Question on Air Travel

H

Hawkman

New member
I know (from TSA website, packing.org, etc) what the rules are for carrying a firearm in checked baggage.

I am taking a trip where I will need a holster at the destination, but am not checking a firearm and do not intend to check ANY baggage.

Will TSA hassle me if I have an empty leather holster in carryon?:(
 
Call TSA at your local airport. They might still want to search your luggage but as to your holster,, I don't think it's a designated hazardous weapon. At least I've never heard of someone being held hostage or killed by one;)
 
Hawkman-
I wouldn't even call them.

Call em twice and you'll probably get three different answers. OTOH, call the "right" TSA person once and you may get your name on a "list" for life.

A holster is not a firearm, nor is it a hazardous material. It is not regulated in checked or carry on baggage. This does not preclude TSA from doing ooh's and aha's over it, but such is the nature of air travel today.
Rich
 
Couldn't help myself - I sent an e-mail asking the question and got the following wonderfully bureaucratic and non-sensical response:

"Thank you for your email message concerning prohibited items onboard comercial aircrafts.

The Transportations Security Administration's current security screening procedures require all carry-on luggage and accessible property be screened before passengers take them onboard an aircraft. Regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.

Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items like a leather holster into the sterile area of the airport. Should you need additional assistance, feel free to contact us at toll free 866-289-9673.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center"

In essence, it depends on the mood of the highly intelligent and superbly trained screener who happens to be on duty that day.:rolleyes:
 
Like I said, such is the nature of air travel today.
You really have no ability to know whether you're transgressing because there are no "rules".
Rich
 
If you're not checking luggage, but you are bringing a carry-on bag, put the holster inside, right on top. If they want to check it out, it'll be right there for them to look at. Expect that they will want to inspect your carry-on a little closer. You may be asked about it, but in this case saying that you're planning on going shooting at your destination will probably satisfy them.

Not taking any luggage at all? Put the holster in an opaque plastic bag, ideally with a recent receipt and let them run it through x-ray. If you have no luggage at all, I'd expect even more scrutiny from TSA.
 
I'll be interested to see a follow-up on this one. It's just a hunch, but my money is on the TSA agent flipping out at the sight of an empty holster.

"Nobody just carries holsters around!!! Where's the gun?!?! WHERE'S THE GUN???"

Tim
 
on a side note, but still to do with TSA, I have a question in regards to screening. all who have travelled anywhere have seen TSA agents taking out a cotton patch, swabyour luggage and run it through their machine to scan for prohibited chemical residues/traces like explosives, ... Since we as gun owners do get residual traces amounts of powder from firing the guns on our hands, has this been a concern with anyone travelling, and getting pulled aside b/c the trace from the gun got transferred to your car steering wheel and eventually onto your luggage and their machines picked it up?

or am I being paranoid?

I called TSA on this, and since their policy is to take complete and full info on the caller (name, address, tel#, ...) I wonder if I get put on "the list" for extra special security checks? :mad:

TIA
 
"I'll be interested to see a follow-up on this one. It's just a hunch, but my money is on the TSA agent flipping out at the sight of an empty holster.

"Nobody just carries holsters around!!! Where's the gun?!?! WHERE'S THE GUN???"

Tim"

That is PRECISELY what I fear will happen. I will definitely post when I get back (leaving tomorrow for a week).
 
I'd pretty much guarantee it puts you on a "list" somewhere. Whether it puts you on an "Extra Scrutiny" list is unknown. But what's the difference....it increases our safety and the most anyone has to put up with is a minor inconvenience....like taking Greyhound for life. ;)
Rich
 
Well, I had 2 holster auctions cancelled without warning on ebay recently for violating their change-it-to-suit-the-situation gun policy. After that, I wouldn't be surprised at anything. :rolleyes:
 
Since we as gun owners do get residual traces amounts of powder from firing the guns on our hands, has this been a concern with anyone travelling, and getting pulled aside b/c the trace from the gun got transferred to your car steering wheel and eventually onto your luggage and their machines picked it up?
Click to expand...

Want some fun? Use your range dufflebag as carry-on luggage sometime!

I did that a while ago for an overnighter. I watched the TSA guy's reaction when the machine beeped. Some surprise and then he motioned for one of the armed security folks. I'd prepared for it, fortunately, while packing. In the bag I packed a used target with the center pretty well obliterated by my .45 and I tossed in a pair of empty cases. "I went shooting yesterday." I told them and pulled out the target. "I was taking this along to show my buddy." The armed agent smiled and said "Good shooting!". :cool: TSA pulled the .45 cases out of a side pocket and asked if I had a gun with me. "Do I have 'Stupid' written on my forehead? Of course not!" They waved me through. :D
 
dated, but...

I don't fly much, the last time was in 2003, so this may be a bit dated, but here is my experience. I was returning from my father's funeral, and was bringing a few things back with me. A pair of rifles, and some other odds and ends. After having first checked with the airline, as to the proper procedure, everything went fairly smoothly with the guns, but I did have a small problem with something else.

Everything was checked (bags, gun cases) and I was waiting for the flight, when my name was called on the PA. Returning to the counter, I was given the bottle of Hoppes No.9 that had been in one suitcase. It was still in the sealed blister pack. I was informed that I could not take it, as it was a "flammable liquid". I said, "uh...ok" , took it and gave it to my brother (who was not traveling). He took it out to his car. Trip went smoothly after that.

After being cleared through gate security (and having to take off my shoes-steel toed boots) everything was fine. I was not checked again when changing planes (did not leave security area), although I did have to show my ID to get each boarding pass.

So, I would imagine, that if you can get your empty holster past the first security check without them freaking out and confiscating it, you should not have any further problems, as long as you do not leave the secure area, and then try to re-enter.

If you want to have some fun, since you are going to "fit a profile" anyway (by not having checked bags), show up a few hours early, don't check any bags, buy a one way ticket, pay cash, and WEAR the EMPTY holster! They will give you all kinds of attention!:eek: On the other hand, if you don't enjoy body cavity searches, this might not be a good idea.
 
The answer is that TSA in Atlanta and Anchorage did not even mention the holster. The bag went through the machine and i was on my way. Of course, in Anchorage TSA did randomly select my 17 year old daughter for extra attention...:barf:

On another note, I want to say a public word of appreciation for the hospitality and assistance of member WildAlaska. Ken went out of his way to help me several ways, and we had a better trip as a result.

Thanks, Ken! Come see us in Atlanta!
 
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