Have an early flight in a few weeks with a rifle and not sure how to minimize harassment. Flew a couple of years ago and TSA called me back out of security to open and inspect my rifle/rifle case. Got the worst seat on the plan obviously after running back through security. Used TSA locks the next time, no call back. Now they say don't use TSA locks, but I don't want to run back and forth through security or miss the flight if possible.

Does TSA have to hand-inspect your gun case? If so, I might just put TSA lock on anyway.

You used to be able to request they do it while you were at the counter, but I don't think that's available any more, right?

Any best practices or advice?

I just flew to & from Alaska in August. IN both instances, I declared the gun at the counter. Signed the tag and placed it in my bag.

A representative of Delta then escorted me to TSA. I wanted until TSA has done their thing then I left.

A few years back, I took the case to the TSA folks right up at the ticket counter. Idiot ran some sort of scanner over it, and around the seal area, then put it on the conveyor down stairs. I hollered at him, hey, you didn't lock it. He had to call down and have someone lock the locks. Real bright bunch.

When ever I have traveled with firearms I always print both the airline's rules and TSA's rules. In my experience I generally know more than a counter employee or the average TSA agent. When you have the most recent information from their websites printed and yellow highlighted you're gold.

Just flew Alaska to Wyoming and back. No issue whatsoever.

The only problem I do run into consistently is that I use a tuffpak and rarely is it recognized as a guncase. I've had it come out onto the regular luggage carousel many times and that makes me nervous enough to make sure I get to that carousel early.

Carrying a copy of the rules is crucial. Also, if you get delayed, don't go and try and take possession of your weapon then leave overnight... They'll bust you real quick.

Last couple of times at BWI, they accepted my (declared, counter "inspected") guncase at the check-in counter, but didn't allow me to accompany it to TSA inspection.

Do you think this is why I got called back to open/watch the second TSA inspection? Is the TSA opening/inspection required?

quote:

Originally posted by SpicyCrabDip:
Carrying a copy of the rules is crucial. Also, if you get delayed, don't go and try and take possession of your weapon then leave overnight... They'll bust you real quick.

I've had an overnight layover many times in Seattle and we ALWAYS take our guns to the hotel so I'm not sure who is busting who for what?

Agreed! I've laid over in numerous places and in all places other than in London I took my guns to the hotel with me.

Mark