Two locks? A minor rant and a heads-up.

Lunkhead

Lunkhead

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I traveled out of Wilmington (ILM) last week. I presented the same Pelican case to the airline agent that I have used routinely while checking my firearm. We didn't get far into the process when she asked me if I had a second lock for the case. I did not. I have never needed one. She claimed that since there were two lock positions on the case, they both needed to be filled. I asked to see the policy. She tried to show me some pictures from her computer, which I contended did not equal policy. She offered to go retrieve the lead TSA agent who would ultimately decide if two locks were required. He showed up and confirmed. He even attempted to get one of his locks to fit, but it wouldn't latch. Everyone was very polite and professional.
Having no spare lock and not enough time to leave the airport to procure one, I took the case back to the truck and traveled without it.
I tried to pry open the unlocked side of the case and decided there is no way that was possible.
I may be ignorant of the new policy, but I give this heads-up so that others are not.
 
I ran into that the last time I flew. The only thing that saved me was that my suitcase had a built in TSA lock.
 
He may have "confirmed", but 49CFR does not specify any number of locks or even indicate that the firearm must be "secure", only that it be in a locked hard sided container. Ammunition, however, must be "securely boxed", which is arguably open to interpretation.

That said, if I ever fly with a rifle case, it gets both locks and then the locks duct taped in place, which prevents damage to the lock and case. Our rifle team had experienced the lock lugs cracked in transit on both Pelican and Doskocil cases.
 
ALOT of gate agents have ZERO clue...checked into RDU once and was told to take it with me to the normal line "they will handle it"...

I have traveled before with a single lock but have been told to use two....simple grab one at the airport in some places. Best practice is to have two or how ever many lock locations your case has.
 
Been a long time, only ever used one.
My reading and practice was non-tsa locked, and not easily pried.
I guess two will save a potential headache in the future.
 
Crazy. Last time I flew out of Wilmington I had a pelican pistol case inside my checked bag. Pelican case padlocked with me having key. Suitcase locked with a TSA approved lock and they cut my lock at some point. When we got to CO my bag was zip tied closed. Of course my knife was in my bag so no way to open. Asked them if they could open for me and that was a no. I said something in Wilmington when I got back and the lady told me they cut them all the time. I asked why when it is a TSA lock and she mumbled about not having time to find a key. A key they should have on them.
 
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