FYI, I know this has been discussed in the past quite a bit. Just looking at Deltas website for an upcoming trip to Tanzania. It now says that "TSA Locks are not allowed on Firearms" I do not remember it saying this last year.


Just FYI I have been using Tuff Pak since 99 with no problems,

My cases have TSA locks built in with no other way to lock the case. Chain or cable with a lock?

quote:

Originally posted by chuckmaxman:
My cases have TSA locks built in with no other way to lock the case. Chain or cable with a lock?

I would get a different case

tradewinds - I don't what Delta's website says now or what it said last year, but no TSA locks on guncases as been the rule/law for several years now. It's not really Delta or any other "Airlines" call. Guns must be locked in a case where only the owner of the firearm/s has the key, period.

I your case is only lockable with a TSA lock then best not use it for firearms transportation, as said get a different case. End of story.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
tradewinds - I don't what Delta's website says now or what it said last year, but no TSA locks on guncases as been the rule/law for several years now. It's not really Delta or any other "Airlines" call. Guns must be locked in a case where only the owner of the firearm/s has the key, period.

I your case is only lockable with a TSA lock then best not use it for firearms transportation, as said get a different case. End of story.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Yes I know that, it just an FYI for some people because it seems like a lot of posters on AR believe you should have TSA locks on gun cases in case TSA need to open. Must come up a lot because Delta now put it on thier website.

Last two trips to Africa i saw people with TSA locks on gun cases.

Ahh, you just have to love TSA/airline co.s. When we went to RSA in2008, we used TSA locks on the gun case, and had zero issues going or coming back. I swear, when i go again, I'm taking both. You never know who the jolly joker is that may be enforcing the "rules".

Mad Dog

What works for me, is legal and should cause no hassle with anybody is a combination lock on the gun case and TSA locks on regular luggage and seperate ammo case. I also pack an extra lock in the gun case just to cover requirements if the lock gets buggered in transit and needs to be cut off.

Mark

So, how would Delta know it was a TSA lock? Never once have they checked to see what kind of lock was used to pack my guns.

Has anyone EVER had Delta or their buddy, Northwest Airlines check the locks?

If you've seen the TSA locks it is very obvious that they are not the conventional type. I just looked at three different styles of TSA locks that I have and all had a red and white emblem on them and two of the locks said TSA on them. The mechanical differnce of course it that the TSA locks can be opened with a key that only TSA has so they can check your luggage without you having to open the luggage. TSA would probably be the ones to actually question the use of the TSA locks on the gun case.

Mark

I believe Delta says something like, "it recommends" but they don't require it. I checked into this about a year ago and it's not an issue with them.

Why would TSA care if there were TSA locks on a gun case? Wouldn't they rather use a key than cut the lock?

Two years ago I used an SKB golf case with TSA locks to transport my guns and there was no problem. Granted, things could have changed since then.

It is clear these guys make it up as they go. Especially on a local level. Preperation for either/or as Mark suggests is the prudent approach. Have you ever tried to engage them in a conversation about this at the airports? Brain damage!!!! Just go with the flow, whatever that may be on that particular day.

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
I believe Delta says something like, "it recommends" but they don't require it. I checked into this about a year ago and it's not an issue with them.

From Delta's Site, "TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms"


a few years ago I was in Customs in Tampa Fl. getting a 4457 Form, TSA Agent was in the office, knew about guns and liked shooting and Hunting, actually was a nice guy.

This was about the time that quite a few on this site where saying you should have TSA locks on guns. I personally read the rules that you are not to have TSA locks on guns, i would not put a TSA lock on my gun, i am sure every crook has a key. I haved used the Tuffpak with old style lock, walk with my guns to TSA and when they give you thumbs up I go to the gate.

The TSA Agent said the law is very simple, the TSA law says, "only the owner is to have a Key" So if you put a TSA lock others will have a key.

His opinion was he would not let a firearm case on the plane with TSA locks.

My skb guncase came with tsa locks. I called them and they sent me non tsa locks to install, which I did. The lady at SKB was very nice and I had the locks within a week (at no charge).

dirklawyer - I don't know if you are a lawyer or not but the simple fact is Delta or no other airline can approve/recommend/require use of a TSA lock on a firearms contained case. If you use a TSA lock on such a case you are breaking the LAW, plain and simple. Just because others here have used TSA locks illegally in the past and have gotten by with it doesn't make it legal.

It's so simple to follow the LAW, why would anyone take the risk of having their trip ruined by trying to circumvent the LAW?

Grumulkin -"Why would TSA care if there were TSA locks on a gun case?" Probably so not every other person on the Planet could open it for one and secondly it's the LAW and that's what they enforce, the LAW.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
I believe Delta says something like, "it recommends" but they don't require it. I checked into this about a year ago and it's not an issue with them.

quote:

My cases have TSA locks built in with no other way to lock the case. Chain or cable with a lock?

I used a cable lock on my SKB case with TSA locks. Did not have a problem with it but not sure if that is the legal way to do it or if I just got away with it that time.

How many guys have had their gun case held up by Delta because they had TSA locks on the case? Just curious.
Yes, even if they have not enforced their own law we should abide by their luggage law and play it safe.

Yea, I'll play it safe to and be sure to have something on my luggage besides a TSA luggage but the whole thing is pretty stupid considering EVERYONE can get a pair of bolt cutters or a prybar to get a case open if they really want to.

The bigger question is, if TSA doesn't want a TSA lock on gun cases why do they then EVER cut locks to get into gun cases?

Dirk - It's not a problem with Delta not wanting TSA locks on guncases, they could probably care less. They will most likely pass them right through at checkin as well. It's TSA that has the issue (law) and could cause you all kinds of grief with confiscation or leaving your case behind.

Grum - I personally don't know of or have I ever had a non TSA lock cut from a firearms case. After checkin, the firearms case goes to TSA while you wait for their OK to proceed. If they need/want to open your firearms case they come get the key from you. If they don't need to open it they simply give you the go ahead to proceed to your gate. That's the way it works out here in the West anyway.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
How many guys have had their gun case held up by Delta because they had TSA locks on the case? Just curious.
Yes, even if they have not enforced their own law we should abide by their luggage law and play it safe.

If you scrape the little TSA stickers off of the locks on your SKB case then no one will know that they are TSA locks, so TSA will no longer consider them TSA locks.

Uh Oh...I hope the powers that be don't figure out that all SKB keys are the same....

I just checked site for Delta, American, South African Air and KLM
Delta says no TSA, American says TSA ok, South African and KLM say locked but nothing about what kind of lock.
It you get the Python cable lock I offer on my website then you can run it thru the top and bottom handles on a Tuffpak and the case is locked and then it can be locked still with which ever lock you chose for the Tuffpak when you bought it.
As to the airlines...the right hand still does not know what the left is doing.
Better tomorrows to all.

"(sigh)"