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I may be flying to an out of state match this summer. Can my pistol (in locked case) be in the same piece of luggage as my ammunition? I thought I heard somewhere that they had to be seperated, and if so, at most airlines you have to pay extra for an extra bag.

The firearm must be unloaded, obviously, but I have flown many times with boxed ammo in the same suitcase.

Thanks

It's too easy to call the airline and find their rules. Don't go on our advice.

And also remember that even though a magazine is designed to hold or carry ammo the airlines don't like it when that's how you show up with your ammo.

Check the TSA website for the latest info on policies regarding the transport of weapons. Make sure you print out a copy and take it with you. I had no problem flying from Houston to Georgia, but on my return trip, TSA tried to confiscate my ammo. I won the argument because I had a copy of their policy with me while they were operating off of memory. It's probably a good idea to compare your airlines policy with TSA's. They can't lower the standard, but nothing prohibits them from adding requirements. Good luck with the flight! Let us know how it goes either way!

bilgerat57 wrote:Check the TSA website for the latest info on policies regarding the transport of weapons. Make sure you print out a copy and take it with you. I had no problem flying from Houston to Georgia, but on my return trip, TSA tried to confiscate my ammo. I won the argument because I had a copy of their policy with me while they were operating off of memory. It's probably a good idea to compare your airlines policy with TSA's. They can't lower the standard, but nothing prohibits them from adding requirements. Good luck with the flight! Let us know how it goes either way!

This is smart. TSA and airlines may interpret their own rules depending on what they eat for breakfast that day or if they are constipated. Make the call and have your printouts in hand. I have been working aviation safety and security for 30 years, I would never assume what the rules are today compared to yesterday. Be safe.

This. You need to carry a copy of both the TSA and airline rules.

Edit: and don't bother arguing with an agent if they're wrong. Smile, and ask them to call a supervised over to discuss further.

bilgerat57 wrote:Check the TSA website for the latest info on policies regarding the transport of weapons. Make sure you print out a copy and take it with you. I had no problem flying from Houston to Georgia, but on my return trip, TSA tried to confiscate my ammo. I won the argument because I had a copy of their policy with me while they were operating off of memory. It's probably a good idea to compare your airlines policy with TSA's. They can't lower the standard, but nothing prohibits them from adding requirements. Good luck with the flight! Let us know how it goes either way!

[quote="RHenriksen"] and don't bother arguing with an agent if they're wrong. Smile, and ask them to call a supervised over to discuss further.

Probably some of the best advice you can get for any "customer service" related issue, especially when dealing with the TSA. I don't travel anymore for work, but let me just say that the TSA I've dealt with for the last 7 years didn't remain consistent from day-to-day, and the fastest way to get a straight forward answer was to speak with the supervisor. You just have to hope that they're competent and not just in the position because they're older than everyone else.

Just out of curiousity I looked through the TSA site to see if the policy has changed since I last flew. There doesn't seem to have been any appreciable change that I can see. The only difference I noticed was that they don't seem to require ammunition to be carried in the manufacturers box like they used to. It's a bit interesting that they allow the weapon, magazines, and ammo to be transported in a single container, as opposed to seperating ammo from the weapon. Mind you, I'm not complaining! All things considered, the policy is actually reasonable......a rarity for TSA!

When I flew to/from Detroit earlier this month, the airline agent checking my bag asked if there was ammo and it was in a box. I had two loaded magazines and one loose round in a 50 round empty box stowed in a suitecase pocket, my pistol was in a locked combo safe that I use in the car. Had no issues coming or going from TSA or the airlines, same experience in September going to Florida. I thought I might have trouble in Tampa coming home, but the TSA guy just took the bag, ran it through the xray and said I was good to go.

I fly Continental / United with my gun. Continental's rules are pretty simple:

Gun must be in a hard-shell lockable case. Gun must be unloaded.
Ammo can be in the same suitcase as the gun. Ammo must be secured in its own container.

For most of my gun travel, I have a hardshell suitcase. My suitcase contains clothing and pistol case. In my pistol case are pistol, knife, and empty magazines. My ammo is in manufacturer's boxes. I have a second hardshell case for when I carry my rifle.

When I reach the ticket counter, both my suitcase and gun case are locked. This is to show the TSA inspector that I know the rules. The inspector might ask you to unlock your gear, or the inpector might ask for the keys and unlock your gear himself (or herself).

After inspection is over, you keep the keys and the inspector keeps your gear.