Buck100
Active Member
And you can bring your antlers and meat back with you rather than paying for shipping. Retirement is great!
Air Travel With Pelican Case
- Thread starter Ingwe
- Start date
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In short, I recommend NOT removing bolt (not required, but some airports will make you open bolt to show it's unloaded - before going over to TSA inspection).
Longer response, and with due respect, there are not one set of rules to follow. I fly several times a year with guns to various states and have flown international. TSA has their rules and each airport manages differently (and changes are frequent). In Houston, even different terminals of IAH have different rules.
TSA can open your gun case without you present (whole point of TSA locks).
Most airports allow non-TSA locks but as stated by others make you either stand by and watch them inspect before final close or wait until they x-ray in the back and determine they do/don't want to open for further inspection. My experience is if they open and inspect most airports will remove the foam so loose bolt not good IMHO.
If not using TSA locks, arrive extra early as it may take longer, eg having to go to a diff terminal for non-TSA locks.
PS: Best of luck in hunting abroad, and also know the rules for ice and dry ice on your specific airline...the rules/fees vary significantly.
Cheers
cohunt
Well-Known Member
According to TSA, any type of lock (including a TSA lock) is acceptable
---- BUT check your airline regulations, many require that you are the only one allowed to have the key that opens the lock, that would mean you cant use a TSA lock
---- BUT check your airline regulations, many require that you are the only one allowed to have the key that opens the lock, that would mean you cant use a TSA lock
ncwg2boatguy
Well-Known Member
I don't trust TSA as far as I can throw them. I'm using my locks, bolt in.
freddiej
Well-Known Member
As someone whom has carried and traveled with guns for the past 25 years for various reasons. This is what I do with my bolt in my pelican cases. I do take the bolt out, put the bolt in a sturdy plastic box, lay it in a secure place under a flap in the foam that velcros down so as not to loose it. My plastic box also has small tools for the gun in it as well. Recently I have been told by TSA agents that "TSA approved Locks" has ended. The lock must not be able to be opened by TSA so that you must be present when the case is unlocked and opened. The reason was something about theft of guns and expensive optics and stuff we put in our cases. Yes, I have had expensive locks cut off my cases midstream on a layover. I complained and they fired the idiot that cut the locks off. TSA it seems has had a policy change and a procedure change. Only the owner of the gun can open the case. They place a "TSA" Medallion in the case next to the gun where it can be seen by a scanner. I agree with this policy change. This is at RNO (Reno/Tahoe International air port) that I heard this. I suggest you check with your local TSA office or the Airlines you are flying on. Their policies might be slightly different. Also they put a medallion in your case when it is scanned (X-rayed) they see the medallion and know it's been inspected with no need to open it at every airport along the way. However: with all law enforcement they can lie to you but you must tell them the truth. I could have been lied to the last time I flew for hunt in Maine.
Hunt long, Breathe deeply, Live daily... REPEAT!
Hunt long, Breathe deeply, Live daily... REPEAT!
I can only speak about traveling with firearms to Africa but this is my solution-
I take my bolts out, wrap them in a silicon cloth, and stuff them under the rifles in their own foam cut out. If you fly out of JFK you will have to open the cases right out in the open of the ticketing line so it makes it easy to show they are unloaded. Also I make sure I always cut the foam to lay them serial number side up (obviously if it's under the barrel this isn't possible) and most of the time I don't have to remove them from the cut out at all to get the go ahead. The firearm counter in Africa will want you to take the rifles out and present them so this is another reason I keep the bolts out of the rifles.
Another tip- I use the pelican i3300 (this case also has clasps on the top and bottom of the case, they are kind of "hidden" if you will, that won't allow it to open even with the 4 front clasps unlocked, so it's extra security) standard locks are a bitch to fit in the holes provided, South African air requires a lock for every hole. Get these locks and it makes it a breeze to unlock and lock after a long flight- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5YBGLZ/?tag=lrhmag19-20
I take my bolts out, wrap them in a silicon cloth, and stuff them under the rifles in their own foam cut out. If you fly out of JFK you will have to open the cases right out in the open of the ticketing line so it makes it easy to show they are unloaded. Also I make sure I always cut the foam to lay them serial number side up (obviously if it's under the barrel this isn't possible) and most of the time I don't have to remove them from the cut out at all to get the go ahead. The firearm counter in Africa will want you to take the rifles out and present them so this is another reason I keep the bolts out of the rifles.
Another tip- I use the pelican i3300 (this case also has clasps on the top and bottom of the case, they are kind of "hidden" if you will, that won't allow it to open even with the 4 front clasps unlocked, so it's extra security) standard locks are a bitch to fit in the holes provided, South African air requires a lock for every hole. Get these locks and it makes it a breeze to unlock and lock after a long flight- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5YBGLZ/?tag=lrhmag19-20
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As explained by many, I padlock my rifle case once the "Red card" iprovided at the counter is placed in the case. I strap my bolt separately in the case and have a trigger lock. I have been told to remove the bolt in Canadian airports Be aware that media filled shooting bags can show up on the ex-rays looking like explosive material. I bring mine in my carry-on and lay it in the bin separately so it's obvious it's s shooting bag. I have been pulled over at the end of the carry-on/ex-ray line when it was inside my carry-on. It's a PITA. Never had an issue with it laying in the bin. They will likely open a checked bag upon ex-Ray depending on the type of media(ie. small granulation) in the shooting bag.
LanceS4803
Well-Known Member
As freddiej mentioned, locks have been cut, albeit erroneously. Some folks actually fly with an extra set of padlocks, just in case.
LanceS4803
Well-Known Member
Interesting locks!
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James L Holzhauer
Well-Known Member
I do remove my bolt. I use a tufpak and have never lost a zero. Tough as nails.
I have also used HVAC cable ties that are 42" long and 1/2" wide and just about as tough as steel as a backup for locks on case. Once my case is inspected, I cable tie the case shut in 2 places where my case actually has 2 separate grooves at either end almost like it was made for that. I told TSA it was precaution in case a lock failed and so far it has been ok. I put extra ones in the bottom of the case for return trip. I haven't flown with rifle in about 5-6 years so it may be different now but still worth the extra security since no one can open without cutting them off. Just a thought for added security.
I will say with all of that, Delta lost my rifle for about 8 hours on a return trip; handler decided to secure it and forgot to bar code where it was at (at least that was the word). Now that was fun time to unravel. Gave them credit, they searched every secure holding spot and found it finally hours later after I was actually home. Sent it to my airport and hand delivered it to my house. Perfect condition, just another typical traveling snafu.
I will say with all of that, Delta lost my rifle for about 8 hours on a return trip; handler decided to secure it and forgot to bar code where it was at (at least that was the word). Now that was fun time to unravel. Gave them credit, they searched every secure holding spot and found it finally hours later after I was actually home. Sent it to my airport and hand delivered it to my house. Perfect condition, just another typical traveling snafu.
They look a bit funny but man do they work well. Plus the key doesn't pull out of them if unlocked which is nice. The cable gives you about 1/2" clearance so not much is exposed for tampering.
BHP9
Well-Known Member
I use $50.00 each Amerilocks (2) on my Storms.
Certainly nothing TSA approved.
Certainly nothing TSA approved.
I always go to the airline sight, and print out their rules on firearms. Then when you get someone with an attitude you can show them in black and white their policy. I also take the bolt out and pack with serial number showing. Putting a couple of targets and small tools under the foam is another one of my habits. No TSA locks used.
