TSA locks and shipping

[topclass]

This question has also been posted on another forum to gain as much input as possible...

I've shipped my rifle on my ticket more than once in a TSA approved case using TSA locks. TSA locks are flimsy at best and hardly secure the case. My grandson ships his rifle and uses decent masterlocks and has not had his locks cut off or any problems. Both of us have not had issues in shipping rifles back and forth to wherever we are going. We have flown different airlines which have screened our firearms slightly differently...me: I was told to wait while the case was taken to the back; agent came out and said I was good to go. Grandson: was asked to unlock and open case at the counter. Agent inspected it and told him to lock it and he was good to go.

So my question deals more with securing my firearm in its case...should I ditch the TSA approved locks and use a good set of masterlocks like my grandson? Downside? I'm looking for those with experience shipping their firearms on their ticket, not wanting to get into a political debate.

[Ltdave]

shipped in a pelican case a couple of times...

only Detroit to Denver though...

open at the counter in Detroit, put in the "unloaded" tag and locked up with master locks...

walked with a counter agent to the x-ray department (TSA?) in Denver, open before/after x-ray, put in the "unloaded" tag and locked up with master locks...

[Wile E Coyote]

From the TSA:

Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations.

Don't use TSA locks. Only the passenger traveling with the firearm should be able to open the case.

You also must check the cased unloaded firearm and declare it at check in.

[Neil H]

Just to add a little bit more.

When you check your bag you have to declare that you have a firearm(s) show that it is unloaded and include the declaration card (signed by you and the ticket agent) in the case. Lock it back up with Non-TSA locks. You keep have the keys to it. You need a lock for every hole designed for a lock, some cases have 1,2 or maybe 4, each one needs a lock.

Also depending on the airport (like Chicago) you may have to be escorted down to the TSA and wait for them to scan your bag, sometimes they may ask you to open it and other times they don't.

Usually at smaller airports you don't have to get escorted to TSA so stay near the ticket counter for 5-10 minutes to make sure that TSA doesn't need you to open the case when they scan it. A lot of the times the ticket agent will go back and check and let you know when it clears.

They will double tag your bag, the second tags let them know NOT to put it on the baggage claim carousel, you will have to go to the claim department for that airline to pick it up. When you pick it up it will probably have big zip ties around you case. This was after the shooting in Texas when the guy opened his bag and started shooting people in the airport.

[topclass]

all very helpful information. Thank you!

[ShootWithStyle]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=56991

[topclass]

great link to previous thread on the subject.

One thing I see repeated is mention of a "unloaded firearm certificate". I have flown out of Oakland Airport (CA) and Dallas TX (Love Field) and have never been asked to fill out the form/certificate. I have just declared my firearm to be unloaded, no ammo in the case, and that's been that.

[nglitz]

Ammo may be inside the same case as the firearm, so long as it is in a "factory" container. This seems to mean no baggies. Any cardboard or plastic container (MTM, etc.) suffices. Done it many times.

I've read of one guy that puts filled magazines in the case, but they need to be taped over the business end or something similar. Never tried that, no desire to.

No TSA locks.

[randy1952]

From the TSA:

Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations.

Don't use TSA locks. Only the passenger traveling with the firearm should be able to open the case.

You also must check the cased unloaded firearm and declare it at check in.

Their are TSA personnel that don't even keep track of the keys to open these locks, so I think it is a waste to get locks that are TSA locks.