Okay, before I get started I want to lay down some thoughts,
1. There is NO one answer.
2. Argue all you want, they make the rules and it changes not only from airport to airport but within airlines as well.
Background
I travel a lot, I fly with firearms a lot, I tend to stick to my chosen airline which will be referenced but I have flown most of them over the years. This started with my time at Rifles Only flying first from Connecticut, (actually Westchester Airport as it was 15 minutes away) but then from Denver on a monthly basis. I have Gold Level Miles and if you pay any attention at all, you will quickly realize I probably have more experience than most who will comment. Since I live in Denver I tend to fly United and before you go and try to change the subject about which carrier is best, I will state up front, I like United. My miles allow me to spend most of my travel in front of your seat, so recognized they tend to be very polite to me.
For the longest time when traveling, I have ALWAYS used TSA locks on my gun case. They served me well, never had an issue, no lost rifle cases, or anything ugly when using TSA Locks. I have had rifles arrive late, but never lost completely. In fact, quite the opposite when I do interact with TSA one on one, they appreciate the fact I am not a paranoid gun owner. I know and they acknowledge if they are gonna steal my rifle the WHOLE CASE is going to disappear. Nobody is going to lift the rifle out. In fact, if you do read the horror stories of stolen firearms, they usually take the entire case, toss it over a fence and fetch it later.
I started using TSA locks after being called back through security at an airport where the case flagged the bomb detectors so they had to open it. I was at the gate chilling and was called back to open it, had to do security twice which is really the crappiest part of the story. The TSA agent then, said if I HAD used TSA locks I would have never been notified, they would have cleared it on their own. key point.
Recently at DIA, I strolled up to the Premier Access counter and after filling out my card, the agent asked me to lock my case and then open the latches. (First time this has happened and the last to date) He proceeded to "reach in touch" he got 3 fingers into the second knuckle and stopped me. I cannot let you proceed the case can be opened. ????? Now understand in the case I have extra locks. I had a set of non-TSA combo locks with a shorter shank and switched it out. After 20 minutes (I still arrive 2 hours early to this day) of watching this same agent come and go with me standing there, he finally got a manager and the manager said, "I don't see a problem, you can go. Head over to the TSA room in DIA and they never even opened it and away I went.
In Alaska, I grabbed a 4 pack of master locks which are no safer than TSA locks (see Youtube and then grab yourself a soda can if you dont believe me) with shorter shanks and decided I wasn't sure if this might happen again so the TSA locks went inside the case.
Since that trip, which was 4 rounds trips later, nobody, even at DIA has attempted to reach in and touch.
Today in Nashville, I go to the counter, and at the counter, they take my case with my master locks. No TSA room, no TSA agents, I ask the agent, the rifle is going straight back? Yes, he said, okay, thinking I am about to see a repeat of a past experience I sit in front of the counter for 35 minutes before going through security just in case. No call on the intercom, so off I go through security. Once through security like everyone else I have headphones on, lucky for me today I am wearing Air Pods and not my over-ear noise canceling ones.
Fast forward to 11:45 for my 12:35 flight and I see and hear the girl at the gate counter call my name. I asked, "you need a key", she says Yes. I sai, funny I waited 35 Minutes as I had a feeling this would happen. She very politely says yes, they just called me to just now. I went through security at 10:45 mind you.
Now I know what the RULES say, don't give your the key to anyone, but I also understand TSA is not someone they are an agency, not a person.
I hand over my key, and 10 minutes later the very nice TSA man brings me my key which he has with a copy of my ticket. He thanks me and walks away.
The point of this post, it does not matter. Had I been a jerk and started on about the rules I would have been back through security, missed my flight. They did not bring my key that way, they went out the jet way. They can back via the jet way. I know they are not gonna let me on to the Tarmac to inspect my case while they open it. Monday Morning, Nashville, the airport is packed. Curbside when I was dropped off was 3 cars deep.
The secret to air travel with a firearm is
1. Have options, Seeing my case was leaving via the agent I should have switched locks.
2. If you do not get inspected at a separate TSA station, and this has happened at more than one airport, assume it will flag.
3.Every story about guys who argue with them has resulted in that person losing the argument as they will cut your locks and you will get your rifle case back with plastic ties on it. If you get exceptionally rude you might not fly that day as I know a story where it happened.
