Gun Case Pried Open AA Flight DFW to East Coast

[steveincowtown]

I always bring a few guns with me when I travel. I have done this for years with zero problems.

I flew out of DFW yesterday, headed to VA. At this particular airport they require ID to collect firearms (long guns).When I arrived I went to collect my luggage and immediately noticed that both latches had been undone and someone had try to pry open both ends (this case has a lock at each end that is set appx. 5" from the end). I immediately went to the baggage office and opened the case in front of them so that I could verify nothing was missing.

Very, very disappointed in my airline, DFW, and the destination airport. When did someone have the time to do this? Where would someone do this that they would not be caught?

[Dave2]

Did they get anything?

Also, since that is not normal wear & tear, I think the airline might be liable for the damages.

[steveincowtown]

Did they get anything?

Also, since that is not normal wear & tear, I think the airline might be liable for the damages.

They did not. It was a shotgun case in which I had an AR15 in the middle, a Glock at each end, and holsters/ammo between the Glocks and the end. I intend on duct taping the ends after the TSA inspects it on the way back. I will also be looking for a new case.

[gigag04]

Did they get anything?

Also, since that is not normal wear & tear, I think the airline might be liable for the damages.

They did not. It was a shotgun case in which I had an AR15 in the middle, a Glock at each end, and holsters/ammo between the Glocks and the end. I intend on duct taping the ends after the TSA inspects it on the way back. I will also be looking for THEM TO BUY ME a new case.

FYP

[steveincowtown]

Did they get anything?

Also, since that is not normal wear & tear, I think the airline might be liable for the damages.

They did not. It was a shotgun case in which I had an AR15 in the middle, a Glock at each end, and holsters/ammo between the Glocks and the end. I intend on duct taping the ends after the TSA inspects it on the way back. I will also be looking for THEM TO BUY ME a new case.

FYP

This issue is the case wasn't broken. They opened the latches and then just pried open each end. As soon as I latched it back and it sat in the hot trunk for 1/2 a day, all was back to normal. I have emailed Customer Service, and they did inform me that this issue would be handle directly by the VP of Operations.

If they are like most large companies, I am sure they have a VP for everything.

[RoyGBiv]

Did they get anything?

Also, since that is not normal wear & tear, I think the airline might be liable for the damages.

They did not. It was a shotgun case in which I had an AR15 in the middle, a Glock at each end, and holsters/ammo between the Glocks and the end. I intend on duct taping the ends after the TSA inspects it on the way back. I will also be looking for a new case.

After TSA inspects the case, they will not allow you to touch it before it arrives at your destination. At least that's been my experience. I like to add a TSA-compliant lock to my soft luggage after the "gun" inspection. I've always had to give the lock to the TSA agent for them to put on.

Also.... If I were you, I would have taken some photos of the pried case and filed a report with both airport police agencies (VA and DFW)... Attempted theft of your luggage contents is a crime. Attempted theft of your firearms while in transit on an airline is probably a Federal crime. I would most certainly not trust the Airline to investigate this without also informing the police. One of those airports has a thief for an employee... YMMV

[steveincowtown]

After TSA inspects the case, they will not allow you to touch it before it arrives at your destination. At least that's been my experience. I like to add a TSA-compliant lock to my soft luggage after the "gun" inspection. I've always had to give the lock to the TSA agent for them to put on.

My experience is that they will not let you open it. I always insist that I lock the case myself after they are done inspecting it. I'll update tomorrow when I fly back.

I did take some pics and did report it. Since nothing was actually broken on the case I am sure they will chock it up to the latches catching on something and opening in transit.

[k6gixx]

I would suggest an aluminum or steel case if at all possible. The plastic cases are too easy to break into. My partner said his brother had his brand new XDm stolen when flying from DFW back to the Peoples Republik of Commiefornia. They simply used a knife or a box cutter and cut a hole in the top of the box, removed the firearm and magazines then stuffed the leftovers in another ladies samsonite going to CHICAGO and that was that. This happened 2 months ago and the airlines are still fighting replacing it for him

[C-dub]

Also.... If I were you, I would have taken some photos of the pried case and filed a report with both airport police agencies (VA and DFW)... Attempted theft of your luggage contents is a crime. Attempted theft of your firearms while in transit on an airline is probably a Federal crime. I would most certainly not trust the Airline to investigate this without also informing the police. One of those airports has a thief for an employee... YMMV

I was thinking about this and was sure that Steve would have done that. However, I'm now thinking that if and when I do ever fly with a gun that I will take pictures of the case after checking it in before they take it away or it goes back into the larger bag. Maybe even get one with the airline person or TSA agent in the photo. And then e-mail the pictures to myself and or someone else before going through the security checkpoint.

