TSA approved lock?

[KOPBET]

They are adding to, but not taking away from the law. If they required only a TSA lock then they would be taking away. They are giving another option for passengers, and I think it's primarily so they can open up your stuff without you being there.

The law says only the passenger has the key or combo. I don’t know how more clear that can be.

 

[Choprzrul]

The law says only the passenger has the key or combo. I don’t know how more clear that can be.

And once you tell someone the lock combination, you are in violation of federal law.

 

[KOPBET]

And once you tell someone the lock combination, you are in violation of federal law.

Sounds correct to me!

 

[Glocktogo]

That seems to contradict what 49 CFR § 1540.111 has to say:

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless -

(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) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the passenger retains the key or combination.


Seems like the law would prevail over TSA or airport website info. But what do I know...

It actually became a thing several years ago. Screening Ops changed SOP without consulting with Regulatory Compliance or Office of Chief Counsel. It got pulled back before anyone got jammed up over it. There’s just too much room for mistakes, so the best answer is to let it go.

They are adding to, but not taking away from the law. If they required only a TSA lock then they would be taking away. They are giving another option for passengers, and I think it's primarily so they can open up your stuff without you being there.

Any TSO caught handling a passenger firearm is going to lose their job. IF they can clear an alarm or anomaly without touching it in any way, they will. If not, they’ll have the airline call the passenger to assist.

The law says only the passenger has the key or combo. I don’t know how more clear that can be.

You’d think so, but it rarely is. LOL

 

[dennishoddy]

What chazroh posted is 100% correct. As the SME on this topic, I'm saying that it's 100% accurate.

I followed your advice years ago and have flown many, many flights with a firearm in the luggage with zero issues in any airport but Denver. You would think you just declared yourself as a terrorist with weapons of mass destruction when you tell the counter attendant you are transporting a firearm.
Your swarmed by armed TSA agents and escorted to a separate area where they sniff your luggage, but don't open it.
When your running close connections, it can cause one to miss a flight as it did to us once.

 

[dennishoddy]

Cool story. But again, considering that most people are not "Glocktogo" then a good general rule is to read the primary information sources that are made public to answer questions just like these.

Sometimes it's best to STFU and listen. You have zero clue who your are talking to.

 

[Glocktogo]

I followed your advice years ago and have flown many, many flights with a firearm in the luggage with zero issues in any airport but Denver. You would think you just declared yourself as a terrorist with weapons of mass destruction when you tell the counter attendant you are transporting a firearm.
Your swarmed by armed TSA agents and escorted to a separate area where they sniff your luggage, but don't open it.
When your running close connections, it can cause one to miss a flight as it did to us once.

Yeah that’s overboard, but technically within the scope of the FSD’s authority.

Back when I was shooting matches all over, the only place I ever had an issue was Bradley in Hartford, CT. What they tried to do was expressly prohibited. I told them and they tried to shine me on, till I pulled my creds. We did come to an agreement that they would do it correctly.

The point is, no organization with 50k employees is going to get it right every time in every location. It is better now than it used to be though.

 

[Rez Exelon]

Sometimes it's best to STFU and listen. You have zero clue who your are talking to.

Such language is unbecoming for you Dennis Hoddy.

Do me a favor and point out where I said he was wrong. You'll notice I didn't. Never once did I challenge his credentials on the topic either did I? My point is that if you get to the airport saying "my dude GlocktoGo on OSA told me this is cool" doesn't make a good defense if you run into issues. Following what the primary sources published on the airline and TSA sites say is much better and then if you have any additional knowledge in your back pocket, then that's awesome too.

 

[Glocktogo]

Such language is unbecoming for you Dennis Hoddy.

Do me a favor and point out where I said he was wrong. You'll notice I didn't. Never once did I challenge his credentials on the topic either did I? My point is that if you get to the airport saying "my dude GlocktoGo on OSA told me this is cool" doesn't make a good defense if you run into issues. Following what the primary sources published on the airline and TSA sites say is much better and then if you have any additional knowledge in your back pocket, then that's awesome too.

In fact, any mention of my actual name at the airport is going to to get you the "full service" treatment. You don't know me until AFTER you complete security screening! LOL

 

[Rez Exelon]

In fact, any mention of my actual name at the airport is going to to get you the "full service" treatment. You don't know me until AFTER you complete security screening! LOL

Yup....Like how I once went through security forgetting that I was wearing a SIDA badge on my work lanyard for a different facility. I got looked at extra close that day.