Question about flying with gun

[rich636]

Hi all,

I have flown multiple times with multiple airlines and checked my shotgun in its locked case when I go home for a hunt. It's some variation of the same routine, show that it's unloaded, fill out the card and lock the card in with the case. Well this time I flew Delta, the employee had me fill out the card etc. She said ok, "stick around for 10 minutes in case TSA needs to inspect your case, if they don't come then just go through security and board". It seemed vague but I waited the 10 minutes and then went on, no one came.

I arrive home and 3 of the 4 locks are broken. Only one is securing the case on the end. Inside is a card from TSA saying they inspected the contents and may have needed to break the locks to gain access. They state they are not liable for broken locks. So now my case is useless and my gun was mostly unsecure. I'll call them Monday but have never had this happen. I'm afraid to fly with another gun or case now. Any tips on avoiding getting your stuff ruined?

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[psyopspec]

It seemed vague but I waited the 10 minutes and then went on, no one came.

This was where you went wrong. You shouldn't have left without getting the A-Okay from the counter or the TSA. The reason she asked you to stick around was that they were going to visually inspect the inside of the case and it's contents. With arms, my understanding is that the owner is to be present and control the access for any inspections. This is where they went wrong, doing an inspection without you. However, having notified you that it was going to happen so that you could be present, and then having you not be there, they rightly or wrongly went ahead and did it anyway.

 

[rich636]

Yeah I should've gotten a clearer answer. Typically I have verified it was unloaded in the presence of the airline employee, they place the card in, I lock it in front of them...off it goes. It seems like on the x-ray they would've seen the 870 broken down into two pieces, not likely to fire with barrel no where near the bolt.

 

[X-Rap]

I was faced with this earlier this yr. but the trip was canceled. I had to fly to NYS and pick up a car and was going to hunt in Iowa on my way back.
Not wanting to lose the gun in the various stops and changes I settled on sending it to myself through the mail. I checked with the Post Master and confirmed it was legal and he spelled out the procedure. It seemed less PITA than going through TSA especially since my flight destination was not my hunt destination.

 

[rich636]

X-rap, that's a great idea, is the info available on the USPS website? I feel like TSA isn't saying you can't fly with a firearm but they aren't making it user friendly.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I'd complain to Delta, TSA...and your Congressmen.

FAA regulations are very clear that firearms must be in a locked container. Fines up to $10k for each violation, IIRC. The procedure since TSA stood up has been that you hand-carry the case to them for inspection, then lock it yourself.

TSA prying off the locks put you in a legal trickbag.

Raise Hell with your Congresscritter and both Senators. TSA won't listen to you...but they damned well listen to the people controlling their budget and privileges.

 

[X-Rap]

rich I checked the website and its not spelled out well, talk to your local PM and he/she will lay it out. It seemed the gun had to be dissasembled and checked prior to them recieving so its something that you will want to arrange ahead of time. The one clear law is that they will not send hand guns.
Address to your families add. and attn. yourself and be sure you are the one to pick it up.

 

[rich636]

Mike I will be making calls on Monday. I have a feeling Delta will pass me off to TSA and TSA will handle this with all the compassion and helpfulness of the local DMV. It's strange that I haven't had to lock it in front of TSA the last few years, perhaps I had just been "getting away" with locking it in front of the counter person. I figure they'll make it more and more difficult until people don't bother. I still can't figure out how the x-ray wasn't enough evidence that that there was a non-functional gun locked in there.


X-rap, thanks I'll check it out. Did you actually present them with the broken down firearm in the postal office? I suppose if I go the USPS route at least I can insure it.

 

[shaggy430]

I just got back from a Montana elk hunt and I stood there with the inspector until the gun was inspected. I then locked the case in front of the inspector and he sent it through. No problems.

 

[rich636]

Sounds like I've been doing it wrong, uncorrected, for the last 4 or 5 times then. Next time (if I do it again) I'll just stay with the firearm until the TSA personnel is there in front of me and not take the airlines word for it.

 

[X-Rap]

No my trip was canceled so I will be driving later this winter. My local PM said I would have to present the gun dissasembled and ready for shipment and they would inspect for ammo or any other prohibited items, then the package could be closed and sent on its way. There are signs in the PO depicting a handgun and saying guns are forbiden so as I said I would prearrange your inspection and maybe suggest the back door as an entry point. It is indeed insurable. I would think a pelican case with zip ties in the lock hole and wraped with packing tape should be an ideal container.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've always had the airline customer service rep take me and my bag containing the firearms to TSA who decide how much they want to check my bag.

 

[rich636]

That's been my experience up until now Grizz.

Edit: misunderstood...I've had the airline personnel pass it off to TSA who put it through an xray in the past.

 

[Otto]

You got your gun back right?
There have been many people that have opened up their guns cases only to find them empty. They complain and the TSA and the airlines just shrug their shoulders.

 

[Drail]

If you have to stand around and wait for the TSA you may miss your flight. And they're not responsible for that either. The TSA system has pretty much ruined air travel today. I'll just drive until they get rid of these clowns.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I'll just drive until they get rid of these clowns.

Invest in gasoline stocks then, because they are -never- going away. At least not in our lifetime.