I have probably done 30-50 flts with firearms. Never once did I remove ammo from magazines.

As others have said there is no standard sop and it can vary from agent to agent within the same airline. So far the worst has been Denver where they make you (at least used to) take to a special office which is always far from ticketing and there was always a long line. Been awhile since I originated at DEN w a firearm so maybe its changed.

JSKolache said:

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If you fly into Baltimore and take the train to DC, just tell everyone it's a guitar case and they won't hassle you.

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I'm flying into Seattle. Unfortunately WA does not have a reciprocity agreement with Texas on LTC. Just transporting firearms in the state by car is a PITA, so I won't stop on the way back until I get to Idaho.

Max06 said:

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Here's the setup-

Duplicate locks- 1's go on case, 2's are extra in case TSA cuts 1's off, they break, whatever. Also carry a 2nd TSA lock for exterior of the bag.

I've since upgraded the locks, but you'll get the gist. If you have a rifle case with 4 holes for locks, you'll need 4 locks.

https://imgur.com/a/4T58Ule#nIT1FGT

Cable lock goes around frame of bag, looped into lock.

https://imgur.com/a/4T58Ule#z3Hu5RG
https://imgur.com/a/4T58Ule#SODCQX3
https://imgur.com/a/4T58Ule#YqMoDsC
https://imgur.com/a/4T58Ule#MHI9KHi

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I do the same thing with the cable lock... at least make it harder for an airline employee to just pull the case out of the bag.

JFABNRGR said:

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I have probably done 30-50 flts with firearms. Never once did I remove ammo from magazines.

As others have said there is no standard sop and it can vary from agent to agent within the same airline. So far the worst has been Denver where they make you (at least used to) take to a special office which is always far from ticketing and there was always a long line. Been awhile since I originated at DEN w a firearm so maybe its changed.

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I've definitely been told the magazines can't have ammunition in them before (either American or Southwest, don't remember). Just to avoid any potential hassles, I just put the ammunition in an old manufacturer's box and get on with it. Like Lex said, I think it depends on the airport and the agents working there more than anything else.

JSKolache said:

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If you fly into Baltimore and take the train to DC, just tell everyone it's a guitar case and they won't hassle you.

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The trick to flying into that region is to either land in Virginia at Reagan, or fly up to PA and drive down.

Don't ask me how I know.