Can you carry a HOLSTER on an airplane?

W

Wrangler5

New member
I will be driving a car to Florida in January for a family member, and will then fly home. In February I will fly back down to pick up the car and drive it back home. I have Florida CCW permit that is good along the route, so I will be carrying while driving. I intend to leave the gun in FL when I fly home, but I have another here and would like to bring the holster back. I travel light and have no checked luggage, only a (large) camera bag that I carry on.

Anybody have any experience carrying an empty holster onto an airplane? It's certainly less dangerous than the small knives and large screwdrivers that are now allowed, but given the attitude and mental capacity of some of the security people I just have to ask.

Thanks for any experience.
 
And if they find a holster -- what then?

I'd plan on the inconvenience of having your baggage thoroughly inspected as well as someone running a detector wand over you even if you didn't ring the walk-thru sensor. No doubt some pea-brained security guard will insist that the gun just "fell out" of the holster.

If the authorities do ask, just show them your valid state CCW and tell them you're taking the holster home. They'll probably wave you through. If they tell you it can't be carried in the cabin, ask them to cite the section ("Gee, I must've missed that part"). An empty holster is no threat to anyone nor can it be used as a viable threat.

A friend of mine flew commercial not long ago and while standing in line realized that the black duffle he was using as his overnight bag last saw duty as a range bag. :eek: He worried they'd pick him out for a 'random sniffer test' where they swab the bag and let a machine sniff for nitrates! Could've been fun to see it peg the scale. :D
 
Simple solution. Before you leave find a box that the holster fits into and wrap it in xmas wrapping paper. Take the box with you when you go. On the return trip, put the holster into the box and tape it shut. Anyone asks, it's an xmas gift complete with ribbons and bows.
 
There's no reason a piece of leather (or kydex) worn on ones belt should raise any flags with the TSA gestapo, but it's up to you if you want to possibly endure a little hassle. The way I see it, is that we (as a public) have given away enough of our rights, privacy, and dignity to those morons all in exchange for the ILLUSION of safety. I would wear it just because I can.
 
A friend of mine flew commercial not long ago and while standing in line realized that the black duffle he was using as his overnight bag last saw duty as a range bag. He worried they'd pick him out for a 'random sniffer test' where they swab the bag and let a machine sniff for nitrates! Could've been fun to see it peg the scale.
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Heck, same here. They started going at it with those swab things they use, and the first thing that came to my mind is 'Oh S###!'.

Didn't have any problems, though.
 
There's no reason a piece of leather (or kydex) worn on ones belt should raise any flags with the TSA gestapo
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You're right, there is no reason, which is exactly why it will be problematic. The TSA and their administrators are all about window dressing, not fundamentals.
 
An empty holster is no threat to anyone nor can it be used as a viable threat.
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Probably true, but you're not counting on some possibilities. For instance...

Let's say you're wearing your empty OWB holster. Let's say it's concealed under a short jacket. You get on the plane and head to your seat, let's say, it's seat #2B. You reach up to put your stuff in the bin.

The Federal Air Marshal three rows behind you sees the exposed nose of the holster, gets very excited, and suddenly your day beomes very intertesting.

No, thank you.
 
I did it. It was in my carry-on. I knew it might raise some eyebrows if found by the TSA, but it is not prohibited and I was prepared to deal with the extra hassle, but there was none.
 
$3.85 priority mail

WildevensimplerAlaska
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+1...That's what I would do. If for any reason just avoid any inconvenience on my end. Unless, of course, you feel the need to prove a point. All IMO of course.
 
I too would have to go with Wild on this one.

Sure, it shouldn't be a problem but it's the TSA, it's after 9/11, things just aren't the same anylonger and they WILL get away with whatever course of action they decide.

Wayne
 
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