My guns were lost by airline
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 04. 2024
- On a recent trip the airline lost my firearm case for several days.
I travel a lot and there was a bunch of points worth sharing, so I sat down and did this video.
The goal would be to help you not have the same issue.
Something else to help would be the video we did a few years back on traveling with firearms.
Here it is-
• How to Fly with a Gun ...
2_WCf
Special thanks to
@PlasticaseInc maker of Nanuk
they are the best cases in my opinion.
Airtags in every crevice when letting someone else handle them.
this is the second case i herd of airlines loosing gun cases
That was my first thought was AirTags.
@@Steeda04SVTSame here.
YUP! I use Samsung Smart Tags in ALL of my luggage!
I have an apple airtag in my wallet…great idea…excellent video and I love the coffee commercial at the end… 😂😂
The moment you said "Spirit Airlines," I knew there was going to be a problem.
I flew Spirit Airlines once. Never again.
Flew spirit one time and checked my carry gun. When I got to my destination my suitcase was the only one sitting on an empty carousel that wasn’t even the one for my flight. Only reason I found it is because of the AirTag
Haha yep. I commented something similar before I read yours lol.
I fly with delta with handgun and/or rifle at least 4-5 times per year, never had a single problem
Once I checked in at a DC-area (but not DC) airport, declared a gun. Airline counter guy told me he had to see the gun in the case. I unlock the case. He immediately picks up the gun, waving the muzzle around, wondering how he's supposed to check to make sure it's unloaded--he had no clue. After that I'd field strip all my guns into ziplock bags before I cased them for air travel.
Good idea Branca
I travel a lot for work and so I also travel with my fire arms. That TSA Agent is by far the dumbest one out there. I don't even believe TSA Agents are allowed to touch it unless in a secured room. Maybe it's just because I fly out of Atlanta but 99% of the time I declare it, sign the paper, and take it to the specified Security spot to have them X-ray and make sure it's secure.
Holy crap
When they ask to me to show that my guns are unloaded, I refuse to touch them and always tell them to call the airport police and let them verify..
WOW
I don't think they are supposed to be opening the locked gun case without you present. I think they violated procedure in demanding the keys from you and disappearing with them.
Lessons learned for all of us:
1) Never fly Spirit.
2) Never let the keys out of your sight.
3) Retain receipts and itemized listing of everything in the case.
4) Keep the case neat and easy to x-ray.
5) Airtag(s) in the case.
That's terrifying. I only fly big brand airlines but even Delta dropped my pistol case onto the conveyer belt. If I had not checked a bag I may not have not noticed. It had blazing red tape on it saying firearms. I went to the oversized counter where I usually have to show ID to retrieve my case and asked for it. I watched them frantically looking for it. It was in my hand. I wanted to make a point and try to keep it from happening again. After 15 minutes I informed them it came through the conveyor belt. They took a statement and said they would investigate how it happened. I was so upset, those pistols could have ended up anywhere. I'm so glad you retrieved them. Be well brother!
Incompetence surrounds us today. From McDonald’s to DC!
Couldn’t be said better my friend
Sounds like someone tried to confiscate your gear....
Sure does
Those bangers will be on the streets now. That’s what they want. Put a GPS tablet in your luggage folks!!
@memorysometimers3067 You're 100% spot on. I don't know how people cannot see that the gun-grabbers want "gun crime" to occur more and more for a greater excuse to grab.
Pocahontas' bill to outlaw armed guards in schools should have been enough of a signal.
Thats exactly what happened, hopefully they are caught
Sounds like someone tried to HARVEST your gear....HARVEST.
I am dating myself: but, I clearly remember a time when you could just get on an aircraft. You just got on, no muss, no fuss. Memories of much simpler times, now gone forever.
Yep, I remember that as a kid. My cousin carried his 1911 all over the country that way. Nicely dressed and using a good concealment holster, he simply boarded the plane like everyone else and went on his way.
Yep, how it should be. However we've traded safety for peoples "comfort ".
@@HellboundAmericaits much safer if nobody on a plane has a gun, and that safety brings comfort. They aren’t mutually exclusive
I remember when all they had was a magnetometer to walk through and an X-ray for your luggage, but not this TSA security theater mess. I'd understand it more if audits didn't prove that a ton gets through, and most people caught with weapons inadvertently and forgetfully had them in their bag and had no intent to commit a crime. I guess the takeaway is to know where your gun is and isn't.
