I have been flying with firearms for over 5 years now. I have always used a TSA lock on my gun case. I used private locks once, when I claimed my case they werent on it. They were inside cut with a note from TSA statin they cut them for "inspection". Never again. I always put TSA locks on. It saves me sometimes having to wait with my case and always makes the process smoother.

Although I have had more than one TSA numbskull ask for the key to my TSA locks *facepalm*.......

Good tips Jason, I have been doing those things for years (hey, we all don't have Aussie accents to swoon the agents!)

The best airport expierience with firearms was at Dulles. They jay assumed I was part of a secret .gov organization (guess painted M4s and Glocks are proof...) and treated me with the utmost courtesy. Even waived the overweight bag fee!!