TSA locks for Pelican 1750

[MattB]

You always have the option - I have flown all over the country with my rifle, maybe 50 or so flights and have never used a TSA approved lock on my gun case. Get to the airport 20 min early if you think you need to - well worth it. I have never had them inspect it behind closed doors. I have always been there and been able to watch them do it.

No, you don't always have the option. Most airports have the TSA screening in a public area but a number only have it behind closed doors. If you were to search this site for similar threads, you could pull together a list of major airports that only do TSA screening in the back room. San Jose, CA and Philidelphia, PA are two that I recall from past threads.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

No, you don't always have the option. Most airports have the TSA screening in a public area but a number only have it behind closed doors. If you were to search this site for similar threads, you could pull together a list of major airports that only do TSA screening in the back room. San Jose, CA and Philidelphia, PA are two that I recall from past threads.

I flown in and out of both of those with no issue.

 

[MattB]

I flown in and out of both of those with no issue.

You had the TSA screen your baggage in a public area in San Jose?

 

[PredatorSlayer]

You had the TSA screen your baggage in a public area in San Jose?

They let me in the room with them. I watched them go through my gun case. I lived in the Bay Area for 7 years and flew in and out of San Jose, Oakland or SFO regularly with firearms. Denver does the same thing. They have a room that they let you watch them go through your firearms if they feel like they need to.

 

[OMB]

There is no way in hell I would ever use TSA locks. I dont want anybody messing with my firearms unless I am watching them.

As I interpret the actual TSA regulations, and have had them articulated to me, the only person who should be in possession of the keys to the locks on your gun case is you (the owner.) I've had a few airports where TSA agents wanted my keys to open the case and every single time I insist on coming with them and opening the case myself. It can be a pain in the ass, but I always allow myself plenty of time when flying with weapons, it's not that hard.

 

[OMB]

No, you don't always have the option. Most airports have the TSA screening in a public area but a number only have it behind closed doors. If you were to search this site for similar threads, you could pull together a list of major airports that only do TSA screening in the back room. San Jose, CA and Philidelphia, PA are two that I recall from past threads.

Cincinnati TSA always said they could take my keys, no problem, and I always insisted that it was not legal for them to do so. I could obviously be wrong, but every time they'd bring me downstairs into the screening room so I could open the case and watch them inspect it.

Side note; I'm declaring two shotguns, have Global Entry, you've X-rayed my case, what could I possibly be trying to smuggle into Minot, North Dakota?

 

[MattB]

As I interpret the actual TSA regulations, and have had them articulated to me, the only person who should be in possession of the keys to the locks on your gun case is you (the owner.)

That was the case until they allowed TSA-recognized locks for firearms which contradicted and effectively negated that concept (although that statement still exists in the TSA policy). You can’t both require the passenger to be the only one in possession of the key/combo and allow TSA locks for which people other than the passenger have the generic key.

Another example of government ineptitude…

 

[Chipnalong]

So to the people who said not to use tsa locks ? Birmingham airport would only check the case in the back room . I had to give my keys to the check in lady for tsa as they where going to cut my locks ? When I left Idaho they didn’t even look a my case . What was I supposed to do in this situation ?

 

[hflier]

So to the people who said not to use tsa locks ? Birmingham airport would only check the case in the back room . I had to give my keys to the check in lady for tsa as they where going to cut my locks ? When I left Idaho they didn’t even look a my case . What was I supposed to do in this situation ?

I use non TSA combination locks. If they want it opened they will have to talk to me. No way I am using a TSA lock on a gun worth several thousand dollars. Airlines say do not use TSA locks, TSA says use TSA locks. Morons.


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[MattB]

I have the same case and use 4 combination locks with my phone number written on the case. That way I can be contacted if something comes up where they need to inspect again. The TSA rule is that the case needs to be "secured" and not allow access to the firearm so two locks would likely be sufficient, but for the cost of two locks I'd rather not argue. having my rifle make it on the plane and to the final destination is my #1 priority.


Bonus Tip: Keep a knife or cutting device in another checked bag. A few years ago I arrived in MT with a monster zip tie around my gun case. All my knives and sharp things were in the rifle case. Ended up melting the zip tie off with a lighter. It was a mess.

