Suppressors Airline travel with a suppressor?

[CUBUFF89]

Who has travelled with a suppressor? I'm looking at a match which is far enough away that air travel is the only option.

Does anyone have a recommendation on how to transport the suppressor? I don't like the idea of having it in the rifle case knowing of instances where TSA has cut the lock off your case after it has been inspected and left your possession. I'm a little paranoid about NFA regs and an unauthorized person having access my can.

 

[_Windrider_]

Treat like a gun. Only choice.

 

[Lowlight]

Just keep it in the case with the rifle, wrap it in a copy of the paperwork and pretend it's not there

nobody cares,

if you are traveling with a suppressor alone, just the can, yes you have to declare it like a rifle and have the paperwork

Travel with suppressors all the time, nobody cares

 

[leftyk82]

I'm a little paranoid about NFA regs and an unauthorized person having access my can.

As was I.

I went the master lock route and have had to be called back to unlock it more than once. But if I didn't hear my name over the intercom (easy to do in an airport), they would've likely cut my locks.

If you do use master locks, have some extra TSA locks in your carry-on as a backup. And vice versa.

TSA deals with firearms and locked cases everyday. They don't want your stuff, they just have to follow their own guidelines.

 

[Longshot231]

It should not be a problem with one exception.

If your flight has to divert to an airport in a state that outlaws suppressors, then you could have problems.

It's similar to passengers who have had firearms in their checked luggage and diverted into New York city. If they had to remain overnight then declare the firearm at the airport the next day then their nightmare begins.

If I were traveling by air and my flight diverted into an unfriendly, and I had to remain overnight I would not go back to the airport. I would rent a car to get somewhere else while obeying all the rules of the road.

Yes, I know that the FOPA of 1986 is supposed to protect us but there are places like NYC that routinely ignore the laws and make life miserable for out-of-town travelers with guns.

 

[Lowlight]

I had my bags lost for 24 hours and it was delivered by a taxi a day later, rifle and can included,

nobody cares,

 

[CUBUFF89]

Good to know. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Lowlight]

I will tell you what to care about

your rifle case, more and more airlines (not TSA) are trying to decline rifle cases as being unfit to fly

I see extra layers at the counter where the agents are performing a series of test to see if they want to allow it.

We had students in TN fly in from AK with no issues in Alaska and then in TN the same airline said their cases couldn't be used to fly home. They had to get new ones on the spot.

Cases are the new issue, not what is in them.

 

[RyanScott]

It should not be a problem with one exception.

If your flight has to divert to an airport in a state that outlaws suppressors, then you could have problems.

It's similar to passengers who have had firearms in their checked luggage and diverted into New York city. If they had to remain overnight then declare the firearm at the airport the next day then their nightmare begins.

If I were traveling by air and my flight diverted into an unfriendly, and I had to remain overnight I would not go back to the airport. I would rent a car to get somewhere else while obeying all the rules of the road.

Yes, I know that the FOPA of 1986 is supposed to protect us but there are places like NYC that routinely ignore the laws and make life miserable for out-of-town travelers with guns.

Make the airline hold your bags.

 

[Snuby642]

With liberal shits there will always be a new issue. As soon as they can't make an issue out of the last one.

 

[cmoore806]

I will tell you what to care about

your rifle case, more and more airlines (not TSA) are trying to decline rifle cases as being unfit to fly

I see extra layers at the counter where the agents are performing a series of test to see if they want to allow it.

We had students in TN fly in from AK with no issues in Alaska and then in TN the same airline said their cases couldn't be used to fly home. They had to get new ones on the spot.

Cases are the new issue, not what is in them.

you wouldn't happen to remember what kinds of cases they were told weren't okay would you?

 

[hic28]

I will tell you what to care about

your rifle case, more and more airlines (not TSA) are trying to decline rifle cases as being unfit to fly

I see extra layers at the counter where the agents are performing a series of test to see if they want to allow it.

We had students in TN fly in from AK with no issues in Alaska and then in TN the same airline said their cases couldn't be used to fly home. They had to get new ones on the spot.

Cases are the new issue, not what is in them.

have you seen any issues with the pelicans?

