Aloha folks
I searched past posts but couldn't find an answer
so hopefully someone can help.
I'm going to Nevada and taking my handgun with me. I have a small pelican case for my handgun that I will lock and place in my luggage. Hawaiian Air says the luggage has to be "hard sided".  Can I use those lightweight plastic suitcases or does it have to be more rugged like a pelican case?
Ive sent a request for information to TSA but haven't heard back.
Thanks!

I haven't traveled with my guns for a while, but when I did, I was sure to print out both the TSA regulations as well as the specific airline's policy as you'll likely find that TSA and airline employees often don't know their own policies or in some cases make up their own.  It's helpful to have that documentation.  I once had an airline agent tell me that my gun case requires TSA locks, which isn't the case. 

I'd have to look up the regulations (don't have time right now), but I thought there was requirements for the locks for the case.  Something about the locks have to prevent the case from being pried open.  I just looked up the TSA regulation and I don't see it.  The Pelican case that I have for my rifles has two locks on the long side and one lock at each end. 

Here's a thread from a while back that discussed travel requirements.

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=17706.msg161986#msg161986

Hope that helps.

What's a lightweight plastic suitcase?  I pack my handguns in the manufactures case with a lock, and put that it in the usual fabric sided suitcases  that are common and secure it with another lock.  I had no problems in the past.

yeah what zippz said.  sometimes you have to argue with the counter folks but that's how I read it as well, as long as the gun is in a hardsided case it shouldn't matter if goes in soft sided luggage as hard case requirement already satisfied.

either way I recommend hard sided luggage too for double protection    Delsey makes the best / cost IMO.  go Ebags they have great deals.   

have fun!

Found what I was thinking about.

You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

The example that I was told (I think it was on M4C) were those flimsy rifle cases with a lock in the center where you can easily pry open the case and get to the gun.  That that was subject to possible rejection by TSA. 

When I traveled with my handguns, it was inside my rifle Pelican case.  Never tried flying with the guns in the container that they came in.  Some are pretty stout though where I could see it being acceptable. 

You can use any type of suitcase as long as the container that the firearm is in is a "locked, hard-sided container". I travel frequently with my firearms and have used everything from Pelican cases to small metal safes that I keep inside my suitcase. Just make sure that it is unloaded, ammo is NOT inside the same container as the firearm, and declared to the ticket agent. If you're flying on Hawaiian you'll need to stand in line at the Customer Service counter so make sure you give yourself enough time for that line and the TSA line.

You can use any type of suitcase as long as the container that the firearm is in is a "locked, hard-sided container". I travel frequently with my firearms and have used everything from Pelican cases to small metal safes that I keep inside my suitcase. Just make sure that it is unloaded, ammo is NOT inside the same container as the firearm, and declared to the ticket agent. If you're flying on Hawaiian you'll need to stand in line at the Customer Service counter so make sure you give yourself enough time for that line and the TSA line.

Maybe that was Hawaiian's policy.  I believe it acceptable per TSA regulations and United and Delta's policy (I think Alaska's as well) to allow ammunition within the same rigid and locked container as your unloaded firearm.  TSA does have verbiage about the ammo being "securely boxed".  I've flown a bunch of times on all those airlines with ammo within the same locked container as the unloaded firearm.  The only stipulation that I recall was that the ammo couldn't be loose.  I was looking into what ammo I could bring back from my trips at that time and for some reason that always stuck in my mind. 

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I travel outer island a lot for work (no firearms) so I stop by and ask them the same questions and seem to get a different answer every time.

Thanks everyone for your responses.
I travel outer island a lot for work (no firearms) so I stop by and ask them the same questions and seem to get a different answer every time.

Regarding the different responses, sounds typical. 

At airports like Anchorage, Alaska, where it seems common for people to be traveling with firearms, they seem MUCH better.  On my first trip with firearms there, I was one of like 10 people claiming firearms.  Most of the others were going hunting.  Super easy process on both arrival and when it was time to return home.  They had the gun cases separated and you needed to claim. 

On return trips home, I've had about 50/50 where I had to claim the guns from an agent and where it came out on the conveyor!  On my first trip, I assumed that it needed to be claimed by seeing an agent.  After I claimed my suitcase, I noticed my gun case on the carousel! 

Just buy a TSA approved lockbox or a Pelican case will work, I go an extra step when I transport a handgun to the mainland. I break the gun down before I put it in the box/case, remove the slide etc..,so when you have to open it for they get a little stiffey seeing that the gun cant be fired without having to put it back together first.
They don't like the ammo to be in the case with the gun unless its a different caliber, in case the bag rats etc.. take it they would be able to load it up and go to town with it.
Must of the airlines will allow each person to bring 11/12 lbs of ammo per person, (Alaska Airlines allows more)  just has to be in the factory box and which I put all the boxes of ammo into a box that will hold all of it and just tape it up.
Been doing it for years never had a problem.

Note that the lock(s) on the case need to be NOT TSA locks.  The regulations state "Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock."  This is explicitly to keep TSA agents from opening the case when not in your presence.  TSA had a run of bad luck with agents damaging expensive toys and changed their policies. 

As far as ammo, "Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm." 

Lots of great information, all pretty consistent with what I've been seeing online. Thanks everyone. If I experience anything unusual, I'll update my post with the details.

