Locks for hardcase/airplane travel

[Fjold]

Why doesn't it make sense. There saying that any lock is okay, just because they recognize a particular lock doesn't mean they have the key. I think at one time they were requiring a particular TSA approved lock, they did away with that requirement, but you can still use those TSA locks.

It doesn't make sense because the first sentence says "Only the passenger shall retain the key or combination". Then it says TSA locks are OK, which every TSA agent has a key for.

[madland]

When I played paintball back in the day and we were flying all over the country for tournaments we would zip-tie our gear bags. That way if they were cut you knew somebody went thru your bag. Not sure if you could do that now on top of having the case locked.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

When I played paintball back in the day and we were flying all over the country for tournaments we would zip-tie our gear bags. That way if they were cut you knew somebody went thru your bag. Not sure if you could do that now on top of having the case locked.

Nothing says you cant. Only problem I see is it would be tough to get both a padlock AND a zip tie through those holes at the same time.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I use these:



or these:



For the simple reason that I won't have to worry if I lose a key. They also don't weigh nearly as much as the brass versions. With weight being a issue on all airlines now, I don't want something heavy.

I use these as well.

Probably easy to pick, but what locks aren't that are small enough to be used on a small pelican or pelican-style case, long gun case, etc?

I've flown back and forth several times now from Oakland to Las Vegas and have never had a problem. I bought a medium size Pelican knock-ooff from Harbor Freight, ditched al the foam inside and them purchased cheap US Peacekeeper Pistol Cases. I can easily fit 3 full-size handguns in that hard-sided case, with each pistol inside a soft-sided US Peacekeeper case. In addition to locking the outside of the hard-sided case with those non-TSA combo locks I'll lock each soft case with one. The reason I do this is in the event I lose or damage one of the locks on the hard case, these count as spares. It's always a smart idea to carry a spare lock or two for his reason. Would suck not being able to get on a place or miss a flight because of this.

I really like that hard-sided case. If I only fly with one handgun I can also put a lot of stuff in that case incising eye protection, ear pro (in-ears), holster, mag pouch, multi-tool, and even my mags. With three guns I may jsut be able to squeeze my ear pro in there.

Each time I've gone to the airport I'll go to the full-service counter, declared the firearms, fill out the small card which gets taped to the outside of the locked case, which is located inside a hard-sided checked bag. They then tell me to wait around for 15-20 mins before heading through TSA screening in the event that they need me to come back and open the cases. I've never been called back to open the cases, but last time the employee at the full-service counter actually made me open the case, actually take out the firearm and show her the firearm was unloaded with a chamber check and a mag check. I've never had an agent as me to do that, and this was in Oakland. I told her this Wass a first, and here reply was, "Well, I'm old school."

[n8vrmind]

A key that can open many locks is called a master key.... A lock that can be opened by many keys is called a MASTERLOCK.

Fans of lockpickinglawyer on YouTube know that masterlock padlocks are easily opened by individuals with basic tools.

[aspenvalley]

I use TSA locks on my bag with normal brass cases keyed Master locks on my Harbor Freight gun case. My pistol case gets locked in my bag with the TSA locks.

Just pick my bag up without issue. At least on Southwest.

[tony270]

It doesn't make sense because the first sentence says "Only the passenger shall retain the key or combination". Then it says TSA locks are OK, which every TSA agent has a key for.

When I read that my take is that it's referring to the lock ability to be picked. A list of lock models that are approved by TSA. That wording has been like that for a very long time, that's why I bought the cheap master lock sets. They don't have the key, you buy what's on the list, originally it was only approved locks.

You can file a key for really cheap locks, but the master lock master keys have been in circulation for ever and a day, even the combination lock master key.

[madland]

When I played paintball back in the day and we were flying all over the country for tournaments we would zip-tie our gear bags. That way if they were cut you knew somebody went thru your bag. Not sure if you could do that now on top of having the case locked.

Nothing says you cant. Only problem I see is it would be tough to get both a padlock AND a zip tie through those holes at the same time.

Sorry. I should've been more specific. Back then..early 90s..we didn't have to lock our big gear bags. They all had double-zippered compartments so we just zip-tied them so we knew if they had been opened up. One of my teammates biggest concern was getting his pot stolen. So he would stash it inside the barrel of a paintgun which always seemed to work. Lol