Flown Southwest with a firearm twice, and I have 4 American keyed alike locks I use, two on the firearm Pelican, two on the tool case checked Pelican. The Southwest rep filled the card out both times, I just put my name and phone on it, attach it to the case, they drop it on the conveyor and tell me to wait. So I wait, TSA comes up gets the keys, opens a door behind the counter, opens the cases, sees the breech flag, relocks the interior locks, the relocks the exterior locks and brings the keys back to me, and then tell me I good to go. Surprisingly easy both times. Also the reason for the American locks is they retain the key when open, so it forces the TSA agent to relock them before they can move to the next lock, just a little extra nudge fir them to do the right thing.
One thing I learned : Never fly Spirit Air Lines !!
Amen
Or fly spirit when you have low expectations and want a cheap flight
Only fly delta. Learned hard way
@@rodrigodiaz1321only fly spirit if you aren’t flying with firearms!
Holy cow. I cant even imagine how you feel. But...they werent "lost."
They were lost temporarily.
@@Kilnor - not even temporarily.
They were in "staging."
They were "borrowed" with intent to keep...
When you say Spirit you’ve said it all! My first and last Spirit flight was delayed a couple hours because they didn’t have any pilots available.
Spirit is bad news. I travelled for a living and I avoided Spirit at all costs since my wife and daughters flew them to MYR from NY. Ahead of the return flight my family was refused boarding. Spirit told them they could accommodate them nearly one week later. I ended up spending several thousand dollars to fly them home Easter Sunday so my kids would not miss school the following week. Avoid this airline at all costs. On top of this mess, it was impossible to contact Spirit to lodge a complaint or request a defund for the return flight. Cheap is cheap for a reason. Avoid them at all costs.
Glad to hear it all worked out Mickey...Thanks for the words of wisdom always walk away from your videos feeling informed....scary to think about my guns ending up in the wrong hands....looking forward to meeting and training with you in PA this July.
You did everything right bud, This experience is why I hide AirTags in my cases. I haven’t had an airline open or ask to open my cases in a long time, They always have the TSA open and inspect them. The ticket agents say they have no idea what they’re looking for, or at lol.
Can't even travel these days I'd rather Walk and swim
With it all on my back....without any 🥛
@@nickgray8072if you swim, air tag it. Just in case the sharks got a hold of it. 😂🤣
@@nickgray8072 Yup. Fuck TSA. I would rather walk 1000 miles than be subjected to their bullshit
They etd for explosives in firearms cases in particular it's Deta sheet other stuff as well.
You hit the nail on the head, far too many of us do not take our jobs seriously or commit to understanding our jobs fully. This entire ordeal could have been avoided had the gate agents only known or the TSA agents been more professionals
Whatever phone you have, buy multiple airtags so you can track your weapons. It's unfortunate that they were lost.
As you probably know, they can be removed and they need other devices to ping.
@@CarryTrainerit’s still another layer of security. Even if removed, it’s a waypoint that can be used in investigating the incident. Cheap insurance!
@@russellswanson117 100%agree
Thank you very much for sharing this experience. Insightful on many levels. Staying under control and thinking straight is the key to getting through it without a bad outcome. Thanks again for sharing this
Hard to hit the thumbs up, because of the situation .... but TG for the good people that helped you get your stuff back.
Thank you for this excellent breakdown of your experience. Sorry it happened but truly this is very useful information.
Big ups on getting your firearms returned to you.
I was raised and taught to take pride in whatever you do, that way no one can beat you at your best efforts.
A lesson learn. I'm glad you got your gear back
Clever Twist on the boating accident defense
Sorry to hear. Thanks for making this a teaching moment for us. One of the best parts of the video is Drew’s badass editing at the end.
Air tags are gold for things like this
Sorry to hear about troubles with Spirit Air. Unfortunately the standards for responsible employees is lacking everywhere. Glad you got your firearms back to bad they abused the items.
Thank you for sharing your experiences... So many different videos on the same topic - Flying with Firearms, great to hear a chorus of voices with the same wisdom shared!
