Best way to lock gun case for air travel?

[wyosteve]

I've not checked a gun since 9/11, so don't know if you can still do this. But I always took the bolt out of my rifle and carried it with me in my carry on or in another checked bag. My thinking was that if somebody light fingered my rifle/case, they would have a hard time selling it and if they contacted the manufacturer looking for a bolt, there should be questions.

 

[archer wapiti]

I like that idea, wyosteve, but unfortunately it's no longer legal

from tsa.gov link earlier in this thread:
"Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage."
If you're checking another piece of luggage, would be useful to put it in the other bag though.

 

[beetlespin]

Thanks for all the great information guys! The case i picked up is a pelican 1750. I think I will get 2 of the locks you guys suggested and then add the taped bag on the outside with zip ties and instructions to secure again if the locks need to be cut. I will also print out the information from TSA and Alaska Airlines and keep that on me through the journey. I appreciate this information so much, thanks again!

 

[N2TRKYS]

Thanks for all the great information guys! The case i picked up is a pelican 1750. I think I will get 2 of the locks you guys suggested and then add the taped bag on the outside with zip ties and instructions to secure again if the locks need to be cut. I will also print out the information from TSA and Alaska Airlines and keep that on me through the journey. I appreciate this information so much, thanks again!

That's the same case I have and love it.

Why would they cut your locks, when you're standing right there when TSA checks your case?

 

[beetlespin]

That's the same case I have and love it.

Why would they cut your locks, when you're standing right there when TSA checks your case?

I have no experience in this but what i hear happen is that they cut the locks on you when you are not present. after you check it, im not sure if it goes through xray or something and they have a question about the contents, the TSA will just cut your locks to get in and check. After that its anybody's guess if the latches stay put the rest of the journey. zip ties will ensure the case stays closed until you receive it.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have no experience in this but what i hear happen is that they cut the locks on you when you are not present. after you check it, im not sure if it goes through xray or something and they have a question about the contents, the TSA will just cut your locks to get in and check. After that its anybody's guess if the latches stay put the rest of the journey. zip ties will ensure the case stays closed until you receive it.

I haven't flown to as many airports as most folks, but I'm always with TSA until they say that it's cleared. After that, there's no reason to get back in it.

Either way, good luck on your hunt.

 

[Ohio Darin]

I haven't flown to as many airports as most folks, but I'm always with TSA until they say that it's cleared. After that, there's no reason to get back in it.

Either way, good luck on your hunt.

Same here. I stay at the ticket counter until they tell me the bag has cleared. Most airports are up to speed with the drill but if not I let them know that I will wait and to let me know.

Good luck.

 

[Yellowknife]

As the other guys have said, they generally will NOT cut locks on a gun case. For liability reasons I assume, they don't seem to want TSA people handling other peoples guns. Plus, once they cut the locks they would be shipping an un-secured case... which they can't do.

Most of the time the ticket agent will have you drop a rifle case off at the oversize screening area. The TSA will clear it while you wait. If for some reason they decide they see something they don't like (loose ammunition seems to be one), they will call you to open it. Wouldn't bother with attaching zip ties.

Alaska Air is probably one of the biggest gun movers in the country. And Texas and Alaska TSA have plenty of experience. It will be easy. I suppose flying out of NY or San Diego might cause headaches with inexperienced people, but that's not you.

 

[boom]

figures the TSA guy in SFO gave me bogus info.

having said that, i have never had issues with my TSA locks..which are usually on my bowcase.

 

[Pk_in_Dallas]

I never use TSA locks and I fly to Canada every year. Last year one of my master locks was pried open and this wasn't done by TSA. Make sure that TSA checks your gun w the declaration form inside. I use the heaviest locks available on both end of my case to keep airport luggage handler thieves from trying to bust it open.


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[bourbon]

I have flown all over the US with 2 shotguns in a pelican 1750 case, and later moved to using a hardsided golf club case to mask the contents. The one thing I can tell you is that EVERY SINGLE AIRPORT handles the situation different ... EVERY ONE OF THEM ....no matter what airline you are flying.

In ALL instances the only constant is the need to open the case, sign a declaration the gun is unloaded, slip it in the case and shut it. The person working the desk generally has no idea what is going on and in most cases it is a scared to death women who wants the ordeal over with as fast as possible....from there it is a crap shoot.

I've been in occurrences where the case goes right down the conveyour to where bags go and that is it. I've also been in situations where that happens and then 3 minutes later 2 police officers come treat you and the weapon like your an ISIS cell member (seriously...Providence, RI). In that case the case was inspected, blah blah and I got to "watch" from behind a sheet of glass.

Other times I've arrived at my destination to find the gun case has been inspected somewhere along the way, TSA puts a card in the bag / case / etc if they inspect it, and WITHOUT TSA locks on there they would have either cut off the lock or worse detained my case since they couldn't properly inspect it.

I've also arrived before, when flying with 2 other buddies who had inferior cases, to find 2 of 3 cases destroyed beyond recognition....clearly done on purpose. They did manage to break one of the handles off my pelican.

Which brings up another point....EVERY SINGLE AIRPORT IS DIFFERENT in how you retrieve your gun once at your final destination. Some places it comes out on the same belt as regular luggage others it is locked up and you have to show your baggage claim ticket.

My advice is to

A. buy a hard side golf club case and use it instead of a dedicated gun case...you can also fit a lot more stuff in there with the guns which is nice.

B. know that you CAN fly with ammo and weapon in the same case

C. Use the TSA locks...2 of them on the case and take 2 spares with you in your carry on / normal bag.

D. Expect shit to be different and a mess everywhere.

 

[Beendare]

Good info in this thread....its easy flying with firearms....but two things I think are important;

1) You HAVE to read YOUR airlines req for firearms......not all are the same and you don't want surprises. I heard it on Rokslide might not work! grin

2) Its best to have a packing system...so when TSA paws through your stuff, they can't screw it up [for example placing something sharp next to your bowstring]

Its those little things that can screw you.....like not having ammo in in the original box. [reloaders should have a plastic case with good labeling]

I had a weird one in Alaska a couple years ago. My Flight out of Kodiak was through Alaska air but operated by Raven. They didn't have a TSA agent [small airport] but Alaska air did. So I had to recheck my firearm in Anchorage....which due to other delays caused me to miss my flight...

 

[realunlucky]

I'll only add that you should print a copy of the rules and bring the copies with you. Some people just think they know the rules and need a quick check down

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