Wednesday's Traveling Episode

[McNamara]

More good info...I will toss in my .0175 (due to inflation) here.  Along with all the things Mike spoke of, traveling with the firearm, I will go to the TSA.gov website and track down the firearms section.  (Here, i will save you some time) http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunition) and read and print a copy to take with you.  Also, go to the website of the carrier you are flying and find, read and print the page of thier regulations.  This will come in handy should you come across a ticket/airline agent who does not know thier own rules. That way you can show them the policy, in case they say something different. It's happened once to me while traveling.  I will generally print it the evening before.  I always allow myself at least 30 extra minutes to go to the TSA security area where they may or may not look at your firearm, case, etc.  Some airports scoot you right on through, others will delay you.  Better to go prepared than have to deal with issues and maybe miss your flight or worse. 

[tombogan03884]

Thanks

[Michael Janich]

Great tip, McNamara! Thanks for watching and for sharing!

Stay safe,

Mike

[MikeBjerum]

Check out the airport rules as well.  

Example:  TSA and Southwest both allow ten pounds or 100 rounds of ammunition, whichever is less.  MSP only allows five pounds.  

Sun Country strongly urges (requires but didn't have it in writing last I checked) that your locked gun case be in something that does not resemble a gun case.  

Sun Country also interprets the TSA rules as stating that there may only be two or fewer firearms per case.

Just a few of the inconsistencies I have run into.

Beyond that I have learned that being polite and honest goes a long ways, and most of the TSA questions are because they are curious and interested and not objectionable.

[JC5123]

Check out the airport rules as well.  

Example:  TSA and Southwest both allow ten pounds or 100 rounds of ammunition, whichever is less.  MSP only allows five pounds.  

Sun Country strongly urges (requires but didn't have it in writing last I checked) that your locked gun case be in something that does not resemble a gun case.  

Sun Country also interprets the TSA rules as stating that there may only be two or fewer firearms per case.

Just a few of the inconsistencies I have run into.

Beyond that I have learned that being polite and honest goes a long ways, and most of the TSA questions are because they are curious and interested and not objectionable.

Uuuuhhhhhh?  How does that work with a long gun?

As a side note, you can fly with a surf board, but not a kayak. Which seems odd to me since a whitewater kayak is more compact than a surf board. So we box our kayaks and label them surf boards. We've yet to have a problem.

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

It was my long Kalispel case they hated.  They wanted it in a duffel bag.

[pioneer]

Excellent video, as usual, and informative comments here on the forum.  Most of my airline travel is on the West Coast, except for the occasional overseas flight, when I of course have to leave my guns at home.  Most of my domestic flying is on Alaska Airlines, which as far as I know, has no limitations on ammo, or number of firearms.  I'm fortunate to be certified for nationwide carry per HR-218 / LEOSA, and as a retired police officer, one of my main concerns is theft.  Because of that concern, I usually will try to determine which of my handguns I'm willing to risk losing while traveling.  (Fortunately that hasn't happened.)  I have several to choose from, but it most often turns out to be my S&W 642, J-frame.  When I carry my snubby it is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense ammo, so I never feel under gunned.  Like Mike, I carry the ammo in factory boxes, with enough for carry plus two reloads, in this case, speed-loaders. 

The only problem I've ever had was in San Jose CA, where the ticket agent in training panicked when I declared I had an unloaded handgun in my checked luggage.  The TSA and Airport Police showed up, and was able to calm her and her supervisor down, but for a couple of minutes it was a bit tense. 

I always carry a copy of the airline and TSA firearm policy with my carry-on luggage, along with a printout of the HR-218 statutes.  

[celler]

Not trying to hijack this excellent thread, but would the producers mind sharing the name and location of the very nice western-themed hotel that served as the location for the Hotel Safety episode.  I like patronizing businesses that support our Second Amendment rights. 

Thanks.

[Michael Janich]

Not trying to hijack this excellent thread, but would the producers mind sharing the name and location of the very nice western-themed hotel that served as the location for the Hotel Safety episode.  I like patronizing businesses that support our Second Amendment rights. 

Thanks.

It's The Best Western Lodge at Nederland in Nederland, CO.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Magoo541]

I missed the episode because I was travelling for work.  As it happens this was the first time I've taken a firearm since 2001 (which resulted in my arrest for transporting a firearm in CT without a permit  which ended up costing me a $100 charitable contribution and $5000 in travel expenses for 2 court dates  ) 

I had zero issues at PDX, they didn't even look to see if the gun was loaded or mags empty.  On the way home at the Charleston, SC Airport I was more thoroughly checked by a TSA member that was a fellow shooter and XD owner.  The biggest issue was the wife when she asked if I had taken my gun, "...well you see dear I was going to take my airsoft for dryfire practice and realized it was as much a hassle as taking my handgun.   Besides you have the 870 and 9mm at the house, now how is your mom?"