For those who have declared firearms at the airport...

[jmace57]

I flew back to Houston from Colorado Springs two days ago. Just to be extra careful, I brought a printout of TSA rules, United Airlines rules and Continental Airlines rules (as it was a code share) to give to the agent if necessary. I went to the check in area and said (as I was the only person in line) "I have firearms to declare in my checked baggage".

The agent seemed completely confused by this - she pulled out a book and started referring to it. Eventually she pulled out an "orange tag" and asked me to sign and date it. I had my suitcase unlocked, the hard case with 2 TSA-approved locks unlocked with 2 pistols inside - in preparation to show they were unloaded. She said "TSA needs to look at this" and picked up the suitcase and handed it to the TSA folks right next to us. They ran it through an x-ray machine, and apparently were so incompetent they didn't even notice the 2 pistols in the bag. The United agent said "there were firearms in that bag". They seemed sort-of surprised and I held up the orage declaration tag that is supposed to be inside the locked carrying case. I said "I have the tag here that is supposed to be in the bag with the guns"...and they said "too late - it's already gone" and they had pulled it off the x-ray and sent it straight to the plane.

My boardiing pass, Kindle, keys and other stuff were in the bag. I was under the impression they (TSA) would be opening the bag, verify the guns were unloaded, let me put in the orange tag, let me lock the hard-sided case, and lock my suitcase. Nope, just sent to the plane without them noticing a thing.

I will say I was very pleased to find when I picked up the bag in Houston that my pistols (and Kindle, and everything else) were still in my suitcase. But, what a screwed up bunch of people. I have been thinking of sending something to the TSA, but I don't want to have them make it difficult, but jeez....

[terryg]

I have been thinking of sending something to the TSA, but I don't want to have them make it difficult, but jeez....

Yeah, wouldn't want to make things difficult for the TSA, they might begin to think that they are just playing a part in the security theater ...

[WolfeJager]

Some Good Information here. I will take note next time I fly.

[sjfcontrol]

the hard case with 2 TSA-approved locks unlocked with 2 pistols inside.

You do realize the hard-cases are to be locked with NON-TSA locks, right? It's supposed to be locks which only you can open.

[jmace57]

So, I guess the TSA lock should go on the SUITCASE lock...and regular locks on the hard-sided case?

I had read this article (granted, not an official site) http://www.thegunzone.com/flying.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the author showed the TSA locks on his hard-sided case.

Thanks

[sjfcontrol]

I think if you check the TSA site, you'll see that is correct. TSA locks on the regular suitcase, private locks on the gun case.

[austin-tatious]

Here's a web page dedicated to this subject ...
http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/accounts.html

Enjoy.

[bilgerat57]

Some time back, I had occasion to fly from Houston to South Carolina. I printed out the TSA regs before hand and folded them up and placed them in my gun case. I field stripped my 1911 and locked it in the case. I had one box of ammo in the manufacturers box inside the case as well. Arriving at the airport in Houston, things went smooth as silk. I declared, opened for verification, closed, locked and placed the case inside my checked bag. No problem at all. Returning from South Carolina, I followed the same procedure, only to be informed at the airport that they were confiscating my ammunition. I spent the next hour, exercising what little tact and patience I had left (I had just buried my father and wasn't real happy), before I finally got a supervisor with TSA to come out and talk to me. After showing him the print out from their web page and my original flight stubs from Houston, I was allowed to keep the ammunition. Bottom line here; 1 - Know the procedures involved. 2 Document the procedures involved. 3 - Keep your cool.
TSA is not an agency I am overly impressed with (for a variety of reasons) and as with any new agency, the growing pains will be suffered more by their victims than by them. The only way you will win any dispute with them is with cold hard facts. The minute you lose your cool, they label you as disruptive and they are allowed to exercise control of you in ANY way they think fit in the name of national security.

[TexasTransplant]

I believe you need to have a TSA lock on the outside of your bag. I have always had one, so I'm not sure what happens if you do not.

Are you saying that you have a locked container inside your regular luggage, then you lock the luggage with a TSA-approved lock?

[RHenriksen]

I believe you need to have a TSA lock on the outside of your bag. I have always had one, so I'm not sure what happens if you do not.

Are you saying that you have a locked container inside your regular luggage, then you lock the luggage with a TSA-approved lock?

My luggage is a steel 81mm mortar case, and the pistol(s) are locked inside of it (along with my clothes, toiletries, camera, etc) with a NON-TSA lock. Once in a while you get a confused airline staffer or TSA agent who are so used to seeing a small lockbox inside of a conventional piece of luggage, that they'll try to tell me I can't fly that way. I've always resolved those misunderstandings amicably and to my satifaction.

[rdcrags]

they were confiscating my ammunition.

Hasn't happened yet to me. Just shows how confused they can be. As I said before, allow more time and be ready for anything.

[GhostTX]

I believe you need to have a TSA lock on the outside of your bag. I have always had one, so I'm not sure what happens if you do not.

Are you saying that you have a locked container inside your regular luggage, then you lock the luggage with a TSA-approved lock?

This is what I do. TSA lock for the suitcase. Good Masterlock for my small hard cases in the suitcase.

From TSA's site:

The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
TSA inspects all firearm cases at the ticket counter. Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If travelers are not present and the security officer must open the container, TSA or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked.
The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1188.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Q. What is the proper lock that I should use to secure my hard-sided firearms case?
A. Travelers can use a single key or combination lock to which only the traveler has the key or combination, or a TSA-recognized lock. For more information about traveling with firearms, please read our Firearms and Ammunition Web page.

Q. Are TSA-recognized locks permitted for securing firearms in a hard-sided case?
A. Yes. For more information, please visit Traveling with Special Items.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/e ... 029.shtm#3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sjfcontrol]

Q. What is the proper lock that I should use to secure my hard-sided firearms case?
A. Travelers can use a single key or combination lock to which only the traveler has the key or combination, or a TSA-recognized lock. For more information about traveling with firearms, please read our Firearms and Ammunition Web page.

Q. Are TSA-recognized locks permitted for securing firearms in a hard-sided case?
A. Yes. For more information, please visit Traveling with Special Items.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/e ... 029.shtm#3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OK -- that's news to me. I've always thought TSA locks were not allowed on the hard-case. Guess I've made my first mistake!

[CEOofEVIL]

Hmmm very interesting stuff. I wonder why exactly the TSA allows either or? Personally, I feel safer with a Non-TSA lock on the Suitcase/luggage that the Locked Container containing the Firearm is in, simply because it makes me feel a bit better that no one is going to "disappear" the gun out of my suitcase. Its good to know that there is a degree of flexibitly in the regulations though, as it seems to provide a choice based on preference to the owner of the gun/traveler.

[RHenriksen]

Hmmm very interesting stuff. I wonder why exactly the TSA allows either or? Personally, I feel safer with a Non-TSA lock on the Suitcase/luggage that the Locked Container containing the Firearm is in, simply because it makes me feel a bit better that no one is going to "disappear" the gun out of my suitcase. Its good to know that there is a degree of flexibitly in the regulations though, as it seems to provide a choice based on preference to the owner of the gun/traveler.

Many people use a cable lock to secure their smaller hard case within the suitcase, if there's some suitably strong anchor point - like the housing for the extending handle in a lot of rolling luggage.