story is one year in NH I opened the case to show the firearm was clear, upon seeing the Kimber Ultra CDPII I carry the woman working the counters comment was "Isn't that cute"!
I'm sure other less gun friendly states are probably different but checking through NH and AZ is a breeze. If you go on the airlines website or the TSA website it'll spell it all out.
I'm sure other less gun friendly states are probably different but checking through NH and AZ is a breeze. If you go on the airlines website or the TSA website it'll spell it all out.
Many discussions re: this topic in the recent past. Try the "Search" function.
Short version: It is no different for a LEO to fly with a CHECKED firearm than it is for a private citizen. Check the TSA site and the site for your airline. Follow instructions to the letter!!!! Some airport procedures will vary. (Some will have you open your suitcase after check-in when you present it to TSA to be checked. At others your suitcase will be gone once you check-in at the ticket counter.)
BTW, it is easy; I do it often.
Be safe.
A word of warning.
Firearms are the most lost baggage at airports. Baggage handlers spot firearms easily and they get detoured to their private vehicle.
A group of hunters I traveled with some time back lost 3 guns among the five of us at one airport.
Firearms are the most lost baggage at airports. Baggage handlers spot firearms easily and they get detoured to their private vehicle.
A group of hunters I traveled with some time back lost 3 guns among the five of us at one airport.
jtpur
Member
When I was on active duty I had to go to California as a cop to serve a search warrant with the local guys. At the time I had to have a department letter and my id. I checked it on the way out because I really did not need to be armed, but coming back I had all kinds of evidence that I could not check and did not want someone to liberate me from so i showed my id and the letter. Now you need an Inlets message. I would check it. The California cops were more than pleased we were armed and we carried and they treat us like we were part of their department. That was by the way 1995....
EdnAZ
Member
The training is a quick power point and its floating around everywhere. I'm sure your training officer has it.
Then just follow these instructions
TSA: Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed
Then just follow these instructions
TSA: Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed
MKT
Member
If you aren't a federal agent you will need a few things to fly armed - a set of travel orders and a letter from your Chief. Plus I think your agency needs to send a teletype of NLETS message to the TSA. I had to testify in NYC once and they brought cops in from all around the country, one of those a Kansas State Trooper. He and I were on the same flight for our first leg and checked in at the same time. He had to produce both the letter and travel orders while all I needed were my badge and credentials.
Also, in the past six months the TSA has instituted something called a UFAN number. I don't know if that is specifically for feds or if it is for any and all LEOs flying armed. Check with your agency and/or the TSA for clarification. I have not flown armed since the UFAN system was implemented but soem fo those who work for me have. It is one more item to take care of besides signing in and having your credentials and tickets checked, and the TSA is being very strict about the number. I heard today of one agent who was refused boarding because he was one digit off on the number.
The flying armed class was a simple Power Point presentation. Covered all the same material the 1/2 hour video did and none of the material changed that I could tell.
Also, in the past six months the TSA has instituted something called a UFAN number. I don't know if that is specifically for feds or if it is for any and all LEOs flying armed. Check with your agency and/or the TSA for clarification. I have not flown armed since the UFAN system was implemented but soem fo those who work for me have. It is one more item to take care of besides signing in and having your credentials and tickets checked, and the TSA is being very strict about the number. I heard today of one agent who was refused boarding because he was one digit off on the number.
The flying armed class was a simple Power Point presentation. Covered all the same material the 1/2 hour video did and none of the material changed that I could tell.
Checking it in is a piece of cake. There is no way the baggage handlers could know you have a firearm in your checked bag. You will need a hard case that locks, a Center of Mass (COM) is the best. The lock must not be a TSA lock. The handgun box fits inside any other larger bag and you'll need to sign a little declaration tag to verify the firearm is unloaded. The agent may or may not want to put eyes on the firearm to verify it is unloaded. They will walk you over to the 'CTX' to xray your baggage. They may ask for the key if the xray can't see it is locked back. The big deal is the ammo, it must be in an original box. Some airlines allow loaded mags.
Not entirely true.
Why do some people think they know all the answers? Never ceases to amaze...
Be safe.
That's the way it worked for me three times in a row.
It may have worked for you at the airports you have used...to and from. Procedures vary; aiport, airline, and TSA.
I may have appeared too harsh in my previous statement. This topic appears regularly; wish that folks read before posting. There are variables, indeed.
Be safe.
I may have appeared too harsh in my previous statement. This topic appears regularly; wish that folks read before posting. There are variables, indeed.
Be safe.
I typically fly into Northern KY airport (aka Cincinnati) from Denver. Both are more gun friendly than most, but TSA list the same procedures for all airports (Domestic of course) as far as I know. The biggest difference I noticed in airlines was the ammo. Delta allowed loaded mags, UAL did not. I've heard of things going a little sideways when ppl have flown to NYC, SFO, or maybe BWI, but that was the local PD/Port authority that acted against DOT regulations (aka peaceful journey). The famous one that is floating around the inet is the nurse that was flying to upstate NY and diverted to NYC. Rumor has it Port Authority in NYC arrested her upon taking possession of her baggage. Can't say if it is true or not.
Denver is, in fact, one of the airports where the passenger transporting a gun in checked luggage does escort the luggage to the TSA check-in. Baltimore, on the other hand, is an airport where it's checked in at the ticket counter and then is "gone."
