Make sure that whatever case you get, that it can be secured with TSA approved padlocks. Some brands or style of cases don't have provisions for TSA approved padlocks. That can prove to be a real hassle if TSA agents are busy and end up stacking up cases for later inspection. They won't be able to open your case without breaking it or paging you at the airport to come to the ticket counter. Negrini cases come to mind as not having padlock provisions. They claim that they are working on it.

I was under the impression that you show them the firearm and close and lock it in front of TSA agent. You then keep the key and they don't have access to the interior of the case.

Jeff, Please note my reference to "if TSA agents are busy and end up stacking up cases for later inspection". Often you will open the case for the ticket agent and to put the orange card in, but the ticket agent is not the TSA agent. At some airports, the TSA agent will inspect the inside of the case, in a separate area and at a later time as the bags head to the plane. I've had this experience in both small and very large airports.

I've done a lot of flying with guns post 9-11. Everything I've been told or have read states that you are to use your own locks on gun cases with guns in them and you are to keep the key yourself.

The TSA agents are supposed to open the guns with you present and then when their inspection is done, you place the locks on the case & lock them yourself. I would never think of locking my gun case with a TSA approved lock. Using one would be a quick trip to a stolen gun IMO.

Gh-16, You've obviously never flown out of Newark airport in the early morning or Aberdeen airport with 20 other hunters in line or Missoula airport during Elk season or San Antonio after the World Skeet Championships. I have and what I covered above has and does happen. I've also never had a gun stolen during an airline shipment. I don't think that having the key in hand has anything at all to do with whether or not a gun will be stolen. If the thieves think it is worth stealing, they will.

Possibly this is something new, or a specific airport policy??? I have flown a dozen times with my guns and I have always had to fill out a form, and wait for TSA to inspect. I was then instructed to lock my case with my locks. I keep the key. When you get yo the end of your flight does someone remove the locks? Admittedly I have not flown on any commercial flights with any of my guns this past year.

Phil, "TSA" refers to TSA approved locks. they can be opened by TSA agents with special keys that they have. The locks can be bought at any place that sells luggage. The locks are your locks, not TSA's. They arenT "owned" by TSA. They are locks that you buy and own.

As regards booking in procedures, The ticket agent not the TSA agent, can and normally does give you the orange form to fill own and enclose in your case. That is separate from the TSA clerks responsibility which is to make sure that the case can be and is locked and to insure that there is no ammo or contraband in the case.

So how do you fly with ammo if it isn't allowed in the case?

in your checked luggage

Regardless of the rules on padlocks, I have always left my cases latched and unlocked with the latches covered in duct tape. I keep long strips of duct tape on my cases in case the TSA guys cut into the tape covering the latches and need to reseal my case. I have never had a complaint from the powers that be and I have never had a case opened for inspection.