The TSA

[markcic]

I can understand searching my checked bag when you see 2 small rackmount servers in it, it might look a little odd. What I don't understand is how do you not lock the TSA lock you took off in the first place to get into the bag and how do you not pack them back in the padding they were packed in. It isn't like they cost $20K each, why would I want the properly packed.

[jtwilliams]

I flew out of Baltimore once. Had a battery power alarm clock in my checked luggage. When I get home, the battery is gone, the little cover that covers the battery is gone and the second hand is off the stem and lying at the bottom of the dial. What a bunch of paranoid people.

Jim

[Coolduckboy]

basterds. Distruction of property but can't prove it.

[Dan Hefta]

And they are the gentle folks, have you ever seen what happens to your bags once the baggage handlers get their claws on them. We were watching them trowing bags and slamming suit cases until they noticed us watching then they moved a truck to block our view. I can't believe that they can get away with all of that.

[Graham Smith]

I had someone from the TSA refuse to accept my Retired Military ID card as ID because "it didn't have an expiration date on it and they have to have one so the TSA can be sure they haven't expired."

How many different ways can you say "MORON"?

[atbarr]

I had someone from the TSA refuse to accept my Retired Military ID card as ID because "it didn't have an expiration date on it and they have to have one so the TSA can be sure they haven't expired."

How many different ways can you say "MORON"?

Please don't forget, they are protecting us. Don't you feel safer?

A.T.

[iainmcphersn]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA. The speaker often travels with lots of electronic equipment and routinely packs each hard case with a "firearm". Once the firearm has been inspected at the ticket counter, they cannot open the case containing the firearm again. So he packs everything into a large hard case, rather than putting a small case with the gun in a larger case.

Flying with firearms

The talk is around 3/4 of the way down on the page or you can do a search of the page for "firearm" and it will take you right there.

[gose]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA. The speaker often travels with lots of electronic equipment and routinely packs each hard case with a "firearm". Once the firearm has been inspected at the ticket counter, they cannot open the case containing the firearm again. So he packs everything into a large hard case, rather than putting a small case with the gun in a larger case.

Flying with firearms

The talk is around 3/4 of the way down on the page or you can do a search of the page for "firearm" and it will take you right there.

The last few times I've flown with firearms they made me open the case at the ticket counter, to put the red "unloaded firearm" tag in the case. I've then been escorted to, or told to, go to the TSA guys, where they occasionally open the case(s) again.

Even if you pack the gun in a smaller case inside a larger case, they seem to want to go through both.

Either way, you're at least present when they go through your bag and you're guaranteed that it wont be opened again...

Edited November 21, 2008 by gose

[atbarr]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA.

This is absolutely FANTASTIC information. Not only do I make and sell my knives, I also sell other makers and collectors knives. When I fly to a knife show, I'll check $35,000 or more of custom knives in my luggage. I've been very lucky so far, but some makers have lost several knives. And then another big plus, when I arrive I can carry. Well in most states.

Thanks,

A.T.

[uscbigdawg]

And reason #1 why I don't fly with TSA locks.

Rich

[cas]

I had someone from the TSA refuse to accept my Retired Military ID card as ID because "it didn't have an expiration date on it and they have to have one so the TSA can be sure they haven't expired."

That's just in case you're not you anymore.

I've been through that elsewhere with an expired ID... my response was "Yeah.. but it's still me!"

[shred]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA. The speaker often travels with lots of electronic equipment and routinely packs each hard case with a "firearm". Once the firearm has been inspected at the ticket counter, they cannot open the case containing the firearm again. So he packs everything into a large hard case, rather than putting a small case with the gun in a larger case.

This is not strictly true. Several times I've been asked to get into my gun bag after checking it by TSA. That's only because they can't get into the gun case without me. If they could, I bet they would have.

[atbarr]

If they could, I bet they would have.

You bet! They are nosy A$# holes.

A.T.

[iainmcphersn]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA. The speaker often travels with lots of electronic equipment and routinely packs each hard case with a "firearm". Once the firearm has been inspected at the ticket counter, they cannot open the case containing the firearm again. So he packs everything into a large hard case, rather than putting a small case with the gun in a larger case.

This is not strictly true. Several times I've been asked to get into my gun bag after checking it by TSA. That's only because they can't get into the gun case without me. If they could, I bet they would have.

You're absolutely right. Sorry about the inaccurate phrasing, they can't open the case without you.

