Anybody check firearms on a flight recently? Need advice.

[Todd 450r]

As the title reads, headed to TX on a duck hunt Tuesday of next week and wanted to see if anyone had any recent experience with checking a firearm. I already have a very heavy duty, padded, rugged case for the shotguns. The way the regs read, you are supposed to have a lock that only you can open, that's from Southwest. But have heard that TSA approved locks are required so that TSA officials can open the case.

 

[jimwarden]

Has to be unloaded (obvious), ammo in box, in hard locked case. When you arrive to checkin at checkin gate tell them you have a firearm, they'll have you sign a card that they'll put in or on the case. Get a TSA lock

 

[jonathanfaith2]

I have not done a gun but I did a bow twice and it was easier than checking normal lugage. I brought my own lock and when I checked in I went to a different area and it was inspected and I was able to attach my own lock

 

[Todd 450r]

Thanks for the help fellas.

 

[cooperjd]

i've flown with firearms quite a few times, and taken 3 trips with them this year. i have my own locks. at the counter i tell them its a firearm, sign the red card, and tell them that i will watch TSA check it, and then give them my locks. they never have a problem with this, but that case never gets opened without me watching. when they are done, i give them my locks, and ask them to duck tape my latches so they dont get knocked open and broken. so far after probably 10 trips this works well and i never catch any grief for it. piece of cake.

 

[jimwarden]

I should have said locked hard case.