Dealing with TSA after Alaska

@Mica Man I've never had anything missing flying out of Moscow/Pullman. But my last trip the rifle was so far off paper when got to Alaska that I had to start at 25 yards to figure out where I was. I still think TSA jacked the scope. I just can't fathom that any Anti would not understand that could cause a wounded and suffering animal.

The NL Pures you graciously loaned me were in that case too. I would have been mortified if those had gone missing.
 
@44hunter45
Same thing happened to me. Upon arrival in Ketchikan I see that my 2 black locks were cut off and replaced with a single silver lock.
I told TSA to cut off the silver lock and that they need to give me 2 locks which they did.
Zero was missing, as in my scope’s zero. Some anti hunting TSA agent spun my scope dial and it took 54 clicks to bring it down.

I called TSA to make a formal complaint and the woman taking my call was beyond unapologetic, she was very bitchy.
“We have the right to do whatever we want “ was her response.
 
CRJR45 said:
It amuses me how many people refuse to read the rules about TSA locks and try to dictate their own narrative . It is TSA's world , you're just passing through it , use TSA locks . I mean really , what do you save by using a padlock ? They'll cut it if they want to , why not make it easy for everyone , follow the rules ?
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You are allowed to have your opinion but it doesn’t make it correct. Have been instructed multiple times not to use TSA locks on gun cases by the TSA.
 
CRJR45 said:
It amuses me how many people refuse to read the rules about TSA locks and try to dictate their own narrative . It is TSA's world , you're just passing through it , use TSA locks . I mean really , what do you save by using a padlock ? They'll cut it if they want to , why not make it easy for everyone , follow the rules ?
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jpcoll01 said:
You are allowed to have your opinion but it doesn’t make it correct. Have been instructed multiple times not to use TSA locks on gun cases by the TSA.
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There is a logistical purpose behind that instruction. It states in plain language that you are the ONLY person to have possession of the keys. TSA locks can be purchased online and they basically have an assortment of “master” keys and therefore anyone in the airport could open the locks. One would hope they would allow you to be present when the case is opened, but that is not a requirement and you must give them your key if requested. To each their own, as you stated, but I like you, will always use my own locks.
 
Mica Man said:
Throwing this out to the HT community for any advice as I imagine I'm not the only one who has had issues with TSA when traveling for a hunt. I'm curious if anyone else has had similar issues and how they handled it.

Earlier this month I went on a trip to Kodiak with several friends to hunt Blacktail and do a little fishing. Been to SE Alaska several times but first time up to the "Rock" for me.
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DAY 1
After arriving at our destination we were asked to present our license and tags for verification prior to hunting. I unlocked my guncase to retrieve my license and locking deer tag only to find that it was no longer there. Panic followed by second guessing myself as to if I had somehow forgotten it and left it at home. More searching with the same result. Not gonna lie. I was a bit pissed.

I was able to reprint my license and permits at the place we were staying, but was without the metal locking tag required to hunt deer. No license vender anywhere close to us and an hour's flight from the city of Kodiak from where we were staying.

None the less, we headed out for approx the last four hours of light for a quick hunt. We had split up in pairs since there were six of us as it made the most sense.

The leaves were off the brush and trees but it was still pretty thick with limited visibility. Kind of jungle like and similar to North Idaho brush but without the trees.

Not long into out hunt I spotted a nice looking buck. He was safe from me as I was not properly licensed and he melted into the brush before I could direct my buddy to where he was located. Very frustrating as I would have been more than happy to have put my tag on him if I had only had one.

Using a cedar deer call I had purchased from a resident of POW the previous fall seemed pretty effective. Every couple hundred yards or likely looking spot I would stop and blow on it. About 50% of the time within a few seconds a deer would materialize out of the grass and brush. Unfortunately all that responded to the call were does. However, I figured it was only a matter of time before a rutting buck would at least follow one of them into our setup.
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One member of out party shot a forky buck the first evening but no other deer were harmed. We were checked by Alaska State troopers on our way back who happened to have boated into the area making their rounds. They were sympathetic to my situation but confirmed what I already knew that without the metal locking tag, I could pack a firearm around for "safety " or "defense" purposes on the island but not shoot a deer.

DAY 2
Different terrain on the second day and not as thick as what we experienced the day previous. Lot's of opportunities for glassing and a few deer spotted. Several does and only one spike buck spotted for the day between the six of us. I was still bummed about not having a tag but not as much, so if the country had been crawling with bucks and shooting was involved.
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An uptick in the day was after returning to our cabin on the second evening and learning that the host we were staying with was able to pull some strings with the F&G office in Kodiak. They were able to print off a duplicate locking tag and then have it delivered to the airport and flown down to where we were staying.
Pretty awesome to say the least.

Day 3
We opted to fish as a group rather than hike the island looking for deer. It was one of the guys' birthday and we wanted to take advantageof the salt. We had a great day on the water.
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Day 4
Weather sucked with high winds a rain. We spent the morning in the cabin moping as we knew going out in the boat would be pretty miserable. By mid morning the rain let up and the wind began to die down.

