Don't count on the airline you fly or its employees to know or bother with their own rules for flying with firearms (I'm looking at YOU Southwest Air). Bring a paper copy of your Airline's regulations to avoid unacceptable delays and be prepared to be asked to sit on the Group "W" bench in the interim.
This a thousand times. One of the times I flew with firearms, I had a receptionist tell me "Flying with firearms is illegal, I will have to notify the police." Which is why I keep a copy of the TSA and airline regulations in my hand with my ticket when flying with firearms. To speed the understanding along, I highlight the important stuff.
"When preparing your firearm for travel, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it is completely unloaded,"
As opposed to partially unloaded? Gee thanks for that one.
"For boxes that have multiple spots for locks, each location must have a lock."
WRONG. It only has to be sturdy enough to not be opened with conventional means. I flew with a rifle case that has 4 lock slots. I only used 2 locks. No problems at 3 airports.
"They will give you a declaration form."
Also wrong. I have never filled out any forms when traveling with handguns. And on 3 different airlines.
"If you check your firearm separately, you will pick up the box at the airlines’ baggage offices after your flight because it will not come out on the baggage carrousel."
Again, also wrong. I have recovered long rifle cases on the carosel. There is a reason why airlines request the cases be as non descript as possible.