 

[Lowlight]

Yes,

One of the tests they are conducting is the reach in and touch test, they have you put your locks on the case, and then unlock the latches and if they can squeeze their fingers in they are rejecting it or at least trying,

one agent tried this with me and I had to get a supervisor, it took about 30 minutes to sort it out.

How the cases shut is becoming even more important, so you want Pelican Air Cases with the ability to lock it properly and tightly

No case is really immune because it's all subjective, the dipshit who tried it with my case got one knuckle in and said no, I had other locks with me and he tried saying I had to use the first set, LOL, the supervisor basically laughed at the guy, but it was still a hassle.

For cases with more than lock position they want a lock in every one of them.

 

[Longshot231]

I had to fly in and out of Minneapolis years ago before they got the up-to-date scanning machines for the luggage.

I would declare my snub-nosed revolver at the ticket counter, and fill out the form that goes in the luggage with the firearm.

The ticket agent would call Muhammad, the ski-cap, to carry my bag over to the table with a TSA Agent.

The TSA Agent would ask me what is going on because Muhammad didn't speak English.

I explained to the Agent that I had declared a firearm. The Agent would open my luggage and retrieve the revolver from the zippered case.

In order to ensure that the revolver was not loaded, the Agent would....

Are you ready for this?

The Agent would point the muzzle toward their face to look down the barrel and chambers to make sure there were no rounds!

Remember that only the government can be trusted with guns.

PS: I forgot to add that this happened several times with different agents!

 

[hic28]

Yes,

One of the tests they are conducting is the reach in and touch test, they have you put your locks on the case, and then unlock the latches and if they can squeeze their fingers in they are rejecting it or at least trying,

one agent tried this with me and I had to get a supervisor, it took about 30 minutes to sort it out.

How the cases shut is becoming even more important, so you want Pelican Air Cases with the ability to lock it properly and tightly

No case is really immune because it's all subjective, the dipshit who tried it with my case got one knuckle in and said no, I had other locks with me and he tried saying I had to use the first set, LOL, the supervisor basically laughed at the guy, but it was still a hassle.

For cases with more than lock position they want a lock in every one of them.

Ah, I’ve had them try to finger blast my case. I use pretty tight locks, you can get 1 knuckle in but no way a rifle is coming out. Guess it depends on which commie cuck TSA agent you get to do the screening.

Coming home from gunwerks they pulled the entire thing apart to check the foam. The retard pushed every square inch of the foam and then put it through the X-ray.

 

[TACC]

I will tell you what to care about

your rifle case, more and more airlines (not TSA) are trying to decline rifle cases as being unfit to fly

I see extra layers at the counter where the agents are performing a series of test to see if they want to allow it.

We had students in TN fly in from AK with no issues in Alaska and then in TN the same airline said their cases couldn't be used to fly home. They had to get new ones on the spot.

Cases are the new issue, not what is in them.

What cases did they end up buying that were approved, if you remember?

I see someone else asked this is well.

I also use the pelican air travel cases and have not had problems as of yet.

 

[Lowlight]

It's not about the case, it's about airline ignorance,

we can have the greatest cases on the planet, but because some guy opened up his luggage and shot people, you will pay the price

With Pelicans, it comes down to the locks used and the latches, not so much the case itself

They are reaching in and touching with the locks on and case unlatched, if they fit a few fingers in, they wrongly believe they can get something out.

They tested both Marc and my cases and he has the Aluminum one with the single lock and long rod. Doesn't matter, you are trying to rationalize your thinking to their anti-gun attitude

 

[Nik H]

Yes,

One of the tests they are conducting is the reach in and touch test, they have you put your locks on the case, and then unlock the latches and if they can squeeze their fingers in they are rejecting it or at least trying,

one agent tried this with me and I had to get a supervisor, it took about 30 minutes to sort it out.

How the cases shut is becoming even more important, so you want Pelican Air Cases with the ability to lock it properly and tightly

No case is really immune because it's all subjective, the dipshit who tried it with my case got one knuckle in and said no, I had other locks with me and he tried saying I had to use the first set, LOL, the supervisor basically laughed at the guy, but it was still a hassle.

