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Excaliber - take note of the text from the "flying with firearms" section on the AA site, that has changed (regarding TSA locks are now approved), it use to not say that (meaning, it didn't have that part last year, it's fairly new). So, AA policy has changed? Or they (AA) know something we don't? I dunno.

Please bear with me for this long post, in regards to TSA lock / non-TSA lock.

I travelled to Indy, IN, last week with my revolver. Flight out from DFW to IND on AA was easy/typical, declared firearm at counter, filled out the "unloaded firearm" form, counter person got a bag porter, we walked over to TSA, I handed TSA my unlocked case along with bag, he looked in the case (didn't touch the gun) and under the foam, he said "OK" and I locked the case with a non-TSA lock, put the locked case into my bag (oh, he did tape the "unloaded firearm" placard to the outside of the case) and zipped it shut, we talked guns for a few minutes (is that the new one? pricing, etc., very pleasant), good to go.

Arrived IND, got bag, got case out of bag, unlocked it, peeked in (so no one else could see), gun/ammo there. Got rental car, loaded up there.

Good trip in Indy, worth my time.

Flight from IND to DFW was QUITE a bit different. As I was preparing everything at my hotel room that morning I made a conscious decision to put my non-TSA lock in my right shorts pocket instead of a zippered compartment in my briefcase. I return the rental car and discreetly put the revolver into the case (unloaded, of course), grab my bags and head into the terminal, it's a bit of a walk, escalators, etc. I get to the AA counter, declare firearm, agent gives me the form, I sign it, I reach into my pocket for the lock....OOOOOPS....no lock...but what's that????? A hole in my pocket???? Well, the lock went BYE BYE somewhere between the hotel and there. I explained my situation to the agent and he was most helpful - "I'll hold your bags, there are a few stores that sell locks." So, I went to one of the stores in the airport (these were all on the non-secure side) and I bought a lock, a TSA lock, as that's all they sold. That was pretty much my only choice, I did remember reading this on the AA firearms page: "Firearms will only be accepted if unloaded and in a locked, hard-sided container only (for example - rifle case. TSA approved locks are now accepted)." However, when you look at the TSA regs it says what bronco has below. So I'm in a quandry....

Well, back to the counter, all is well, put locked case (with TSA lock) into my bag and here's a twist from SOP at other airports. The agent hands me this form (Checked Firearm Clearance Form) and tells me to ask for the TSA Supervisor at the security checkpoint, they'll radio down to the TSA bag check area and confirm if everything is OK:



So, off to the security checkpoint, I make it through, go to the Supervisor's cubicle, show him the form, he radios down, and then he specifically asks me this: "Does the case have a TSA lock on it?" I answer to the affirmative, he says: "OK, you're good to go." Because I've never dealt with this type of encounter (as I've always had the case and bag in front of a TSA agent and done it that way) I ask again if everything really is OK and he says yes...so, on my merry way. Apparently, if things weren't "OK" and they needed to look in there then I would've been paged and I suppose I'd have to meet them somewhere, open the case, etc....kind of a backwards way to do it.

So, end of story - I arrive at DFW, get my bag and I see the TSA "your bag has been checked" form, get the case out of it, unlock it and discreetly peek into it, yep, still there, hop in the wife's car at curb, discreetly load up, etc. So, that's my experience with a TSA lock on a gun case....something new, it appears? As in so new the TSA hasn't updated its website or just the "way it is" at IND? Either way, glad it worked out for me! Oh, shorts went to the tailor that afternoon for extra heavy-duty new pockets!

bronco78 wrote:

Bob in Big D wrote:You are supposed to declare that you have a firearm in your checked luggage. It has to be in a locked hardsided case with a TSA approved lock.http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformatio ... rearms.jsp

No sir, it specifically CAN NOT be a TSA approved lock. It MUST be a lock only you control accessed to
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... _1666.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
The firearm must be unloaded.
The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from access by anyone other than you.

TSA does RECOMMEND you supply a key, but it's not required, nor has it been an issue on any flight I have been on in the last few years.. (dozens with a firearm)

You simply have to be available to open the case if TSA wants to do a second inspection after the scanner, or do the primary inspection by hand (some Airport TSA sections do it by hand, some by scanner first, just depends)