http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20131109_Man_pulls_out_unloaded_gun_causes_panic_at_LAX.html?id=231282471
Make sure no one sees you or you will be charged.
I've had TSA take out a rifle from a case once to swipe it for explosives. I was also reminded that my AR should be on safe.

Scolded for not having your unloaded AR on safe?  I never store my guns loaded or with any of the working parts in the cocked/compressed position.  He was just a know-it-all ass. 

The first time I traveled with my guns, I didn't even have to open my rifle bag in Honolulu.  I just had to open the hard side outer case to put the signed card in, but that's it.  In subsequent trips, I've only had to show clear once and that was only on one of the four guns I had in the case. 

Well, this happened after I declared my rifle, locked it and gave it to TSA. I was later called to the screening area to open the rifle case for an explosive swipe. At that time, the TSA employee noticed that my selector was not on safe. He cocked it and placed it on safe. I edited my OP to reflect a kinder, gentler TSA.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20131109_Man_pulls_out_unloaded_gun_causes_panic_at_LAX.html?id=231282471
Make sure no one sees you or you will be charged.
I've had TSA take out a rifle from a case once to swipe it for explosives.

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yeah. I saw that story a few days ago.
So if they swab your rifle, isn't that pretty much guaranteed to test positive? duh?

Well, this happened after I declared my rifle, locked it and gave it to TSA. I was later called to the screening area to open the rifle case for an explosive swipe. At that time, the TSA employee noticed that my selector was not on safe. He cocked it and placed it on safe. I edited my OP to reflect a kinder, gentler TSA.

What an ass!  I guess maybe I would've let it go, but the TSA regulations does not say anything about having the firearms on safe.  As far as I know, I am not even sure they are supposed to be allowed to handle your firearms.  That's why I keep a copy of the TSA and airline rules with me when I travel with my guns.  One United gate agent said that I needed TSA locks on my gun case.   

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yeah. I saw that story a few days ago.
So if they swab your rifle, isn't that pretty much guaranteed to test positive? duh?

I've had my gun cases go through the TSA check hours after finishing multi-day classes and I'm SURE there was gun powder residue and such all over.  That said, it is my understanding that that isn't what they are screening for.  I was with the instructor for the class and his gun case was flagged for "inspection" and mine wasn't.  He does training with more than just handgun and rifle rounds.  He asked the TSA agent what triggered the alarm and while they wouldn't say, he mentioned to me that his previous course had some explosives used.  Later, my gun case went through without a hitch. 

What an ass!  I guess maybe I would've let it go, but the TSA regulations does not say anything about having the firearms on safe.  As far as I know, I am not even sure they are supposed to be allowed to handle your firearms.  That's why I keep a copy of the TSA and airline rules with me when I travel with my guns.  One United gate agent said that I needed TSA locks on my gun case.   
I've had my gun cases go through the TSA check hours after finishing multi-day classes and I'm SURE there was gun powder residue and such all over.  That said, it is my understanding that that isn't what they are screening for.  I was with the instructor for the class and his gun case was flagged for "inspection" and mine wasn't.  He does training with more than just handgun and rifle rounds.  He asked the TSA agent what triggered the alarm and while they wouldn't say, he mentioned to me that his previous course had some explosives used.  Later, my gun case went through without a hitch.

my patients who work for TSA told me specifically that the swab test does not look for gunpowder residue
i was asking about my duffle bags that sometimes go to the range or are next to my range stuff in my trunk and my earmuffs that sometimes i travel with
they were very specific in saying that i would be anywhere near having a problem

The event happened in 2006 so I think TSA has had better customer service training. What perturbs me about this latest incident at LAX is the public's paranoia about anything gun. Not sure what the gun owner was doing but what TSA told me to do in the screening area can be seen from the gen public. I opened up my case, presented the rifle to the agent for a swipe and he inspected it out in the open. It was my  AR that I compete with in SR matches.

Please note the area: baggage claim.


If you are going to pop your guns out of the case there, you might want to have a good reason.  I do crack the cases open just to verify stuff is still in place, but I do not pull the firearms out in view.

This has much truth to it. In 2009 on a return flight from Kona we checked in really early. Hawaiian wanted an extra $60 per person to put us on an earlier flight so we chose to wait for our flight.  2 rifle cases were checked in and we didn't know they were going to send them on earlier flight.  When we got to Honolulu the 2 rifle cases were sitting unattended in the middle of the floor next to 3 golf bags.  So there was at least a couple thousand dollars sitting around for up to 3 hours unattended in Honolulu because the golfers were on our flight too.

