Flying with pistol first time

[American1776]

This week I'll be flying to Georgia (Atlanta, to be precise). The wife wants to spend the July 4th weekend with her brother, and I will be tagging along. Since Georgia is reciprocal with PA, I decided to try this whole 'Flying with a pistol' routine.

I have a Boyt case for the pistol which has foam interior and accepts two locks. I'll be using small samsonite key locks. From what I've read, I'll need to unload the gun, lock it in the case with the mags and ammo, and then announce at the counter for bag check that I need to check a firearm. I believe that's the extent of it, correct?

I thought about carrying my Colt Commander, but that seems a little big for this trip. I'm leaning toward bring my Makarov PM.

Has anyone else flown with their pistol, and carried in Georgia? Looks like Georgia is as carry friendly as PA. Any tips before my adventure?

Thanks

[R.A.D.]

Are you sure u wanna use common "tourist" locks?

Call me paranoid but if I was a thieving baggage handler I would probably have one of those cheap keys or be able to open one of those cheezy locks... but thats just me. I consider a good "un" common lock to be good insurance

[American1776]

Are you sure u wanna use common "tourist" locks?

Call me paranoid but if I was a thieving baggage handler I would probably have one of those cheap keys or be able to open one of those cheezy locks... but thats just me. I consider a good "un" common lock to be good insurance

thanks for the suggestion. what sort of lock should I look for?

[gdc]

maybe the tsa website might be helpful

[rwilson452]

Sometimes the airline has their own requirements. Check with them. I use a metal case and TSA approved locks. Sometimes TSA will send someone out the the Check in counter to inspect it there. that really depends on the airport and how busy they are. After inspection I put my box inside another suitcase. Unless its a rifle of course.

[American1776]

Sometimes the airline has their own requirements. Check with them. I use a metal case and TSA approved locks. Sometimes TSA will send someone out the the Check in counter to inspect it there. that really depends on the airport and how busy they are. After inspection I put my box inside another suitcase. Unless its a rifle of course.

thanks for that info. That's a good idea. I'll put the gun in the case, lock the case with the little locks, then put the gun case in my travel suitcase. I'll call the airline tommorow to make sure i have all the requirements.

[greenjohn88]

Under no circumstances use a TSA lock to secure your firearms. Firearms like to walk off, and the argument has been made that they may not satisfy federal law. If you use a code do not give them the combo, if you use a key do not give them the key. You must be physically present during any inspection of the firearm.

Your airline may have stricter requirements but they cannot require you to use TSA locks or externally mark your baggage as containing firearms or ammunition, not that that will stop them. I assume you'll be departing PHL, but airlines vary from prohibited to effortless. Which airline are you taking?

[gummy jones]

Non tsa lock is a must - keep key on you
Put your name and cell number in big letters on the case and have your phone with you in the terminal
To be safe keep ammo in the cardboard carton it comes in, not in mags
Lock safe to frame of suitcase

You will have no problems

[PAMedic=F|A=]

I secure my firearm in the box at the check in counter when flying out of PA, I carry it until then. I did not try this in GA

GA has a few weird laws, like you have to make sure you have permission to carry in a Church. I would suggest going to Church in Alabama, they have no such laws rooted in slavery.

Most of the time they wanted me to put the gun case in another, checked bag so it would be less visible. Some put the unlaoded tag in the case, some on the outside. Flying out of PA has always been easy for me, nothing other than confirming it is unloaded. None of them have given me any hassle. other States have.

IF I was you, and had two lock positions, I'd use to locks, one combo, one keyed.

[wanneroo]

Non tsa lock is a must - keep key on you
Put your name and cell number in big letters on the case and have your phone with you in the terminal
To be safe keep ammo in the cardboard carton it comes in, not in mags
Lock safe to frame of suitcase

You will have no problems

Agreed. I used two different Master locks on my case, also tethered it with steel cable lock to the suitcase frame and put ammo in one of those plastic ammo cans with another Master Lock on that.

The steel cable lock to the suitcase stops the pilferers from making a spur of the moment snatch of your pistol case out of the suitcase.