Run-in with TSA

[Forensics Doc]

The other day I was in Savannah, Georgia business and happened upon some much-needed, hard to find .204 Ruger brass.  I bought two packages (50 cases each) of Hornady, stuck them in my roll aboard, and proceeded to the airport yesterday morning.  As much as I travel I have a pretty good handle on TSA regulations on what and what cannot be brought aboard so I wasn't worried that the brass wouldn't make it through.  Wrong.  I put both both the carry-on and the roll aboard on the belt, passed through the metal detector and waited for my bags to come out the other end.  Sure enough, my roll aboard was taken off the belt by a TSA agent who then asked me to step over to the screening area for further inspection.  Before he opened the roll aboard I told him that what he was going to find where two bags of unprimed rifle brass in original, unopened packages.  He took them out and promptly told me that these were prohibited items.  I then explained to him that they were not.  Knowing the regulations, I told him that this is not ammunition.  They were not loaded rounds.  They had no primer, no powder, and no bullet.  They were simply one component of loaded ammunition and there was nothing prohibiting them from being carried aboard.  He then explained that TSA prohibits bolts, firing pins, clips, magazines, and other firearm components from being carried aboard, and that the brass fit this definition.  I then told him that rifle brass is not a firearm component and that I was not carrying a firearm.  There was no budging him.  He then told me I could either dump the brass (yeah, right), or go back to the Delta ticket counter and check my roll aboard with the brass in it.  I asked him if it would be permissible if I were to carry aboard two 1-pound boxes of copper pennies and an exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7, and he said it would be.  I then asked for his name and wrote it down.  If I had had time I would have asked for a supervisor, but I didn't.

He then escorted me out of security, and I went back to the Delta ticket counter, waited in line, and checked my roll aboard with the brass in it.  Then I had to  go through security again.  I've got Pre-check and Global Entry to speed things up but It was still a real PITA.

This morning I called TSA (866) 289-9673) and spoke to a marvelous agent.  I explained the situation to her and asked her to clarify whether or not I was permitted to carry the brass aboard.  She read me the TSA rule stating that unprimed brass without a seated bullet is permitted.  No question about it.  She was most apologetic, extremely helpful, and very knowledgable (unlike the TSA agent in Savannah).  She then asked for the TSA agent's name that I dealt with in Savannah and said she would take it from there.  What that means, I don't know.  She also sent me a copy of the TSA regulation that states that unprimed brass is permissible.

In all fairness, in all the travel I do, (and it's a bunch), this is the first run-in I've ever had with TSA.  I realize that this is a situation that likely doesn't occur often, but I seriously doubt that I'm the first person who has tried to carry unloaded brass through security.  Hopefully, so remedial training is in order for a certain TSA agent in Savannah.    

 

 

[norbs007]

Interesting story, I too have to point out things to TSA once in awhile and some do take it well.  Thanks for sharing.

[SlvrDragon50]

I think the problem with TSA is that they are not trained uniformly. Some people are great, others are not.

[L3324temp]

Most people in a position of authority greatly dislike being challenged and use their authority to make your life more difficult once you do. It's the rare person who allows you to educate them.

[mjohn]

After the fact and if I had the time, I for sure would have asked for the supervisor and please show me the rule that you are quoting that prohibits the brass from being in my carry on luggage.  Also, another after the fact statement, I would have previewed the TSA rules and had the page number, rule number and all other necessary info ready to read and to present to TSA to show them that the brass was permitted.

 

 

[mikeinctown]

With teh TSA there is no rhyme or reason as to their rules. the best you can do is to print out their own rules and actually show them as necessary and get a supervisor involved. is it no wonder some airports are trying to dump the TSA?

[mreed911]

Remember: water is prohibited, ice is okay.  https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=gel ice pack

[ima45dv8]

Rick,

I have Pre-Check also as I travel a lot (not as much as you, though). My backpack weighs about 35 lbs. and is always crammed full with work-related items. As a habit I immediately grab one of the 'dog bowls' at the screening point to off-load my 2 cellphones, watch, eyewear, wallet, smokes and lighter, armorer's tool (yes, they allow it), nail clippers, and various other sundry stuff in my pockets.

I recently had a very angry young female TSA agent tell me I couldn't do that because the dog bowls are ONLY for people without backpacks.

After noticing the disgusted looks on some of the other agents faces I ignored her and used one anyway. 

[mreed911]

I recently had a very angry young female TSA agent tell me I couldn't do that because the dog bowls are ONLY for people without backpacks.

Just like an RO call: "Show me that rule, please." Politely call their bluff. They'll back down faster than you expect.

[g.willikers]

I've found it to be a good idea to carry a copy of the rules, no matter the subject.

Guns, TSA, Airline rules and regulations, boating laws, whatever you might be involved with.

The folks with the badges are kind of notorious for not knowing the very laws they enforce.

And with a copy of the actual laws and regulations in hand, usually they will listen or call someone for verification.

At least that's been my experience.

[Peterock]

Most TSA agents I've encountered made it seem like they worked in a damn salt mine.  I guess constantly telling people to take there shoes and belts off gets old quickly.

[Patrick Sweeney]

Print out the regs and carry a copy. Nothing like a printout with the TSA logo on it to show the Supervisor to solve your disagreement.

[bsand]

Considering my step dad is a TSA supervisor, he's extremely ignorant and arrogant when it comes to 'rules' he basically thinks he's right 100℅ of the time which in reality is like 20℅. Not surprised lol.
I had similar thing happen when flying in Canada for a PRS match, I had shipped 300 rounds to the match and carried 150 on my checked baggage. On way back I had 150 rounds left and 300 spent cases in a plastic bag (Lapua brass too). The screening lady started to have a fit about the cases saying I have too many and they aren't packaged correctly. I wasn't about to throw away 300$ worth of brass, and had her call her supervisor who sided with me and let it fly. I did get to see what my desert tech looked like thru x-rays pretty damn cool.

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