Thinking about having "spare" padlocks inside the case should the inspectors choose to cut my locks regardless... that way the case can still be completely locked after the inspection.
Thanks for the commentary, Mickey. Sorry to hear you had such a crappy experience. No one should ever have to go through the stress of that. Glad you got your stuff back.
ALL staff should know all parts of the firearms protocol in that airport. Not knowing would make me extremely nervous. I'm so glad you got it all back, and thank you for you for sharing this story with us. Appreciated.
Agreed on the knowledge of the job
Scary title, flying tomorrow
Take photos and have a log of everything
Mick, these are the same people that burst into tears when they’re fired.
They’re not smart, no initiative, and emotionally unstable mostly.
Darker days ahead 🤨
Wow, that's a story and a half. Good thing that you listened to your instincts while they were putting you through that check-in ordeal. What's supremely crappy is the fact that whomever was trying to engineer a high payoff theft basically decided to guarantee that your equipment would be damaged since they couldn't easily 'lose' it all without consequences.
Lets hear it for Spirit! Never again will I fly that hot trash of an Airline again. Glad you got your firearms back.
Sorry to hear this happen to you Sir. Thank you for sharing this.
I recently flew out of New Orleans to Dallas and back. This was my first time declaring a firearm. I watched your video and many others about flying with a firearm lol I got lucky both times because they didn’t even look in my case once! I filled out the card and they taped it to the top and told me to lock it. I flew southwest. I got there early and after checking my luggage I waited outside of security for a hour and both times never heard anything about it. It was super easy for me this time.
Great story, and an even better life lesson.... but doggone it I was not ready for the sales pitch
That experience sucks but thanks for sharing it and offering suggested ways to help reduce or improve the situation if it happens.to others. Air tags/tile seem like the thing to have to help. Taking pictures of the items and how they are packed and one last one as I put the tag and case back in my suitcase can also help with proof and date/time stamp verification.
The airlines did that to me 40 years ago returning from Alaska. When I arrived in Pittsburgh, they had no clue where they were! Fortunately, they eventually found them and sent them out via taxi. That was a stressful kcouple days.
15:00. THIS is where people are lacking these days. They have NO concept of responsibility or hard work. I don't care if you work for WALMART, take some damn PRIDE in what you are doing. This is one of THE biggest problems with current generations in the work force.
Good Luck getting them back, Must have been a sick feeling
Glad you got your gear.. You were more patient than I, I would have sicked the BATFE on them the minute My bag was not at my destination.
Doesn't work that way. They knew where the bag was. It was just at a different airport. Misrouted airline luggage does happen from time to time.
If the bag is actually lost and can not be found, then local law enforcement gets involved and a police report is filed. That will also trigger the filing with the ATF.
That is really scary.... I had the same problem with delta. I got to the airport a little late and they said my bag was not going to make it and they would send it with the next flight. Well I left and made it to the airport. Waited for the next flight that my my bag was supposed to be on and it wasn't. Got pissed and told them I need to find my bag now. 2 flights later it finally came in. I was traveling with a firearm too, not a cheap one either.
Maybe it's time for the TSA to have firearm specialists. Someone who accepts, inspects and personally ensures that your firearms get on the correct aircraft. On the receiving end, another TSA firearm specialist meets the flight, accepts the package and holds it for you to pickup. It probably wouldn't hurt for there to be a specific firearms luggage area in the cargo hold. With the Federal Government be so concerned about properly securing your firearms in your home, you'd think they'd want them properly handled while in aircraft and airports. You're spot on about commercial companies employees not being educated on their own companies policies and procedures. I had that experience with FEDEX employees not knowing their firearms handling procedures when I had to send a firearm back to the manufacturer for warranty service.
Great video Mickey! Thanks!
Mickey,
This may be one of if not thee best videos you’ve made, sir.
I’ve taken a few classes with you and absolutely respect you and your efforts.
You are a man of integrity and it came out in volumes in this video. You took responsibility and accountability on the actions you could have done better. And you did that before explaining what you think the airline could have done better. 🫡
Glad you got your guns back, are safe and put this out there for all to learn from.
Respectfully,
Jeff
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad we got them back too.
When Spirit is the only option, you rent a car and drive. I hope you learned from this.
several lessons i gleaned from your ordeal. thanks for the info.
