TSA locks

[CTR0022]

Flying with a firearm for the first time in a few weeks. Heard its relatively an easy process, but had one question regarding TSA locks. What exactly is an approved TSA lock?

I have a pelican vault and stout keyed master locks for each locking point.

Just want to make sure they aren't going to give me any crap on not being TSA approved locks.

Anything else I need to know?

TIA

[TXBRASS]

Flying with a firearm for the first time in a few weeks. Heard its relatively an easy process, but had one question regarding TSA locks. What exactly is an approved TSA lock?

I have a pelican vault and stout keyed master locks for each locking point.

Just want to make sure they aren't going to give me any crap on not being TSA approved locks.

Anything else I need to know?

TIA

I've flown a few times with the same. Pelican case with masterlocks. If they need in, I'm the only one who gives them access. No trouble and I've had them inspect it. They just get you to unlock and open the case.

[Kev1973]

No tsa locks for guncases. Only you are to have access to the case. Use masterlock and carry spare in case just in case. Also have all holes filled with locks

[41Chevy]

When moved to Alaska. I flew up with my small toys TSA at DFW have me no flak. Told me I shouldn't use TSA locks on gun cases. They will ask you to open it if they want to see inside.

[Pstraw]

When moved to Alaska. I flew up with my small toys TSA at DFW have me no flak. Told me I shouldn't use TSA locks on gun cases. They will ask you to open it if they want to see inside.

Nice toy box by the way.

[Hagen]

My advice is to use a metal case. I got denied on past flights cause the agent could pry the case apart a inch or so. Nothing but metal for me from now on.

[Easttxbowman]

Flew to Oregon this fall and used non tsa American locks with zero issues

[RifleBowPistol]

When I flew with my pistol, I just had a plastic hard case, with a small pad lock on the case. Then I had the ammo in another plastic case, that was wrapped in duct tape. I had no problems in Austin, but in Arizona, we changed planes. There was a fruit cake liberal witch inspecting luggage there. I did have problems there. That witch tried to destroy my suit case, would start screaming at me every time I tried to approach her and help her open the lock on the suit case, the pistol was in. I also had the suit case locked. When she asked for the key to the suit case, I got both the key for the suit case and the lock on the pistol case out and showed her which was which. She ignored what I said, then literally tried to jamb ever key on my key ring in the lock, about broke multiple of my keys trying to force the lock open. House keys and car keys obviously are not the correct keys for a suit case lock, but she tried them all.

She put her hand on her pistol every time I tried to get close to again show her which keys she needed. Along with putting her hand on her gun, she would start screaming at me. She was fuming mad, and glaring at me the whole time. I finally said screw this and walked over and took the keys from her and opened the lock. She had to step back with her hand on her gun. Every time she would start screaming at me and putting her hand on her gun, her two side kicks would also put their hands on their guns. She was making a big scene, there were two plane clothes guys off to the side, that seemed to be much more intelligent that the three TSA agents. They looked like FBI or Secret Service agents, I asked them to help, they both stood there watching with their hands behind their backs, gave me a look, of that's not our job. I knew they were some type of federal agents and they could obviously see how stupid things had gotten. So I that's when I just walked over and took the keys from the nut job and opened the suit case. Then handed her the key to the lock that was on the pistol case. Then told her that is the key for the lock on the gun case, don't get them mixed up.

She ripped everything out of the suit case, got the pistol case out, again made a scene trying to get the key in the lock, finally got it opened, looked at the pistol and then closed the case and was going to toss it back in the suit case without locking it. I had to ask her to lock the case again. She did and then basically through everything in a pile generally in/on the suit case. I had to stuff everything back in the suit case and relock it myself.

The whole deal was pretty stupid. That was the only problem I ever had. I had no problems in Portland Oregon either, or Las Angeles either, just the nut job in Arizona. Somebody made a loony liberal female, a TSA supervisor, it went to her head big time. As long as you don't run into her or one of her buddy's you should be good.

[Drycreek3189]

When I flew with my pistol, I just had a plastic hard case, with a small pad lock on the case. Then I had the ammo in another plastic case, that was wrapped in duct tape. I had no problems in Austin, but in Arizona, we changed planes. There was a fruit cake liberal witch inspecting luggage there. I did have problems there. That witch tried to destroy my suit case, would start screaming at me every time I tried to approach her and help her open the lock on the suit case, the pistol was in. I also had the suit case locked. When she asked for the key to the suit case, I got both the key for the suit case and the lock on the pistol case out and showed her which was which. She ignored what I said, then literally tried to jamb ever key on my key ring in the lock, about broke multiple of my keys trying to force the lock open. House keys and car keys obviously are not the correct keys for a suit case lock, but she tried them all.

