CCW and Airport travel.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by The Gimper

There's nothing in the TSA or DOT regs that I've ever seen that states you have to allow the airline agent to handle your firearm. I suppose an individual airlne might have a policy stating that, but again, I've never seen one. I've flown Southwest, American, United, Delta, Jet Blue, and AirTrans. Most of them say very little on their websites. Here is an example from American Airlines:



Southwest's is a little more specific, but again, nothing about allowing them to handle or personally inspect your firearm.

Note that it states the customer must prove that the gun is unloaded, but it does not say that they will personally inspect them, or that you must allow them to do so.

If the ticket counter employee attempts to handle my firearm, I polite refuse to allow it, and tell them that I will show them that the gun is unloaded. If they insist on wanting to personally inspect my firearm, I again refuse permission, and request that they call a supervisor.

Most of the time the agents are quite happy to follow my lead because I've done this before and it quickly becomes apparent that I know what I'm talking about. By the way, when I transport my firearms I do so with the magazine out, and the slide locked back, so it is very easy to prove that the gun is unloaded.

Never had one want to even get close to one of my handguns. Usually they are doing the reverse C posture as I prove it is unloaded. But yes VERY good idea to always have slide locked back on a semi auto and magazine out. I also try to take the lead.

Now if they insisted on personally inspecting one of them. I guess my compliance would have a lot to do with how bad I wanted to make that flight.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Never had one want to even get close to one of my handguns. Usually they are doing the reverse C posture as I prove it is unloaded. But yes VERY good idea to always have slide locked back on a semi auto and magazine out. I also try to take the lead.

Yes, as I said, they are usually relieved not to have to touch the evil gun.
But I have had some say they have to inspect it.

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Now if they insisted on personally inspecting one of them. I guess my compliance would have a lot to do with how bad I wanted to make that flight.

I always allow plenty of time to get through check-in, just in case there are issues like that.

[PHM]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Classic!!!!

YEah had something similar happen in Eugene, OR. When the new counter lady coded me as a special person that could fly with a loaded gun. Well I was not and my gun was checked like it should have been.

Until 20 minutes before take off "commuter plane" I was finishing off a beer in the lounge accross from gate when me clad in a Toby Keith shirt and cargo shorts was called via loud speaker to gate. Arrived. Gate agent. "You are the special passenger right?" Me, "what?" Her, "You know wink wink special". Me, "uhhhhhhhhhh". Her louder so everyone within 10 feet can hear, "you are carrying a gun????" ME, "uh uh uh YES IN MY CARRY ON LUGGAGE!!!!" Her, "oh my, the counter person coded you as carrying it on you on the plane and the pilot wanted to meet you beforehand!!!!"

That story should make us feel real safe about flying commercial. Can you imagine if you had been some whack job, you could have actually hijacked the plane. Doesn't surprise me though with the real winners that are working at the airport for the TSA; I think being a felon is a requirement just to apply.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by PHM

That story should make us feel real safe about flying commercial. Can you imagine if you had been some whack job, you could have actually hijacked the plane. Doesn't surprise me though with the real winners that are working at the airport for the TSA; I think being a felon is a requirement just to apply.

The funny thing is when she entered what ever code she was entering she said red highlights kept coming across the screen lighting up! She tried it three times. I have deducted from this that I am pretty sure she was not supposed to enter ANY code in regards to my circumstances.

Just tag the inside of my bag with the bright orange tag after inspection and send me on my way.