Flying with firearms out of Charlotte

Randy

Ten Pointer
Looks like I'll be flying for an out of state turkey hunting trip this spring instead of driving. I was originally going to fly out of Greensboro, but it looks like flight schedules and my schedule will require me to fly out of Charlotte. I haven't flown with a firearm in over 20 years. Does anybody have recent experience going out of Charlotte with firearms and any tips or suggestions? Thanks very much for any help you can give!
 

deerhunter28

Ten Pointer
Have it in a case with TSA looks.
When you check your bags tell the agent you have a unloaded firearm.
Sometimes someone will look at it to see if it's unloaded.
They put a red sticker on the case your gun is in.
It's really no hassle at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

QBD2

Old Mossy Horns
All the info you'll ever need is on the TSA website. It's really no hassle at all, but you can't do curbside check in. Have to go to the counter.
 

shadycove

Twelve Pointer
All the info you'll ever need is on the TSA website. It's really no hassle at all, but you can't do curbside check in. Have to go to the counter.

I usually try to get a skycap and let him arrange the trip to the counter [faster and easier IMO] and worth the tip.
Either way it's no problem unless they have changed since the Ft. Lauderdale thing.
Come to think of it, what happened to that bit of "Breaking News" haven't heard lately.
 

nckeith

Ten Pointer
Have it in a case with TSA looks.
When you check your bags tell the agent you have a unloaded firearm.
Sometimes someone will look at it to see if it's unloaded.
They put a red sticker on the case your gun is in.
It's really no hassle at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just did it beginning of December. You DO NOT use tsa locks. Use a case and have it locked with key or padlocks. Go to counter and quietly tell ticket agent you have a gun. They will hand you red tag and a tsa agent will escort you to a private room. They will then have you unlock the case and they will inspect the case and sign affidavit it is unloaded. They will then watch you re lock the case and the tsa agent will place on conveyor. When you arrive at destination you will have to show id at airline bag office.
Remember, unloaded and DO NOT USE TSA locks. They are not approved for air travel.
 
Last edited:

ellwoodjake

Twelve Pointer
Also, don't even attempt to bring any ammo along. It is far more trouble than it's worth. Pick it up locally at your destination, or from your outfitter/hunting partner.
 

ncturkeyhunter

Guest
You can pack ammunition in checked baggage. No problems at all.
 

deerhunter28

Ten Pointer
Why not TSA locks?
All my cases I travel with have TSA locks.
I've never had a problem.
Is this something new?
I have not traveled with a firearm since December 2015.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

gobblr addict

Twelve Pointer
Contributor
The proper language to use Randy is, "I'd like to declare a firearm".....Done so many times, no problem.....stand around after they have taken the case before going through the x-ray area...I once was called back and had to go all over again.....Some TSA agent wanted to see the firearm after one had already done so....
 

mdunker

Ten Pointer
You can use TSA locks or standard locks. If you use TSA locks they will take the firearm and then you will not have to be with them when they inspect it. They use a special TSA key. If you use standard locks they will need you to unlock the case for them or they will borrow your key to go back in their area and inspect it. I do not use TSA locks any longer for two reasons. Those TSA keys that can unlock any TSA lock are easy to find. I also had two incidents where TSA did not lock my TSA lock back correctly. One time the lock never made it to my destination. I had to buy another one before I came back home. The 2nd time it was just hanging on my case unlocked when I picked it up.

I use standard locks now. After you check in some airports will have you wait about 10 minutes for a TSA guy to come out and borrow your key to inspect. Other airports do it before they take it back to the loading area.
 

Randy

Ten Pointer
Thanks for the info everyone. However, I have thought of a related question. Should ammo be stored in another checked bag or should it be with the firearm?
 

woodmoose

Administrator
Staff member
Contributor
either one,,,,,,read the page blackheel posted,,,as the info you need


edited to add: You also need to look at the airline rules,,,,some are more stringent than TSA (or were in the past),,,,,,
 
Last edited:

woodmoose

Administrator
Staff member
Contributor
either one,,,,,,read the page blackheel posted,,,as the info you need

extract below:

Firearms
•When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
•Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
•Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock.
•Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
•Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
•Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.




United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44, firearm definitions includes: any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; and any destructive device. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm.

Ammunition
•Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
•Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
•Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm.​
 

Helium

Old Mossy Horns
Not a problem at all if you follow TSA rules.

Charlotte seems pretty relaxed about it...Denver was aggravating coming back home
 

DJinNC

Banned
Just did it beginning of December. You DO NOT use tsa locks. Use a case and have it locked with key or padlocks. Go to counter and quietly tell ticket agent you have a gun. They will hand you red tag and a tsa agent will escort you to a private room. They will then have you unlock the case and they will inspect the case and sign affidavit it is unloaded. They will then watch you re lock the case and the tsa agent will place on conveyor. When you arrive at destination you will have to show id at airline bag office.
Remember, unloaded and DO NOT USE TSA locks. They are not approved for air travel.

exactly my experience. I used the case the weapon came with and the safety locks that came with it. Add some extra time to your travel plans. I had more issues in Texas than anywhere. Not really issues, but people asking A LOT of questions and managers coming over to talk to me.... Nothing was wrong, but they acted as if I were the first oh and I had to wait almost 20 minutes for a TSA person to come over to make sure it was unloaded. I think the I told you so look from my wife was the worst..... Oh, the seal on my ammo box was broken so they confiscated that from checkin luggage. I think that was wrong, but at that point I wanted to go home and like I said, the wife was looking at me side eye by then.
 
Last edited:

appmtnhntr

Twelve Pointer
So we're traveling from clt to Bozeman mt in May for a 10 day loop in the mountains. Going to be taking my XDS in the hard side Springfield range case it came in. And I guess a fully sealed box of ammo.

Flying United.

really don't want to have to buy a box of SD ammo in Mt. If I keep a new factory sealed box of 20 in the case with the pistol I should be good to go?
 

Randy

Ten Pointer
I'm confused by the comments about sealed ammo containers. I was planning on just bringing the factory shotgun shell boxes which were never sealed.
 

gobblr addict

Twelve Pointer
Contributor
Randy....just tape the shotgun shells up good with clear tape, so itll look hard to get in to.......show to them and check it either inside with gun or checked baggage underneath.
 

ncturkeyhunter

Guest
Just follow TSA guidelines and you'll be good to go. No need to tape ammo boxes.
 

JONOV

Old Mossy Horns
Just follow TSA guidelines and you'll be good to go. No need to tape ammo boxes.

Technically true, but I've never had a shotgun shell box hold up worth a damn.

I've heard both sides of the argument on TSA locks, and I've come to this conclusion. The TSA doesn't really know their regulations, and quoting them isn't going to get you anywhere faster, isn't going to educate the agent, and isn't going to curry any favor with the anyone. Use TSA locks.

Most of the time its gone without a hitch. One time they did "lose" it but it was found and delivered to me later that night...it didn't make the connection.
 

Randy

Ten Pointer
Thanks everyone for the valuable info. I hope to minimize the potential for lost luggage by flying out of Charlotte where I can get direct flights. Looking forward to a successful trip.
 
Top