Landing have to go be back later
1. There is NO one answer.
2. Argue all you want, they make the rules and it changes not only from airport to airport but within airlines as well.
Background
I travel a lot, I fly with firearms a lot, I tend to stick to my chosen airline which will be referenced but I have flown most of them over the years. This started with my time at Rifles Only flying first from Connecticut, (actually Westchester Airport as it was 15 minutes away) but then from Denver on a monthly basis. I have Gold Level Miles and if you pay any attention at all, you will quickly realize I probably have more experience than most who will comment. Since I live in Denver I tend to fly United and before you go and try to change the subject about which carrier is best, I will state up front, I like United. My miles allow me to spend most of my travel in front of your seat, so recognized they tend to be very polite to me.
For the longest time when traveling, I have ALWAYS used TSA locks on my gun case. They served me well, never had an issue, no lost rifle cases, or anything ugly when using TSA Locks. I have had rifles arrive late, but never lost completely. In fact, quite the opposite when I do interact with TSA one on one, they appreciate the fact I am not a paranoid gun owner. I know and they acknowledge if they are gonna steal my rifle the WHOLE CASE is going to disappear. Nobody is going to lift the rifle out. In fact, if you do read the horror stories of stolen firearms, they usually take the entire case, toss it over a fence and fetch it later.
I started using TSA locks after being called back through security at an airport where the case flagged the bomb detectors so they had to open it. I was at the gate chilling and was called back to open it, had to do security twice which is really the crappiest part of the story. The TSA agent then, said if I HAD used TSA locks I would have never been notified, they would have cleared it on their own. key point.
Recently at DIA, I strolled up to the Premier Access counter and after filling out my card, the agent asked me to lock my case and then open the latches. (First time this has happened and the last to date) He proceeded to "reach in touch" he got 3 fingers into the second knuckle and stopped me. I cannot let you proceed the case can be opened. ????? Now understand in the case I have extra locks. I had a set of non-TSA combo locks with a shorter shank and switched it out. After 20 minutes (I still arrive 2 hours early to this day) of watching this same agent come and go with me standing there, he finally got a manager and the manager said, "I don't see a problem, you can go. Head over to the TSA room in DIA and they never even opened it and away I went.
In Alaska, I grabbed a 4 pack of master locks which are no safer than TSA locks (see Youtube and then grab yourself a soda can if you dont believe me) with shorter shanks and decided I wasn't sure if this might happen again so the TSA locks went inside the case.
Since that trip, which was 4 rounds trips later, nobody, even at DIA has attempted to reach in and touch.
Today in Nashville, I go to the counter, and at the counter, they take my case with my master locks. No TSA room, no TSA agents, I ask the agent, the rifle is going straight back? Yes, he said, okay, thinking I am about to see a repeat of a past experience I sit in front of the counter for 35 minutes before going through security just in case. No call on the intercom, so off I go through security. Once through security like everyone else I have headphones on, lucky for me today I am wearing Air Pods and not my over-ear noise canceling ones.
Fast forward to 11:45 for my 12:35 flight and I see and hear the girl at the gate counter call my name. I asked, "you need a key", she says Yes. I sai, funny I waited 35 Minutes as I had a feeling this would happen. She very politely says yes, they just called me to just now. I went through security at 10:45 mind you.
Now I know what the RULES say, don't give your the key to anyone, but I also understand TSA is not someone they are an agency, not a person.
I hand over my key, and 10 minutes later the very nice TSA man brings me my key which he has with a copy of my ticket. He thanks me and walks away.
The point of this post, it does not matter. Had I been a jerk and started on about the rules I would have been back through security, missed my flight. They did not bring my key that way, they went out the jet way. They can back via the jet way. I know they are not gonna let me on to the Tarmac to inspect my case while they open it. Monday Morning, Nashville, the airport is packed. Curbside when I was dropped off was 3 cars deep.
The secret to air travel with a firearm is
1. Have options, Seeing my case was leaving via the agent I should have switched locks.
2. If you do not get inspected at a separate TSA station, and this has happened at more than one airport, assume it will flag.
3.Every story about guys who argue with them has resulted in that person losing the argument as they will cut your locks and you will get your rifle case back with plastic ties on it. If you get exceptionally rude you might not fly that day as I know a story where it happened.
Landing have to go be back later
