If weapons will be required during a detail, such weapons shall be carried unloaded in the employee's checked baggage. The fact that a weapon is in his baggage shall be declared to a responsible airline representative when checking in for the flight.

The airline representative may desire to personally determine if the weapon is unloaded and insure the baggage or container is carried in a cargo area or compartment not readily accessible to passengers. The Service shall strictly limit requests for an employee to carry weapons aboard aircraft on or about his person or in his carry-on luggage to those situations which require the employee to be armed in flight to insure the safe completion of his mission. Employees whose mission requires carrying weapons aboard a particular flight shall notify a responsible representative of the airline in person or by telephone as far in advance as possible but in no case less than one hour prior to scheduled departure. Upon arrival at the airport, the employee shall discreetly identify himself to a responsible representative of the airline by presenting his Service identification credentials. Travel orders shall also be available which should, if possible, state the general nature of the mission (escort, surveillance, travel, and so forth) and also state the need for the officer to be armed. If a weapon is carried aboard a flight, the employee shall comply with the airline's procedures and act with the utmost discretion to avoid giving cause for alarm to the air carrier's personnel or his fellow passengers.