Flying with Firearms - a cautionary tale

[smle-man]

I just got back from a trip back east where I picked up a C&R long gun and revolver that were waiting for me (I have a C&R license). In order to save myself the hassle of shipping an empty case I just ordered one on Amazon and had it delivered to the location where the firearms were. It was the same case that I had used three previous times with no problems. It isn't a Pelican case by any means but has three lock points and latches.

This time around the TSA rejected the case as being too flexible and with enough pressure and effort could be distorted to allow someone to get their hand into the case.

Fortunately American Airlines worked with me. My wife went on without me and AA rebooked me on a later flight although it cost me another $75.

I was able to round up a ride to a local Dick's sporting goods suggested by the very nice lady at the AA counter, spent $150 on a very rigid case with lock points out the wazoo, and got home by midnight.

Obvious point: use the best darn case you can buy.

postscript: When I got to LAX the case was hand delivered to me at the AA baggage claim office. They were very understanding and let me go into their back office to open the case and make sure the contents were present and in good shape.

I can give kudos to AA staff at both Raleigh and LAX, good folks.

[baggss]

When flying with guns, it's always best to buy a really good case. Not necessarily the most expensive case, but a really good one. I personally have always had luck with Pelican hard sided cases. Yes, they are a bit pricey but they are well built and pretty much indestructible in most instances.

Glad to hear the airline was willing to work with you. Both AA and Delta have afforded me the use of a private space to check my case when returning to LAX in the past.

[Mitch]

Just transported eight long guns in three huge SKB cases from SNA to Louisville for the NRA conference. No issues except that only one of the people working the United check-in "kiosks" knew how to check firearms.

TSA didn't even want to open the cases. Just made sure they were locked.

[morfeeis]

was this in the last week or so, TSA is on union extortion mode right now and is doing anything to slow down lines to increase their funding right now.

[Wnick308]

TSA didn't even want to open the cases. Just made sure they were locked.

Everything I read about flying was that be prepared to open the cases for TSA check and be ready to have some issues from lack of knowledge but when I've flown they only care and check the locks and that's it.

[Eljay]

I've been hearing about a lot of fussiness about cases lately, including if you have a single lock hole that isn't filled by a lock they'll reject it even if there are other locks on the package.

I've flown four times this calendar year and no objections to my double-locked Pelican. It's been opened on two of the four trips, both by request of the airline, not TSA, once because she wanted to put some paperwork INSIDE the locked case which makes no sense. The other because it was the single person who ever has checked that the guns are unloaded, and she wanted me to expose them just enough to show the magwell was empty.

TSA proper I interacted with twice. One airport they swabbed the case while I waited. One they scanned while I waited. The other two trips they had me wait behind a closed door so I don't know what TSA was doing. But TSA never wanted me to undo the locks.

[dwalker]

I just flew from the Bay area (out of Oakland) to Texas and back. I use the same case I have always used, a Boyt H51 that holds my 3-gun tools- AR, Versamax, 2011 and the XDM backup pistol. No issues at all flying Southwest. The reps in both Oakland and Austin were kind enough to put the little firearms tag in the case- which I prefer, no need advertising whats in the case- and were very efficient with checking me through. Neither TSA nor SW really gave even a second glance.
The TSA guys I guess run some sort of sniffer and probably an x-ray over the case to make sure there is no gunpowder or other explosives/contraband and otherwise dont care as long as you have good locks. Never actually had one open a case, although now that I said that I am sure they will the next time I fly.

[Rodell]

I fly a fair amount with my firearms and often use the same case. This one time, the TSA guy said my locks had shackles that were too long and someone could get their hand in there - not that they could get anything out, mind you.

He "let me go" "this one time" and told me he had better not see me again with those locks.

I don't know whose hand could get in there, even a child's, but I bought new locks.

The only place I've ever had TSA look in the gun case is in San Francisco. Everywhere else they don't open it - just swipe it.

[Jimi Jah]

UPS never gives me any problems.

[smle-man]

The first time I flew with a firearm (pre-9/11) the grim faced lady at the ticket counter demanded that I prove to her that the M1 rifle was unloaded. Right here? I asked. Yes, right here! was her reply so I shrugged, pulled the rifle out of the case and racked the action open. It seemed like the whole airport concourse stilled in an instant. She nodded, tight lipped, and I let the action run home and put it back into the case. A cop who had started to move in our direction changed course when he saw the rifle go back into the case.

I've never had anyone make such demands since then in 4 travels with firearms.

[baggss]

UPS never gives me any problems.

True, but that costs money. If you are lucky enough to have status with any airline, the checked bags are free. But even a second or 3rd bag for $25 or $35 is still not that expensive.

That being said, what does UPS charge for shipping, roughly?

The first time I flew with a firearm (pre-9/11) the grim faced lady at the ticket counter demanded that I prove to her that the M1 rifle was unloaded. Right here? I asked. Yes, right here! was her reply so I shrugged, pulled the rifle out of the case and racked the action open. It seemed like the whole airport concourse stilled in an instant. She nodded, tight lipped, and I let the action run home and put it back into the case. A cop who had started to move in our direction changed course when he saw the rifle go back into the case.

I've never had anyone make such demands since then in 4 travels with firearms.

I flew out of LAX on UAL a few years back with my EDC pistol in a case. The UAL counter agent, a small asian woman, decided that she needed to see the gun in the case. Not to check if it was unloaded, but just to see that their was actually a gun in the case. So I opened it up, right there on the counter, in public. She looked like she was going to freak out and puke all at the same time the she saw it. She immediately told me to close and re-lock the case after basically throwing the orange slip of paper into it. She seemed really bothered afterward and did all she could to get me checked in and away from her counter as fast as she could after that.

[TheChief]

The first time I flew with a firearm (pre-9/11) the grim faced lady at the ticket counter demanded that I prove to her that the M1 rifle was unloaded. Right here? I asked. Yes, right here! was her reply so I shrugged, pulled the rifle out of the case and racked the action open. It seemed like the whole airport concourse stilled in an instant. She nodded, tight lipped, and I let the action run home and put it back into the case. A cop who had started to move in our direction changed course when he saw the rifle go back into the case.

I've never had anyone make such demands since then in 4 travels with firearms.

Damnnnnn! That would have been funny!

[sigstroker]

Why the hell would TSA care? The only people that have access would be airline or airport employees? TSA is saying they can't be trusted? Otherwise it's in the cargo hold where nobody can get to it.

[Gryff]

Pelicans are the gold standard, but you pay for them. Personally, I'm a fan of the Guardforce cases because the locks have hasps for padlocks. It seems like the Plano Gun Guard line is a quality discount line, if you are trying to save some money.

Just remember...no TSA locks on gun cases. You're actually required to use a lock that prevents everyone from accessing the case without permission (even TSA).

[Mitch]

I've flown four times this calendar year and no objections to my double-locked Pelican. It's been opened on two of the four trips, both by request of the airline, not TSA, once because she wanted to put some paperwork INSIDE the locked case which makes no sense. The other because it was the single person who ever has checked that the guns are unloaded, and she wanted me to expose them just enough to show the magwell was empty.

The Unloaded Firearms Declaration has to be inside the locked case. That's one thing the TSA did care about. They asked if it was in the case, and when I looked bewildered they sent me back to find the one counter agent who knew about the Declarations.

So, yeah, it's only airline employees (and the travelers) who can certify the guns are unloaded. TSA doesn't even see them.