Suggestions for air travel lock boxes?

[CopOnce]

The funny thing is, years ago as a police officer, all I had to do was put my weapon in my luggage with my ammo separate and it went on the plane with me. When I would get to my destination I would see my luggage coming down the conveyor belt with a bright red tape wrapped around it stating "Fire Arm Enclosed". Can you imagine that happening these days?

[jimlongley]

The funny thing is, years ago as a police officer, all I had to do was put my weapon in my luggage with my ammo separate and it went on the plane with me. When I would get to my destination I would see my luggage coming down the conveyor belt with a bright red tape wrapped around it stating "Fire Arm Enclosed". Can you imagine that happening these days?

Nope, and with good reason. Which is part of why TSA is supposed to ignore guns in checked bags. Those of us with gunny inclinations used to have contests with each other, naming guns we saw on the x-ray. I won!

[stevie_d_64]

This doesn't happen a lot because they usually mark the luggage tag in some way to indicate that it contains a firearm and has been inspected.

Whew, sohnnnnn...That's not supposed to happen...

[Excaliber]

This doesn't happen a lot because they usually mark the luggage tag in some way to indicate that it contains a firearm and has been inspected.

Whew, sohnnnnn...That's not supposed to happen...

Yeah, I know, but it's happened to me on the vast majority of my trips at many different major airports. At different places they use different indicators (a blue stripe through the luggage tag bar code, a letter, symbol, etc.) but they always do something that provides a visual indication from the outside.

It's a more subtle variation on the old "Steal Me" tags they used to use.

[jimlongley]

This doesn't happen a lot because they usually mark the luggage tag in some way to indicate that it contains a firearm and has been inspected.

Whew, sohnnnnn...That's not supposed to happen...

Yeah, I know, but it's happened to me on the vast majority of my trips at many different major airports. At different places they use different indicators (a blue stripe through the luggage tag bar code, a letter, symbol, etc.) but they always do something that provides a visual indication from the outside.

It's a more subtle variation on the old "Steal Me" tags they used to use.

Interesting, I wonder how they arrange to do that. In more than three years at TSA, I never once saw any special markings on bags containing guns. How did you determine that your bags had been specially marked? Are you sure the putative mark did not pertain to something else? Such identification, if you can prove it, would be a prosecuatable offense.

[Excaliber]

This doesn't happen a lot because they usually mark the luggage tag in some way to indicate that it contains a firearm and has been inspected.

Whew, sohnnnnn...That's not supposed to happen...[/quote]

Yeah, I know, but it's happened to me on the vast majority of my trips at many different major airports. At different places they use different indicators (a blue stripe through the luggage tag bar code, a letter, symbol, etc.) but they always do something that provides a visual indication from the outside.

It's a more subtle variation on the old "Steal Me" tags they used to use.[/quote]

Interesting, I wonder how they arrange to do that. In more than three years at TSA, I never once saw any special markings on bags containing guns. How did you determine that your bags had been specially marked? Are you sure the putative mark did not pertain to something else? Such identification, if you can prove it, would be a prosecuatable offense.[/quote]

Well, they put the mark on my luggage tag in my presence after inspecting the luggage and the gun inside the gun box. I did not see them placing any such marks on other luggage. However, I can't say that they weren't doing so in another area out of my sight.

In your TSA experience, were the luggage tags marked in some way after they had gone through the baggage scanners?

Next time it happens, I'll ask what the purpose of the mark is and see if I can get some clarification.

[ELB]

Just to add to the confusion...err, I mean present other experience and viewpoint...

For a gunbox I usually just use a $10 plastic case that has an integral handle that allows me to put a standard combo lock around the handle, thus locking the case. It is small, light, cheap, can hold two guns, and meets all the specs. I usually put the ammo in my "sharps and fun stuff" bag -- a dop kit that I put in my knife, pepper spray, and any other pointy/"verboten in carry-on" objects. The dop kit lets me find all the pointy things quickly at the other end. No one has ever asked to see the ammo.