We grabbed our gear and headed out to a spot close to where we had hunted on day one. Thick cover with few glassing opportunities. I again used my deer call and things worked out as a lovesick buck followed in a couple does. My buddy made a 50 yard shot on this nice buck.
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We boned it out and hunted our way back. I called in another nice buck but was unable to get a shot. Not bad for an abbreviated hunting day.

Day 5

More fishing and another birthday for a member of our party. We planned on fishing in the morning and then hoped to hunt in the afternoon. Fishing was great and we ended up staying out on the salt rather than come in early and hunt.
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Day 6
It was a great trip and we flew out on a calm, clear, bluebird day for home. I enjoyed myself and the experience of a different part of Alaska. I had intended on both hunting and fishing on this trip but feel somewhat shorted due to only really being able to hunt for approx 1/3 of a day due to TSA.

Yes, I blame TSA as I know they removed my license and tags from my guncase. I know this because after returning home I filed a missing item report at the Spokane airport where the case was "checked" and then locked by TSA. I got a confirmation email a couple days ago from them stating that they have my "license and tags" and that I can pick them up or pay to have them shipped to me

So my question to the HT community. What would you do and what possible options might I be able to pursue for some sort of restitution?

I don't feel that TSA was purposly malicious when they removed my license and tag but come on. This trip was two years in the making and obviously entailed a bit more expense than a typical hunting trip for me.

Yes, I'm a whiner, but what would you do in my situation?
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Never have a TSA lock on anything you don’t want them to open. I have a lock that only I have a key for. They can call me if they want to open it.
 
Man sorry about your hunt. You should at least file a TORT claim. I’d claim the total cost of your hunt. Not sure if they will pay but in my opinion they should.
 
Never use TSA approved locks on firearms cases. Per Alaska Airlines they are not required. I stood there/watched while they checked my gun and made sure everything went back in.

Firearms checklist​

You may transport firearms as checked baggage only.

You must be 18 years of age or over to transport a firearm.

Firearms must be unloaded and carried in a locked, hard-sided container.

Container must be completely secure so that it does not allow for accidental or unauthorized access.

  • Multiple locks may be required on some cases to ensure the firearm/contents in the case is completely inaccessible and cannot be opened.
    • Locks that do not completely prevent unauthorized access (e.g. long locks) will not be accepted.
  • Only the passenger shall have the key or combination to the lock.
    • Passenger may need to supply the key or combination upon request from the TSA when the case is screened.
Container must not hold dangerous goods or prohibited items, such as, but not limited to, loose ammunition, flammable liquids, black powder, primers, or bear spray. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all relevant laws that concern possession of firearms. Those laws vary by local, state, and international governments.
 
CRJR45 said:
Well , this is what I found -

Note: TSA accepted locks are suggested, as TSA may need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. If a bag is locked, TSA may cut the lock off. Alaska is not liable for locks damaged or missing as a result of TSA inspection.
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Only the passenger shall have the key or combination to the lock.
Passenger may need to supply the key or combination upon request from the TSA when the case is screened.
 
CRJR45 said:
Well , this is what I found -

Note: TSA accepted locks are suggested, as TSA may need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. If a bag is locked, TSA may cut the lock off. Alaska is not liable for locks damaged or missing as a result of TSA inspection.
Click to expand...

 
TSA has given me very few hastles. Just once coming back from S Africa they pulled us out of line and freaked out because we had checked firearms-legally. Worse is dealing with CBP, US F$W and Dept of Agriculture. What a racket that is. They put a hold on your chit till they inspect it and a 3rd party charges you $198 a day to store it while they mess around and stumble through simple inspections for weeks at a time. That is by design, I’m sure. I respect the need to control CWD but they drag it out on purpose
 
cfree said:
Click to expand...
Yes , that's the exact same page I posted but you didn't read far enough . See my post , read it , especially the note , I added it
But again
Note: TSA accepted locks are suggested, as TSA may need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. If a bag is locked, TSA may cut the lock off. Alaska is not liable for locks damaged or missing as a result of TSA inspection.
 
I mean it says right there if TSA needs to inspect your checked bag , whatever bag , and it is locked without a TSA lock they will cut the lock .
So what do you gain by not using a TSA lock ? It doesn't say they have to open it with you there .
 
CRJR45 said:
I mean it says right there if TSA needs to inspect your checked bag , whatever bag , and it is locked without a TSA lock they will cut the lock .
So what do you gain by not using a TSA lock ? It doesn't say they have to open it with you there .
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You gain the fact that not just any Joe Schmo can have a master key to your locks
 
For normal baggage that is true. The guidance specifically for firearms (posted above) says to have a lock that only you have the key to and many airports will require a lock for every hole on your case (4 in my case). This policy ensures that no one but you can open that firearm.
CRJR45 said:
I mean it says right there if TSA needs to inspect your checked bag , whatever bag , and it is locked without a TSA lock they will cut the lock .
So what do you gain by not using a TSA lock ? It doesn't say they have to open it with you there .
Click to expand...
 
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