Hey Mick,
I've travelled with guns twice through airlines and luckily it was a super smooth process both times. I did double stack in my case, but otherwise followed all of the other rules. I will have to travel again soon, this time with expensive NFA items and I am dreading a possible negative outcome. I chase things down so I'm not worried about how to follow up if they get lost, just the fact that they could be lost at all.
It sucks to hear your experience and I hope there is some recompense for the delays / damages.
Stay well, man.
Oh actually, I remembered an issue. When I arrived at my destination, the TSA agent scanning my case exclaimed rather loudly about the quality and number of firearms I had. There were plenty of people around. I know he was just trying to be friendly, but that definitely perked me right up.
I would never fly Spirit Airlines with my guns. They are literally THE worst airline in the business. One other tip I would add is AirTags. I keep them in all my gun cases. That way if they ever go missing you can track them down
I have a very similar experience however the issue was with TSA and not the airline… I would love to discuss this further with you, as I am still fighting this after the agent flat out lied, and we are being denied camera footage. Everyone who claims they will help doesn’t follow through… this is becoming way too common lately from what I have been told by numerous people with similar stories.
I flew from Sac to ATL this past summer. I air tagged the case. Highly recommended. 😊
That happened to me a few months ago. Luckily I got my gear back after about 4 days. I almost s**t myself when that bag didn't come around the carousel
I’m glad you got all your stuff back.
YEESH Thats crazy glad you got them back ... i thought they were gone gone. I typically fly Delta and and usually have 0 problems. Teh process is the process and ive never had an attendant not know what to do except once because he was training and the lady was over his shoulder. I dont think id willingly take my guns on spirit ever.
I’m glad you got these back, just recently got the last my guns out of California. I used a friend that was going to my stop by other Kali home to move my collection to my eastern retreat. This trip was not uneventful the guns spent time in Oklahoma and then move to me a month later. I could have had the shipped but some of these, I don’t want to have in my name they are inherited from my mom and dad. I was the only family member the could receive the firearms.
On is a pre 1955 22lr others were pre GCA 68. You could file a claim with the airline for the damages to the guns did the total contains match what was in your shipped case.
Oh no! Not your favorite carbine with the new barrel?! So sorry, Mick. Glad you got them back, but not okay they were manhandled and a mess.
Ironically you stopped and saved me that day from accidentally leaving my rifle in LV that had been moved away from my other gear during tear down. Again, sorry for the insanity. Good awareness and tips when I fly to Tennessee S12.
Thanks for taking the time to share your bad experience and for the heads-up on your coffee!
The dude selling stuff at the end & the musac ROCKS!you broke some of your own rules,haste makes waste.We’ve all done it. Alls well that ends well. glad you got your stuff back.beat to hell but its back. We’re all living & learning. & the gas stations…Our holiday trips would suck if they weren’t there. I thank them often and occasionally buy them a burger or something when they let me. Keep the change type deal. Later.
I think you're right, it probably did have something to with the double-stack. But, with whatever happened after they left your sight, they still should have known the process (at least one of them). Glad you got them back!
Damn that sucks brother. I only fly major airlines for these exact stories, and Southwest has a “live time” track your bag system online. And right before boarding I always get confirmation bag loaded on plane. That said it still sucks hopefully it won’t happen again!
Glad you got your gear back. I would have been sick.
That Wild West Deals guy got me to buy coffee. I don't even drink coffee...😳🤪🤣
Lol
I had a 1911 stolen, case broken into by TSA or the baggage handlers. Delta paid me out after alot of back and forth and angry calls.
All that equipment and Spirit Airlines sounds about right.
A few years back, my wife and I were traveling from Ohio to San Antonio with a plane change at DFW (if I remember correctly). At our home airport we could see the plane with a bunch of mechanics looking up in the nose wheel well. Well, this plane wasn't going anywhere. the gate personnel announced that same conclusion. I got on the phone with AA, told them the problem, and was able to get the last seat available for another flight. I went to the gate counter and told the attendant I had rebooked already and she could take us off her list. I also told her that I was concerned about one of my bags. She looked and loudly announced "you mean the one with the firearm inside"! At the gate of the departing airport and the connection airport, the gate person sought me out to tell me that the "bag with the gun in it" was transferred and on the plane. Life is always interesting when traveling with firearms.