I personally would not take the slide off of a semi-auto, because it's at least one more step, maybe more, at both ends of the strip. I.e. you have to take out a take down lever or pin, or actuate the Glock whatsit, take slide off, put the takedown pin somewhere where you won't lose it, etc. I have flown my Browning HP and a Kel-Tec a number of times, and cranking the slide back half an inch is no biggie to show it is unloaded. (More than once I have simply pointed to the empty magwell and had the agent say "OK!" I chose not to educate them at that point, just smiled and locked my gun back up). When I go to the airport, I carry my loaded gun into the restroom in the non-secure area, unload it and stow it. (I wrap my magazines in foam and stick them into a "original manufacturer's packaging" ammo box that I have reinforced with clear tape). At the other end, I reverse the process.

For some reason I have gotten a lot of white "this firearm is unloaded" tags, rather than orange. As others have noted, sometimes the agent says put them on top of the locked gun box inside my suitcase, sometimes put inside the locked gun box. When I point out it doesn't make much sense to put it inside, they just shrug. Rules Is Rules and vary by airline. Really doesn't matter I think, because I think the real reason for the tag has nothing to do with security -- it is so if your gun IS found to be loaded, you can't say you didn't know it was against the rules and the authorities can make their charges against you stick.

Sometimes TSA looks through the bag, sometimes not. I of course have the only key to the gun box, but I use zip ties to secure the zipper. The TSA guys and gals have generally been very helpful about putting on the zip ties -- I just hand them one, ask them to put it on, and they do. The even helped me figure out an alternate method one time when the darn little zipper pull thing broke off at the inspection station. (Hint if you go the zip tie route -- keep a fingernail clipper or small scissors in an outside pocket of your luggage so you can snip off the zip ties on the other end! You can use a key to saw thru a zip tie, but it is hard work). Seems like one time they asked me to open the gun box. The took a peek and told me to close it. Dunno what that was about.

I have noticed sometimes that my bag will have a blue dot or a marking on the luggage transit tag, but I have seen those on many other bags -- it seemed to me to be more of a "this is a bag we looked at." One time that I can remember i had a note inside my bag stating it had been looked thru by TSA after it left my possession, but right now I am not even sure bag had a gun in it -- may have been on one of our overseas trips.

Traveling with the gun is not completely hassle free, but after a couple trips you figure out how to make it easy on yourself. I have not had any trouble. Of course, I only fly to CHL friendly states. Not unusual for there to be three or four people declaring guns when I check in. Do allow extra time at the airport for it tho...

Happy traveling.

[anygunanywhere]

I never saw any markings/codes/tags etc on any of my bags when I checked firearms either. Up until March I flew 50-75,000 miles per year, most with firearms.

Anygunanywhere

[jimlongley]

Sometimes TSA looks through the bag, sometimes not. I of course have the only key to the gun box, but I use zip ties to secure the zipper. The TSA guys and gals have generally been very helpful about putting on the zip ties -- I just hand them one, ask them to put it on, and they do. The even helped me figure out an alternate method one time when the darn little zipper pull thing broke off at the inspection station. (Hint if you go the zip tie route -- keep a fingernail clipper or small scissors in an outside pocket of your luggage so you can snip off the zip ties on the other end! You can use a key to saw thru a zip tie, but it is hard work). Seems like one time they asked me to open the gun box. The took a peek and told me to close it. Dunno what that was about.

I have noticed sometimes that my bag will have a blue dot or a marking on the luggage transit tag, but I have seen those on many other bags -- it seemed to me to be more of a "this is a bag we looked at." One time that I can remember i had a note inside my bag stating it had been looked thru by TSA after it left my possession, but right now I am not even sure bag had a gun in it -- may have been on one of our overseas trips.

When I was with TSA, we even kept a supply of ties handy for those times when passengers requested that we retie after opening, or if we had to break a lock and resecure a bag.

Sometimes the x-ray identifies a gun as a "threat" which it also does with jars of honey, turkey legs (long story) and a whole raft of other non-threatening items, in which case the TSA agent is required to put an eyeball on the area unless the operator and machine are "OSARP" certified. OSARP is "On Screen Assessment and Resolution Protocol" or something like that (it's been a while sinice I had the training. OSARP allows the operator to decide that something the machine has identified as a threat as being not one.