For cases with more than lock position they want a lock in every one of them.

Frank,

Do you have any experience with the Nanuk 995 cases. They supposedly have "built in" TSA locks in 2 positions

 

[Lowlight]

It's not TSA that is the issue, its the Airline and they are ignorant or simply don't care.

I have been checked at two different airports, and this check was conducted by more than one airline (within the last 3 months)

I use a Pelican, I carry 2 sets of locks, one TSA for those times TSA does not check the rifle ahead of time (happens more than you think) and a set of NON-TSA with a shorter lock shank to keep the case closed.

The case above is a great case, just make sure you put a lock in every spot and with it unlatched you can't slide a few fingers in.

This is about making your life difficult flying with a firearm, it's not about being fair, or legal or anything else common sense would dictate is okay, they just can't come straight out yet and say, no firearms on a plane. if they could they would.

 

[aggiez28]

its just like traveling with any other gun. as for unauthorized people having access to it, its no different than mailing it. you hand it off to the mail man or ups. its not an issue.
4

 

[2/319th]

SKB security cases. Very thick and tough reinforced fiberglass outer shell. Security locking latches, 5 padlocks, 3 blocked hinge rods. Water and air tight, water tight air pressure relief valves. When they sent eight of our full gun cases from Atlanta to Paris, France, my SKB case was the only one that was not seriously damaged. Had gouges and scuff marks, where the adz clowns literally threw it out of the plane, two stories down, onto the tarmac and the case had tug tire tracks over top of it, too boot, where they ran over it with airport tugs. The French a-holes tried to destroy my case and the 3 guns in it, without success.
The way I got onto SKB was I asked the PJs at Hurlburt Field, now AFB, that go out with full gear, on commercial flights, what cases they use for their gear, SKB security and water tight cases.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

TSA deals with firearms and locked cases everyday. They don't want your stuff, they just have to follow their own guidelines.

I do not hear anything anymore about TSA being involved in theft rings, so maybe they got that cleaned up, but there was definitely a time when some of the TSA folks were a part of those who did indeed "want your stuff." I hope you are correct about the current state of affairs.

 

[Malum Prohibitum]

I had an incident in Atlanta years back where I was quite sure the TSA guy was trying to set up my gun for a theft. At that time they had a roped off area set up in the concourse, and there was a conveyer belt behind them. This guy had me unlock my suitcase and firearm case (handgun), and then he tried to close them up without locking either one and carry them over to send them down the conveyor belt.

I spoke politely at first, then louder, and then, as it became obvious he was intentionally ignoring me and trying to get it on the conveyor belt before I could stop him, I began yelling in my loudest you-must-comply-now-or-else voice as I climbed over the rope separating the TSA area from the rest of the concourse. I figured I could snatch the suitcase off the conveyor before it disappeared if I hurried.

At that point he stopped and returned, with an "Ok, ok," as his only audible sound. I turned to climb back out of the TSA area, where all of the agents were staring at me with wide eyes, to see a concourse full of travelers also staring at me, hundreds of them. I locked my gun case, then the suitcase, then I watched him place the locked suitcase on the conveyer belt and waited until it was out of sight to leave.

The entire setup in Atlanta is different now, as TSA is in a room off the concourse, but back then they were having a lot of problems in Atlanta with thefts, and I am nearly 100% certain this guy was trying to make my pistol available to his buddies down the conveyor belt.

 

[Hippy_Steve]

It's not TSA that is the issue, its the Airline and they are ignorant or simply don't care.

I have been checked at two different airports, and this check was conducted by more than one airline (within the last 3 months)

I use a Pelican, I carry 2 sets of locks, one TSA for those times TSA does not check the rifle ahead of time (happens more than you think) and a set of NON-TSA with a shorter lock shank to keep the case closed.

The case above is a great case, just make sure you put a lock in every spot and with it unlatched you can't slide a few fingers in.

This is about making your life difficult flying with a firearm, it's not about being fair, or legal or anything else common sense would dictate is okay, they just can't come straight out yet and say, no firearms on a plane. if they could they would.