Not sure if it is the TSA regulation or not, but I know of people who TSA has required to have lock on every place that will accept a lock. Better safe than sorry.

 

[MattB]

You always have the option - I have flown all over the country with my rifle, maybe 50 or so flights and have never used a TSA approved lock on my gun case. Get to the airport 20 min early if you think you need to - well worth it. I have never had them inspect it behind closed doors. I have always been there and been able to watch them do it.

My local airport (San Jose) inspects behind closed doors. They have always told me to hang out at check in for 20 minutes in case they need my keys but I have never had to.

There is another member here who is adamant he has demanded to be present when his case was inspected at airports like SJ, but frankly I am not wired to have it my way no matter what- and it has worked out just fine.

 

[KChunter71]

Not sure if it is the TSA regulation or not, but I know of people who TSA has required to have lock on every place that will accept a lock. Better safe than sorry.

Yes if the case has a lock hole, you better have one on it.

 

[doc holiday13]

Weird question , if the tsa checks your case before you fly why would they need to get back into the case afterwards ?

They shouldn't be.. The whole point of the process is that once TSA checks your gun, you're the one who seals it up and it should not be attempted to be opened.

 

[Dos Perros]

I feel like this is an annually recurring topic with the same wrong information presented each time.

Folks flying with firearms should review the TSA website themselves: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

[displacedtexan]

I feel like this is an annually recurring topic with the same wrong information presented each time.

Folks flying with firearms should review the TSA website themselves: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

You really think that the TSA regulations hold more weight than a story your buddy heard on a podcast and told you about?

 

[Tmo2295]

I hear a lot more people using their own locks and declaring the weapon, compared to people using tsa locks and just dropping it off

 

[rayporter]

You always have the option - I have flown all over the country with my rifle, maybe 50 or so flights and have never used a TSA approved lock on my gun case. Get to the airport 20 min early if you think you need to - well worth it. I have never had them inspect it behind closed doors. I have always been there and been able to watch them do it.

if memory serves, we were on the way home from alaska and
i demanded to be present to give the key to an agent and observe the opening of the gun case. the fat short chic told me that i could sit and wait or she would not check the case.
take my choice.

 

[displacedtexan]

if memory serves, we were on the way home from alaska and
i demanded to be present to give the key to an agent and observe the opening of the gun case. the fat short chic told me that i could sit and wait or she would not check the case.
take my choice.

So she was willing to accommodate your demand.

Despite being short AND fat.

 

[ND_Hooligan]

Do you guys really believe that once the firearm case is checked in, and if there is somebody working at the airport that really wants access to your firearm, that just because you use non-TSA locks it will stop them? I have flown both with and without using TSA locks and by no means want to say whoever chooses to go either route is right or wrong. Do whatever makes you most comfortable. The only bad experience I've had is having to be tracked down in the terminal in order to provide TSA a key to open a non-TSA lock so they could further inspect the firearms. This almost caused us to miss a flight and I have since chosen to use TSA locks to lessen the likelihood of complications. Only my opinion but it is what has worked best for me.

 

[bsnedeker]

Do you guys really believe that once the firearm case is checked in, and if there is somebody working at the airport that really wants access to your firearm, that just because you use non-TSA locks it will stop them? I have flown both with and without using TSA locks and by no means want to say whoever chooses to go either route is right or wrong. Do whatever makes you most comfortable. The only bad experience I've had is having to be tracked down in the terminal in order to provide TSA a key to open a non-TSA lock so they could further inspect the firearms. This almost caused us to miss a flight and I have since chosen to use TSA locks to lessen the likelihood of complications. Only my opinion but it is what has worked best for me.

Do you lock the doors of your house at night? Do you think that will stop someone who really wants to break into your house? You may as well leave the door wide open because they can get in if they want to.

Am I following your logic correctly?

TSA locks are easily opened by anyone with a TSA key. Non-TSA locks are much more difficult to get around. Is it going to stop a determined thief? No. Is it going to deter a casual thief? Absolutely.

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