Travelling with firearms and gear - what do you do ?

[480/277]

Because of the gun, give yourself some extra time at check in. I very nearly missed a flight in Denver because of a TSA-hole who didn't approve of the lock on my gun case which I had used at check in on 6 or 8 trips prior to that. I ended up buying a piece of junk case from an airport employee who saw the TSA jerking me around. He saved my trip so I gave him my good case as a tip.

One other time I had some problems checking my gun with a gate agent in Mpls who was obviously an anti-gun/anti-hunter type. Eventually she had to let me through.

I saw them give a guy in Denver on the flight back the same problem about his gun case.
Are you a Disabled vet who was traveling with his wife?

[wa-hunter]

i have never had a problem checking a firearm on a plane. i use a hard sided bow case and wrap my gun in cloths then fill the rest of the case with other equipment. it has worked out great and saved me from having to check multiple bags. always use your own locks and put a lock on every locking point. tsa will call you up if they need to open the case.

[480/277]

They didn't page me

[JimP]

That is because you had the TSA approved lock on it that they can open so there was no need for them to page you.

My question is why they would need to open it after it had been inspected, locked, and out of your possession.

[480/277]

No idea, they just left a note(the red card) not an explanation.
But it's my understanding that if they have/want to, they will cut locks.
So go ahead and not use TSA locks, the worst that happens is they cut them off.

[wa-hunter]

They didn't page me

i have had to give keys twice for tsa to open the case to be inspected and never had a problem. they open look and re lock and return the keys back to you.

[maine canoe guide]

Yeah I'm not a guy who cares if they wanna look inside my gun case. BUT Have some advice. I flew Boston to Salt lake without a hitch but the TSA on the way back wanted me to put two locks on my case cause you could pry open the case on one end.. So lock it on both ends. Also when you get the locks you will be better off searching for one that has a longer cable. The standard ones barely fit on my gun case.But overall it was not to bad. Bags fly free on Southwest well the first 2 after that its $75.

[280ackimp]

Thanks guys good info and stories.