Glad you got them back. You have everything customized so that would have made it worse if they lost them. It's like a miracle when anything goes right these days.
Soon as I heard you say spirit airlines I knew exactly why you lost your firearms
The lifepod my gun goes in when I check my bag has an AirTag in it. I am constantly checking on it too. I see when it’s out on the tarmac and when it’s close to coming out on the carousel. I’d honestly put one in the bag gun or not.
Sorry that happened, thanks for sharing
All jokes aside as soon as you said spirit airlines I knew it was going to be a disaster.
🙏
I would have been devastated. I admire your resourcefulness in having CONNECTIONS to help find the weapons. Have you considered AIR TAGS in / on your firearms and cases? The last question. Were you reimbursed on the damages? If so, was it a partial price or value of the object? Thank You for the excellent video. This helps us ALL. Stay safe brother.
Air tags are great. But not an end all be all.
I was an Airline pilot for 40 years, and I was always amazed at how poorly the ticket agents knew their jobs and the rules that fall upon their specific jobs.The TSA is even worse, most of them don't know their own rules and are draconian about their " authority" . Each location and or check point is it's own fiefdom.
It's a strange thing
This is exactly why i put trackers in my gun cases when traveling
What! Michael Shook! Hey that’s me!🤣
Spirit did the same to my pistol flying from Seattle to Houston. There was basically zero customer service. After spending 80 bucks for the checked case and a week later they said we don’t know where it went. Finally on my last day, the day I was flying back they said oh hey, we have it come on in and get it. Paid another 80 to fly it back. Never again, Spirit sucks.
I recently travelled with my firearms and for the first time I put an air tag in my rifle case. Wish I did it years ago!
AirTags AirTags AirTags! There is also a video on how to take the alert that alerts nearby phones of the AirTag if you are a little tech savvy. Hate to hear that brother would hate to lose any of my firearms that way smh Incompetence from the airline is unacceptable! ✌🏻❤️🇺🇸
AirTags and Bluetooth tiles are my trackers of use. My gun collection isn’t what I want it to be yet but I’d be heartbroken to lose the things I worked my ass off for. Sorry this happened to you sir.
If you fly again use your cellphone to photograph your firearms after the airline's does their business along with TSA. Years ago at Columbia, SC during the run up to the Masters Golf tourney, I saw many "duffers" photograph their golf clubs at checked baggage so they can have "proof" as to the condition of their golf clubs prior to their golf clubs entering the checked baggage carousel . As a former TSA agent after hearing your story, now I know why these golfers did what they did......
Always
@@CarryTrainer You are welcome!
I would share this with the national news agencies as to the utter INCOMPETANCE of the airlines when it comes to baggage in general. Much less checked guns!!!
Last hunt I went on my wife put a tracker in my case worked great I new it landed with me every time I think she got it from Amazon cheap insurance and piece of mind
I use Air tags. Definitely gives you a little peace of mind.
Yup... that's SPIRIT AIRLINES. Might as well hire 15year olds like Home Depot
While flying out of juneau alaska, i was asked to open my gun case in front of all the other passengers at the bagage check-in in. I let them know i have never had to do that before and just was there to declare them as being in my suit case and that tsa is to call me if they need me to open it. None of them knew how declaring guns worked and insisted me to open them up in front of the line so did so and then waited 10 mins for tsa to call if they needed and then boarded my flight. Luckily, i made it to my destination with them, but it makes me hesitant to flying with them in the future, unfortunately. I'm so glad they didn't confinscate them out of being unaware of how it works in a small airport.
Standard practice. Almost every time a fly with firearms I have opened them at the front of the line. They have you open the case, sign the card and throw the card in the case. Sometimes they have me lock it right there or not and escort me to the xray area. If I didn't lock it at the front of the line they have me lock it then. They send it through xray and I leave. Only exception is if they first escort me to the xray room then open it to check them and throw the card in, but I'd say 90% of the time I open them right in the check in line. This has been large international airports here and overseas/out of the country. And, small airports like Salt Lake, Bozeman, El Paso, Reno etc.
Lmao you said Spirit and it all made sense. I hope it is resolved quickly my friend!!
