Northwoods Nick Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Howdy, I am flying on Southwest Airlines next week and will be taking two handguns with me. What should I expect at the airport Thanks for the help, Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Fill 'Em 67797 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 When I did it, about 2 years ago, they acted like it was no big deal. I put it in a hard case, unloaded, ammo was in the same case. I told the ticket agent and the TSA people the bag contained a firearm. Everything went smoothly, no problems. I would call Southwest ahead of time, just to make sure the rules haven't changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Korupt Karl Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Check the airline's website or call the airline for procedure. Usually if you have a hard lockable case to check and you put the ammo in separate luggage you will be ok. Show up early to show them the guns and that they are unloaded. Have them in a "safe" mode. An sa with the cylinder out. A semi auto with slide on slide lock and magazine out and empty. This has always worked for me. kk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Rifleman, SASS # 23477 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 When I did it, about 2 years ago, they acted like it was no big deal. I put it in a hard case, unloaded, ammo was in the same case. I told the ticket agent and the TSA people the bag contained a firearm. Everything went smoothly, no problems. I would call Southwest ahead of time, just to make sure the rules haven't changed. I think you'll find that the rules require the ammo to be in a separate case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cutter Carl Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Flew Southwest to Phoenix from Tampa last month. Easy as can be. Gun has to be unloaded and in a hardcase with a lock. Ammo must be either cased or I left it in the magazines in the slots in the case foam. Main thing is primers must be protected. Told the clerk at the counter I was checking a hand gun. She did the regular check-in and called a atttendant over. Attendant walked me with my bag over to a securtiy check point, TSA officer took the bag. Did the inspection. Tampa was an xray and Phoenix was a physical check. Took about 2-3 minutes. Replaced the lock and sent it to the plane. No one was really concerned about the gun but more the storage of the ammo. Southwest's website explains it clearly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Payne 13115 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Lockable hard case that can fit in your checked luggage. Declare them at check in, fill out the card lock 'em back up put them in your luggage and that is it. I fly Southwest when ever I am going to a shoot. Never a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el Gato Gordo - SASS #15162 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Howdy, I am flying on Southwest Airlines next week and will be taking two handguns with me. What should I expect at the airport Thanks for the help, Nick What to expect? Depends on whether they are in checked baggage or carry-on........ Buena suerte, eGG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck D. Law, SASS #62183 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 From Southwest's web site: Guns and Ammunition Guns Customers are responsible for knowing and following the firearms laws of the state(s) that they will be traveling to, from, and through. Our Customers must declare the gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter (no firearms will be accepted curbside) and ensure that the firearm(s) chambers are free of ammunition and the magazine clip has been removed (when applicable). Paintball guns and BB guns are considered the same as all other firearms. Paintball guns are allowed in checked baggage and are not subject to the container requirements of firearms. Customers must declare the paintball gun to the Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter. Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carryon only if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e., the cylinder has an open end). TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside. Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, locked container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase. A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms. The locked container or suitcase must completely secure the firearm from access. Cases or suitcases that can be pulled open with minimal effort do not meet the locked criterion. Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made. Firearms may be checked and will count toward the two-piece free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger. We allow multiple firearms to be transported inside one hard-sided case.<li>Southwest Airlines assumes no liability for the misalignment of sights on firearms, including those equipped with telescopic sights.<li>Firearms are never allowed in carryon luggage.Ammunition Small arms ammunition for personal use (provided it is properly packed) is permissible in checked baggage only. The ammunition may be placed in the same container as the firearm and must be securely packed in cardboard (fiber), wood, or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. When checking ammunition, Customers are limited to 11 pounds gross weight (ammunition plus container) per person. Magazines or clips containing ammunition must be securely packaged (placed in another small box or in a secure cutout in the carrying case, in order to protect the primer of the ammunition). Make sure guns are unloaded and definitely never transport a gun in your carryon baggage! Gunpowder (black powder) and primers or percussion caps are not allowed in checked or carryon baggage. Loose ammunition or loose loaded magazines and/or clips are not allowed. Paintballs must be packaged in a leak-proof container and will be conditionally accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northwoods Nick Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 Thanks for all the help. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nubbins Colt #7802 Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 WHAT BUCK SAID!!!!!!! You can expect NO HASSLE at Love Field or DFW. As a matter of fact, you might be prepared for so little hassle that it is uncomfortably easy and you'll think, "DO WHAT?!?! Can't be...". Using the correct type of hard, locking case, put it on the counter - DO NOT OPEN IT - and simply nicely and gently inform the counter person you are carrying guns and ammo in the case. If s/he asks you to open it then do so. if not, you're likely to get the tag to complete and an escort over to TSA. That's where you'll open it, or they will, toss in the tag, do their little tests, close and lock the case, and they take it away. So easy..... ***Nubbins*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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