Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 10:02 AM

I was under the impression that guns HAD to be in lockable cases. I know TSA likes it if you use the TSA-friendly locks (i.e. totally insecure, but luggage isn't gonna be secure anyway...)

I've also heard that airlines go through extra measures to make sure guns don't get lost... but my father-in-law, who flies regularly, told me the only time any of his luggage ever got lost was when he was taking his Ruger O/U on a hunting trip! They found it, of course, but it still makes me nervous as heck to fly with guns.

Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 10:03 AM

With Delta you may not place a firearm and it's ammo in the same container. In my case I had two small lockable pistol cases. One contained a Glock 23C, the other the ammo. i could not send them through in the same suitcase. You may want to call them or scour their website for their exact requirements. They go beyond what the TSA requires on this matter.

Other than that, the quick and dirty on TSA regulations:

You must declare the firearm at the ticket counter. You will have to sign a form stating that the gun is unloaded and place it in the case. Do not let the ticket taker skip this step.

The case must be locked.

The TSA will ask you to unlock it, but they may not unlock it themselves. It's a felony (if I recall correctly) for you to give anybody access to that locked case, but the TSA will probably still ask you to hand them the key or tell them the combination. Just use your best judgment on this one.

On, and you're limited to 11 pounds of ammo. Probably not an issue for this trip, but if you were headed go Gunsite or something it could be.

Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 10:08 AM

Heh... 11lbs of ammo? That's it? I know for a fact that Robb's range bag weighs well over twice that... and that isn't even his entire "ammunition cache".

Maybe use that weight limit as an excuse to pick up a few cases of .22s while you are there. You're gonna have to replenish your mom's stock of .38s anyway.

Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 10:49 AM

The last time I checked a handgun was well before 9/11, and it just had to be unloaded and in hard-sided box (I bought a black train case) with a padlock. I declared it, and she had me sign a card and put the card in the box.

I'd call them and get the specifics, so you don't risk missing your flight. I'm glad you're going to see your mom.

Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 11:02 AM

Well,Tanya, I'm flying up there Monday to take her to her surgery on Tuesday. My aunt is a nurse and will be there as well to help take care of her medical needs, I'm there to cook, clean, and provide moral support.

Plus, I'm going to fix anything that needs fixing which includes her Dell that had a power supply go pop.

Rolled Out On: 9/24/2007 4:32 PM

I flew from Seattle to Burbank and back several weeks ago. I had two handguns in a double padlocked hard sided gun case, and the case was inside of my soft sided suitcase. It went smoothly and apparently if they can clearly see inside with their x-ray machine, they don't even have to open it. The gun case had plastic sides, so I guess they could see inside OK. Before traveling I printed out the TSA rules from their website, and the Alaska Airlines rules from their website, and made sure I fully understood them before traveling. I also carried a copy of the rules in my carry on bag in case there was any question about them. Granted, Alaska Air carries a lot of hunters to and from Alaska, so they may be more used to carrying firearms than some other airlines, I don't know. I expected it to be a PITA, but it went very well.

..... Mr. C.