[RoyGBiv]

I'm reading this thread...

I've never been asked to open the metal case containing my gun. Not by the ticket counter folks and not by TSA. I always just assumed that TSA could see the gun clearly when they ran the bag through their x-ray and they didn't need to see more than they saw. I typically secure a tie wrap through the barrel before I lock the gun in the case. I always assumed it was visible in the x-ray.? Other than swiping the outside of the case and checking for explosives residue, TSA has not fondled my gun case in any way that I thought was excessive or in any way that I thought would indicate any suspicion (of me, by them)...

It sounds like other folks have had to open the gun case at various times? Not me...

Sorry to be off topic...

I still would have made a stink, and made a report about my gun case being pried during transit.

[E.Marquez]

I'm reading this thread...

I've never been asked to open the metal case containing my gun. Not by the ticket counter folks and not by TSA. I always just assumed that TSA could see the gun clearly when they ran the bag through their x-ray and they didn't need to see more than they saw. I typically secure a tie wrap through the barrel before I lock the gun in the case. I always assumed it was visible in the x-ray.? Other than swiping the outside of the case and checking for explosives residue, TSA has not fondled my gun case in any way that I thought was excessive or in any way that I thought would indicate any suspicion (of me, by them)...

It sounds like other folks have had to open the gun case at various times? Not me...

Sorry to be off topic...

I still would have made a stink, and made a report about my gun case being pried during transit.

It just depends (and like a depends, it's full of ............never mind)
I can not count how many times I've flown with hand guns...many dozens..... and I've only had to present the case for TSA inspection once, Atlanta GA. All other times it was x-rayed and that's it.

[gigag04]

I've been asked to open the case and show clear once.

I was baffled - and curious if the ticket agent knew a thing about firearms or not.

It's kind of funny that I open carry a .45 all day long an work, but all of a sudden I'm seen in plain clothes with a pocket pistol on the airport and I get looks.

Interested to see what my trip to MA, CT, and NY in the August, and possibly DC in Sept will involve while carrying.

[C-dub]

I've been asked to open the case and show clear once.

I was baffled - and curious if the ticket agent knew a thing about firearms or not.

It's kind of funny that I open carry a .45 all day long an work, but all of a sudden I'm seen in plain clothes with a pocket pistol on the airport and I get looks.

Interested to see what my trip to MA, CT, and NY in the August, and possibly DC in Sept will involve while carrying.

Be REAL careful up there. They don't care that you are a LEO and are even less impressed that you are from Texas. And we know that the airport people will turn you in so quick you'd think they get a bonus for doing so.

[steveincowtown]

A little update.

On my return flight things worked a little differently. Instead of taking me to the TSA oversize check in, the gate agent simply handed me a Firearms Dec Card. I filled it out, and locked the case and then duct taped the ends. He said to pay attention to the Terminal PA, because if TSA needed to open it for any reason they would be paging me.

I will be getting a new case ASAP.

Based on the comments I have also decided to contact DFW Airport Police, Irving Police, and the correlating departments at my destination airport.

[steveincowtown]

A little update.

On my return flight things worked a little differently. Instead of taking me to the TSA oversize check in, the gate agent simply handed me a Firearms Dec Card. I filled it out, and locked the case and then duct taped the ends. He said to pay attention to the Terminal PA, because if TSA needed to open it for any reason they would be paging me.

I will be getting a new case ASAP.

Based on the comments I have also decided to contact DFW Airport Police, Irving Police, and the correlating departments at my destination airport.

Irving's finest directed me to DFW airport police. A Sgt. at DFW Airport Police listened to what I said and then passed me onto an officer to take a "Criminal Mischief" report. The Officer than refused to take a report saying "things like this happen."

She said although they do patrol the gates they can't be everywhere at once and that occasionally ramp workers do things like this. She was not interested in investigating it any further, did not ask about my flight #'s or gates, and said nothing else could be done.

Although my insides were boiling I calmly told her that I hoped the attitude of the DFW Airport Police towards this type activity changed sometime before someone actually manages to end up with weapons and ammo in the secured area of the airport, around thousands of passengers, and millions of gallons of jet fuel.

Lame...

I will buy a new metal case, devise a cable lock system to secure my weapons in the case, and realize that once again Airports are generally secured using reactive measures, not proactive.