One of the "selling points" of TuffPaks is that one can pack their rifles in soft cases, and then pack regular clothes, shoes etc. around them to "wedge" the cases in place.

My observance with TSA is that most of the employees are very careless in repacking. I have observed them in the luggage areas unwrapping bubble wrapped fragile items to check, and then shove everything back in suitcases. I have even observed them open Pelican cases, take electronics out, put items in wrong slots, and almost stand on the cases to latch them back up. All of this in secure areas where public does not observe them at all (my company services the baggage handling systems, so I have gone to have meetings in the back at times, and saw those guys in action).

Given that, has anyone had bad experiences with the repacking of the Tuffpaks by TSA?

IMO, the key is not to overstuff your Tufpak and pack so rifles can be slid out of their cases and reinserted. Heck, some printed instructions inside the top of your tuffpak may help.

That said, no one is gonna be as careful as you repacking your case/luggage.

Do your best and take your chances.

I have never had my Tuff pak repacked.

I use grocery plastic bags to put items and tie the top.

bottom of the tuffpak is my backpack.
next in goes the rifle - barrel down in soft case. easy to pull out for inspection.
then plastic bags with clothing
1 set of clothing in a bag.
bags keep the clothing items from settling to the bottom.
then on top i put my cap - shoes and jerky

If you put your rifle in barrel up the entire case has to be emptied to get your rifle out.

Use of the TuffSak facilitates inspection removal and makes sliding the contents back inside the TuffPak relatively easy, even for the IQ challenged TSA employees.

Once upon a time, TSA required you be present to observe the inspection. This went by the wayside at many airports and apparently is no longer a requirement. Too bad, as it kept the TSA bottom feeders honest (and a bit careful).

I am in transit to Australia now. I have my rifle in my tuffpak, and they did not unpack and repack. I have a non TSA lock on there and once I locked it, it was good to go...

I use the Tuffsak. Last time through SFO they had ME open the case, show them the guns and I repacked it myself.

Regardless of what brand gun case you use it is NOT to have a TSA assessable lock on it.
I have only traveled with my Tuffpak twice, but both times I opened it for TSA & either re-packed it or watched it being re-packed then locked it back myself.

quote:

Originally posted by bwana cecil:
Regardless of what brand gun case you use it is NOT to have a TSA assessable lock on it.
I have only traveled with my Tuffpak twice, but both times I opened it for TSA & either re-packed it or watched it being re-packed then locked it back myself.

However, many airports, such as Kansas City I flew out of two months ago with a rifle, TSA will not allow passengers into the secure area to view the unpacking. They ask for a key and return the key. Also, I have had non-TSA locks cut off my gun case. What the rules state and what actually happens may differ.
Cal

Firearms are locked and you the owner has the only key. If TSA wants to get in they will ask for key. Never put a TSA lock on any gun case. In JFK Port authority police will take you to TSA and TSA stands there and watches cops check out serial number as you unlock and open up firearm for inspection and I repacked rifle and locked up and on my way.

Mike

Wife and I went to a shooting school in Texas in 2012. When we arrived home, I discovered that the TSA had opened our Tuffpak by using vise grip pliers to twist the top of the factory lock. Found a note inside saying they had to open the Tuffpak for inspection,(even though they had not taken the opportunity to do so at check in), and were not liable for any damage. My name and cell phone # were on a plate on the outside of the case, and we were not called. This happened in Austin. Once the case is out of your sight, they can open it to see what they can steal. TSA=Too Stupid for Arby's!

Now, Tim, that's somewhat cynical and frankly, just downright mean; even if it is basically true. I think you should be appropriately ashamed of yourself. BoBo and Uncle Joe would think so.

Mike is 100% correct plus IF you have a TSA lock on the case you shall be allowed to fly but the gun case will not be allowed to fly.

That is the Law, YOU MUST be the only person with a key to access your weapons. There may be an TSA Agent which will miss that bit but I would not want to bet my trip on that.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Ferrall:
TSA=Too Stupid for Arby's!

I thought it stood for Thousands Standing Around?

quote:

Originally posted by GOB:
Mike is 100% correct plus IF you have a TSA lock on the case you shall be allowed to fly but the gun case will not be allowed to fly.

That is the Law, YOU MUST be the only person with a key to access your weapons. There may be an TSA Agent which will miss that bit but I would not want to bet my trip on that.

I had my locks cut off once because TSA wanted to inspect the case. They put TSA locks on the case. I was pissed they cut them off, but what was I going to do at point? BTW, I was coming from Canada and cleared Customs in Vancouver. Since TSA was not there, the case was never inspected. So when it came time to transfer it to my flight to PHX from DEN, they wanted to see inside.

All too often there is no rhyme nor reason to what people given a little authority will do.