Flying to PA, Driving Back

VA_GENTLEMAN

VA_GENTLEMAN

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I got hit with a quick need to fly to PA and I have to get back to Virginia on Thursday Night (go Hokies!!!, sorry @wvsig ) and there were no flights that would get me back before game time.

So I am going to fly with my M&P 40. I plan on using the original hardcase and using a TSA approved lock. I opened it up, locked it back and put the rope guard. Left the empty magazines in the original.

The Ammo, I grabbed regular box of ball and put it in a pelican small case. I don't know if the Ammo needs to be locked as it must be in a fiber, box or normal box for ammo.

Am I missing anything other than checking the bag at Airport?

Thoughts team?
 
VA_GENTLEMAN said:
I got hit with a quick need to fly to PA and I have to get back to Virginia on Thursday Night (go Hokies!!!, sorry @wvsig ) and there were no flights that would get me back before game time.

So I am going to fly with my M&P 40. I plan on using the original hardcase and using a TSA approved lock. I opened it up, locked it back and put the rope guard. Left the empty magazines in the original.

The Ammo, I grabbed regular box of ball and put it in a pelican small case. I don't know if the Ammo needs to be locked as it must be in a fiber, box or normal box for ammo.

Am I missing anything other than checking the bag at Airport?

Thoughts team?
Click to expand...

I am a Hokies Fan! @vp9c He checks his carry gun!
 
Most airlines require pistol unloaded in a locked hard sided case (this can go inside of your checked bag). I use a personal safe type case (nanovault 100 is my favorite). Unloaded mags can go in the case with the pistol.

Ammo supposed to be in a factory package separate from the pistol.

Usually need to check in at least 1 hour before boarding.
 
Here’s how I roll. I have my own NON TSA padlocks on the case and only I have the key. It goes in my luggage and is cabled to the frame of the luggage. Declare when you check the bag. I usually throw the holster(s) in my carry on. The case is a Pelican IM2050.

I also generally throw any valuables, pocket knives, etc in with the pistol underneath the foam.

1A006A37-E220-43DA-8DBA-A05B966A8897.png
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
Here’s how I roll. I have my own NON TSA padlocks on the case and only I have the key. It goes in my luggage and is cabled to the frame of the luggage. Declare when you check the bag. I usually throw the holster(s) in my carry on. The case is a Pelican IM2050.

I also generally throw any valuables, pocket knives, etc in with the pistol underneath the foam.

View attachment 524618
Click to expand...
I think I am going to roll like this... it is easier and since I am checking a bag.. might as well check a bigger one...

Thanks all!
 
Ok, I searched for the deviating dot net (deviant Ollam) and his comprensible flying with a firearm link : https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/05/basic-training-flying-firearms/
Basically, turn your luggage into something secure. Use the laws. Nothing says your firearm needs to be inside unsecured luggage.
edit to add:

The hard-sided case may either be your actual piece of checked luggage, or it may be a smaller case, provided it is capable of being “locked” no matter how laughably.

As you can see, it’s quite possible to comply with the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. I always personally opt for using large, hard-sided luggage because it affords not just protection to my firearm, but also to the rest of my possessions. If you pack a pistol inside of a small case stowed within a duffel bag or soft-sided luggage, you may be “locking up” your gun, but nothing else flying with you that day is being secured. I like leveraging the law in such a way that not only my carry piece but also my laptop, my clothes, my Dopp kit, and invariably a bottle of whiskey are all protected by the same locks and hard outer shell.
Click to expand...
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
That’s right. You could get a big ole pelican and put all of your stuff in there and throw a pistol on top.
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Did that once. The TSA inspector asked why I didn’t just use a lock box inside of soft luggage. I asked if he would consider that arrangement secure, because I don’t.
 
stiab said:
Yes, be careful driving back thru Maryland, they are very narrow minded. You will have to use the federal law that allows citizens to travel with handguns secured and unloaded. Good luck!
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Gun must be unloaded and ammo stored separately in the trunk of the vehicle (MD). Set the cruise at speed limit and stay in the right lane as much as possible. Hopefully the rental you drive will not have a VA, NC or TN plate.
 
They used to specify that you were to use non-TSA locks on firearms. TSA locks aren't real secure, being very limited in number. IF they want it opened they'll call you, they have never called me. If the case can easily be pried apart enough to get the contents it doesn't meet the requirements, somewhat subjective. Not much stress over.
 
stiab said:
Yes, be careful driving back thru Maryland, they are very narrow minded. You will have to use the federal law that allows citizens to travel with handguns secured and unloaded. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Yeah...I worked it out and put in locked case in the trunk for those 15 miles... Maryland... what a frickin waste.
 
Just curious

Did you do the pelican case separately (did they charge you for a full bag?)

Or the nano inside of your luggage?
 
vp9c said:
Did you do the pelican case separately (did they charge you for a full bag?)
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On those occasions where I have had to fly, I put it in the pelican case and use the case as my luggage. Just throw the gun in with your stuff. It doesn't have to be separately confined. For that matter you could throw in just the lower receiver and it would still technically be a firearm, even though it would be fully non functional.

Edit to add: I am sure the intent when they put ink to paper was that the gun is in a small container and they have carte blanche access to everything else, but that's not how it's worded and it is the wording that matters. Nothing says the locked case the gun is in can't be your luggage.
 
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noway2 said:
On those occasions where I have had to fly, I put it in the pelican case and use the case as my luggage. Just throw the gun in with your stuff. It doesn't have to be separately confined. For that matter you could throw in just the lower receiver and it would still technically be a firearm, even though it would be fully non functional.

Edit to add: I am sure the intent when they put ink to paper was that the gun is in a small container and they have carte blanche access to everything else, but that's not how it's worded and it is the wording that matters. Nothing says the locked case the gun is in can't be your luggage.
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That makes sense if you’re talking about a big pelican case. The pelican case pictured above in this thread could probably hold my thongs and pantyhose but everything else would have to go into a separate bag 😂
 
vp9c said:
That makes sense if you’re talking about a big pelican case.
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I scrolled back up and see what you mean. The one one I use is about 24" wide, by 18" deep and 18" tall. I am not sure if it would qualify as carry on if it didn't have a gun in it, but since my flying is nearly always on the company dime, I don't worry about check bag fees.

The pelican case pictured above in this thread could probably hold my thongs and pantyhose but everything else would have to go into a separate bag 😂
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Somehow this made me think of this. Go do a search for Ursula Martinez Hanky Panky and watch the video. One talented woman is all I can say.
 
vp9c said:
Just curious

Did you do the pelican case separately (did they charge you for a full bag?)

Or the nano inside of your luggage?
Click to expand...
I used a Pelican pistol case and the Nano and placed them inside a carry on Samsonite. Both Locked and even a Samsonite TSA rope lock on the zipper on the bag.

Easy peasy... I got through check-in and baggage faster than normal...
 
Frack N Cylons said:
Here’s how I roll. I have my own NON TSA padlocks on the case and only I have the key. It goes in my luggage and is cabled to the frame of the luggage. Declare when you check the bag. I usually throw the holster(s) in my carry on. The case is a Pelican IM2050.

I also generally throw any valuables, pocket knives, etc in with the pistol underneath the foam.

View attachment 524618
Click to expand...
That's the same Pelican case I use. Perfect size says me. I really like how the foam can be rearranged.
 
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