Best way to lock gun case for air travel?

[beetlespin]

Hi Guys,

I just pulled a good tag in Alaska and am taking a flight for the first time on a hunt. I am curious what you guys use with locking up your case with the TSA, I heard that TSA locks are pretty flimsy and that padlocks can be quite heavy. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Trial153]

I haven't flown with a rifle in years. However I regularly fly with my bow. Here is what I do.
I use a hard skb case. I leave the latch locks open. I drilled in a pair of eye bolts parallel to each other on both sides of the case. I then lock the case with tsa locks on both sides, I then secure the eye bolts together with heavy E tie that i snip off. I take another couple e ties and tape them to the top of the case with a note to replace if it was opened. I went to this system after I had a regular lock snipped by the TSA, whom ever snipped it and opened it was conscientious enough to Re secure the case however it was still unnerving.

 

[BigDog00]

I just recently flew on United with my bow and rifle in the same case. I did a little research and found out that you DO NOT want to use TSA locks. YOU are the only person that should be able to access the case. They are supposed to inspect the contents right there at the ticket counter and watch you lock the case before accepting possession of it. I bought a set of locks and used two on my SKB case. Check the rules of the airlines you're using.

Flying with only a bow might be different, but when you fly with a firearm it has to be locked and only accessible by you. It was a very easy process for me. I did fly out of and in to small airports that are in big hunting areas.

 

[Trial153]

^^ great point in finding out the airline requirements

 

[boom]

You need an approved case with TSA locks.

 

[The Cleaner]

I fly in and out of Texas and Alaska a lot with rifles and handguns. For my cases, the brass bodied masterlocks with the long shackle work great. You check in with your airline, sign a declaration which you'll slip into the case and lock it up. You'll take the case to TSA where they'll swab it for explosives and they'll take it from there. You do not need or want TSA locks.

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[Akicita]

I use quality combination pad locks on my pelican rifle case. I use a total of two on all my rifle cases (one on each end) so an end of the case can't be pried open and the rifle slipped out. I do not use TSA locks.

 

[hflier]

TSA locks are not required nor recommended.


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[wind gypsy]

It depends on the case. I use adjustable shackle pad locks so you can make sure they close tight on your case and don't allow the case to slide on the shackle enough to slide a gun out of the case.

They are like these and you'll need 2 like others said. Model No. 510D | Master Lock

 

[Yellowknife]

Agree with everyone else. TSA locks are accepted (I've done it), but I much prefer a real lock.

There also isn't any such thing as an "approved" gun case. Just needs to be hard sided and secure. I've flown with handguns in my (locked) computer box on many occasions.

It's good practice to have a lock for every locking point though. I've seen people flagged for having just one lock on a case that was designed for two. They were concerned that someone could pry the unlocked end open.

 

[Ray]

Use google to find factual information.

TSA

Transporting firearms in luggage - policies | Alaska Airlines

Delta

Padlocks are heavy? Good. It slow down the half a dozen dip sticks handling your case along its journey.

 

[bbrown]

Flying from Denver to Anchorage last fall I packed my G20 and even after reading on Alaska Airlines website that TSA locks were not required I heard that some TSA screeners may disagree so packed both styles of locks just in case. Sure enough on the way out of Denver the TSA guy that escorted me to check my bag through the added screening told me that I should be using the TSA locks but when I offered to swap the locks he said not to worry about it. Flying back the TSA guy in Anchorage made a point of me using non-TSA locks and that being the correct way.

I have only flew with firearms a couple times and it has been a while since the last time (pre 9/11) but it surprised me how much different the whole process was at the different airports. From signing the declaration and where it was placed in my bag, in Denver they didn't want to open or check the firearm but in Alaska they required me to unlock the case but they had to actually unlatch and open the case. In Denver I had to sign and show ID to pick up my baggage but in Anchorage my bag simply came out with the other sporting goods and oversized bags where I picked it up.

My advise would be to research the regulations based on the airline you are flying and actually print them out to keep with your firearm/bow just incase there are any discrepancies.

 

[Ohio Darin]

Get a good American or Master Lock. Do not use TSA Locks. You are responsible for the firearm at all times. You don't want some TSA agent to go postal and you be on the hook for it. This guards against theft too. Would hate to land at my destination and find an empty gun case. Do not surrender you keys or combination to anyone. My shotgun never clears TSA screening because their scanners cannot see thru the barrel. I always have to go down stairs to TSA office to open. Once had an agent insist I surrender the key saying they do it all the time. I insisted otherwise.

