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Started By
Message
TSA Security and Traveling w/ Firearms
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:07 am
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:07 am
Dear Ballin' OBers who go on Out of Town Hunts,
I'm flying to Idaho in December for an upland birdhunt and will need to bring my 20 gauge. I've got a trigger lock, an action lock and a lockable hardcase.
Questions:
How much time should I allow for the extra security/declarations/etc?
Is a TSA lock actually required for the hard case? I've read conflicting things on this.
Should I avoid showing up looking like
<<------ my recent mugshot?
I've never had occasion to travel with a firearm so I appreciate any help with this.
I'm flying to Idaho in December for an upland birdhunt and will need to bring my 20 gauge. I've got a trigger lock, an action lock and a lockable hardcase.
Questions:
How much time should I allow for the extra security/declarations/etc?
Is a TSA lock actually required for the hard case? I've read conflicting things on this.
Should I avoid showing up looking like
<<------ my recent mugshot?
I've never had occasion to travel with a firearm so I appreciate any help with this.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:09 am to DonChowder
This post was edited on 11/14/13 at 9:15 am
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:09 am to DonChowder
quote:
How much time should I allow for the extra security/declarations/etc?
Never really took me all that long. Maybe an extra 20 minutes and that was on pickup.
quote:
Is a TSA lock actually required for the hard case?
Yes
quote:
Should I avoid showing up looking like
Nah, you good.
Also they have some paperwork on TSA that you have to fill out ahead of time and put in the case with the firearm.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:10 am to DonChowder
No issue checking a gun. You can have a trigger lock but not required. You need a hard sided gun case which is lockable. You will show up to check in with gun UNLOADED. Present to airline agent, they will ask to see the gun and you will prove it's un loaded. Then you will place gun back in case sign a firearms decleration the ariline provides and lock the case in front of the agent. You are done.
You can also transport up to 11 lbs of ammo IN the same case as your fire arm.
Allow a little extra time but since you are staying in the US shouldn't be a big deal at all.
You can also transport up to 11 lbs of ammo IN the same case as your fire arm.
Allow a little extra time but since you are staying in the US shouldn't be a big deal at all.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:11 am to DonChowder
I bet you will be moved ahead of most lines. That has been my usual experience.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:14 am to DonChowder
Trigger lock and action lock are not required.
The action should be open if possible and the ammo can be placed in the locking hard case. Locking cases are required.
You will check in and declare the firearm with the airline. They will have you sign a declaration and place it inside the locked case. You and the locked case will be taken to a TSA screening point where the firearm case will be x-rayed and wiped down to look for explosive residues. If all checks out you will be given a thumbs up and you will then proceed as usual to the flight.
Give yourself an extra 20-30 minutes to jump through these hoops. Some airports are very efficient, others are not...
The action should be open if possible and the ammo can be placed in the locking hard case. Locking cases are required.
You will check in and declare the firearm with the airline. They will have you sign a declaration and place it inside the locked case. You and the locked case will be taken to a TSA screening point where the firearm case will be x-rayed and wiped down to look for explosive residues. If all checks out you will be given a thumbs up and you will then proceed as usual to the flight.
Give yourself an extra 20-30 minutes to jump through these hoops. Some airports are very efficient, others are not...
This post was edited on 11/14/13 at 9:17 am
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:14 am to DonChowder
Dreaded double post...
This post was edited on 11/14/13 at 9:15 am
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:22 am to 34venture
Can I get these "TSA" locks at the local Walmarks? Or is this something I need to order from Cabelas?
BTW...
BTW...
quote:...how was the Sammy's. My kids wound up bringing Sammy's up at dinner last night while they were grumbling about what we were having for dinner. Them kids always know how to make their ole man feel good.
34venture
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:52 am to Da Hammer
quote:Ammo is an airline thing, not a TSA thing. Ammo transport rules vary widely between airlines.
You can also transport up to 11 lbs of ammo IN the same case as your fire arm.
Alaska Airlines lets me carry up to 40 lbs of ammo as regular checked luggage at no extra charge. I can carry more than that if I want to pay extra.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 9:56 am to DonChowder
quote:
how was the Sammy's
Prime rib Po-Boy was superb.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 11:38 am to CoastieGM
quote:
Ammo is an airline thing, not a TSA thing. Ammo transport rules vary widely between airlines.
