TSA shares do’s and don’ts of traveling with a gun
The unofficial start to summer is here. AAA expects more than three million Memorial Day travelers will pass through airports, so the TSA has a warning for those packing this weekend. Before you take flight this summer, TSA hopes you give extra thought to what you take with you. “Last year had the largest increase in firearms discovered at TSA checkpoints since our inception as a federal agency,” said Brian Schilhabel, federal security director.That despite the fact they saw fewer passengers than ever before. “We’re just here to tell you what can or can’t go on an aircraft,” Schilhabel said.You can travel with a firearm, but it has to be in your checked bag. Here’s how you have to pack it:”You’re going to want to have a hard-sided case. You want a hard-sided case, you want it locked. We recommend having a TSA-approved lock, but any lock will do,” said Brooklynn Woodhead, lead transportation security officer.Even the bags you check are screened by the TSA, so if your firearm isn’t in a hard-sided case, it will get flagged.”If we stopped at a checkpoint with something, we’ll give you a number of options, you could elect to put it in your check bag, if you have time for that,” Schilhabel said.Time may also be of the essence if you travel soon. “Getting to the airport a little bit earlier than you normally would, it’s going to be great for everyone involved,” Schilhabel said.TSA says you can expect longer lines this summer. They’re seeing about 90 percent of the number of travelers they had pre-pandemic, with only about 70 percent of the number of agents. For everyone’s safety, TSA wants to remind everyone to make sure not to have any of these items in their carry-on, to keep the line moving.”It may not have happened in the U.S. But if there has been an attempted bombing against commercial aircraft anywhere in the world, we adopt procedures to prevent that here,” Schilhabel said.Make sure you’re packing up smartly, so everyone can touch down safely.
The unofficial start to summer is here. AAA expects more than three million Memorial Day travelers will pass through airports, so the TSA has a warning for those packing this weekend.
Before you take flight this summer, TSA hopes you give extra thought to what you take with you.
“Last year had the largest increase in firearms discovered at TSA checkpoints since our inception as a federal agency,” said Brian Schilhabel, federal security director.
That despite the fact they saw fewer passengers than ever before.
“We’re just here to tell you what can or can’t go on an aircraft,” Schilhabel said.
You can travel with a firearm, but it has to be in your checked bag. Here’s how you have to pack it:
“You’re going to want to have a hard-sided case. You want a hard-sided case, you want it locked. We recommend having a TSA-approved lock, but any lock will do,” said Brooklynn Woodhead, lead transportation security officer.
Even the bags you check are screened by the TSA, so if your firearm isn’t in a hard-sided case, it will get flagged.
“If we stopped at a checkpoint with something, we’ll give you a number of options, you could elect to put it in your check bag, if you have time for that,” Schilhabel said.
Time may also be of the essence if you travel soon.
“Getting to the airport a little bit earlier than you normally would, it’s going to be great for everyone involved,” Schilhabel said.
TSA says you can expect longer lines this summer. They’re seeing about 90 percent of the number of travelers they had pre-pandemic, with only about 70 percent of the number of agents. For everyone’s safety, TSA wants to remind everyone to make sure not to have any of these items in their carry-on, to keep the line moving.
“It may not have happened in the U.S. But if there has been an attempted bombing against commercial aircraft anywhere in the world, we adopt procedures to prevent that here,” Schilhabel said.
Make sure you’re packing up smartly, so everyone can touch down safely.