TSA Regulation

 

[Savage99]

If the case has a spot for a lock, put one on it. What I mean is, every locking spot to have a lock. My pelican pistol case has two spots and two locks. And to echo what has been said, do not use tsa locks on the case. You have to be the only one with access (key or combo). TSA lock on luggage that has gun case in it is fine.


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[idig4au]

I fly with my hunting rifles all the time. It's pretty simple.

- two combination master locks on each end of my pelican case. DO NOT USE TSA LOCKS ON FIREARM CASE.

- use TSA approved locks on all other checked luggage with your personal belongings.

- 95% of the time, ammunition is placed inside of my checked luggage in a smaller hardsided pelican type case. I'll leave the dedicated ammunition case unlocked, but will carry a smaller non TSA combination lock in my carry on in case airline wants ammunition checked in as separate piece of luggage. This is more relevant for international travel. Domestically, it's usually a non issues and airlines seem to be happy to have ammunition placed inside your checked luggage. Make sure ammunition itself is not lose and in some kind of box or case where the cartridges are independent of each other.

- print out and carry with you TSA and the airline policies on firearm travel. Handy to have in case you have to deal with ignorant airline staff. Any issues, don't even attempt to deal with them and ask for their supervisors.

- as previously stated, wait around TSA area until luggage is cleared at security. 90% of time i will have to open up firearm case for screening.

-keep your baggage tags and ID handy as often will need them to pick up your checked firearm at your destination.

it's no drama to fly with a firearm if you are informed and organized.

 

[Hackleback]

finding out the airline requirements, then print a hard copy and put it in your carry on. I have been told I can't do all sorts of things related to firearms by counter agent(s), whip out the requirements and read them back and the problem usually goes away. Also, pack an extra lock(s) in the case, so if the do get cut, it can be replaced, at least for the return trip.

 

[hodgeman]

Flying with a firearm is easy. I do it frequently.

One of the things TSA actually made easier about flying. Pre 9/11 you were at the whim of the airline ticket agent and the results were inconsistent, with TSA there is a uniform process for checking a weapon. Look on TSA website and print out the instructions.

I use a Pelican case with regular Master padlocks- one in each spot made to accept a lock. Depending on the airport, the ticket agent may not be familiar with the process. In AK, the ticket agent will handle more gun cases than most sporting goods stores.

In general- you will have to sign an unloaded declaration and put it in the case at the ticket counter. You will not need to remove the gun... just open it and stick it in. You lock the case with your lock and carry it to the TSA. Mill around while they scan it to determine if they need to open the case since you have the only key. When they give you the thumbs up....head to the gate.

When you arrive you will need to show your baggage claim stub to retrieve the weapon from the airline baggage agent. Infrequently it will pop out on the luggage carousel but that's unusual. On arriving in AK... you will claim a weapon with at least a dozen other folks. It's routine up here.

For a rifle with 20-40 rounds of ammo, I just stick a couple boxes in the rifle case. For a handgun or shotgun with bulkier ammo, I carry it in my other checked luggage.No loose rounds of any type- period...everything is in a box.

 

[Desk Jockey]

finding out the airline requirements, then print a hard copy and put it in your carry on. I have been told I can't do all sorts of things related to firearms by counter agent(s), whip out the requirements and read them back and the problem usually goes away. Also, pack an extra lock(s) in the case, so if the do get cut, it can be replaced, at least for the return trip.

Ditto this. I had the lock snip thing happen going to a pheasant hunting trip. We were pretty far from a big city where we hunted. Hard to find a long shackle lock. I do the master lock thing with two sets of locks and a print of TSA rule sin case you get someone who is not that switched on. In Kansas it is no issues. Flying in and out of New York sucks.

 

[bean outdoors]

I use an SKB case for my bow but it seems everytime i travel with my bow and use TSA locks they break the locks off

 

[N2TRKYS]

I use a heavy duty padlock on my Pelican. Denver airport is the only place that I've been that's not as streamlined. It's funny to me at how serious they try to make it. Only to give your case back for you to walk it, unattended, outside to the oversized baggage drop. Lol