I travel a lot and individual airport/airline procedures do vary. That is why it is very, very important to check the airline/TSA procedures as close to your travel date as is possible. They are updated periodically.
TSA locks are permitted. I use a hard sided Samsonite suitcase with built in TSA combinations locks. I use a hard sided pistol case to secure the gun and ammo; it's inside the suitcase, of course. The pistol case is secured with a TSA cable lock.
I also use a trigger guard lock and the internal lock on my 642. These are not required, but I want to make it a bit difficult for someone to use the gun in the hugely unlikely event it is stolen/lost. I also prominently display my name and cellphone number inside the pistol case should any question(s) arise.
I use a Federal ammo case in which ammo was purchased. It holds twenty (20) rounds and fits easily inside the pistol case, too. Most airlines (all?) insist ammo be packaged separately and suggest original packaging.
These practices have never resulted in a problem for me. In the recent past I have flown to/from the following airports. LaGuardia, Denver, Washington-Reagan National, BWI- Thurgood Marshall, San Franciso, Boise, Spokane, Key West, Bradley International, Boston, and Charlotte.
As always, I hope this info is useful.
Be safe.
I travel a lot and individual airport/airline procedures do vary. That is why it is very, very important to check the airline/TSA procedures as close to your travel date as is possible. They are updated periodically.
TSA locks are permitted. I use a hard sided Samsonite suitcase with built in TSA combinations locks. I use a hard sided pistol case to secure the gun and ammo; it's inside the suitcase, of course. The pistol case is secured with a TSA cable lock.
I also use a trigger guard lock and the internal lock on my 642. These are not required, but I want to make it a bit difficult for someone to use the gun in the hugely unlikely event it is stolen/lost. I also prominently display my name and cellphone number inside the pistol case should any question(s) arise.
I use a Federal ammo case in which ammo was purchased. It holds twenty (20) rounds and fits easily inside the pistol case, too. Most airlines (all?) insist ammo be packaged separately and suggest original packaging.
These practices have never resulted in a problem for me. In the recent past I have flown to/from the following airports. LaGuardia, Denver, Washington-Reagan National, BWI- Thurgood Marshall, San Franciso, Boise, Spokane, Key West, Bradley International, Boston, and Charlotte.
As always, I hope this info is useful.
Be safe.
jtpur
Member
The TSA lock is actually necessary. It is about as secure as nothing but if you have any lock on the gun case itself and TSA wants to look at the gun, they can and will destroy your lock and sometimes even the case it was in. I put mine in a gun case, Lock it with the TSA locks, place that case in a roll aboard, place articles of clothing around it and secure it with a TSA lock and hope the baggage guys dont steal it. I have three times found notes from the TSA that they inspected the luggage, and I have a little tell tale sign that lets me know if they went into the gun case and all three times they did. other times they did not check or at least if they did, left no card nor did they go into the case either. I know of folks who had their locks and cases litterally torn apart.
photoman
Member
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TSA locks are permitted but are certainly not necessary and this is the only place I've seen anyone recommend them. All using a TSA lock on your gun case does is allow who knows how many other people access to your firearm without your knowledge. If you look at the TSA info page their recommendation is that YOU keep you lock or combination and provide it as necessary.
From the TSA website:
I've flown numerous times with guns in my luggage and never had a problem, and my experiences have been basically the same as rljohns. There will be slight variations from one airport/airlines to another but nothing you can't work with. Declare the gun at the counter, show it to the authorities that want to see it (IF anyone asks to), sign the tag and lock it up, pick it up at the other end. It's not rocket surgery.
Why do some people think they know all the answers? Never ceases to amaze...
From the TSA website:
I've flown numerous times with guns in my luggage and never had a problem, and my experiences have been basically the same as rljohns. There will be slight variations from one airport/airlines to another but nothing you can't work with. Declare the gun at the counter, show it to the authorities that want to see it (IF anyone asks to), sign the tag and lock it up, pick it up at the other end. It's not rocket surgery.
Why do some people think they know all the answers? Never ceases to amaze...
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I use a COM box that has a built-in non-TSA lock. As a matter of fact at Northern KY airport I just bye-bye to my luggage at the agent without going to TSA. The agent "it will be fine we will page you if we want to peek at it". No one paged me and all was fine. They opened the outer bag dropped the TSA leaflet and closed it. Lately, they seem to spend more time looking at ammo.
Has anyone flown to a NYC, SFO, or BWI with a checked handgun here that wasn't LE ? It is supposed to be legal as long as your beating feet out of the area.... I was just wondering. My biggest concern is being diverted, I would never schedule a flight to those with my checked Handgun. Might as well add Chicago to that list. I know that Reagan-National is officially VA.
Has anyone flown to a NYC, SFO, or BWI with a checked handgun here that wasn't LE ? It is supposed to be legal as long as your beating feet out of the area.... I was just wondering. My biggest concern is being diverted, I would never schedule a flight to those with my checked Handgun. Might as well add Chicago to that list. I know that Reagan-National is officially VA.
sheriffoconee
Member
It amuses me when I fly armed, I have to sign my own letter....sort of the same as me signing my own Form 4 for silencers...
I have flown to/from SFO with a checked handgun, and I'm not a LEO. There was no problem, but then, California has largely preempted local firearm laws.
When I checked in a pistol at SFO, I asked the desk agent if he wanted to check that it was unloaded - at least his answer of "heavens no, I'm afraid of guns!" was honest.
