Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire TSA Locks

Need some guidance.
I am flying this fall to a hunt location and need to know what TSA locks you fellas use?
I have a Pelican rifle case.

JD338

I didn't use TSA locks on my rifle case,I used them on my duffel. Rifle case can and should have first class padlocks on it.

ET

I agree and was going to use keyed Masrer Locks.
Someone told me that you have to use TSA approved locks.

JD338

Used a master lock on Cabelas aluminum case flying with American Air and have never had a problem. Went to Alaska in June of this year........... IF you do not use TSA locks and they decide they want to look in your case when you are not around then they WILL cut the lock.

I have found that a TSA lock should be used on luggage that is not inspected in front of you by a TSA agent and that a gun case, which is inspected, should have a regular lock. I had a lock cut off a rod case but never a gun case. The rod case had not been inspected, the gun case had been.

I've always used a first-class, keyed lock on my Pelican Rifle case. Every time it has been opened and inspected in my presence THEN I locked it. I also put a second set of locks, keyed the same, IN the case just in case TSA decides they need to cut the locks and look. I have not had problems and they have never cut the locks once they have done their initial inspection.

Just my $0.02

Ed

I would never use a TSA lock on a gun case........

TSA locks are made so they can be opened without using the regular key. That's NOT what I'd want on a gun case.

TSA goons have twice cut the TSA locks on my golf clubs (which they always hand-inspect behind the scenes because of the metal content) instead of using their special key, the bastids.

just got back from Africa. The USA nor South Africa want you to use TSA locks on your rifle case.

I used 4 matched locks and had a pack of 4 more in the case in case they cut my locks.

I had no problems during travel with anything.

Same experience here.

Every time I've flown with firearms, I am redirected straight to a TSA agent, who inspects it with me there, then locks it and places it on the belt before I walk away.

I also put an extra set of locks inside the case, but have never had an issue after it is hand-inspected, locked, and checked in.

Really not a big deal to travel with firearms. And if you get an agent that hunts or knows guns, you can actually have an enjoyable conversation with the guys sometimes as they're checking out your firearm, just like any other "gun guy".

In Denver they redirect you to TSA and have you unlock the case, check it, scan it and move on no issues. Coming back from Boston however, even though I jumped through their hoops, they cut my lock off, rifled through my bag and then denied it ever happened. Unfortunately the person cutting the lock also cut the bag and the Zipper pull itself and when they put everything back in, put my pistol case on the top of the bag so that the sharp corners cut the bag too. Not happy at all. Filed a complaint and they refused to admit anything. After two months of filing complaints finally dropped it. I'll get hard side luggage next time.

No TSA locks on a gun case for me. Masterlock or similar.

When traveling with a Firearm they inspect it at check in , you lock the case and it isn't opened again until you open after you pick up at final destination. TSA locks are used on your personal luggage, if not they will cut your locks off if not TSA and the luggage is locked

Thanks fellas, I feel better now.

JD338

More reasons not to fly.