I Checked My Glock at the Airport...Disaster!

[Bill B]

It was a breeze, she had me sign the orange tag, set the combination so they could check it and said she'd close/spin the number when TSA was done. She placed my baggage claim sticker on the back of my ticket, I thanked her for making this so easy and boarded my plane.

Actually, you should have left it locked. If they want to check it, they are supposed to come get you
Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I fly around some and take my gun to states where i'm legal. It's no big deal to check in with one.

South Bend is a breeze. Never even do any added checks when I leave there. They do the inspection, the orange card and on to the baggage conveyor. Never had any TSA contact in SBN.

Bigger airports have me take it to a special TSA place for an inspection of the bag and firearm.

I started checking my baggage claim tags when check-in kiosks were implemented. Too easy for the ticket agents to screw it up when they're dealing with multiple baggage tags from multiple passengers.

To the OP, you should have claimed the bag you had a ticket for. Might have had a nice Kimber or something in it.

 

[Dirtebiker]

Actually, you should have left it locked. If they want to check it, they are supposed to come get you
Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

This was my understanding!

 

[Greeper]

Actually, you should have left it locked. If they want to check it, they are supposed to come get you
Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

Yes, in hindsight I realize this...next time will go much smoother, I'm sure.

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

Actually, you should have left it locked. If they want to check it, they are supposed to come get you
Firearms and Ammunition | Transportation Security Administration

The ticket agent is supposed to witness you lock it up.

 

[MikeDVB]

I had a TSA agent here in Indianapolis tell me I should use a TSA lock on the case for my gun so they can open it to inspect. I said, "If you want to look at it, you can do so in my presence after letting me know that you wish to do so."

They didn't want to me watch them open it [Houston and Denver had no issues with this] - not sure why. Maybe they wanted to coonfinger it?

He told me it would save me an inconvenience by putting a TSA lock on it and I said, "I planned upon being inconvenienced by the TSA."

 

[WC Deer Hunter]

I had a TSA agent here in Indianapolis tell me I should use a TSA lock on the case for my gun so they can open it to inspect. I said, "If you want to look at it, you can do so in my presence after letting me know that you wish to do so."

They didn't want to me watch them open it [Houston and Denver had no issues with this] - not sure why. Maybe they wanted to coonfinger it?

He told me it would save me an inconvenience by putting a TSA lock on it and I said, "I planned upon being inconvenienced by the TSA."

Isn't that their only reason for existence anyway?

 

[Caleb]

Isn't that their only reason for existence anyway?

That and touching your balls

 

[LockStocksAndBarrel]

I had a TSA agent here in Indianapolis tell me I should use a TSA lock on the case for my gun so they can open it to inspect. I said, "If you want to look at it, you can do so in my presence after letting me know that you wish to do so."

They didn't want to me watch them open it [Houston and Denver had no issues with this] - not sure why. Maybe they wanted to coonfinger it?

He told me it would save me an inconvenience by putting a TSA lock on it and I said, "I planned upon being inconvenienced by the TSA."

Mike,

That's completely wrong. You use your lock and have to be the only person with a key. What they told you is just plain wrong. If TSA wants to see it, they will come to the gate and find you. They can only open it in your presence.

Go to the TSA site and print the instructions and do the same at the airline's web site. I carry these rules on me and also put copies of them in my guncase and my suitcase.