I was told you need to hold up your firearm and yell - "I HAVE A GUN"
Then report back here....
Thanks everyone. It sounds like a PITA. I think I'll drive.
When I fly, I print the TSA regs & the regs for each airline I will be using. I then lock my unloaded gun(s) in an approved locked container & the ammo in an approved container, usually in the same bag that the locked gun container, if allowed. I use TSA locks on the bag & NON TSA locks on the container w/ the guns.
When checking my luggage, I declare my unloaded firearm & ask where to wait for TSA to come for the key for the gun container. Once they come get my key & then return said key to me, I go to the terminal.
Not usually a big deal, but can be nerve wracking going thru it the 1st few times.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock.
§1540.111 Carriage of weapons, explosives, and incendiaries by individuals.
(c) In checked baggage. A passenger may not transport or offer for transport in checked baggage or in baggage carried in an inaccessible cargo hold under §1562.23 of this chapter1) Any loaded firearm(s).
(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.