Checking rifle two different airports

[LongWalker]

First time flying with a rifle and I did as much research as I could prior. Interesting part was the two different procedures at the airports on either end of the trip.

Have a Pelican 1750 case and three non-TSA locks.

Flying out of Destin/Ft Walton the airline rep (American) had me sign the declaration form asked me to open the case, stick the form in it and lock it back. She then put it on the belt and told me that an agent on the other end would check my ID and had it to me which is exactly what happened.

Heading back out of San Antonio, agent asked if I fly with a firearm a lot and I said this was my first time and I hope to do it more often. She recommended that I use TSA locks because it would save me a step and she could put it right on the belt.

Had to walk over to a door where a baggage person said they'd let TSA know I was there. After a couple of minutes they told me to step in and put the case on the table and open it which I did. The TSA guy swabbed the case in a few different places, asked if the foam was glued in, I said no so he looked under it in the top and moved it a little bit in the bottom to. Told me to stick the form in and lock it back. Nice guy and respectful of the rifle while he inspected the case.

Good overall experience in both cases and Destin is a smaller airport so that's likely the reason for the two different procedures. For my taste having non -TSA locks and have to spend an extra five minutes to be able to be there when the case is opened is well worth it. Of course that assumes that the TSA rep will always be as respectful as this guy was.

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

Glad you had a good experience with the TSA agent. I flew into Memphis several years back with a firearm. The lady that worked for TSA was one the most angry humans I'd ever met. It was not an enjoyable experience with her.

 

[LongWalker]

Sorry to hear that and I thought as soon as I left how the whole experience will hinge on that one person. I hope it wasn't dumb luck that the first time I got the exception of nice a courteous TSA rep instead of the potential rule of how big a jerk can I be today person.

 

[akdad]

I fly with a rifle probably at least 10 times a year and it seems to be different every time

 

[Gunin4m]

I agree, I would want to be there when the case is opened too. Just curious if you put an apple air tag tracker in the case?

 

[akdad]

That's a great idea!!!!!
Sadly I haven't ever thought of it

 

[171farm]

I too have had different experiences at different airports. None have been negative, just the procedures differ just a bit like you have noticed.

 

[Ricky C]

Hey, I have flown with firearms quite a bit too. Mine go in a tuffpac, doesn't look like a firearms case. It looks more like a hard sided golf case. The worst trip for me was coming back from New Zealand. We landed first in CA. The customs guys ran the serial numbers on the rifles thru every data base they could think of. I asked why, they were making sure they weren't stolen or used in a crime. I asked if many people flew all the way to New Zealand, 13 hours on the plane to bring stolen firearms back. No answer on that one. Took close to an hour to get thru. My home airport in Fairbanks is always easy.
Take Care

 

[cohunt]

Problem is that a lot of the tsa agents and airline check in agents don't actually know the rules--- you are NOT supposed to use tsa locks as no one else is supposed to be allowed access to your firearm unless you are present ( I used to know where you could find that on tsa's web page but i havent flown with firearms in a while) --- my biggest help has been to go to both tsa's web page and the specific airlines web page and print up the "rules of flying with a firearm" and have it in writing--- keep it in your back pocket just in case you run into any problems you can politely show the agent the rules--- I don't tell them how to do their job unless I run into problems-- then the paperwork comes out.

I make sure the rules about ammo are printed too if I'm bringing ammo---- every airline has different rules but tsa's rules are the same anywhere in the US

 

[biednick]

I'd keep using your non- TSA locks. I fly with firearms on 2 or 3 trips most years, and have never had to open my case for TSA. Your experience flying back is likely the exception, not the norm. Even if you choose to use TSA locks they're not supposed to open the case without you present.

TSA locks are just reusable zipties. You can easily buy or 3D print TSA master keys, which makes them practically useless from a security perspective. Most padlocks are pretty bad too, but at least it looks a little sketchier opening a lock with a pick or shim than a key.

 

[KSB209]

Most of the time TSA seems to do a good job with me. One time I went to retrieve my shotgun coming home from Canada and no one could find it. They said they would track it and I had to go through customs to get on my next flight. I walked down to the carrousel to get my other bags and the Beretta hardcase and my shotgun were spinning around with my other bags on the carrousel. I just grabbed my gun and luggage and went through customs no issues.

 

[Muddyboots]

I use to print the TSA, airports firearm requirements and placed a copy in the case plus carried them.

I will never fly with firearm without Air Tags again. Oh, the one issue that was not only funny but incredibly stupid was the discussion of a cleaning rod in the case. Nothing says No but nothing says Yes. OMG "what do we do now"?

 

[FEENIX]

First time flying with a rifle and I did as much research as I could prior. Interesting part was the two different procedures at the airports on either end of the trip.

Have a Pelican 1750 case and three non-TSA locks.

Flying out of Destin/Ft Walton the airline rep (American) had me sign the declaration form asked me to open the case, stick the form in it and lock it back. She then put it on the belt and told me that an agent on the other end would check my ID and had it to me which is exactly what happened.

Heading back out of San Antonio, agent asked if I fly with a firearm a lot and I said this was my first time and I hope to do it more often. She recommended that I use TSA locks because it would save me a step and she could put it right on the belt.

Had to walk over to a door where a baggage person said they'd let TSA know I was there. After a couple of minutes they told me to step in and put the case on the table and open it which I did. The TSA guy swabbed the case in a few different places, asked if the foam was glued in, I said no so he looked under it in the top and moved it a little bit in the bottom to. Told me to stick the form in and lock it back. Nice guy and respectful of the rifle while he inspected the case.

Good overall experience in both cases and Destin is a smaller airport so that's likely the reason for the two different procedures. For my taste having non -TSA locks and have to spend an extra five minutes to be able to be there when the case is opened is well worth it. Of course that assumes that the TSA rep will always be as respectful as this guy was.

I am glad you had an excellent experience. I think it depends in the TSA agent, state, airport. The last time I flew was a few years ago in CA. I picked up a few rifles and hand guns from my late brother. I flew from GTF in LAX CA.

Since, I was also attending my nephew's USAF retirement at Vandenberg AFB, CA I flew out iof Santa Maria Airport. My nephew wondered why I am flying out of a small airport, until I checked in my baggage and gun case full of firearms. I asked for a TSA rep to inspect my gun case before I use my non-TSA padlocks. During, the inspection, all the agent talked about was how much he loved MT and hunting. He slapped the required stickers/tags and off I went.

 

[cantfixstupid]

Its personal preference with those TSA guys, and probably stems from poor training and also what their day has been like, I've had it go off like a breeze then had it turn into a nightmare, missed a couple flights but I still got it there and got my hunt in, just a little anxiety along the way.