TexasCHLforum.com

That isn't how things have worked when I've flown with my gun(s), but I've flown only on Southwest. The guns were in a locked hard case inside a larger bag. I checked the bag and told the ticket agent it contained a firearm. She gave me the card to fill out and took it back and put it in the bag. The bag was not conspicuously marked - it looked like all the others. She put it on the conveyor and it dropped out of sight down the ramp. The next time I saw it was at the destination airport checked baggage pick up, all safe and sound. I don't know whether it received any higher security attention, but I think I would rather have stealth. A shiny, hard case with an special tag just screams, 'Gun!' In my own humble opinion, it's better to disappear into the masses, same as carrying a concealed handgun.

And, being originally a Texas airline, Southwest may just have a more mature attitude towards firearms.