So, I was flying out of the deer camp, I mean South Terminal, in Austin yesterday with a checked rifle case. I have done this dozens of times now, including the trip into AUS last Friday. I dropped the case off at baggage check, and after about 10 minutes of waiting, headed into the security line.

TSA comes over to inform me that my suitcase got pinged for having ammo, "and all that ammo has to be in the gun case, can you come with me?" I explained that a) ammo can be in a suitcase as long as its in a box or magazine and b) that's exactly how it flew into TX just last Friday. She replied, "Well, the machine will only ping us if it picks something up, so just wait here." Knowing that there were four boxes of Wolf steel case in the suitcase, I told her to just discard it.

Another 10 minutes later TSA lady comes back and says, "APD just cleared it, so you're good to go!"

Let me get this straight--someone from one of the most whack-a-doodle PDs in America just told the Fed Officer to let it slide?

I guess the lesson here is that TSA still doesn't know chit, so you better know your regs when you travel with firearms.

ABIA is such a train wreck now. I absolutely hate flying through there.

TSA is just the icing on the cake.

96ags said:

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ABIA is such a train wreck now. I absolutely hate flying through there.

TSA is just the icing on the cake.

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It is still 1 million times better than flying out of either of the Houston airports.

96ags said:

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ABIA is such a train wreck now.

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How? Is this in reference to firearm related issues like the OP notes or just a general statement about the entire operation?

dodger02 said:

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96ags said:

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ABIA is such a train wreck now.

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How? Is this in reference to firearm related issues like the OP notes or just a general statement about the entire operation?

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The entire operation. It used to be a really nice airport, but it has really gotten bad since covid.

Understaffed
Unclean
Unorganized
Disrepair

TSA never knows ***** Someone on this board recommended printing out all of the rules from TSA and Airline and leaving them in the gun case or having on hand. I've had to reference a few times when flying with a gun.

The hard part is not being a dick to the TSA guy telling you to remove your locks and put a TSA lock on your gun case…

Its also super crowded since Austin became popular with the Covid/Post Covid refugees coming to Texas.

The town has outgrown the airport, sadly.

Hmm. Our experiences are quite different. I find it a breeze. Security with TSA PreCheck is never more than a 5-min wait. Check-in with both SWA and Delta have been simple and straight forward for me in recent years. I'm a simple traveler, though.

The construction inside makes things a little clumsy at times. But parking is easy and I've rarely had any delays or inconveniences other than things that are entirely out of the hands of the local ABIA staff (i.e. weather).

I don't travel 200 days a year, though. Only maybe 10 trips a year. But listening to my colleagues who fly out of DFW, Bush, and Hobby plus what I see on my return flights home...I'm grateful.

IAH is an absolute disaster but Hobby is pretty dang easy to get in and out of. I switched to Southwest mostly until they finish IAH. I can park in red lot, walk to terminal, and make it through TSA pre check in less than 10 mins. Monday mornings it may take me 15 at worst.

I'm sure Austin is much smaller and easier to get though but Hobby really isn't bad.

I've flown a few times (<10) with firearms/ammo from multiple airports. I don't think I've ever had the same procedure twice. They almost always act like they've never done it before.

Like someone above said, print the TSA guidelines AND the airline guidelines.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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I've flown a few times (<10) with firearms/ammo from multiple airports. I don't think I've ever had the same procedure twice. They almost always act like they've never done it before.

Like someone above said, print the TSA guidelines AND the airline guidelines.

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That is what I absolutely hate about flying with a firearm. There is zero consistency across any airport and every airline has their own protocol in addition to the TSA making sht up as they go. This is one instance where TSA should establish a single set of protocol that every airport and airline adheres to so that there is uniformity and consistency across the board. I mean, they aren't going away so they might as well be somewhat useful in at least one capacity.

DIA is the absolute worst. I've flow in and out a dozen or so times with a rifle to hunt and 100% of the time I've had to sit at a doorway 20 feet away from some jackwagon TSA agent coon fingering my gun because their scanners magically flagged it for one reason or another. I think I've had 4 or 5 different excuses over the years. Always adds about 45 minutes to the ordeal of getting out of the airport there.

PHX was far and away the easiest, it was no different than getting regular luggage off the carousel there. Hobby is pretty easy as well.

Get a truck

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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IAH is an absolute disaster but Hobby is pretty dang easy to get in and out of. I switched to Southwest mostly until they finish IAH. I can park in red lot, walk to terminal, and make it through TSA pre check in less than 10 mins. Monday mornings it may take me 15 at worst.

I'm sure Austin is much smaller and easier to get though but Hobby really isn't bad.

