I've done multiple searches here but haven't found the info I'm looking for so figured I'd just ask:
Have any of you Tuffpak users had your rifles removed from the pak by TSA without you being present and how well did they end up re-packing them? The Tuffpak looks like the ideal answer but it seems to me the key to it's success is somewhat in how well it's packed.
My SKB case fell apart on the last trip so it's time for a new solution.
Any input appreciated.

Regards,
Scott

When I check in at Washington Dulles, the TSA folks always inspect my rifles in front of me. Since the rifles are inside soft cases inside the Tuffpak, there is not much the TSA folks can mess up. They open the Tuffpak, slide the rifles out of the soft cases, check them unloaded etc, and then put them back in the soft cases and close up the Tuffpak. I can get 3 rifles in Tuffpak and still come in under the 50 pound limit this way.
Mangwana

If you use the TuffSak inside the Tuffpak you will greatly simplify the inspection for the TSA - who are, after all, very simple folk.

The regulations actually call for you to be present during the inspection, but I have had a few airports where they would not allow me to be present. Just gave them my keys, which they used and returned to me. Everything came through just fine.

My TuffPak will be leaving on its 17th safari in 3 weeks, and I have never had an issue with it. It will not fall apart on you like the SKB did.

subsailor74 - the first beer at Harare airport on 16AUG is on me!

Mike - I am really looking forward to it! Tamela aka Tambudzai (which in Shona means 'trouble") will probably drink both of us under the table. This will be the first time she will actually be hunting, and she will be bursting at the seams with stories to tell.
Mangwana

Dave - Tamela wanted to visit us in Mana Angwa camp but there are no charters that meet her schedule, so we will all hook up in Harare International to talk story and toast the ones that got away!

Anytime my TuffPak's have been opened I was present, and I was allowed to repack them, myself.

Thanks fellas!!

Appreciate the input!

My wife and I flew to Austin in June and attended a safari shooting school. When we checked in at AUS for our return flight, TSA inspected our Tuffpak. When I arrived home, I found the case was unlocked, and the lock had obviously been twisted with a pair of visegrips. A TSA form was found inside, stating that they had found it necessary to re-open the case, and they were not liable for any damages. The lock was not damaged, the case still works properly, and subsequently survived a 22-day trip to RSA and Zim. Debbie, from Tuffpak says that the only thing their products are not warranteed against is Tearing Sh*t Apart! Tuffpak is a good case.

I have one of the “take-down” Tuffpaks with a pair of doubles in break-down soft cases inside and it works perfectly for double rifles, and is much easier to pull around airports. It also looks less like a gun case than even the full length Tuffpak . I also remove my bolt rifle from the stock and use it for trips to Alaska as well and have never had a problem with it. Packed properly these things are a quality piece of travel equipment for the traveling hunter!
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quote:

Originally posted by Tim Ferrall:
My wife and I flew to Austin in June and attended a safari shooting school. When we checked in at AUS for our return flight, TSA inspected our Tuffpak. When I arrived home, I found the case was unlocked, and the lock had obviously been twisted with a pair of visegrips. A TSA form was found inside, stating that they had found it necessary to re-open the case, and they were not liable for any damages. The lock was not damaged, the case still works properly, and subsequently survived a 22-day trip to RSA and Zim. Debbie, from Tuffpak says that the only thing their products are not warranteed against is Tearing Sh*t Apart! Tuffpak is a good case.

Tim, did your case have the TSA lock or the regular non-TSA vending machine lock?

Pics of damage to case?

You are the only first hand account I have read about and would like more details.

thx

If you use a tuff sack do you put your lockable ammo box in it or do you keep the ammo box in another piece of luggage? I'm considering a Tuffpak - I have always used my heavy Americase.

quote:

Originally posted by djsjr:
If you use a tuff sack do you put your lockable ammo box in it or do you keep the ammo box in another piece of luggage? I'm considering a Tuffpak - I have always used my heavy Americase.

With two rifles in my tuffpak, IMO, there really isn't enough room to put ammo in a separate lock box, esp given the shape of the Tuffpak.

Plus, with two rifles with scopes in soft cases in the Tuffpak, you are already starting to get a bit too close to the 50# limit to take much ammo.

17# tuff case plus two soft cases at 2.5# each and two scoped rifles at 9# = 40#.
Add your 5kg of ammo and you are overweight.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

quote:

Originally posted by djsjr:
If you use a tuff sack do you put your lockable ammo box in it or do you keep the ammo box in another piece of luggage? I'm considering a Tuffpak - I have always used my heavy Americase.

With two rifles in my tuffpak, IMO, there really isn't enough room to put ammo in a separate lock box, esp given the shape of the Tuffpak.

Plus, with two rifles with scopes in soft cases in the Tuffpak, you are already starting to get a bit too close to the 50# limit to take much ammo.

17# tuff case plus two soft cases at 2.5# each and two scoped rifles at 9# = 40#.
Add your 5kg of ammo and you are overweight.

On Tuffpak's site, there's a video featuring Cameron Hopkins extolling the virtues of their product and towards the end he sets the Nalpak ammo box that they sell on top of the packed rifles in the case and it seems to fit perfectly. I went ahead and ordered one so we'll see.

To Duckear and Vanderhoef,
My Tuffpaks, (I have a long and a shorter one), are both of the conventional lock type. The first was purchased before they had the TSA lock available, and the second was purchased after they quit making the TSA lock. Debbie tells me that the TSA lock didn't help, as the TSA gorillas would open the cases, then fail to re-lock them after inspection. I also have two of the Nalpak ammo cases the Cameron Hopkins likes. They work well, and fit inside the Tuffpaks. My understanding of the regs, and you are on your own here, is that for domestic travel it is okay to put the ammo cases inside the Tuffpak as long as the ammo cases are locked. I use the TSA padlocks that come with the ammo cases. However, my booking agent told me that for international travel, i.e., the Zim trip, that the ammo cases were to remain unlocked, with a padlock inside in case the authorities wanted to lock them after inspection. Said ammo boxes were to be put in checked baggage other than the Tuffpaks. This is the procedure I followed without any problems.
BTW, the TSA gorilla intrusion in Austin did not result in any damage to my Tuffpak, and there was no readily discernible damage, other than a few scratches to the lock surface. Hope this helps.

Tim

You ned t take pictures, document everything about your trip, ie arrival time at the airport, flight numbers tec., and file a report with the head of the TSA as whoever opene3d your rifl case broke ther Laws, and when they put that case with a gun or guns in it back on the plane they also violated their own laws and the rules of the airline.

If the TSA expect us to follow their laws then they should be forced to follow their own laws or be fired and prosecuted, just like they would do one of us.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Tim

You ned t take pictures, document everything about your trip, ie arrival time at the airport, flight numbers tec., and file a report with the head of the TSA as whoever opene3d your rifl case broke ther Laws, and when they put that case with a gun or guns in it back on the plane they also violated their own laws and the rules of the airline.

If the TSA expect us to follow their laws then they should be forced to follow their own laws or be fired and prosecuted, just like they would do one of us.

Tim,

The above is correct. Please take the time to file a complaint, in writing, and copy your US senators and representative. TSA must be made to handle firearms according to their own regulations. What happened with your TuffPak is pure BS!