billybob:
The "two locks" thing seems to have come from some counterperson who decided that since the case had holes for two locks, you should have filled them.... Seems to be more than a little goofy.
B J Elliot:
Two trips via AA over the last couple weeks, using one of those cheap flat "gun safe" things that come with a built-in lock and cable if you want to use it. No questions at all.... Couple years ago, at CLE, an agent told me that showing him it was unloaded was just plain silly because most of the staff would have no idea anyway....
I do note that AA wants unloaded magazines. The TSA rules seem to only require that the magazines be in holders that won't "leak". (They really don't want loose ammunition wandering around in your bag.)
DO NOT use a combination or TSA lock on the gun box. While they're not supposed to open your gun case "behind the wall", they still may want to, and a TSA lock or a combination is kinda public at that point. Give 'em a key, and wait until they return it. TSA guy at PIT couple weeks back noted a couple TSA locks on my bag and asked: "Can you give me the combination, or do I have to go find my key?"
That combination might as well be printed on the lock - those things primarily serve to keep things from popping open, and to keep casual lookers out. Good "labels", too - the ones I use are a bit unusual looking. Wouldn't stop a determined chipmunk, though....
The airlines have managed to sort most of this out over the last few years, as more and more people travel with firearms. But you still run into it.... TWICE at DFW, two separate trips, at least a year apart, I ran into a countergal who wasn't quite in the loop. The first one had no idea what I needed to do, and then when I explained the declaration card, had to call somebody to ask where they were.
The second one managed to fumble around long enough to get a supervisor's attention, and she wanted to know why I was bringing a gun along....
DO NOT fail to get that declaration card into the gun box, or onto it. Seems to me that they used to put the card on the OUTSIDE of the gun box, but inside the outer suitcase, but they wanted 'em inside the gun box last trips. I'm getting old
....
Actually, I swear that they had a key for that gun safe - when I got back from TX on Tuesday AM, I found the action closed, and the card under the gun. Seems to me that when I closed it at ELP (El Paso), the action was open, and the card on top.... Could be a failing mind
....
FINALLY, never take a gun you wouldn't mind getting an insurance check for. Probably no worse risk than lost luggage, but you might as well face it....
And that hard plastic case should be sufficient. Simple test, if anybody cares at the airport - just see if you can open it, locks and all, without being a body builder. "Hard plastic" is pretty much what they mean....
Regards,