You are getting good advice on here. It really is however simple and painless. It's worth taking with you. You can see a few videos on YouTube from trustworthy sources. Use the TSA website obviously, and if you really want you can call them and they will answer any of your questions. The airline is helpful and the people at the counter are use to people flying with them so no big deal there. I would recommend buying a pelican pistol case and a nice lock... With that you are good to go. So people cable the pistol case to their bag so that an airport employee can't walk off with the pistol case too. But I have always been fine just stuffing it in my bag and having it locked.
Take a copy of the TSA regs with you, as well as United's regs.
Odds are you will have no issue, however there was a time I went there and, long story short, was told by the TSA guy, "Either give me the key or the combination, or you can have the bag back!" I had taken a shuttle bus, so did not have my car there, and also was short of time, so I allowed him to take my key and inspect my bag out of my sight. Everything was in order, and other than the great big F.U. to the rules by the agent, everything turned out OK.
I raised an enormous stink once I returned from the trip, and probably to no good, however on the few subsequent occasions I've flown with my gun since then, when I've been prepared for it, everything has been by the book and handled professionally.
Still... Be prepared with rules in hand and time to fight, in case the same mope is on duty that thought the rules didn't apply to him.
Blessings,
Bill
... only you can unlock it....
Thank you. What I meant to say was that using a tsa lock is a no-go. It must be a lock that only you have a key for.The TSA website dropped this language a long time ago...it used to state this specifically, but they dropped it. Now it only says you must provide a key or combo and be present (which, yes, Indy Int'l violated numerous times when I flew thru there).
....is there any inexpensive case that fits requirements you would recommend?
Slightly different question, can a glock factory case with a padlock through the handle (effectively locking the case closed) be considered a fit case for travel? If not, is there any inexpensive case that fits requirements you would recommend?
QFT.We need a good sticky on this topic. The question is literally asked at least once a month.
I will add from my own recent experience: When you tell them at the counter and get the little card as they take your bag, they will tell you to check in with the TSA supervisor before you move to the gate to make sure your bag is through. Do this at the shack AFTER you get felt up, not before.
The TSA website dropped this language a long time ago...it used to state this specifically, but they dropped it. Now it only says you must provide a key or combo and be present (which, yes, Indy Int'l violated numerous times when I flew thru there).
Slightly different question, can a glock factory case with a padlock through the handle (effectively locking the case closed) be considered a fit case for travel? If not, is there any inexpensive case that fits requirements you would recommend?
QFT.
I will add from my own recent experience: When you tell them at the counter and get the little card as they take your bag, they will tell you to check in with the TSA supervisor before you move to the gate to make sure your bag is through. Do this at the shack AFTER you get felt up, not before.
Somehow the guy before the checkpoint misunderstood and thought I was an FBI agent flying with my gun in the cabin... got all the way into a DHS secure area before the mistake was realized. DHS officer: "So what agency are you with?" Me: "Uhhhhh... none? I think there's been a mistake."