Flying XDs? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Chapie+ · 03-31-2008, 06:27 PM

I have a trip coming up fast and I have never flown with a gun before. Given the current state of everything I am taking my gun with me - in checked baggage. So who has done this lately?

I did find a helpful website with rules / regs on "Traveling with Special Items": TSA: Traveling with Special Items

Any ideas / experiences to share?
Chapie+

rogerxd45 · 03-31-2008, 06:33 PM

just follow the regulations and you will be fine

Chapie+ · 03-31-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapie+

I have a trip coming up fast and I have never flown with a gun before. Given the current state of everything I am taking my gun with me - in checked baggage. So who has done this lately?

I did find a helpful website with rules / regs on "Traveling with Special Items": TSA: Traveling with Special Items

Any ideas / experiences to share?
Chapie+

Can the hard sided case with the gun in it (and lock on it) be placed inside another item of luggage?

Chapie+

rogerxd45 · 03-31-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chapie+

Can the hard sided case with the gun in it (and lock on it) be placed inside another item of luggage?

Chapie+

yes (im not a lawyer so you better call to double check)
but i think they would acctually prefer that ecause if i remeber corectly it said something about not having the case look like a gun case and not be labled so either

jeepinbanditrider · 03-31-2008, 06:43 PM

Yes you can. But I suggest that even if you take a pistol put it in a large rifle type case or a Pelican case. I had to modify my stock Springfield case to feel comftrable checking it the first few times so I could double lock it and then I put it in my regular checked baggage.

Another suggestion is to MAKE SURE that a TSA REP searches your bag right in front of you (they are sopoused to do this by regulations but sometimes they don't) and make sure the locks go back on and get relocked.

Sometimes I take pictures as the TSA rep checks it and puts it on the conveyer.

It's a little nerve racking but after a few times it becomes second nature.

deputyvaughn · 03-31-2008, 09:13 PM

I carried my gun on a trip to California last spring. I was amazed how smooth it went. I wasn't so shocked that the TSA in Nashville's Airport didn't even open the bag that had the declared firearm in it . The Ontario Airport didn't either. It probably helped that my badge was in the bag with the pistol and could be seen on the x-ray, but they would have opened it before the x-ray anyway if they were going to.

Scott

PharmD · 03-31-2008, 09:36 PM

I flew Southwest Airlines to St. Louis about two weeks ago and everything went great! I used the original case, locked it, and put it in my larger check bag and then locked the whole bag with a TSA approved lock that shows if it has been opened or not.
I walked to the ticket counter and told the woman that I had a firearm to check. She gave me a sheet to fill out and sign and place inside the case. I then locked the case and put it back in my bag. I took the bag to the TSA screener and told him too that I had a firearm inside to check so he could "warn" the person looking at the screen that it was comming through. All went really well!

Also, as others on the forum have noted, it is a good idea to print off the TSA guidelines: TSA: Traveling with Special Items

And also print off the specific guideline for your airline. Then place one copy of each with your gun and one copy in your carry on with you. This is incase there are any questions that may arise about the policy regarding flying with firearms.

mudfoot · 04-01-2008, 08:22 AM

Leave it in the factory box, put it in your larger checked bag, and lock your bag. Screw the TSA "approved" locks. They are bull****, and unsafe. Remember, TSA makes a few dollars more per hour than McDonalds employees.

I fly monthly, and my guns go with me everywhere. I have never had ANY issues flying the above method.

spfg45 · 04-01-2008, 08:22 PM

my son flies back and fort from san antonio on american airlines and it is no problem just follow the rules locked in hard case and unloaded....sometimes it gets you to the head of the line at security...if you are flying nortworst i don't think they allow any firearms.....call head to you airline just to be sure

Son of Liberty · 04-01-2008, 09:22 PM

I flew to Louisville from Tampa a while back to go deer hunting and had zero problems. It's really simple to fly with a gun, and I was only 17 at the time. Just prove it's empty and lock the case back up, do whatever they tell you, and you're done.

