L
Logistar
Guest
I haven't seen much posted lately about our "airport experiences" so I thought I'd relate my most recent one for any of you who might be interested.
It seems the reports I have read up to this point have been pretty accurate.
Anyway, I flew to Louisville (SDF) to New Orleans (MSY) and back about a week ago. Here is how it went.
Louisville Check In:
Logistar: I'd like to declare a firearm in this case, Sir.
Delta : You have one? (Confirming I only wanted to check one.)
Logistar: Yes Sir. I have 1 box of factory ammo in the other case.
Delta: Please sign this (orange) tag declaring that the firearm is unloaded.
(He has me open the case and casually looks inside and has me lock everything up. He placed the orange tag INSIDE the larger case. My handgun was in it's "factory" plastic case and locked with a padlock.)
Logistar: Shall I lock both cases?
Delta: Yes. That would be fine.
Delta: Sir, (after checking bags) would you please stand here while your bags are screened. Please don't leave until the screener tells you that everything is OK.
Logistar: Yes Sir, thank you Sir.
(Screener puts bags through X-RAY... then walks toward me and says "Everything's fine. You may go now.")
Nooooo Problems whatsoever! That's about to change though.
Return trip - New Orleans airport (MSY)
Logistar: I'd like to declare a firearm in this case, Sir.
Delta: OK. Set your bag up here.
Logistar: (Feeling uneasy) Sir, I NEED to declare a firearm.
Delta: OK (but they appeared to be about to place my bag as is on the conveyor! )
Logistar: Sir, I will need a TAG for this case......I'm checking a firearm.
Delta: Oh, I'm sorry... got one right here (hands me white ID tag).. just fill this out and we'll place it on your bag.
Logistar: No, I don't need an ID tag... already have those... I need an
(Before I could finish my sentence...)
Delta: "Yes, you do." - and he carries off my bag (firearm inside) toward the conveyor!
Logistar: (YELLING at this point) SIR! Return that bag to me IMMEDIATELY!! SIR! I demand that you return that bag to me immediately!
Lots of people now looking.:banghead:
Delta: (Kinda angry now) What seems to be the problem? (And he is joined by someone with a nice suit on - can't remember the insignia.) Now the NEW guy asks what is going on.
Logistar: I have told this gentleman 3 times that I want to declare a firearm in this piece of checked luggage but he won't give me the orange tag to fill out.
Original Delta guy (very loud) OH!!!!! YOU'VE GOT A GUN IN THERE!
Logistar: Yes, I have a gun in here and I am trying to avoid becoming a criminal but you're making things kinda difficult here. (Trying my best to smile.)
By now I hear the words... "That man has a gun" or "He's got a gun." from all over behind me.
The "New guy" walks a short distance with the original guy and they come back with a tag, take a peek at the weapon and then I lock it up and it's on it's way.
Of course I am asked to wait for screening. The "screener" asks for my keys.
Logistar: I would be happy to unlock and show you anything you'd like.
Screener: No, I just need your keys. You stay there.
I gave her the keys. She proceeded to struggle finding the right keys for the locks... she had trouble getting them open. She took all the foam out of the case except the top which was glued on. (She tryed though!)
She "appeared" to lift the gun out of the case to look under it (although it was difficult to actually see that). A man walked over to her and I could see her pointing to something inside the case (the top of the case obscured my view) and the man clearly said "magazine". I HAVE to think she was asking him what that thing was packed NEXT to my semi-auto FINALLY she managed to get everything locked back, put it on the conveyor, walked over held out my keys and said NOTHING as I said, Thank you ma'am.
I guess that wasn't too bad. Like people say, the experience seems to vary.
FWIW
Logistar
It seems the reports I have read up to this point have been pretty accurate.
Anyway, I flew to Louisville (SDF) to New Orleans (MSY) and back about a week ago. Here is how it went.
Louisville Check In:
Logistar: I'd like to declare a firearm in this case, Sir.
Delta : You have one? (Confirming I only wanted to check one.)
Logistar: Yes Sir. I have 1 box of factory ammo in the other case.
Delta: Please sign this (orange) tag declaring that the firearm is unloaded.
(He has me open the case and casually looks inside and has me lock everything up. He placed the orange tag INSIDE the larger case. My handgun was in it's "factory" plastic case and locked with a padlock.)
Logistar: Shall I lock both cases?
Delta: Yes. That would be fine.
Delta: Sir, (after checking bags) would you please stand here while your bags are screened. Please don't leave until the screener tells you that everything is OK.
Logistar: Yes Sir, thank you Sir.
(Screener puts bags through X-RAY... then walks toward me and says "Everything's fine. You may go now.")
Nooooo Problems whatsoever! That's about to change though.
Return trip - New Orleans airport (MSY)
Logistar: I'd like to declare a firearm in this case, Sir.
Delta: OK. Set your bag up here.
Logistar: (Feeling uneasy) Sir, I NEED to declare a firearm.
Delta: OK (but they appeared to be about to place my bag as is on the conveyor! )
Logistar: Sir, I will need a TAG for this case......I'm checking a firearm.
Delta: Oh, I'm sorry... got one right here (hands me white ID tag).. just fill this out and we'll place it on your bag.
Logistar: No, I don't need an ID tag... already have those... I need an
(Before I could finish my sentence...)
Delta: "Yes, you do." - and he carries off my bag (firearm inside) toward the conveyor!
Logistar: (YELLING at this point) SIR! Return that bag to me IMMEDIATELY!! SIR! I demand that you return that bag to me immediately!
Lots of people now looking.:banghead:
Delta: (Kinda angry now) What seems to be the problem? (And he is joined by someone with a nice suit on - can't remember the insignia.) Now the NEW guy asks what is going on.
Logistar: I have told this gentleman 3 times that I want to declare a firearm in this piece of checked luggage but he won't give me the orange tag to fill out.
Original Delta guy (very loud) OH!!!!! YOU'VE GOT A GUN IN THERE!
Logistar: Yes, I have a gun in here and I am trying to avoid becoming a criminal but you're making things kinda difficult here. (Trying my best to smile.)
By now I hear the words... "That man has a gun" or "He's got a gun." from all over behind me.
The "New guy" walks a short distance with the original guy and they come back with a tag, take a peek at the weapon and then I lock it up and it's on it's way.
Of course I am asked to wait for screening. The "screener" asks for my keys.
Logistar: I would be happy to unlock and show you anything you'd like.
Screener: No, I just need your keys. You stay there.
I gave her the keys. She proceeded to struggle finding the right keys for the locks... she had trouble getting them open. She took all the foam out of the case except the top which was glued on. (She tryed though!)
She "appeared" to lift the gun out of the case to look under it (although it was difficult to actually see that). A man walked over to her and I could see her pointing to something inside the case (the top of the case obscured my view) and the man clearly said "magazine". I HAVE to think she was asking him what that thing was packed NEXT to my semi-auto FINALLY she managed to get everything locked back, put it on the conveyor, walked over held out my keys and said NOTHING as I said, Thank you ma'am.
I guess that wasn't too bad. Like people say, the experience seems to vary.
FWIW
Logistar
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