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The main problem with flying out of Hobby is having to fly Southwest. It didn't used to be so bad, and I preferred it to IAH for sure. But post-covid and their big meltdowns, I have found them to be completely unreliable as an airline. Flew them to Boston and back last week and they were delayed by >15 mins on 3 of the 4 flight legs and >90 mins on 2 of 4.

dodger02 said:

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Hmm. Our experiences are quite different. I find it a breeze. Security with TSA PreCheck is never more than a 5-min wait. Check-in with both SWA and Delta have been simple and straight forward for me in recent years. I'm a simple traveler, though.

The construction inside makes things a little clumsy at times. But parking is easy and I've rarely had any delays or inconveniences other than things that are entirely out of the hands of the local ABIA staff (i.e. weather).

I don't travel 200 days a year, though. Only maybe 10 trips a year. But listening to my colleagues who fly out of DFW, Bush, and Hobby plus what I see on my return flights home...I'm grateful.

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This has been my experience too.

Fair enough. I have had problems with both post-covid. I don't love Southwest… especially given how everyone with Restless leg syndrome or whatever made up ailments they claim to have gets to preboard.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Fair enough. I have had problems with both post-covid. I don't love Southwest… especially given how everyone with Restless leg syndrome or whatever made up ailments they claim to have gets to preboard.

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Boarding the plane in Boston on the way home, there were about 8 people in wheelchairs. When they were opening the door to let us off the plane in St. Louis, I heard the flight attendant tell the folks in the front that if anybody needed a wheelchair they would need to stay seated and wait until they could get the wheelchairs brought to the gate. When I got to the front of the plane, there was nobody left seated. I told her "Look at you performing miracles every day like that! All these people come onto the plane too crippled to walk, and by the end of the flight they are all healed! Great work!"

They call that Jet way Jesus.

Yep, That's exactly my point. There is no more than like 1 person that actually needs a wheel chair on the way out. Bunch of made up problems to get them boarded quicker

txags92 said:

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96ags said:

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ABIA is such a train wreck now. I absolutely hate flying through there.

TSA is just the icing on the cake.

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It is still 1 million times better than flying out of either of the Houston airports.

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Flying out of Hobby is a breeze. I don't think it's ever taken me more than 15 minutes from the moment I walk in the door to get to my gate.

O.G. said:

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Its also super crowded since Austin became popular with the Covid/Post Covid refugees coming to Texas.

The town has outgrown the airport, sadly.

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ABIA is finally getting upgraded, and it will double in size. We have started on the utilities and we have to wait out the contracts expiring at the South Terminal (to tie this back to the op) sometime in 2026 so that can be demoed.

The plan is to build a twin terminal like the current one just south of the existing structure. I would look for completion in the early 2030's.

Also, we are talking about easy airports, how has Love not been mentioned yet? The easiest 'international" airport in the world is Corpus though. All three gates of it.

I hate flying out of Austin. Always end up next to some blue haired chick with wiccan tattoos who looks like she fell face first into my tackle box.

Tumble Weed said:

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I hate flying out of Austin. Always end up next to some blue haired chick with wiccan tattoos who looks like she fell face first into my tackle box.

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I almost took a picture for yall on my way back from Boston to Austin last Friday. Think of your prototypical lefty hippy college professor with bald top and long stringy curly hair on the back and sides. Round glasses, RBF, the whole nine yards. Now think of him with the bottom half of his long stringy hair dyed bright blue. It was like a caricature of Austin all wrapped up in one person.

txags92 said:

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Tumble Weed said:

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I hate flying out of Austin. Always end up next to some blue haired chick with wiccan tattoos who looks like she fell face first into my tackle box.

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I almost took a picture for yall on my way back from Boston to Austin last Friday. Think of your prototypical lefty hippy college professor with bald top and long stringy curly hair on the back and sides. Round glasses, RBF, the whole nine yards. Now think of him with the bottom half of his long stringy hair dyed bright blue. It was like a caricature of Austin all wrapped up in one person.

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I was flying out of Denver and a blue haired chick had on a shirt that said "I can't breathe".

She was wearing a N95 mask. I really wanted a picture of that one. It was like seeing a meme in real life.

txags92 said:

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dodger02 said:

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Hmm. Our experiences are quite different. I find it a breeze. Security with TSA PreCheck is never more than a 5-min wait. Check-in with both SWA and Delta have been simple and straight forward for me in recent years. I'm a simple traveler, though.

The construction inside makes things a little clumsy at times. But parking is easy and I've rarely had any delays or inconveniences other than things that are entirely out of the hands of the local ABIA staff (i.e. weather).

I don't travel 200 days a year, though. Only maybe 10 trips a year. But listening to my colleagues who fly out of DFW, Bush, and Hobby plus what I see on my return flights home...I'm grateful.

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This has been my experience too.

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we love Bergstrom..way better and easier than DFW and houston..imo

A few years ago, I flew with a shotgun for pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Had a pretty big hassle getting out of San Antonio International, but finally got through it ok. On the flight back, the Sioux Falls airport floor was literally lined with shotgun cases as far as you could see. Not one question or peep out of TSA or anyone else. Maybe had something to do with local economics!