03-31-2008, 06:27 PM	#1
Chapie+ XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 870	Flying XDs? I have a trip coming up fast and I have never flown with a gun before. Given the current state of everything I am taking my gun with me - in checked baggage. So who has done this lately? I did find a helpful website with rules / regs on "Traveling with Special Items": TSA: Traveling with Special Items Any ideas / experiences to share? Chapie+

03-31-2008, 06:43 PM	#5
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,772	Yes you can. But I suggest that even if you take a pistol put it in a large rifle type case or a Pelican case. I had to modify my stock Springfield case to feel comftrable checking it the first few times so I could double lock it and then I put it in my regular checked baggage. Another suggestion is to MAKE SURE that a TSA REP searches your bag right in front of you (they are sopoused to do this by regulations but sometimes they don't) and make sure the locks go back on and get relocked. Sometimes I take pictures as the TSA rep checks it and puts it on the conveyer. It's a little nerve racking but after a few times it becomes second nature. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

03-31-2008, 09:13 PM	#6
deputyvaughn XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 50	I carried my gun on a trip to California last spring. I was amazed how smooth it went. I wasn't so shocked that the TSA in Nashville's Airport didn't even open the bag that had the declared firearm in it . The Ontario Airport didn't either. It probably helped that my badge was in the bag with the pistol and could be seen on the x-ray, but they would have opened it before the x-ray anyway if they were going to. Scott __________________ Always Remember: A firearm is only an instrument. It contains no evil, no conscience, and no ability. It is strictly the intent, competence, and character of its user that decide the outcome of any and all actions taken with it. (I don't know who to credit but I like the quote.)

03-31-2008, 09:36 PM	#7
PharmD XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Little Rock Posts: 46	I flew Southwest Airlines to St. Louis about two weeks ago and everything went great! I used the original case, locked it, and put it in my larger check bag and then locked the whole bag with a TSA approved lock that shows if it has been opened or not. I walked to the ticket counter and told the woman that I had a firearm to check. She gave me a sheet to fill out and sign and place inside the case. I then locked the case and put it back in my bag. I took the bag to the TSA screener and told him too that I had a firearm inside to check so he could "warn" the person looking at the screen that it was comming through. All went really well! Also, as others on the forum have noted, it is a good idea to print off the TSA guidelines: TSA: Traveling with Special Items And also print off the specific guideline for your airline. Then place one copy of each with your gun and one copy in your carry on with you. This is incase there are any questions that may arise about the policy regarding flying with firearms. Last edited by PharmD : 04-01-2008 at 09:34 PM.

04-01-2008, 08:22 AM	#8
mudfoot XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 314	Leave it in the factory box, put it in your larger checked bag, and lock your bag. Screw the TSA "approved" locks. They are bull****, and unsafe. Remember, TSA makes a few dollars more per hour than McDonalds employees. I fly monthly, and my guns go with me everywhere. I have never had ANY issues flying the above method. __________________ If you are citizen who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be "on" 24/7, for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself..."Baa."

03-31-2008, 06:33 PM	#2
rogerxd45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: boise ID (its boy-see, not boy-z) Posts: 3,592	just follow the regulations and you will be fine

04-01-2008, 08:22 PM	#9
spfg45 XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: dayton,oh Posts: 38	my son flies back and fort from san antonio on american airlines and it is no problem just follow the rules locked in hard case and unloaded....sometimes it gets you to the head of the line at security...if you are flying nortworst i don't think they allow any firearms.....call head to you airline just to be sure

04-01-2008, 09:22 PM	#10
Son of Liberty XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 330	I flew to Louisville from Tampa a while back to go deer hunting and had zero problems. It's really simple to fly with a gun, and I was only 17 at the time. Just prove it's empty and lock the case back up, do whatever they tell you, and you're done. __________________ Springfield XD9 Service - 750 rounds Streamlight TLR-1 "This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins." Benjamin Franklin Students for Concealed Carry on Campus

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