Getting your luggage “extra care” when flying
Posted By RichC on January 18, 2010
Not my idea, but I’d be interested to know how many regular travelers have secured their computer, camera or regular luggage by flying with a “weapon?” I might toss my Orion 12ga. flare gun in a bag and give it a try next flight. (A weapon in a bag keeps the bag secure since the TSA doesn’t want these items to get lost or misplaced … although I wonder if passengers get delayed on the receiving end?)
A “weapons” is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols – those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets – are considered weapons…and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.
I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare…I’m given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.
That’s the procedure. The case is extra-tracked…TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.
It’s a great way to travel with camera gear…I’ve been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever.
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