Should be a simple transaction through the airline with TSA approval. You will open and show them unloaded and secured. No one has the authority to take or hold the key or firearm. If you have ammo going as well, some agents are easier to deal with than others. I had it where they want ammo packed in original packaging and some that didn't care if you had ammo in magazines as long as they were not in the firearm. This will likely add an hour to your check in time. Read the necessary info on the TSA website, be polite and courteous, read your airline requirements and you should roll through with minimal inconvenience.
Flying with Firearms.
- Thread starter FFFEMT
- Start date
This has been my experience. Show no attitude and it doesn't hurt you to say "Sir" or "Ma'am". Cooperate with them and answer their questions and you will likely have no problems.
One time I was going through the firearms process at MDW in Chicago. The TSA agent and I looked at each other twice, then we realized we had been shooting in adjacent lanes at a suburban range the previous day. We had talked and shared a couple pointers in the range, then chatted as we left. That was the easiest trip through the TSA checkpoint I've ever had. All he wanted to see was that the guns were unloaded. I always put a red breach flag in rifles and a zip tie through the barrel of pistols. There is zero doubt in anyone's mind that the firearms are unloaded. His inspection took no more than a quick glance.
If it isn't a TSA lock, they may cut it off if they want to look in the case. Mine was a TSA lock and they cut it off anyway.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Being it was the TSA and nobody else digging in my bags … I just quit locking them … What’s in my backpack and pockets will get me from A to B … Replace at B … and not going to fly with firearms …
I may bring extra TSA locks just to have/in-case, I have non-TSA standard small Master padlocks.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I can read - and would drive coast to coast or just let someone else sell them - I do not trust our government - and have too much money put away to ever change my feelings …
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
What is weird ? and not your dude - not filling out paperwork to fly with guns …
They are disposable to me - My wealth is not …
You go right ahead … I understand your bear thing - did the OP get into any of that? (Not that he’s still in this) …
I have flown with checked firearms numerous times and never owned a TSA lock.
“… the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.”
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition
TSA lock is not a requirement. You can use any lock you wish as long as the box can’t be easily opened. You’d want to avoid tsa locks from potential thief’s. Many reports of firearms going missing at airports over the years.
Thank you.
Flying out Thursday. All packed and set and ready to deal with checking my Gun. It's unloaded, packed in a hard case w/ locks (not TSA), with unloaded mags and the chamber lock installed - I tried some of the orange chamber flags off Amazon but they didn't fit well so sent them back..the lock is free/came with it and serves the purpose. 2 boxes of ammo in original packaging in bag/not in case b/c no room. I have printed out the American Airlines and TSA regs on this, only a few pages/v. straightforward just in case. I have the small hard case in my bag and will have it unlocked so when I go to the counter to declare it/check it, easy to open and show it's unloaded and less fumbling around. Locks will be in pocket to drop on the case when they are done checking it. I'll plan on asking if I should wait around that area for any final checks but my buddy who has flown out RIC with firearms said that is not necessary, it's all handled right there. When I flew with a group out of IAD years ago to AK with several firearms, they had an airline baggage person walk the guns down to a TSA check area from the airline check-in desk that was separate so what my friend described at RIC isn't the same...but I want to make sure I'm there if they need the key to unlock it/check, I'll find out soon enough! I fly all the time and have it down to a science when to leave to reduce any unecessary sitting around but here I'll leave a full two hours earlier to deal with it - I'll just sit at the bar to kill the extra time if I have it haha. AK gun laws are simple and I won't have any issues there to/from the airport and the remote camp I'll be in. I found this video very helpful:
Ok update from RIC. No major issues checking my bag...all in all about 15 extra minutes so I was WAY early. I left it unlocked with locks in pocket. Opened hard case and showed mags were unloaded and pistol was unloaded (obvious because of chamber lock). Ammo...here we had some confusion. 2 small OEM cases of 10mm Buffalo Bore in my bag. Agent says it has to be in hard case with the gun; wrong. But tossed it in. Supervisor came to verify including trying to open case and get hand in while locked) had no issues but he said it could be outside case if in original packaging; right. First guy said he's worked in four different airports and they are all different on the checking a gun thing. There was no TSA check that I saw (like at IAD years ago) or need to stick around. They took my phone number just in case. I went to the bar 
. Bag shows checked on app. I signed a card saying it was unloaded. They put a sticker on my case and tagged my bag that it should go to . Pretty painless. Will pick up from (should...) from baggage office in Anchorage tonight.
. Bag shows checked on app. I signed a card saying it was unloaded. They put a sticker on my case and tagged my bag that it should go to . Pretty painless. Will pick up from (should...) from baggage office in Anchorage tonight.
I travel extensively with firearms. I have hunted Africa 10X and travel to Texas and Kansas frequently to hunt. I either use a Nalpak Tuffpak if I take 2 guns, or a Pelican 1750 if I only take one. Get to the airport about 45 minutes earlier than you would without firearms, package them in a locked hardside case- and declare them to the airline agent upon checkin. They have you show that it is unloaded. You will have to sign a bright orange postcard sized declaration stating it’s unloaded. They will then have you wait while it is sent to TSA for clearance. Most often the TSA will waive you through and that’s it. About 10% of the time, the TSA will have you unlock the case in their presence and prove that it’s unloaded. I have never had a problem. I have a folder I carry that has internet printouts of the airline policies - to show to the agent if they don’t know their own airline policies. Every airline has their policy on their website. Should be easy peasy.
Had I seen this earlier I would have recommended a flat rate USPS box full of ammo to yourself at the destination address. I've heard from many an internet source that checking a gun is simple but ammo can be a hurdle.Ok update from RIC. No major issues checking my bag...all in all about 15 extra minutes so I was WAY early. I left it unlocked with locks in pocket. Opened hard case and showed mags were unloaded and pistol was unloaded (obvious because of chamber lock). Ammo...here we had some confusion. 2 small OEM cases of 10mm Buffalo Bore in my bag. Agent says it has to be in hard case with the gun; wrong. But tossed it in. Supervisor came to verify including trying to open case and get hand in while locked) had no issues but he said it could be outside case if in original packaging; right. First guy said he's worked in four different airports and they are all different on the checking a gun thing. There was no TSA check that I saw (like at IAD years ago) or need to stick around. They took my phone number just in case. I went to the bar
Safe travels. That door on that Boeing is supposed to rattle like that
Only 2 small boxes that fit in the hard case so not an issue. Different airlines have different rules for the ammo.Had I seen this earlier I would have recommended a flat rate USPS box full of ammo to yourself at the destination address. I've heard from many an internet source that checking a gun is simple but ammo can be a hurdle.
Safe travels. That door on that Boeing is supposed to rattle like that
Say HI to all my kids living in AK!!
Safe travel/work. Very cool job BTW.
Safe travel/work. Very cool job BTW.
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