Question; case locks for airline travel.

[berettaprofessor]

Soon to fly first time, KC to Anchorage (through Chicago) with my sons shotgun and a Bearcat to gift to a grandson. Bought a 1720 Pelican case I intend to check in KC for transport, but need to buy locks. I understand they should NOT be TSA locks. Would you recommend keyed locks or combo locks? Any other advice that I’m missing?

 

[Otto]

You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
But I highly recommend placing an Apple AirTag hidden in the foam padding to track it's location...it's not perfect but it's better than nothing.
I do this with all luggage.
Since your transporting two firearms, I would run a cable lock through both trigger guards connecting the guns together.

 

[Old Dog]

I use standard Master key locks. BTW, good choice on the case.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I've had TSA make me remove TSA-approved locks from gun cases and replace with non TSA-approved locks. (I've used both Brinks and Master. My preference is for keys.)

Their reasoning, and it kind of makes sense, is that, if you read the rules on your airline's website, you are the only person allowed to have access to the firearms. No one else. TSA inspects the opened case, you lock it, you retain the key (or combo). A TSA-approved lock has a small key slot in it. There is a set of "master keys" at every TSA point that allows TSA to unlock luggage for visual inspection. Subsequently, every TSA agent has access to your guns., thus, no TSA-approved locks allowed on gun cases in checked baggage.

Now, have people flown with guns using TSA-approved locks? I'm sure they have. Does every TSA agent know all of the rules? I highly doubt it.

Also, good call on the gun case. I once found a rifle on the side of the taxiway; it had fallen off a baggage cart. Cheap wal-mart special case. Broken completely open. Protected the gun, but I'm sure someone had to duct tape it back together to continue its journey.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Keyed locks. Keep two copies of the keys...one on your key ring, the other in your carry-on bag. My own international travel case is a custom two-decker by ICC.

 

[rabid wombat]

All of the above - separately, look at the issues if you get stuck in Chicago. With the airlines today…plan out your contingencies….

 

[edwardware]

Soon to fly first time, KC to Anchorage (through Chicago)

. . . look at the issues if you get stuck in Chicago. . .

If you get to stuck in Chicago, DON'T pick up your check bags. Go to where your going, and let the airline deliver them.

Any keyed lock will do. It's theater, not security, so just check the box.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I've locked my guns with TSA-recognized padlocks for nearly 20 years with absolutely zero problems at many airports nationwide.

"You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks." -- https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

 

[Old Dog]

It is perfectly legal to fly into O'Hare or Midway with legally possessed firearms, unloaded and secured per TSA and airline regs, in one's checked baggage. In fact, if you are coming into Illinois and bringing a firearm, simply ensure you're up to speed on IL laws for transporting the firearm in a vehicle.

 

[berettaprofessor]

But I highly recommend placing an Apple AirTag hidden in the foam padding to track it's location...it's not perfect but it's better than nothing.
I do this with all luggage.
Since your transporting two firearms, I would run a cable lock through both trigger guards connecting the guns together.

Thanks, all for the info....I will NOT pick up the firearm in Chicago if there's a problem and I will definitely follow both of the pieces of advice above.

Yeah the Pelican is a great case. Just wish the replacement foams were cheaper so I could have a few "custom" inserts!

 

[herrwalther]

Use whichever locks you prefer. All depends on what you personally can keep track of better, a key or combination.

 

[lightman]

I would use a combination lock in order to reduce the stuff in my pockets. I would set the combination to something that I could relate to, like 4895 or 4064, ect.