[AWLAZS]

Here is a link to an excellent talk on why flying with firearms can insulate you from the excesses of the TSA. The speaker often travels with lots of electronic equipment and routinely packs each hard case with a "firearm". Once the firearm has been inspected at the ticket counter, they cannot open the case containing the firearm again. So he packs everything into a large hard case, rather than putting a small case with the gun in a larger case.

This is not strictly true. Several times I've been asked to get into my gun bag after checking it by TSA. That's only because they can't get into the gun case without me. If they could, I bet they would have.

You're absolutely right. Sorry about the inaccurate phrasing, they can't open the case without you.

Yes they can. if you don't return to open your locks they will cut the case open. I have seen it happen.

[bgary]

I had someone from the TSA refuse to accept my Retired Military ID card as ID because "it didn't have an expiration date on it

In my home state (WA), they don't necessarily send you a new driver's license if you change your address. You can cross out the address on the front and write the new one in the provided (and clearly marked!) space on the back of the license.

So, imagine my surprise when I got pulled aside for "additional security screening" by TSA. The "agent" in question pulled me out and called for a supervisor, because I was "trying to get through security with an altered ID card."

Yeah, you dork. It's altered. I changed my freakin' address, and wrote it on the back.

[Jeff686]

And I thought Oregon was cheesy with the stickers for address changes...

[Rob Boudrie]

And reason #1 why I don't fly with TSA locks.

Anyone have a contact at SKB that can convince them to offer a non-TSA latch on their cases? I tried and all I could get was an email back telling me how useful and convenient such locks are.

[Dan Hefta]

If you don't use TSA locks, won't they cut your locks off? I thought that is why we use them?

[atbarr]

If you don't use TSA locks, won't they cut your locks off? I thought that is why we use them?

If your bag/suitcase has a gun inside, then the tsa has already inspected and approved the contents. There should be NO reason for them to view the contents again.

Stay Safe,

A.T.

[JKSNIPER]

I have flown with weapons in cases and have NEVER used "TSA locks" on my weapons cases.

Checking in.....Open them for inspection....they look inside and then instruct me to place the tag inside the case and close/lock it up.

They then take it and I don't see it again until we arrive and then I go to the "special baggage claim area".

I looked for this highly guarded area and found my pelican case stacked with golf clubs and surfboards in a small room where there was NO security. Anyone could have just walked in picked it up and walked off with it.

When you arrive I recommend that you forget everything else and immed go to this area FIRST.

Have a buddy pick your "regular" luggage off the carosel and stand by there while you get the "special" luggage.

ALSO FWIW:

I ALWAYS insure the weapons for more than they cost me when I brought them.

Consider the replacement costs of EVERYTHING in your case as well as the case itself when figuring this # out.

I would imagine the magazines and loaders would run into the hundreds of dollars alone.

Also even if its a short flight ...insure your stuff.

We had a bag that has traveled EVERYWHERE in the USA not survive the flight from Maui to Kauai.

Gear inside was damaged as well as clothing.

Their reimbursment policy was to not exceed $100.

THe bag alone was worth more than that.

Luggage gorillas are everywhere....beware

JK

[uscbigdawg]

If you don't use TSA locks, won't they cut your locks off? I thought that is why we use them?

No they won't. I've flown a ton with firearms and NEVER had anything complicated happen other than Sac International's Terminal B morons, but that was on arrival not departure and too long a story.

If there's any upside to the way security is being done, once it goes through the machine, it's completed their little check and heck...I zip tie and lock my bags.

Rich

[shred]

If you don't use TSA locks, won't they cut your locks off? I thought that is why we use them?

No they won't. I've flown a ton with firearms and NEVER had anything complicated happen other than Sac International's Terminal B morons, but that was on arrival not departure and too long a story.

If there's any upside to the way security is being done, once it goes through the machine, it's completed their little check and heck...I zip tie and lock my bags.

Rich

They will have you paged if they want in your gun case. If you don't answer the page they have several options, including cutting the locks or holding the bag until you come looking for it, so sayeth the TSA guy that had me paged and driven all over the ramp at the Atlanta airport to clear guns coming back from France.

Most of the time, once it passes the initial screen, you're good to go. Most of the time.

They can and will chop the lock on the 'outer' bag without asking if you have a locked gun case inside that-- it's treated like regular luggage.

I skip the airline insurance. They don't typically cover valuable items in checked luggage like guns. WTF? Get a rider on your homeowners insurance.

[davidwiz]

A TSA employee was recently caught stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of items out of people's bags. She got caught because she stole a CNN cameraman's camera and tried to sell it on eBay. Story here. Ironically, her eBay feedback was perfect.

Edited November 24, 2008 by davidwiz

[uscbigdawg]

That's awesome.

Rich