Flying To Florida...What Do I Do??

[OldMac]

My last flight from Miami involved a delta counter guy that insisted that the non tsa lock on the gun case had to remain open when we put it in the big bag. I showed him the rules for delta and tsa but he insisted that I do not lock it and he wouldn't get a supervisor. After I shut the padlock, he went ballistic and fetched some help. They corrected him, locked my outer bag with the tsa lock and sent us on our way. Stick to your guns literally. Delta required the ammo in the inner gun bag. I was not going to let that package out of my sight unlocked. Now I include the additional cable lock thru the action in case some idiot takes it to the back without my consent before it gets locked.

 

[NavyLCDR]

IMHO, you can't put a non-TSA lock on the outer case. They will cut it off if somebody decides that they want to paw your undies....

You can (read SHOULD) use a non-TSA lock for your gun case itself.

First paragraph is correct. TSA will cut the locks off the outer luggage if they want to inspect the suitcase and they did inspect my suitcase when I flew with my gun.

Last sentence should read Federal Regulations require the use of a non-TSA lock(s) for your gun case itself. It is against Federal Regulations for anyone, other than the gun's owner, to have access to the key or combo to the lock. If TSA wants the gun case opened, they must notify you and you must open the case for them. Anything less is against Federal Regulations, including giving the key to a TSA agent to open the lock.

 

[bearcreek]

Wow! This is getting more complicating every minute!

It's really not as bad as it sounds, at least it hasn't been for me. Allow yourself 30 min extra for check in. Look up your airline's policy on firearms and follow it. This http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/ website was mentioned earlier. I highly recommend it. They even grade the various airlines on their firearms policies. The whole process is kind of stupid IMO. When you declare a firearm they send your bag through extra screening. If you really had something you wanted to hide, why on earth would you put it in a bag that was guaranteed to get additional screening?

 

[c1ogden]

First paragraph is correct. TSA will cut the locks off the outer luggage if they want to inspect the suitcase and they did inspect my suitcase when I flew with my gun.

I never used TSA locks as I don't trust them anymore than I trust any other stranger. NJ is always a problem anyway and in the Flying Armed training we were told to always contact the airline's ground security coordinator. I have always done that even when the guns were in a checked bag and I usually fly Continental. The GSC has always stayed with my bag until TSA cleared it and put it on the conveyor belt to the plane. When they wanted to open it he asked for my key and opened it for them. I don't know if it was coincidence or deliberate but they always opened my bag in an area where I could see them. The only times they have wanted to open my bag was when I had a laptop in it.

 

[N003k]

On a semi-related note...(I'm also flying to florida, and bringing firearms with me), I just got a pelican 1500 to use for the guns, and was thinking about getting two of these locks: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-4...KX/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1318264818&sr=8-10

Would those be good? bad? Some better option? I'm just thinking large strong locks that'd be a PITA for anyone without the key to get through.

 

[Birch Knoll]

I think I'd be a little concerned about whether the lock shackle will fit the case hasps. Remember that no matter how large or strong your locks are, a Dremel cutoff tool will make quick work of those hasps.

 

[NavyLCDR]

On a semi-related note...(I'm also flying to florida, and bringing firearms with me), I just got a pelican 1500 to use for the guns, and was thinking about getting two of these locks: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-40...264818&sr=8-10

Would those be good? bad? Some better option? I'm just thinking large strong locks that'd be a PITA for anyone without the key to get through.

Does it really make sense to put those kind of locks on a PLASTIC case? Sure, a thief may think twice about cutting those locks, but why not just take a sawzall to those little plastic hinges on the other side and have the case open in <1 minute?

 

[N003k]

I'm figuring most thieves in the back areas dont carry sawzalls around, I'm more worried about one that might have a lock cutter and just quickly cut it and be done fast.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Along the same thinking, couldn't they just use the bolt cutters to cut the little plastic hinges on the other side?

 

[bearcreek]

Besides, every common metal gun case i've ever seen would be just as easy as a Pelican case to get into with a sawzall. If someone is that determined and has that much time and tools there's not much you're going to be able to do anyway.

 

[Dan Bear]

Or they could just take the whole case

 

[TriTone]

Whatever you take, make sure you still have the receipt and all for it, in case of misfortune.

I reccomend a small pelican case with two differently keyed locks.

 

[N003k]

Ya know Navy, I (quite foolishly) didn't even think of that Well, hopefully it just wont matter outright.

And tritone, that's exactly what I'm doing. Pelican 1500 (since I'm bringing two handguns down), and two padlocks of some sort. I also am going to record the serial numbers, make, and model on a piece of paper I'll carry with me for both the guns, and take pictures of everything in my case at the time of inspection at the check in counter.

Danbear, the suitcases I use actually have metal supports inside that I think I might cable lock the whole case to. Figure at least make them work for it if they want it.

 

[Hugo]

I think the crooked baggage handlers (note not all of them are crooks) don't have much time to work on opening a bag. They're in a rush to get it on the plane so they probably only try for 60 seconds or so. Not enough time to use a sawzall.

Pelican cases are kind of plastic but very tough and should work fine.

The whole bag is the gun case, not guns in a smaller case inside. Watch the talk by Deviant Ollam he travels to conferences weekly with firearms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGjddG5Owsc

Also the best way is to use a small/medium trunk that you put the real padlocks (non-TSA) onto so it holds your firearms and some clothing/laptop/camera all in one secure container. Might be at the 50 LB limit but oh well. This way the trunk keeps your firearms and any other contents safe.

 

[PBR Streetgang]

I purchased a aluminum take down shotgun case for air travel. I usually remove the slide off the frame of my handgun before arriving and declaring it at the airline counter. It's less scary to the employees. You're going to pay for taking a case with you no matter what size. This case doesn't scream "GUN" but is big enough that someone that might be loading the luggage isn't going to have a idea of putting it under his jacket and walking away with it. I also have two padlocks that I place on the case after the TSA inspection....and yes that orange firearms tag goes "INSIDE of the case...not on the outside for everyone to see!