I'm not sure what's going to happen the LAX guy since they released him but will still submit a report to city attorney.  He may be done and ok since they decided it didn't meet the requirements for brandishing.  Although what he did was really stupid because it was baggage claim after arriving.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-man-with-unloaded-handgun-creates-panic-at-lax-20131109,0,7453281.story#axzz2kSDcqJoY

This has much truth to it. In 2009 on a return flight from Kona we checked in really early. Hawaiian wanted an extra $60 per person to put us on an earlier flight so we chose to wait for our flight.  2 rifle cases were checked in and we didn't know they were going to send them on earlier flight.  When we got to Honolulu the 2 rifle cases were sitting unattended in the middle of the floor next to 3 golf bags.  So there was at least a couple thousand dollars sitting around for up to 3 hours unattended in Honolulu because the golfers were on our flight too.

I'm not sure what's going to happen the LAX guy since they released him but will still submit a report to city attorney.  He may be done and ok since they decided it didn't meet the requirements for brandishing.  Although what he did was really stupid because it was baggage claim after arriving.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-man-with-unloaded-handgun-creates-panic-at-lax-20131109,0,7453281.story#axzz2kSDcqJoY

I can attest to you that shit hits the fan when they lose a bag and find out a bunch of guns were in it..... They don't take it lightly.

I placed a GPS & GSM module in my firearms case. It worked OK. I programmed it to shut off RF emissions during flight time then try to reacquire upon landing etc. The problem is that GPS sat lock needs LOS to the sky and GSM freq (900 mhz) can penetrate some stuff but not an aluminum baggage container. When it worked it plotted the last time and location on Google Earth.
You can track it that way or perhaps with a throw away phone.

I placed a GPS & GSM module in my firearms case. It worked OK. I programmed it to shut off RF emissions during flight time then try to reacquire upon landing etc. The problem is that GPS sat lock needs LOS to the sky and GSM freq (900 mhz) can penetrate some stuff but not an aluminum baggage container. When it worked it plotted the last time and location on Google Earth.
You can track it that way or perhaps with a throw away phone.

And then there's this option:

Globatrac's $49.99 Trakdot is like a cheap LoJack for your luggage

http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/6/3844284/globatrac-trackdot-luggage-tracker

I remove the bolt from my rifles and put them in my separate checked luggage, thereby rendering the rifle immediately useless to any would be baggage thieves.

I remove the bolt from my rifles and put them in my separate checked luggage, thereby rendering the rifle immediately useless to any would be baggage thieves.

I've thought about doing that too.  No need to declare that the bolt is in your other bag right?

Without even thinking about it, I have removed the bolt in my AR and removed the barrel on my pistol the time I actually had to travel with these firearms.  The bolt and barrel was bubble wrapped and placed in a waterproof hardcase in another checked in suitcase.  I did declare these firearms but did not point out what was missing, I was waiting to see if they would notice.  They didn't.  Keep in mind this was before TSA.

checking in firearm at airline counter........... no problem,
checking rifle case with TSA..........no problem
checking firearm thru customs(hunting outside usa)..........no problem

Ive never had an issue, Ive always been treated as if Im on travel orders and my guns are gov owned (never flown commercial with issued firearms.)  Whenever I fly into HNL I have to wait 15-20 minutes after baggage claim is finished so they can cart my stuff out separately, but Ive never had an issue anywhere.

I've thought about doing that too.  No need to declare that the bolt is in your other bag right?

I told them about it, they just made me put the tag in the rifle case.   The bolt, they didn't look at.

And then there's this option:

Globatrac's $49.99 Trakdot is like a cheap LoJack for your luggage

http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/6/3844284/globatrac-trackdot-luggage-tracker

Yes!  Bad ass - thank you for sharing the info.  They are $10 more now @ $59.99, with activation and flat rate shipping still under a single $100 bill / fiat coupon for tank of gas.  Should fit in either pistol or rifle case fairly innocuously which is better than those that go on outside handle that can be cut off and tossed or sent on wild goose chase.  With the trackdot app will know when it pops out onto the carousel instead of wondering, or if bag even made to the right destination.  Mahalo!

ps. other poster wondered and I believe both agents and TSA are prohibited from handling your firearms!  You are the only one that should be locking the case too, and they do not get to have the key(s) either.  They do not have to be TSA locks but you will be advised if they need to open the case and you are not available those locks will be cut. In almost 10 years of flying I've not had a lock cut yet YMMV.

I flew a couple days ago the counter agent was more adamant about telling me I'd be responsible for any discharge of the weapon - like it would be loaded to begin with, duh. But was a new part of the spiel I guess to absolve the airline from liability since they couldn't possibly do a check.  Sometimes you will be escorted to the TSA station for the bag check, other times the baggage will just be loaded onto the carousel and you go off to the security line.  Either way I found if you notify the greeter at the line entrance you have firearms to declare you go right to the front (if you not already part of a premier affinity group which is a great deal if you fly frequently IMO).

All my luggage was opened en route, not really unusual, with the TSA white card inside to indicate the search errr, examination.  But they didn't put my favorite OD cargo pants back in either those fuggers.  At least my knives made it w/o being lost/stolen.  Avoided the backscatter rapemachine on returning leg using an employee check point, as directed by staff so that was cool.