TSA Locks?
Jun 21, 2011 | 5:50 pm
#61
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,877
I use federal law to prevent the smurfs from stealing from my checked luggage. I fly with "firearms" packed in my luggage. This is fully legal in all 50 states and in some cases, overseas.
I have hard sided cases with strong hinges and good (non TSA approved) locks. I put a flare gun in each of my checked bags. At check in, I tell the airline agent that I have unloaded firearms in my bags and need to fill out the declaration forms for FAR 1544.293. Once that is complete, it is a Federal offense for anyone, even the TSA, to open the luggage without me being present.
I have hard sided cases with strong hinges and good (non TSA approved) locks. I put a flare gun in each of my checked bags. At check in, I tell the airline agent that I have unloaded firearms in my bags and need to fill out the declaration forms for FAR 1544.293. Once that is complete, it is a Federal offense for anyone, even the TSA, to open the luggage without me being present.
All I can find on the subject is 49 C.F.R. section 1544.203(f), which provides:
(f) Firearms in checked baggage. No aircraft operator may knowingly permit any person to transport in checked baggage:
(1) Any loaded firearm(s).
(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing before checking the baggage that any firearm carried in the baggage is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;
(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and
(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the flightcrew compartment,.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
(1) Any loaded firearm(s).
(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing before checking the baggage that any firearm carried in the baggage is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;
(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and
(iv) The checked baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area that is inaccessible to passengers, and is not carried in the flightcrew compartment,.
(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.
I see nothing about it being a federal offense for anyone else opening your bag without you being present.
Jun 22, 2011 | 11:14 am
#62
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: AA, DL
Posts: 328
I can't find that statute so was hoping you could help me do so.
All I can find on the subject is 49 C.F.R. section 1544.203(f), which provides:
http://law.justia.com/cfr/title49/49....3.5.10.3.10.1
I see nothing about it being a federal offense for anyone else opening your bag without you being present.
All I can find on the subject is 49 C.F.R. section 1544.203(f), which provides:
http://law.justia.com/cfr/title49/49....3.5.10.3.10.1
I see nothing about it being a federal offense for anyone else opening your bag without you being present.
TSA's website states the following on traveling with guns & firearms:
- Travelers must declare all firearms, ammunition, and parts to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process.
- The firearm must be unloaded.
- The firearm must be in a hard-sided container.
- The container must be locked. A locked container is defined as one that completely secures the firearm from being accessed. Cases that can be pulled open with little effort cannot be brought aboard the aircraft. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
- TSA inspects all firearm cases at the ticket counter. Travelers should remain in the area designated by the aircraft operator or TSA representative to take the key back after the container is cleared for transportation. If travelers are not present and the security officer must open the container, TSA or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner. If contact is not made, the container will not be placed on the aircraft.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1666.shtm
I too would like to see the specific citations in CFR.
Do these TSA rules come directly from the text of the statute, or are they merely TSA's interpretation?
It would seem hard, but maybe not impossible, to square the combination of The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the individual checking the baggage retains the key or combination and Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft with TSA opening or breaking into the container without the passenger being present. I suppose TSA could pick the lock without "retaining the key or combination," or could break the lock in the passenger's absence and then place a new lock on the container, giving the passenger the single key to that lock after the fact.
Jun 24, 2011 | 7:19 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NRV, VA
Programs: DL, WN, US, FL
Posts: 65
One thing to also watch out for is while they will not necessarily break a TSA approved lock, they may switch it up with another similar one from another bag. This happened to my parents when they were borrowing one of my bags. They had to have the hotel staff cut it off. That gets me, if you remove it, put it on the correct bag.
Also, I have flown out of small airports (ROA, but that is changing soon) where they physically have to open each checked bag because they do not have the X-Ray scanners. They even let you watch them do it and open your bag and you can watch them put the lock back on. What I think is silly is they waste the piece of paper saying they went through your bag when you saw them do it yourself.
Also, I have flown out of small airports (ROA, but that is changing soon) where they physically have to open each checked bag because they do not have the X-Ray scanners. They even let you watch them do it and open your bag and you can watch them put the lock back on. What I think is silly is they waste the piece of paper saying they went through your bag when you saw them do it yourself.