I travel at least 2x / month outer island (Hawaiian Air) and 4 - 6 times per year outside of Hawaii (mostly Hawaiian or United as primary flight with transfers at times).  Hawaiian Air, I do the drive through check-in.  Small locked case for pistol that goes in a soft sided suitcase / rolling duffel.  I keep ammo separate from the locked pistol case (easier).  I tell them the weapon is unloaded in its locked case and ammo is separate from the weapon.  I will also tell them that I have under 11 pounds of ammo.  Never had an issue at the drive through.  Never had TSA ask to open the locked pistol case inside the suitcase but have had the TSA inspection flyer inside the suitcase.  Now if I have a locked Pelican, my own locks, after check-in I go right up the escalator to the TSA area on that same end, for inspection.

On one occasion I did my check-in inside upstairs, drive through closed.  I went to the customer service / check-in for Gold / Platinum / First Class.  Had a new agent working there.  She was confused about weapons in cases and declaration.  She checked with TSA and she got the scoop, which matched what I told her.  I also told her I had under 11lbs of ammo.  She looked up the ammo restrictions on the computer, verified and actually wanted to weigh the ammo separate on the scale.  Not a big deal, she was learning and trying to follow the rules. 

Now for dedicated gun cases like Pelican cases, I often travel with Pelican cases.  2 are square style cases for gear, the others are standard rifle types.  Now the Pelican cases draw different attention.  I use my own locks (NON-TSA) locks which are OK.  However after check-in, you must take those cases to the TSA area for inspection.  They will swab the case and have you lock them in front of them.  I have also had them inspect gear cases without firearms so I could put on my own locks, so they won't cut them open if they get curious later.  This is not necessary, but if they want to inspect the case, they will cut the non-TSA locks.  Porter will then take the case(s) into the back for baggage.  I also note that it seems that if I am traveling with Pelican cases, my soft sided suitcases will guaranteed have a TSA inspection slip inside.  If no pelican case, usually no inspection on the standard suitcases, even if I declared ammo only.  I will also guess that if you have "military" or "tactical" looking suitcases, it seems that they get profiled and will often get inspection by TSA.  My OD green rolling 511 suitcase / duffel gets hit every time, while other standard style suitcases get ignored.  Pelican cases with no weapons / ammo, will get inspected.

I will note that when I go through the drive through, if I am not taking a weapon but if I am taking ammo only, I will declare the ammo, but the agents there never raise an eye at it and don't even ask any further questions.  Maybe they know me well enough already?

Just be careful if you're "transiting" through JFK because NY Port Authority will give you tons of grief if you have ammo in the same suitcase as the container with the firearm. Speaking from personal experience,

I do not go to New York, New Jersey and California, although I have been to those states a few times.  For now I only go to Nevada and states that honor non resident NV, UT & AZ permits.  As far as traveling, I have only used Hawaiian and put the ammo in the same Pelican case as the handgun.  I put the Pelican case locked with non TSA locks inside a hardside suitcase that does not have zipper closure.  Never had a problem

The lightweight plastic suitcase I eluded to in the beginning DOES have a zipper closure. I was going to put my pelican case in that. Anyone tried that?

Zipper closures are fine.  I looked for a long time to find the samsonite suitcase without zippers.  It is just more rigid and has a built in TSA lock.

Just be careful if you're "transiting" through JFK because NY Port Authority will give you tons of grief if you have ammo in the same suitcase as the container with the firearm. Speaking from personal experience,

Oh yeah.  I forgot about the "transiting" part. 

On a couple of trips, I had stopovers in CA.  I had lots of warnings that in the event that you get stuck there, be VERY careful about how you handle your firearms, especially if you needed to leave the airport (for overnight lodging or other stuff).  There were many stories of people getting jammed up because their firearms were not CA compliant when they missed a connection or other reason to have to stay in CA unexpectedly.  NY/NJ was another place that I have seen warnings about.  I didn't plan my flight any differently, but was always warned to get to know the laws of the places where you where you had stopovers or had to pass through.

So I went the airport today and am happy to report that it went very smoothly.  The only thing was the lady at the counter was a little loud so when she handed me the orange card and said you have to sign this stating your firearm is unloaded, three people over at the next counter gave me a OMG look, but other than that it was really simple.

You can use any type of suitcase as long as the container that the firearm is in is a "locked, hard-sided container". I travel frequently with my firearms and have used everything from Pelican cases to small metal safes that I keep inside my suitcase. Just make sure that it is unloaded, ammo is NOT inside the same container as the firearm, and declared to the ticket agent. If you're flying on Hawaiian you'll need to stand in line at the Customer Service counter so make sure you give yourself enough time for that line and the TSA line.

Hawaiian does not have a policy against storing small amounts of ammo in the same hardsided case your firearm is stored/locked in. I do it all the time.

Per HAL's Conditions of Carriage:

Rule 195: Shooting Equipment (Sporting Firearms)
Items of shooting equipment will be accepted only as checked baggage subject to the conditions and charges specified below:
Conditions of Acceptance
Firearms must be unloaded and placed in a suitable container. Firearms must be packed in (1) a manufacturer's crush-proof type container, manufactured specifically for the firearm, or (2) a hard case. Baggage containing firearms must be locked with a key or lock combination in possession of the passenger only, and the bag must be of hard side type. Baggage containing firearms will be transported in an area, other than the cockpit, that is inaccessible to passengers.
Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, or metal boxes.