Pre Covid, I accidentally flew with a pocket knife in my backpack that was too big per TSA standards. I went through a handful of big airports (Houston Hobby, Dallas Love, Denver, etc....) over 3-4 weeks never knowing it was there before being flagged in Wichita, KS. Keep in mind this was in my carry-on on every one of those other fights.

I also go pulled assigned and lectured by TSA in Kasper, WY for having a small hand lotion in the side pocket of my backpack (carry-on) that had been there for atleast 2-3 yrs.

Alaska Airlines has been the easiest airlines I have flown with a firearm.

Regarding your point with small airports, I agree that they're normally much better to deal with - especially in an area that is friendly to hunters - however, I had a TSA guy at Colorado Springs airport that took apart everything in my gun case and swabbed for explosive powder. I mean, everything... the bullets, the bipod, the suppressor, and even the freaking foam. I am pretty sure it was because they don't have an x-ray machine for the gun case, but I am not positive. It took like 20 minutes and was a PITA.

Valley International out of Harlingen is pretty in and out as well. Flew out of there every weekend for almost a year when I was banished to the Valley.

Tumble Weed said:

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I hate flying out of Austin. Always end up next to some blue haired chick with wiccan tattoos who looks like she fell face first into my tackle box.

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Stop being a lolpoor and pay for a better seat.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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I've flown a few times (<10) with firearms/ammo from multiple airports. I don't think I've ever had the same procedure twice. They almost always act like they've never done it before.

Like someone above said, print the TSA guidelines AND the airline guidelines.

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I've never flown with a firearm but just the basic security tsa check at the conveyor belt is almost always different from airport to airport. Then they catch attitudes because you took your laptop out instead of leaving it in the bag or vice versa.

I'll see your 8 wheelchairs and raise you to 15. Charolette NC to Dallas, on Southwest. Exactly one of the 15 needed a wheelchair to get off. The flight attendant used the term Jetway Jesus, which cracked us up.

Yep, most airports give you a little dog dish or big tray to empty your pockets into. Last trip out of CAE, they were barking that EVERYTHING HAS TO GO INSIDE THE BAG

Well, alrighty, then

Never saw that before or since

My kid lives in Austin, and upon arrival, having to sit on the tarmac for an extended time waiting for a gate has become a very frequent issue when she's traveling. Seems pretty overwhelmed.

beb08 said:

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MyNameIsJeff said:

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I've flown a few times (<10) with firearms/ammo from multiple airports. I don't think I've ever had the same procedure twice. They almost always act like they've never done it before.

Like someone above said, print the TSA guidelines AND the airline guidelines.

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I've never flown with a firearm but just the basic security tsa check at the conveyor belt is almost always different from airport to airport. Then they catch attitudes because you took your laptop out instead of leaving it in the bag or vice versa.

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This. I've even brought it up to a couple of them and said "IAH didn't make us <insert thing>" to which the always reply with "This ain't IAH." My immediate follow up is "yeah, but you're the same company with the same rules." I flew out of IAH to Atlanta for the Auburn game last year and they made us take food out of our bags and put them in a separate bin. Going through security at ATL and they treated everyone like we had Pre-Check and didn't make us take anything off and I was through in less than 5 minutes.

I used to get annoyed when people looked like they were new to flying and didn't know what to do when going through security. After paying attention, I realize they're the ones that have flown a lot and just don't know what the fook to do from airport to airport.

aTm2004 said:

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beb08 said:

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MyNameIsJeff said:

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I've flown a few times (<10) with firearms/ammo from multiple airports. I don't think I've ever had the same procedure twice. They almost always act like they've never done it before.

Like someone above said, print the TSA guidelines AND the airline guidelines.

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I've never flown with a firearm but just the basic security tsa check at the conveyor belt is almost always different from airport to airport. Then they catch attitudes because you took your laptop out instead of leaving it in the bag or vice versa.

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This. I've even brought it up to a couple of them and said "IAH didn't make us <insert thing>" to which the always reply with "This ain't IAH." My immediate follow up is "yeah, but you're the same company with the same rules." I flew out of IAH to Atlanta for the Auburn game last year and they made us take food out of our bags and put them in a separate bin. Going through security at ATL and they treated everyone like we had Pre-Check and didn't make us take anything off and I was through in less than 5 minutes.

I used to get annoyed when people looked like they were new to flying and didn't know what to do when going through security. After paying attention, I realize they're the ones that have flown a lot and just don't know what the fook to do from airport to airport.

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Very accurate. People that haven't flown since pre-09/11 with the, "what do you mean I can't bring this onboard", questions are annoying.

However, when you go through half a dozen airports in a week and they are all operated differently, who the hell knows what you are supposed to do and when.