Hey frank, do you have a everyday sniper or a sticky regarding your do’s and don’ts with flying with firearms? You being a frequent flyer with your gear, i’d love to listen or read about your experiences with different airlines, especially if they are up-to-date.

 

[Longshot231]

Make the airline hold your bags.

That’s not going to work. They might hold them on the non-sterile side of the airport. Then the next day they will be rescreened again and firearms discovered.

There’s always a possibility that your suggestion will work but I would not want to bet my freedom on it.

 

[carbonbased]

SKB security cases. Very thick and tough reinforced fiberglass outer shell. Security locking latches, 5 padlocks, 3 blocked hinge rods. Water and air tight, water tight air pressure relief valves. When they sent eight of our full gun cases from Atlanta to Paris, France, my SKB case was the only one that was not seriously damaged. Had gouges and scuff marks, where the adz clowns literally threw it out of the plane, two stories down, onto the tarmac and the case had tug tire tracks over top of it, too boot, where they ran over it with airport tugs. The French a-holes tried to destroy my case and the 3 guns in it, without success.
The way I got onto SKB was I asked the PJs at Hurlburt Field, now AFB, that go out with full gear, on commercial flights, what cases they use for their gear, SKB security and water tight cases.

Since SKB makes a number of gun cases, which ones, exactly, so you recommend?

I am guessing you don’t mean the iSeries but mean their ATA cases like these:

Double Rifle Transport Case 5009

The 2SKB-5009 uses a bunk bed foam system that protects two rifles up to 50" long. The shell is constructed of ATA-rated HDPE with SKB's unique Perfect Match Valance and an o-ring seal, making this case weather resistant. Padlocks sold separately.

www.skbcases.com

Single Rifle Case 4900

This compact, stylish case accommodates a single rifle up to 48" long and features a shell constructed of ATA-rated HDPE with SKB's unique Perfect Match Valance and an o-ring seal, making this case weather resistant.

www.skbcases.com

They have an rSeries too, which also looks tougher than the iSeries and may be their toughest.

rSeries 4909-5 Case

The rSeries Mil-Standard cases have been designed to meet the most exacting military specifications. They are roto-molded of impact-resistant/UV stabilized LLDPE for strength and durability, featuring airtight and waterproof construction with solid stainless steel latches and hinges that will...

www.skbcases.com

 

[2/319th]

I would need to look at it close. I keep my travel cases in my climate controlled shop building.
It is similar to the the 5009 in apperance, with the reinforced corners but the latches are like the 4909-5, with a handle on the side and one end, with two roller wheels. I carry three Brownng Citori shotguns or two plus a 300 WSM Montana Rifle Co rifle. Each latch uses a round hollow tube type security key with side protection, the holes for pad locks are large enough to take the heat treated cut resist short hasp pad locks. You need a case bearer to carry it with three guns in it. Reason it has wheels and has 6 not five locks.
Reaserched a bit more, this is it https://www.skbcases.com/products/i-series-5014-6-case-double-bow-rifle-case?variantID=3i-5014-DB

 

[carbonbased]

I would need to look at it close. I keep my travel cases in my climate controlled shop building.
It is similar to the the 5009 in apperance, with the reinforced corners but the latches are like the 4909-5, with a handle on the side and one end, with two roller wheels. I carry three Brownng Citori shotguns or two plus a 300 WSM Montana Rifle Co rifle. Each latch uses a round hollow tube type security key with side protection, the holes for pad locks are large enough to take the heat treated cut resist short hasp pad locks. You need a case bearer to carry it with three guns in it. Reason it has wheels and has 6 not five locks.
Reaserched a bit more, this is it https://www.skbcases.com/products/i-series-5014-6-case-double-bow-rifle-case?variantID=3i-5014-DB

I thought maybe it was this one. It’s quite a bit more spendy than that 5012-6. SKB doesn’t explain the differences well.

rSeries 5212-7 Case

The rSeries Mil-Standard cases have been designed to meet the most exacting military specifications. They are roto-molded of impact-resistant/UV stabilized LLDPE for strength and durability, featuring airtight and waterproof construction with solid stainless steel latches and hinges that will...

www.skbcases.com

Thanks for getting back to me!

 

[Basher]

I thought this was how everybody was doing it these days???