by Claire Britton-Warren
From the September 2005 No Quarter Given
2 weeks before flying: Call the airline you are flying with. Let them know whom you are and that you’re a historic reenactor and that you’re planning to travel with ______ functional or non-functional weapons. All weapons must be checked in as baggage and may not be brought in with carry-on luggage. Remember that even non-functional weapons are treated exactly the same as functional weapons.
Ask the airline for their current recommendations on how to approach the check-in counter. With alerts and procedures changing daily, this can change drastically, depending upon who is working that day and if there have been heightened alerts. Let them know if you and your gear will have been exposed to black powder and ask how they would like you to proceed if you have.
Most, if not all, airlines do not allow black powder in checked or carry-on baggage, so you should arrange to get black powder at your destination. Some airlines allow Pyrodex (a black powder substitute), but check first.
1 week before flying: Go to the check-in counter as recommended the previous week by your airline. Go at about the same time you’ll be checking in the following week so that hopefully you’ll have the same counter attendants the following week. Bring the case that your weaponry will be in EMPTY without the weaponry.
At the counter, be patient and friendly. If at all possible, present a business card. Do NOT under any circumstances arrive costumed. This was strongly recommended by Southwest Airlines. Be calm, friendly, patient and professional.
Let the counter attendant know that in a week you’ll be coming back to make your flight and that at that time you’ll be bringing your weaponry, and that you’re there today to get the carrying case(s) inspected to make sure that they are in compliance with current regulations. Let the attendant inspect the case(s) and be sure to ask if they want them locked, unlocked or tie wrapped with extra ties taped to the outside. Again, there are no set procedures and this can change drastically, from attendant to attendant, airline to airline.
Packing: Follow the recommendations of your airline to the letter. Make sure sword points will not pop through the sides of baggage. Have business cards accessible from a purse or wallet, not in the luggage where the weapons are carried.
The day of the flight: Arrive extra early to allow for a weapons inspection. Go straight to the counter where you were directed to go by the airlines. Don’t make any detours or stops at other places. Again, do not arrive costumed, and have your business cards ready. Have the baggage locked, unlocked, or tie-wrapped as directed the previous week.
At the check in counter, introduce yourself, present your business card and tell them VERBALLY what weaponry you are carrying. Then ask them to instruct you when they are ready for you to open your baggage for inspection. Be friendly and patient. Don’t make any jokes about bombs, hijacking, terrorism, religion etc. Follow their instructions carefully.
Remember that most airline attendants will be unfamiliar with historic weaponry, so they may ask you to explain how the firing mechanism works. Do so patiently if asked. Be sure to remind the counter attendant to call ahead to the CTX (X-ray) machine operator to let them know that your weaponry is coming through. If an operator is not informed and sees a weapon on the scanner, they will notify the authorities.
Quite often, even if you follow the instructions given at the counter about locking or unlocking your luggage, the inspectors further down the line may prefer things differently. So don’t get angry if your lock is broken open upon arrival, despite your best efforts to have everything in order.
Please note these guidelines are for domestic flights only & regulations may change frequently. It’s always best to call ahead and visit the airline in advance whenever possible.
On return flights, it is often not possible to have a baggage inspection prior to your flight. So if you will be departing from the same airport, I recommend stopping at the departure counter on your arrival and checking with them then. If you do not have the opportunity to visit the airport before the flight, definitely call ahead and ask what procedures to follow at your airline’s counter.
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