Agree with your opinion on "workers". AIRTAG....probably one in the case and one taped to a riffle upper or a pistol magwell.....
Sounds like your stuff is so nice that people want to steel it.
Radian, Boresight, etc
Consider,
PSA, PSA Dagger, etc
Im glad you got your stuff back.
What would have tried my temper is people not caring or having a proper sense of urgency.
I doubt they knew what he had, only that he had a whole lot of it. Unless the checkout cards was them doing their research.
Yea, I lost my guns in a tragic boating accident. It was devastating. I feel ya.
You have awesome content. The Latin pronunciation is more like "EEG-noose Loooks". Latin, a beautiful sounding language. Thanks for your channel.
Nicely done
Spirit Airlines is the worst! I’ve had trouble with checking luggage and retrieving it upon arrival to whatever destination I’m going to multiple times. When my fellow travelers and I went to complain about having to wait nearly 3 hours to get our luggage from the baggage carousel, they shut down their office when they saw us coming. I shutter to think of how awful it would be too check fire arms with them. People always ask me why I don’t fly and this just reaffirms my distrust of airlines, especially when it comes to firearms.
I made the mistake of putting a small bottle of Lock Tight in the same case as my gun. TSA freaked and called me back. They asked me for the combo. I refused. After some time we worked out the issue. But great advise not to store anything other than the gun in your case.
glad you got you gear back. one thing is for sure. ill never fly spirt airlines....ever. ill take that hotel room and steak dinner and wait for the morning.
Couple of future tips with air tags. I use smart tags for android. My AR grip from magpul has a tool cavity in the grip is one location. My nighthawk 1911 i slide an airtag connected with ziptie and slide it in the magwell, then attach to the chamber clear plug. Another place is putting the air tags in an old magazine behind the follower. I use to disassemble my firearms. When air tags came out i just got creative.
This better not happen to me when I fly to your course in Nashville! I can’t take the extra 2-3 days off work to drive over.
I am a pilot for a major US airline. I transport my personal firearms for hunting trips. I also serve as an FFDO and travel armed as a LEO with my duty gun. I have found TSA is very non standard in most things they do. In regards to transporting firearms, each individual station may handle things differently, and they do not follow or know their own SOP. TSA even handles LEO's at security check points differently/non standard depending on the airport. TSA may not know their own regulations. Or the specific airlines rules. TSA is not, I repeat NOT allowed to open your luggage containing firearms without you present! After checking my guns I always check ramp side to see my guns being loaded in the cargo bay. And unloaded. I have that luxury as a pilot with creds to get on the ramp. I make sure I use gun cases that don't have any tactical stickers or gun stickers. On arrival I get to baggage special handling as soon as possible. Which is where they are supposed to send firearms. Once in Dallas, they sent my gun case to the regular baggage claim carousel. It could have easily been picked up by anyone! I also put tracking devices in my gun case when travelling. I absolutely hate checking firearms on the airlines. I only do it once or so a year for hunting trips. I even hate checking firearms on the airline I work for. At some stations the airlines even have a hard time hiring people that can pass a drug/background check. Not always the best possible people. Employees and TSA Agents have been busted for stealing from checked baggage. Especially firearms.
As a Vegas local, I can attest to the terrible experience of trying to travel through that airport. It's terrible, even when it's a good airline. I can't imagine what Spirit would be like
It's NOT a favorite airport of mine.
Sorry to hear about your firearms getting all bang up
Glad to hear everything worked out! Determination in the face of mediocrity always pays off.
an Excellent Opportunity to Practice your Patience 👍
I would have Exploded in Rage..
Born in 40
You can do it!
McCarran made me follow the same process. Bismark ND asked for the key without me there and swabbed for residue.. which is kinda obvious there would be some
Air tag or gps in the future
Happened to me with American once, they had it to me in 4 hours on the next flight. I would have missed the flight. I keep an Apple AirTag in my gun case and if it’s not on the plane I de-board. I am executive platinum with American who is the only airline I fly and can get re-booked easily. It’s not worth the anxiety. Having dedicated customer service for exec platinum members goes a long away. I would suggest you start flying one airline and build loyalty. It can happen to any airline but how they handle it afterwards makes all the difference.