TexasCHLforum.com

Jeff B. wrote:

jimlongley wrote:
You were lied to, in several ways.

That may well be. There is a definition on the TSA site pertaining to the security of the container, it seems open to a bit of local interpretation.

The firearm must be in a hard-sided container that is locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft.

From TTAG:

Second, the case. Don’t buy cheap stuff. $15-20 plastic cases from Bass Pro ain’t gonna get the job done. The unwritten standard is that when the case is locked (not latched, but locked; think “someone trying to get in”) that you can’t fit your finger through the gap. (See this picture for a “bad” example.) I firmly believe Pelican (or something very, very similar) is the way to go. They are solid, and darn near bulletproof.

It would seem that the standard for being "pulled open" may vary a bit from place to place and managers influence.

At the time, I wanted to;

- Successfully check my bags (to include said pistol)
- Get back to DFW before the big storms got in

We got both done and the extra locks cost $12.00 (IIRC). Alot cheaper than a hotel if we were delayed and had to stay over.

Jeff B.

I use a small steel locking case similar to the ones sold with a cable for securing to the frame of your car seat. No one is going to create a gap between the halves with anything short of a screwdriver.

I've flown with that rig for over 20 years with no problems. It's a little heavier than the plastic cases, but the security and certainty of being in compliance is worth the extra weight

RetNavy wrote:thanks for all of the advices and stories.... will be flying American so hopefully will not have to prove its unloaded.... sounds like will have to keep the safe close to the top and not buried under all the clothes.....

That is part of the key to easy passage.

The second part is to take the slide off the frame (if a semiauto) because upon opening the security box a quick glance by the agent easily verifies that it is not in operable condition.

The third part is to leave lots of extra time (like an hour), know the rules, be calm, and use clear language:

"I am declaring an unloaded firearm in a secure case and ammunition in its original container in my checked luggage. Please provide me with the required tag so I can sign it and place it inside the suitcase."

This tells them:

- What they need to know
- That you know what needs to be done
- What they need to do if they don't already know

Leaving the extra time takes the stress off of you, helps keep your voice calm, and allows for different procedures (like waiting 20 minutes for someone to escort you from the ticket counter to the TSA luggage screening point).

I've never run into a significant issue when using this approach.