I flew out of Peoria, IL yesterday and saw that the TSA has a "how to fly with fire arms" segment in their informational video which is running on a TV set up before you get to security. It correctly pointed out that you should use your own locks. The tv wasn't there in March, so at least someone on the TSA side is paying attention. Also, on my Tuesday flight out of DFW, the TSA in Terminal E wasn't requiring anyone to remove their shoes. Someone mentioned that this was different than everywhere else and the head guy running the check in mentioned that every location doesnt have the same budget and they had recently upgraded their scanners and metal detectors.

AggieGunslinger said:

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I flew out of Peoria, IL yesterday and saw that the TSA has a "how to fly with fire arms" segment in their informational video which is running on a TV set up before you get to security. It correctly pointed out that you should use your own locks. The tv wasn't there in March, so at least someone on the TSA side is paying attention. Also, on my Tuesday flight out of DFW, the TSA in Terminal E wasn't requiring anyone to remove their shoes. Someone mentioned that this was different than everywhere else and the head guy running the check in mentioned that every location doesnt have the same budget and they had recently upgraded their scanners and metal detectors.

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I've been through that airport as well.

Those small (ish) airports like that are a lifehack if you can manage it.

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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I've got 1.5MM miles combined on Delta and AA. Used to live in Plano, and now in Atlanta. Hartsfield/Jackson is brutal for parking but is pretty straightforward once inside.

Bush is a PITA the way it sets up from top to bottom.

DFW is one of the easiest in and out of all of them as long as you don't have to rent a car.

So one time I was going through security X-ray, and waiting in the other side for my carry on.

I noticed a delay as the belt stopped. There was a lot of activity around the monitor. Then a team of cops and TSA agents descended on the scene. They pulled a bag up and asked whose it was. The guy next to me raised his hand. They asked if he owned a gun. He said "oh sheeeet!" They shut down the security line.

So here I am in a midst of cops still waiting for my bag. After a few minutes, I asked if I can get my bag. They said no, this line is shut down. Great. My bag is inside the XRay machine. Nobody cared. Final after complaining for the third time they gave me my bag but I had to go through the line on the other machine.

Chaos.

96ags said:

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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

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You just described America.

I don't fly much, but figured out that Pre-Check was worth it even at one trip a year. I have my laptop in it's own pouch in a backpack that will unfold in half so nothing else is on top of it. All wires and batteries go in one pocket, all food and everything else goes in another.

Tennis shoes with laces untied but tucked in until after security. I know you don't have to take off your shoes for precheck but...old habits. Pants that fit without a belt. The belt is in the carry on. Completely empty nalgene in backpack pocket.

Also, nobody talks to me once we get within hearing distance of the security line so I can hear whatever they're yelling and do whatever specific thing is they are asking for 10 minutes before it's actually my turn in line.

I've wondered why I don't fly more.

I fly 20-30 times a year with precheck and every airport is different regarding their security. DFW doesn't care if you leave items in your pocket, Love, Midland, IAH, and Indiana do, Pittsburg gives you a piece of paper for precheck but then checks your bag almost every time, and the list goes on. Most places have no idea there are composite toe shoes which blows their mind.

Shows how stupid the TSA is, give them a basic set of rules and they let their employees bend it. In Texags speak, some of them need to get a dog

My dad had a friend that had to travel quite a bit for work and would often drive if it were in Texas, OK, AR, or LA vs flying, and would always have a pistol in his bag just incase. Well, he and my dad were part of a crew running a 50' Hatteras from Clear Lake to the Keys with a scheduled stop in to NOLA for something the owner needed, and his friend went straight to the boat from a trip to West Texas and was planning on catching a flight out of NOLA for another trip and totally forgot about his pistol.

This was the mid-90's so nothing like today. When his bag went through the screener, he had his "oh s***" moment and remembered the gun. He said they surrounded him with guns drawn and arrested him right there, and took him to some holding area in the airport. After about an hour of talking, they realized it was an honest mistake and got him through so he could catch his flight and sent his gun back to his wife in Houston. He had a drive bag and a fly bag after that.

amateur gene ecologist said:

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I don't fly much, but figured out that Pre-Check was worth it even at one trip a year. I have my laptop in it's own pouch in a backpack that will unfold in half so nothing else is on top of it. All wires and batteries go in one pocket, all food and everything else goes in another.

Tennis shoes with laces untied but tucked in until after security. I know you don't have to take off your shoes for precheck but...old habits. Pants that fit without a belt. The belt is in the carry on. Completely empty nalgene in backpack pocket.

Also, nobody talks to me once we get within hearing distance of the security line so I can hear whatever they're yelling and do whatever specific thing is they are asking for 10 minutes before it's actually my turn in line.

I've wondered why I don't fly more.

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Well, depends on the airport. I haven't gotten pre-check yet but have seen several instances where even pre-check was told to take off shoes and remove electronics.

NEVER use your range bag as a bag you use for airport travel, even a single bullet can get you in trouble.

Even with precheck several airports want you to take out laptops. It is not worth the fight or risk holding people up.

Or never leave your loaded Glock mags and holster for them in your laptop bag. If you're in a hurry you'll have to leave them with TSA instead of walking back to your truck to put them back.

Hypothetically speaking….

Your day was bad, but not as bad as the other guy's day.

I just went through ABIA with a long gun case, smoothly for like the 30th time. I keep the orange card in the case each time. They all do things differently, card inside, card on top, check its clear, etc.

As someone else said originating at DIA is or was a major PIA making you go to the remote room far from actual checkin.

On the receiving end, delta is a PIA making you retrieve from an agent after all other luggage has been unloaded and typically putting the 1/2" thick zip tie around the whole case.