My recent experience flying
Posting as a warning to others that travel with their firearms…
I left DEN on United to fly to LA (the state) to visit my in-laws. Since we were going to be touring NOLA for a few days before joining the fam, I decided, since my CO CHP is recognized in LA, that I would carry (especially after my wife noted that one of the places we were going to visit, at night, was not a place you would want to take the street car home from).
So, got all packed up, put my travel case, locked, near the top of one of two suitcases we were taking. Declared it to the United agent at check-in, and dutifully followed the TSA escort to the secondary screening, where all firearms-containing luggage is scanned separately. (Not sure why all this happens, as all baggage is scanned anyway…) After the scanners declared me OK to continue, the TSA escort says I can continue to my gate, he'll deliver the bag to where it needs to go.
Well, upon arrival to NOLA, I end up with only one suitcase; yes, the one with my checked firearms, as well as most of the kids' Christmas presents. Oh, all all *my* clothes, except for one change of underwear. The lady in front of me at the United baggage claim counter has lost all her suitcases, but at least they are able to inform her that they are definitely still in DEN and will be shipped on the next flight. My bag, however, they have no clue where it is. I'm now under the assumption that the "TSA escort" absconded with a bag he knew to have valuables in it. I'm trying to figure out in my head how to deal with Denver PD, from a distance, reporting a grand larceny, as well as (with my wife) trying to come up with a list of all the contents of the bag (we got up to at least $2500, including the guns).
Anyway, long story short(ened), the bag finally arrived after 2 1/2 days of being missing; everything was intact. I now resolve to not head to my gate while the "TSA escort" delivers my bag, but escort *him/her* back to the counter and watch my bag get put on the conveyor belt.