Actually someone has their cranium inserted upwards in a very dark space. First off you barely see the TSA guy. Here's the way it works, (Possibly it may be different at your airport for some truly odd reason) You need to have them (up to 5 per case) in a Hard Case, and I am not taking Samsonite. Pelican case, Storm, or even one of the cheep gun cases they sell for like 20-30 bucks. The point being that the case can be locked securely and not easily open/cut into etc. Empty the weapon, DO NOT take/bring ANY ammunition at all in anything. The Magazine is not to be inserted into the pistol for any reason. They both can go in the same case, that's fine. you just can't have the mag in the weapon. Go to the check in counter. Tell the person behind the counter that you have a bag/luggage whatever to be checked and it contains a weapon(s). You can put a small gun case in your regular suitcase they really don't care as long as the gun case is locked.
They will ask you to open your suitcase and then the Pistol case and make sure things are then way I just said. Then they have you sign a declaration that you are not caring any ammunition and the weapon(s) are unloaded. They throw that in the case make you lock everything back up and then put a special tag on the suitcase. Or gun case How ever you are traveling with them in. Then they finish all the rest of the ticket checking stuff. and then they (or someone) walk you over to the TSA inspector. He or she runs a wand over the case wipes down where the case closes all 4 sides and if the wipe stays clean they take the bag scan it, and if all is well in happyville then the TSA person say thanks, see ya, now go away I'm missing my game. you and your carry on if you have any, Promptly exit the area, go through the usual boarding bagage clothing, belt shoes, etc song and dance, go to where ever it is you are going, in this case TN. and when you get there you have to go to the Airlines baggage Office and wait till they unload your bag and then you sign for it, get anything else you may have checked through from the usuall carosel and get the hell out of there. Don't forget to be nice and say thanks a couple times along the way.
There ya go the long winded explanation on how to travel by plane with projectile weapons, that are allowed on planes other than cargo planes. I'm Pretty sure if you tried packing a LARS or say an M60 Grenade launcher they would be a tad more oh hell they would be Seriously unhappy folks. but anything up to and including a long gun is okie dokie.
Oh ya one last thing, IF you or anyone else reading this Happens to be a LEO of any size shape or form, if you are not traveling with a prisoner, don't even waste your time taking your badge out. They will not let you travel armed unless as an escort. That is one Hugh change from back in my day but I can understand it.
Oh and this is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY off topic, so I'm closing it down. Happy Trails.