Even if a gun is identified as a threat and must be investigated, the TSA agent is still not allowed to touch it, other than to "nudge" it to one side to look under it. I had a guy come through on his way to Knob Creek with an M1919A6 in a special case, and I can tell you that it is very hard to nudge a machinegun around.

As to stickers or marks, at various times we used stickers or marks to signify that bags had been:
A: Inspected by x-ray only.
B: Inspected by hand only.
C: Inspected both ways.

At one point we even had a TSA screener on each shift whose only job was to apply stickers.

[stevie_d_64]

As to stickers or marks, at various times we used stickers or marks to signify that bags had been:
A: Inspected by x-ray only.
B: Inspected by hand only.
C: Inspected both ways.

At one point we even had a TSA screener on each shift whose only job was to apply stickers.

I bet this is what happened to "Excaliber"...Nothing nefarious or out of procedure by anyone in the process, but it still kinda screams "WE"VE TAKEN A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS BAG, SOMETHING REALLY COOL IS INSIDE IT" to the unwashed...

Just my opinion...

[jimlongley]

As to stickers or marks, at various times we used stickers or marks to signify that bags had been:
A: Inspected by x-ray only.
B: Inspected by hand only.
C: Inspected both ways.

At one point we even had a TSA screener on each shift whose only job was to apply stickers.

I bet this is what happened to "Excaliber"...Nothing nefarious or out of procedure by anyone in the process, but it still kinda screams "WE"VE TAKEN A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS BAG, SOMETHING REALLY COOL IS INSIDE IT" to the unwashed...

Just my opinion...

You could state it that way, but you have to remember that honey x-rays at the same density as binary liquid explosives, and many many other equally innocuous items cause the equipment to alert also. Enough bags get routinely opened and tagged that I doubt that one of the unwashed could really identify a bag with something truly interesting in it. Of course that does not deny the possibility that one of those same unwashed might unknowingly break into a bag in an attempt to steal those turkey legs.

[sig229fan]

New Chl'er just flew home on American for Chrismas with my Glock. At both airports when checking luggage delared the firearm in checked baggage and had to fill out an AA card that I put inside the locked pistol case (case supplied by Glock when purchased with one padlock around the handle). I transported to TSA station who I informed that the luggage had a firearm. Both times, the TSA workers were extremley nice, and locked the case in my view after the luggage passed the X-ray machine with no issues.

Could not ask for an easier process. BTW has my defense ammo in oem box and also had no issues.

[srothstein]

You know, I have to admit I have always been puzzled by one TSA check. In the four or five times I have flown since 9-11, I have had my bags checked by TSA. I actually started declaring my weapon after they changed the rules to stop putting the big steal me signs on the outside.

And I understand the need (well desire) to check the luggage by hand examining it after I have declared the weapon. What I really do not understand is why, after declaring the weapon and sometimes even showing it and the ammo to the TSA inspector, they still need to swab the outside of the bag to check for explosives. We all know the swab will come up positive.

[jimlongley]

You know, I have to admit I have always been puzzled by one TSA check. In the four or five times I have flown since 9-11, I have had my bags checked by TSA. I actually started declaring my weapon after they changed the rules to stop putting the big steal me signs on the outside.

And I understand the need (well desire) to check the luggage by hand examining it after I have declared the weapon. What I really do not understand is why, after declaring the weapon and sometimes even showing it and the ammo to the TSA inspector, they still need to swab the outside of the bag to check for explosives. We all know the swab will come up positive.

I think you might recall, from another thread, my tale of the TSA screener swabbing my GUN, and it didn't come up positive. Only in small airports that are not equipped with the x-ray machines, and in certain special circumstances in the others, do bags need to be swabbed.

[LittleGun]

A few weeks ago, I checked a gun for the first time. I flew Continental Airlines. My gun case was my original blue Sig plastic gun case. I used regular padlocks for both gun case and luggage. TSA inspection went smoothly. On the return flight, TSA did not do an inspection.

I wonder if airlines keep a special list of passengers who check guns.