traveling then they were NOT permitted to carry firearm on board. It's my understanding that although they are not allowed to bring the weapon into the cabin, uniformed cops on duty are not required to be security-screened at the security checkpoint. If he bypassed the dikes and rent-a-cops at the x-rays, he probably missed the chance to be told upfront of the requirement to stow his weapon for the flight.
I guess his ID is better than an ASIC? Whats the difference in a cop being taken at face value and allowed to carry a firearm because of the ID he was carrying vs a pilot and his ID + nail file??