Flying Continental with Handgun

[SkinnyGrey]

I just made a reservation for flying out of the Hartford CT to Seattle. I informed the agent I will be checking a handgun. The agent said that is fine and all I need to do is bring it in a locked box. I thought I was suppose to inform the airport and/or the airline a month or so before the flight. The agent assured me all I had to do was just show up with the gun in a lock box. Is she right about this?

Also I have a layover in Newark, where my carry permit is not recognized. Will this be a problem?

Much thanks!

 

[TexasRifleman]

No you don't have to notify them ahead of time at all. Just inform the baggage agent you are checking a firearm when you get to the airport and they will provide you with the card to put in the bag.

The layover in Newark will cause you a HUGE problem if you claim your bag. If the bag stays in the possession of the airline you are fine.

 

[ny32182]

Just declare it at check-in; easy as pie. I've been on Continental with a pistol more times than I care to remember; all you do is put the pistol in a lockable case, and the ammo separately in factory boxes, with an 11lb limit on the ammo if I am remembering correctly. The exact regs should be easy to find on the airline website, but most of them seem very similar from one airline to the next.

As TR said, I would definitely not want to pick up the bag at a layover where the gun is illegal.

Delcaring a month ahead of time would be quite the headache for those of us who often book with two days notice.

 

[medalguy]

Going thru Newark? I would also strongly suggest putting the gun case inside another larger piece of luggage and lock that one also with a lock only you have the key to. Newark is one of those wormholes where matter seems to disappear into if you catch my drift.

 

[bpl]

The regulations can be found on the TSA website and certain particulars on the individual airline websites. I print off both, as I have had to inform and clarify the regulations with the ticket agents in the past, but overall the experience has been positive. One agent though looked utterly confused, then is became apparent that she thought I meant to carry the handgun onto the plane with me and asked to see my badge. We had a few moments of confusion until I explained that the handgun I was declaring was to be in the checked baggage and I showed her the regulations. I believe a colleague helped her through the process. Anyway, the above posters are correct. It must be unloaded and in a locked case and ammo must be in separate containers. Factory Ammo boxes are fine. Do not claim your baggage in NJ!

 

[climbnjump]

Here is what you need to know from the TSA's point of view:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Print this out and have a copy readily available when you check in.

I haven't flown Continental with a firearm, so I don't know what - if any - special rules they may have. From your discussion with the agent, it sounds like perhaps they have no special rules. However, their policy for flying their airline when checking a firearm should be on their website. Find it, print it out and have a copy with you during check in. Not all agents are well versed with the rules in this area.

A good idea is to lock your handgun in a small pistol case that is then put inside of a larger bag. Have your cell phone number prominately displayed on the outside of the pistol case and monitor your cell phone while in the airport in the event that a luggage inspector somewhere down the line has a question for you.

After check in at some airports, your bag may be treated as normal luggage. At others, you may be escorted to a special area where a TSA agent will require you to demonstrate to them that the handgun is both unloaded and locked securely.

 

[SkinnyGrey]

am i aloud to bring more than one handgun? if so, must it be in a separate case?

 

[NavyLCDR]

You can have as many guns in one case or in as many cases as you can afford to pay the baggage fees for. Do NOT put a TSA approved lock on the gun case - that is a violation of Federal regulations. A standard combo or key lock that only you have the combo or key for goes on the gun case. You can put a TSA lock on the luggage containing the gun case, if you want.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You should be fine on your layover as long as the airline is moving your luggage form one plane to another. Your carry permit plays no part in this as the gun is not in you possession...since it will be in checked luggage.

I've flown across the country a number of times on Continental, I've never had a problem with my guns

 

[swinokur]

Some airlines have a limit on the number of cases and firearms per case. American Airlines does.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/firearms.jsp

check with your airline before flying

edit: this from Continental web site

Firearms Continental accepts one item of shooting equipment per customer as checked baggage. One item of shooting equipment is defined as one hard-sided shooting equipment case containing up to five firearms, with or without scopes, 11 lbs (five Kgs.) of ammunition and articles used in the firearm sport.

 

[c1ogden]

Avoid NJ at all costs!


Revell v. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 10-236.

http://www.startribune.com/nation/114074074.html

 

[swinokur]

SCOTUS denied the request for CERTtoday. It's over.