Traveling with hunting gear - TSA Locks

Thegreenyeti · Jul 25, 2017

I just got back from a hog hunting trip from Kansas City to Florida.

I packed my bow in my new SKB hard case, and got a TSA Certified lock for it. Check it in with southwest and it went smoothly.

Upon arrive in Florida. I noticed my lock was gone. I thought it was odd, because it was in fact a TSA lock. I thought maybe they forgot to put it on. Oh well....

I had a great trip and then check in again to return home. I'm told that I NEED to have a TSA lock-in order to check it in. I explain what happened on my first flight, and she said it doesn't matter, get a lock. So I run to the nearby baggage store in the terminal, and buy a new TSA Lock. Check it in, good to go.

Get home to Kansas City, lock is gone again and my case is ****ed up from where they cut/pry it off.

Two TSA Locks.... both cut off.

WTF......

I'm pissed. I just spent almost $300 on this case, and $20 bucks on damn Locks that are gone.

I called TSA. And I can file a complaint but it could take up to 6 months for a resolution if I even get one....

Anyone else have this happen?

N2TRKYS · Jul 25, 2017

TSA has only used my keys to open my case. Did you not talk to someone at the airport where it happened?

Fatcamp · Jul 26, 2017

For firearms you are not supposed to have a lock anyone else can open.

I pack a whole bunch of stuff in a big rifle case for our pistols when we fly. I KNOW that stuff will get there.

Why would they have to cut off a TSA lock? The whole point is that they are keyed universal, and TSA has the master.

Fatcamp · Jul 26, 2017

Access Denied

Put a pistol in it and the problem goes away.

N2TRKYS · Jul 26, 2017

Why would you want a lock that anyone can open?

Shallow Thoughts · Jul 26, 2017

We flew to Indiana to Turkey hunt this year. I just used a hard rifle case with the built in locks for two shotguns. I had to open the case and show the contents at the counter, they threw a piece of paper in (I guess it was to verify, they know firearms are in the case). Then I was told to lock it and make sure I was the only one that had a key to the case. We had no issues going there and back. But, the case with turkey meat, wings and tails was inspected by TSA on the way home.

Ray · Jul 26, 2017

When you use TSA luggage locks on luggage there is no way to verify that the TSA mental midgets working the baggage know that they have a master key for that specific lock. I have had a couple conversations with former TSA supervisors and the keys get lost almost as soon as they come in. There is more than one master key across several lock makers. Who has time for that?

Jpeaston · Jul 26, 2017

I have had the same exact thing happen, I just use a heavy duty zip tie now. All optics are carry on.

bojangles808 · Jul 26, 2017

what would you do with a bow case that has built in tsa locks? just leave it unlocked? i have the skb one

Nickziegler · Jul 26, 2017

I will be flying to Canada for a goat hunt in September. I will be flying with a rifle. I do not have TSA approved locks. Only master locks that I have the keys to. If I get questioned at baggage drop I will show them the piece of paper from the TSA website that clearly states "Only the passenger should retail the key or combination to the lock"

Desk Jockey · Jul 26, 2017

I have had an issue before. I now carry a spare set of locks in the case. I also bought the cheapest TSA approved ones I could find. I figure if they are going to cut them why pay up.

colonel00 · Jul 26, 2017

Big difference between a case with guns and a case with just bows as that is treated as regular baggage.

In either instance, was there one of those TSA cards in the case that said it had been inspected? If not, I'd be raising hell with the airline too.

Fatcamp · Jul 27, 2017

colonel00 said:
Big difference between a case with guns and a case with just bows as that is treated as regular baggage.

In either instance, was there one of those TSA cards in the case that said it had been inspected? If not, I'd be raising hell with the airline too.

That's my point. Put a pistol in the case and declare it as a firearm. Trust me, you can stuff as much shit in that box as you want.

When they scanned our box in Denver full of diving gear, rockhounding equipment, fossils, and two Glock 19s, I thought they were gonna make us open it and search it. After five minutes and a supervisor they decided to just let it pass.

N2TRKYS · Jul 27, 2017

Fatcamp said:
That's my point. Put a pistol in the case and declare it as a firearm. Trust me, you can stuff as much shit in that box as you want.

When they scanned our box in Denver full of diving gear, rockhounding equipment, fossils, and two Glock 19s, I thought they were gonna make us open it and search it. After five minutes and a supervisor they decided to just let it pass.

Who cares if they open it? It ain't a big deal. All they do is walk over to you and ask for your keys. They open the case, look through it then close and lock it. Then they walk out of the room and hand you your keys and you sign their sheet. Use to they would then give you your case and you would take it outside to the oversized luggage dropoff. This Spring they finally had one of their reps take it to the oversized luggage dropoff. Never understood why they would break the chain of custody.

Fatcamp · Jul 27, 2017

It mattered because it was one pound short of the weight limit, and to get it closed my wife had to stand on it. Took awhile in the hotel room to get it all arranged. In DIA, would have been lame. Spear guns, wetsuits, pistols, fossils, hammers, chisels, masks, snorkels. You get the idea.

I told them what was in it, how hard it was to pack, and what a nightmare it would be to get it closed again if they pulled it all out. Thankfully they let it pass.

N2TRKYS · Jul 27, 2017

That has more to do with your packing than it does TSA.

Fatcamp · Jul 27, 2017

N2TRKYS said:
That has more to do with your packing than it does TSA.

Oh ya. I don't dispute that. You asked why it matters. I answered. TSA has inspected my firearms numerous times. In person and by x-ray. Not a big deal.

The point is that if you want to have real locks on cases that can't be opened by random dipshits carry a pistol in the case and declare it. Problem solved.

BKhunter · Jul 27, 2017

When I fly with firearms, I have two master locks that i bolt on. I was thinking of doing the same with my bow. Should I not do this or should I just zip tie the case?

young7.3 · Jul 27, 2017

The girlfriend and I flew to Phoenix and back home from Denver with 2 pistols in a hard case in a luggage bag with 2 tsa locks on it. Not one problem

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aggieland · Jul 27, 2017

Traveling with hunting gear - TSA Locks

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