Has anyone had any experience with carrying your firearm onto an airplane during a trip (in a non duty related situation, ie: off-duty)

Unless your a Federal Officer I don't believe you can carry your firearm on a airplane if not on official business.

I did a few months ago. You have to take the mandatory class and adhere to several requirements. Texas is Course
#3303 - It's just like any other system...sometimes it went very smooth and other times not so smooth... If your off-duty it will be up to your individual agency to allow you to be armed. I was not asked any questions after presenting all paperwork...If you've never done it, I can tell you that it is a very sobering feeling getting on a plane and knowing that your finger is the only thing standing between a safe flight and an International Incident. I wouldn't recommend doing it off duty, but I'm sure with cops that could be debated for days...goodluck...

Checking it is not an option. The people that work for the TSA here in the city are all perps. I know one cops who had his gun stolen by a TSA agent. Thankfully, another airport worker saw the guy take the gun, and turned him in.

To fly armed, you have to complete the traing course. You have to provide TSA with a letter from your dept that states your need to fly armed, You must have your agency credentials with signature of bearer, signature of issuing official, agency seal, and photo of bearer, and youmust be from a legit LE agency.

I use to work for the TSA as a security officer & here at Bergstrom Intl airport in Austin, Tx, only FAM, licensed Pilots & LEOS escorting a prisoner were allowed to fly armed provided they present the proper credentials & paperwork. Off duty LEOs had to check their weapons in checked luggage & it had to be in a hard metal case box & the ammo in a ammo box.

I am a federal air marshal and I know this policy well. All federal leos can carry on a commercial aircraft any time. Local police can only carry on official business such as picking up a suspect or going to training. The police officer has to present a letter to the gate agent that they did the TSA flying armed class, their badge and creds and a leter from the agency stating they need to carry the weapon. I have busted one FFDO and a reserve police officer trying to break the rules. The FFDO got his badge and gun taken away from him and the reserve police officer got in trouble with his department. All we did was call his chief and asked why the officer was trying to fly armed while on vacation. The FFDO was also on vacation with his issued weapon. I run into every fed I can think of while flying for work and a handful of local police. Most of the cops are picking up a suspect at a jail.

CPD18578 :

If this is true then the air lines did not do their job. The air marshal service just had a e-mail go out a few months ago saying that the airlines are not enforceing the TSA flying armed policy to well. It seems as police officers are some how flying armed and no one seems to be catching this. I do not have a problem with a sworn LEO flying with a weapon but the TSA policy says that they can not unless they meet the requirments I stated above. I am just waiting for a case when someone flashes a fake police ID and gets on a plane. The airlines need to follow policy and check for proper paperwork. We do not live in a perfect world and crap happens.

I was told from day one that any federal LEO can bring a weapon on board the aircraft. I do not have the policy in front of me but I see every fed from --- FBI , SS , DEA , ATF , OIG , ARMY CID , MARINES CID , DEPT OF EDUCATION AGENTS (OIG) , CBP , US FOREST SERVICE , BORDER PATROL , IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENTS , I can go no but these are a few that I have met while on duty.

I am sure it has happened hundreds of times due to the fact that the airlines are the ones who are enforceing the policy. Once the ticket agent gives the LEO the paperwork then they are in. It is up to the ticket agent to check them. When a police officer is on my flight I will ask them why they are flying and they normaly say they are picking up a suspect and then no big deal.

I took the cours that "Gone" is talking about and it was my understanding that you had to have the same course in all states to be allowed to fly armed. It does enable you to fly without a prisoner but it's a lot of paper work and a pain in the ass. If you are flying to pick someone up in another state or location you have to do this twice.

Guys, Im new to this forum,but wanted to let you all know that i work for the Department of Homeland Security/ Transportation Security Administration. It's true Fed's have no problem boarding a plane armed. As far as the rest of the LEO's it's a different story. Personally i don't understand it myself. It is possible it may change in the future.

intheaircop said:

I am a federal air marshal and I know this policy well. All federal leos can carry on a commercial aircraft any time. Local police can only carry on official business such as picking up a suspect or going to training. The police officer has to present a letter to the gate agent that they did the TSA flying armed class, their badge and creds and a leter from the agency stating they need to carry the weapon. I have busted one FFDO and a reserve police officer trying to break the rules. The FFDO got his badge and gun taken away from him and the reserve police officer got in trouble with his department. All we did was call his chief and asked why the officer was trying to fly armed while on vacation. The FFDO was also on vacation with his issued weapon. I run into every fed I can think of while flying for work and a handful of local police. Most of the cops are picking up a suspect at a jail.

Missouri has a class to take for officers to fly armed but then you have to make contact with the TSA to notify them who you are before you fly. Air Marshals use a frangable round while they fly and I believe that you have to use that round when you fly.
I feel that All LEO's should be allowed to carry on planes on or off duty. Just how many Air Marshals are flying at one time. I also feel that cops should be allowed to fly as Air Marshals for a secondary job.