Re: Pelican 1750 & air travel
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good point, but DONT lock the case.. They will cut your lock to take a peek at your prize possession. </div></div>
Don't give advice if you don't know what you are talking about.
<span style="font-weight: bold">49 CFR Specifically states:</span>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Sec. 1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.
.....
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally
or in writing, before checking the baggage, that the passenger has a
firearm in his or her bag and that it is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is unloaded;
(iii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container; and
(iv) <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #FF0000">The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the
passenger retains the key or combination.</span></span>
</div></div>
It is recommended that you stay in the baggage check area until your baggage clears TSA screening, but at some ariports that happens elsewhere. If TSA needs access to your bags they will make an effort to contact you. I have my phone number on a tag and also painted on the side of the case. IF TSA is unable to make contact with you they will cut the locks to open the case. If you don't have a way to re-secure the case, then it will not be placed on the aircraft. I suggest that you carry a spare set of locks. You can either include them IN the case so that TSA can re-lock it without you present or carry them with you, but if they weren't able to get ahold of you BEFORE they busted the locks, it's unlikely that they will get ahold of you after.
It's pretty clear in the Code of Federal Regulations that YOU are the only one to retain the key or combination for the case. However you will occasionally get a TSA supervisor who has the "I AM THE LAW" attitude. I have had only one of those. In the end it IS their choice if the case is allowed through screening. DO NOT get into a dick measuring contest with TSA. They may be wrong, but you will still loose. Simply write down the name of the supervisor, because he just took personal ownership of the problem. I believe in Karma, and I did get satisfaction later that day when the Supervisor realized I was flying under official status. His attitude pulled a 180.
As far as camouflaging the case to look like something else....
I don't feel it will help and may actually hurt. You see criminals are not incredibly intelligent, but they aren't stupid either. They steal stuff they can quickly turn around for cash or drugs. Cameras, jewelry, golf clubs, etc. This stuff comes up missing in airports on a daily basis. No one bats and eye. They will tell you to file your claim and send you home. Cameras and golf clubs are rarely used to murder scores of people. It's not a high priority for airport security. However a tactical rifle and a hundred rounds of ammo....that may cause some interest. It may actually cause a lock down in some airports. Criminals know this. Supervisors know this. On top of that, while WE know that our rifles are worth a LOT of money, they aren't worth much on the street. Stolen firearms are very traceable. A bolt action isn't going to be much use in robbing a liquor store or protecting a crack house.
Quick money is all they are after. While you can pawn a firearm, it results in a serial number trace. Pawning a set of golf clubs or a musical instrument is much easier.
As a result, I keep my gun case looking like a gun case. On top of that, SO MANY firearms pass through large airports that unless they handler actually took the time to read what was painted on the case above, he would assume it's a rifle. Every time I have walked to the check counter with my case, the attendant has already had a firearms declaration ready for me. This is from just seeing me wheeling it through the line with none of the decals or markings visible (I strap my duffel to it for easy transport up to that point).
If it makes you feel better, then color the case however you want. I just don't feel it's helping much. Those that know about rifles and cases know what you have. Those that don't are clueless no matter what you put on there.
