I know this has been discussed before. However, when I was recently downloading TSA rules for travel with guns and ammo I noticed that they say it is okay to carry your rifle scope in your carry on. Is this a change from previous policy? Will a copy of their rules satisfy some uninformed over zealous TSA agent?

Just print out the TSA rules and carry them with you. I do that with the Airline firearms policies because the ticketing people can be so ignorant.

peashooter,

Carrying the rules may prove you are right if confronted at security but it does not preclude a hold up while all the knot heads check it out. I'd just carry my scope attached to the rifle as always. Why set up a potential problem when you don't have to.

Mark

And remember that you will have to clear african customs when coming home, and their rules differ from TSA. I have witnessed hunters making the mad dash from customs back to the firearms check station after the customs/security agent refused to allow their scope to travel in their carry-on. Fortunately their rifle case was still at firearms inspection, but if it had gone to the plane they would have been SOL.

something else to consider is that if you fly in the US on one of the regional carriers they may make you gate check it anyway, in which case it would be better off in a safe secure gun case. Not to mention the already mentioned confusion at check in even if you have the rules. I now even put my binos in the gun case

eny,

A solid point made!

Mark

I have been travelling to Africa for so many tears.

My rifles have their scopes on and in the travel gun case.

Never had any problem.

I would not consider carrying a rifle scope in a carry on bag.

Not worth the hassle one might get.

I carried an extra scope in my carry on baggage exactly once. Made the trip from here across the pond but coming home, the check in at Harare was an absolute nightmare. 3 different levels of supervisors, airport security, a few of the local police. Fortunately, I had given myself more than an hour before the flight was ready to board. Definitely NOT worth the hassle.

I'm sorry you gents and a rough time of it. Since the 1990s I have carried my camera, binocs, and scope (if it had quick detachable mounts) in my carryon and never a problem. The most security and questions were at Heathrow in London where they gave each piece a colonoscopy (me too, for that matter) but all was fine and allowable.
Cal

.
Can only echo Cal. I always carry on my binos and scope and have never had any issues - Germany, France, UK, RSA, Namibia, Zim, Zam, Bots and most recently Mauritania in Feb 16.

Once a sec guard looked at the binos and told me that he thought Zeiss were better than Swaros - he was a keen birder!

.

Why would you want the hassle of a scope or even binoculars in your carryon? Just place them in you gun case and don't worry about them. Remember, your gun case is locked with individually keyed locks that only you have the key to. I would think that cutting the locks off of a gun case would take a pretty bold criminal because it would draw immediate attention during the transport process and be obvious where the action took place. Just my 2 cents though.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by BC3:
Why would you want the hassle of a scope or even binoculars in your carryon? Just place them in you gun case and don't worry about them. Remember, your gun case is locked with individually keyed locks that only you have the key to. I would think that cutting the locks off of a gun case would take a pretty bold criminal because it would draw immediate attention during the transport process and be obvious where the action took place. Just my 2 cents though.

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
+1

quote:

Originally posted by BC3:
Why would you want the hassle of a scope or even binoculars in your carryon? Just place them in you gun case and don't worry about them. Remember, your gun case is locked with individually keyed locks that only you have the key to. I would think that cutting the locks off of a gun case would take a pretty bold criminal because it would draw immediate attention during the transport process and be obvious where the action took place. Just my 2 cents though.

But sometimes guns cases don't show up promptly. I can borrow a rifle, but generally no good binos available.

Best regards, D. Nelson

Carry your binos in your carry on they are not an issue with TSA where a scope could be. If they lose your rifle you sure do not need a scope.

quote:

Originally posted by D. Nelson:

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
+1

quote:

Originally posted by BC3:
Why would you want the hassle of a scope or even binoculars in your carryon? Just place them in you gun case and don't worry about them. Remember, your gun case is locked with individually keyed locks that only you have the key to. I would think that cutting the locks off of a gun case would take a pretty bold criminal because it would draw immediate attention during the transport process and be obvious where the action took place. Just my 2 cents though.

But sometimes guns cases don't show up promptly. I can borrow a rifle, but generally no good binos available.

Best regards, D. Nelson

I missed a flight once because of a spare scope in my carry on in New York. I would definitely not take a range finder or range finding binoculars in my carry on. That circuitry showing up on the x-ray will I'm sure create issues. Put it in the gun case!

The only time I ever had a problem was in ... Milwaukee, WI. Two supervisors were required. The first people claimed I was carrying "firearm parts".

Still, I leave the scope in the rifle case now.

My scopes are always on the rifles and are always in the TuffPak. My binos are always in my carry-on luggage. I have never had a issue with the binos, and the ones that I carry with me hunting are either the Swaro or the Leica range finding binos, depending on which binos I choose to take with me.

I concur. I put rifles w/scopes in place ( with bolts packed separately) in GOOD cotton-padded (no foam) BOYT cases in the Tuff-Pack case,add "filler" in the form of vest,shirts,jacket etc.
up to the 49 lb.weight.( The cases are needed for vehicle transport in the field anyway )....In 8 trips to Namibia I have had no problems so
"If it ain't broke don't fix it "

Scopes on the rifle. Never needed a spare. Only had a scope fail once in all the years I've been hunting, and that with an old weaver with leather o rings back in 1976.

Range finding Leica binos go in the carry on every time. No issues going or coming to Africa, New Zealand, Russia, or anywhere else.

Definitely not worth the potential hassle. Even if your scope is deemed OK, some TSA clown could claim the rings are a "firearms part". I had a 15 minute conversation with TSA agents about a rifle sling.

You may win the fight but still miss your flight.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
My scopes are always on the rifles and are always in the TuffPak. My binos are always in my carry-on luggage. I have never had a issue with the binos, and the ones that I carry with me hunting are either the Swaro or the Leica range finding binos, depending on which binos I choose to take with me.

+1

I once carried a scope in my carry on through LAX. Got pulled over into the "super scan" machine and I asked what the machine would detect. I was told it would detect traces of propellant (he said gunpowder to be exact). I said, "wouldn't it be normal for a rifle scope to show trace propellant?" I got no answer to that and they let me through, but I did waste some valuable time before a flight.

Lesson learned, I leave scopes on rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
I once carried a scope in my carry on through LAX. Got pulled over into the "super scan" machine and I asked what the machine would detect. I was told it would detect traces of propellant (he said gunpowder to be exact). I said, "wouldn't it be normal for a rifle scope to show trace propellant?" I got no answer to that and they let me through, but I did waste some valuable time before a flight.

Lesson learned, I leave scopes on rifles.

They don't know what they are talking about, anyway. It will show traces of blackpowder, but not smokeless.

If you are ever nabbed, just say "trapshooter" and that's the magic word from their training.

I have also carried my binocs, camera and extra scope or scope in my carry on without a problem. but I can see wherein one might have to deal with difficulty in todays world, someone with an over active imagination or who was on the ball and doing his job (rare indeed in airports) might decide your an assassin..

But as I have said so many times, just act innocent and stupid and polite and they will feel sorry for your ignorant a$$ walk you right thu it...Hold up the TSA rules as a last resort but always travel with them and if you use them say "Golly gee, it sez right here that I can do this, have I misread it" IN the USA that's when you ask Billy Bob if you should call your lawyer!! Scares em in the USA, don't try that in a 3rd world!!