She put her hand on her pistol every time I tried to get close to again show her which keys she needed. Along with putting her hand on her gun, she would start screaming at me. She was fuming mad, and glaring at me the whole time. I finally said screw this and walked over and took the keys from her and opened the lock. She had to step back with her hand on her gun. Every time she would start screaming at me and putting her hand on her gun, her two side kicks would also put their hands on their guns. She was making a big scene, there were two plane clothes guys off to the side, that seemed to be much more intelligent that the three TSA agents. They looked like FBI or Secret Service agents, I asked them to help, they both stood there watching with their hands behind their backs, gave me a look, of that's not our job. I knew they were some type of federal agents and they could obviously see how stupid things had gotten. So I that's when I just walked over and took the keys from the nut job and opened the suit case. Then handed her the key to the lock that was on the pistol case. Then told her that is the key for the lock on the gun case, don't get them mixed up.

She ripped everything out of the suit case, got the pistol case out, again made a scene trying to get the key in the lock, finally got it opened, looked at the pistol and then closed the case and was going to toss it back in the suit case without locking it. I had to ask her to lock the case again. She did and then basically through everything in a pile generally in/on the suit case. I had to stuff everything back in the suit case and relock it myself.

The whole deal was pretty stupid. That was the only problem I ever had. I had no problems in Portland Oregon either, or Las Angeles either, just the nut job in Arizona. Somebody made a loony liberal female, a TSA supervisor, it went to her head big time. As long as you don't run into her or one of her buddy's you should be good.

Just one more reason I’ll never fly again.

[Quackerbox]

We or my son has flown to or from 6 different states while competing in trap and sporting clays. Hes using a take down shotgun case (like a pelican from amazon) that has its own locks plus lock holes. Like anything else, it changes with the TSA person checking the gun. Some will ask about other locks, most wont so we always carry a set of 'tsa locks' from amazon just in case. And we lock the case with the factory locks.

The only issue we have had was having to open the case leaving Florida when they claimed their x-ray couldnt see inside the barrels. So we had to provide them a key to they could visually see inside. My son said he had a guy ask about his choke tubes leaving Michigan once but once he explained what a choke was it was over.

He regularly packs a full set of sub gauge tubes, chokes, shooting vest and a fly rod in the gun case and has no problems. He just turned 20 last month

The pelican case you have will be fine. A metal case is not needed unless youre using some flimsy wal mart plastic. I would also add and air tag or a tile tracker for piece of mind. Im still nervous as **** turning over 10k in shotgun to some stranger with a GED

[WItoTX]

As others have said, non-TSA locks, or any TSA person can get into your gun case.

Along with that, bring, printed out, or saved on your phone, TSA's webpage for locks for gun cases. That way if you get any grief, it's easy to pull it out and say well I printed this from your website, and my case complies. Here is that page. End of Bullet #4:

"You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks."

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transport...and-ammunition

[Walding1989]

Can you put the ammunition in your checked suit case? Or does it have to go in a separate plastic box to be checked?

[roadgoeson20]

We or my son has flown to or from 6 different states while competing in trap and sporting clays. Hes using a take down shotgun case (like a pelican from amazon) that has its own locks plus lock holes. Like anything else, it changes with the TSA person checking the gun. Some will ask about other locks, most wont so we always carry a set of 'tsa locks' from amazon just in case. And we lock the case with the factory locks.

The only issue we have had was having to open the case leaving Florida when they claimed their x-ray couldnt see inside the barrels. So we had to provide them a key to they could visually see inside. My son said he had a guy ask about his choke tubes leaving Michigan once but once he explained what a choke was it was over.

He regularly packs a full set of sub gauge tubes, chokes, shooting vest and a fly rod in the gun case and has no problems. He just turned 20 last month

The pelican case you have will be fine. A metal case is not needed unless youre using some flimsy wal mart plastic. I would also add and air tag or a tile tracker for piece of mind. Im still nervous as **** turning over 10k in shotgun to some stranger with a GED

This right here^^^. I've flown all over the country with a shotgun and each agent and airport will treat it just a tad different. I carry TSA locks to swap if need be. You dont want to risk being there and the crappy tsa locks they sell at airports wont fit through the holes in a good hard case. Overall, traveling with a shotgun is the easiest thing on the planet. They do NOT want to risk anything with them and generally its the best cared for luggage on the flights.

Good luck.

[WItoTX]

Can you put the ammunition in your checked suit case? Or does it have to go in a separate plastic box to be checked?

I put mine with my rifle, in the original box.

[Main Frame]

I’ve also put the ammo in the gun case and used master locks. Never had a problem.