This is true. The last time I flew w/ guns and ammo(1 1/2 years ago), the airline limited me to a total of 11# of ammo and it had to be in a DIFFERENT container than the gun. Check the regs of the specific airlines you're flying on.
Re: the TSA lock, unless the TSA regs have changed, you're NOT required to have a TSA lock, although TSA recommends it. The TSA lock allows the TSA to open your gun case using one of their generic keys; otherwise, they'd cut the lock off in the event you're not there. The TSA recs re: the TSA lock are worded very tricky and are easily confused. I read the recs multiple times and thought I had to have a TSA lock. One of the hunters in our party had a friend who worked at the counter of the airline we were flying out on. She told him it did not have to be a TSA lock and she was right. I bought multiple padlocks that were keyed to the same lock. The TSA locks look like they came out of a box of Cracker Jacks. If allowable, do not use a TSA lock. I'll check for the reg when I get a chance.
Finally, review carefully your airline's size limitations of the gun case. In my case, if my gun cases had been too big, they could've charged me an extra $200 BOTH trips for oversize luggage.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 12:00 pm to DonChowder
This page from the TSA does not say the lock must be a TSA lock.
LINK
In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns. Here's one link. Unfortunately, the TSA guideline it links does not work.
LINK
I'd plan on using a sturdy padlock to which only you have a key (and someone in your travel party). The TSA locks are very flimsy yet cost 2-3X more than a sturdy lock.
LINK
In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns. Here's one link. Unfortunately, the TSA guideline it links does not work.
LINK
I'd plan on using a sturdy padlock to which only you have a key (and someone in your travel party). The TSA locks are very flimsy yet cost 2-3X more than a sturdy lock.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 12:12 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
quote:This is what I've been seeing. It's aggravating to say the least.
In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 12:14 pm to DonChowder
I use one of these on my locking case. Inexpensive and effective..
Master Brass Combination Lock
Master Brass Combination Lock
This post was edited on 11/14/13 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 11/14/13 at 12:53 pm to DonChowder
quote:
In fact, there are multiple references on the 'net saying that TSA locks are approved for luggage, but NOT guns.
quote:
This is what I've been seeing. It's aggravating to say the least.
I've probably flown 15 times with a firearm, and I've never used a TSA lock. I was under the impression that, although they will often allow you to use a TSA lock, that the passenger is the ONLY person that SHOULD be able to access the firearm from the case.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 2:03 pm to DonChowder
Flew to South Dakota to pheasant hunt in the beginning of September. I had TSA locks but my buddy didn't. He said he flies all over the world with non TSA locks and has never had an issue. They're cheap though so I bought them just to not have any problems. As for getting to the airport early, I didn't see it add any time at all. Good luck
Posted on 11/14/13 at 2:22 pm to DonChowder
Most others has already answered your questions.
If this becomes a regular thing for you buy a good case for travel...it will get beat up I had two break before I finally broke down and bought a pelican.
I don't use TSA locks and have never had a problem.
Buy ammo once you land.
If this becomes a regular thing for you buy a good case for travel...it will get beat up I had two break before I finally broke down and bought a pelican.
I don't use TSA locks and have never had a problem.
Buy ammo once you land.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 2:28 pm to TexasTiger
quote:
...it will get beat up I had two break
I agree. I don't fly on hunts often but bought a cabelas case for around $200 2 days before I flew out. When we land in South Dakota, my gun case comes flying through a baggage hole in the wall. If it were a scoped gun I would of had to sight in again. Case looked well aged by the time I put my hands on it.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 2:33 pm to Richardheadtigah
Who checks the rifle to make sure it is unleaded? Surely TSA agents are not fit to do this as they don't carry firearms and likely know nothing about them.
Posted on 11/14/13 at 2:36 pm to DanTiger
quote:
Who checks the rifle to make sure it is unleaded?
The Airline person working behind the counter. You open the case they look at it, you slide in your paperwork and you lock it in front of them.
Sometimes they ask you to wait, sometimes they tell you have a nice day.
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