I flew with a Fabarms shotgun to South Dakota just last week for some pheasant hunting (did great by the way) When I checked my bag with Delta in Washington State I told them I had a firearm to declare and asked for TSA. They came, hand inspected the case (not the firearm of course) and said "ok" and I then locked the case with two combination padlocks (non-TSA locks of course) and then locked the gun case in my bag with a TSA lock. No problem right?
My friend did the same thing at the same airport the day before and they wanted to combination to the lock which he refused (I briefed him before) they then insisted on inspecting the firearm out of his sight and then relocked the combination locks (also out of his sight) and then THEY put it back in his bag. They wouldn't allow anything else apparently. Unfortunately it appears they handled the firearm and didn't put it back properly and the walnut stock got scratched up.
When we flew back from South Dakota the gate agent for Delta wanted me to hand over the case and just walk away, to which I refused. I insisted TSA come over and inspect the case in front of me. They wouldn't let me relock the case myself, but I did insist on checking it was properly locked and I also insisted on putting it in my checked bag myself and then securing the TSA lock. My friend got a DIFFERENT TSA agent who did inspect the firearm in front of him but refused to let him confirm it was locked or check the case, nor would she allow him to place it in his checked bag himself.
WTF are the actual rules of engagement here? TSA per their own website has previously stated that TSA cannot have the key nor combination to the lock on the firearm case (which makes good sense from a safety/security perspective) but they seem to insist they have that right.
What is the actual procedure currently approved by our friendly right destroyer Kip?
My friend did the same thing at the same airport the day before and they wanted to combination to the lock which he refused (I briefed him before) they then insisted on inspecting the firearm out of his sight and then relocked the combination locks (also out of his sight) and then THEY put it back in his bag. They wouldn't allow anything else apparently. Unfortunately it appears they handled the firearm and didn't put it back properly and the walnut stock got scratched up.
When we flew back from South Dakota the gate agent for Delta wanted me to hand over the case and just walk away, to which I refused. I insisted TSA come over and inspect the case in front of me. They wouldn't let me relock the case myself, but I did insist on checking it was properly locked and I also insisted on putting it in my checked bag myself and then securing the TSA lock. My friend got a DIFFERENT TSA agent who did inspect the firearm in front of him but refused to let him confirm it was locked or check the case, nor would she allow him to place it in his checked bag himself.
WTF are the actual rules of engagement here? TSA per their own website has previously stated that TSA cannot have the key nor combination to the lock on the firearm case (which makes good sense from a safety/security perspective) but they seem to insist they have that right.
What is the actual procedure currently approved by our friendly right destroyer Kip?