Transporting bow requirements

[chiefdale]

leaving 6 weeks first trip to south africa flying delta from atlanta to johannesburg. can have some input on following 3 questions about transporting bow. 1)locking bow case requirements? my current case has two built in locks and two areas for attachment for external locks.not going to use built in locks for fear may malfunction after getting thrown around and then cannot get open.question is on areas of external locks do you have to use two locks or can you use one.have heard different stories on this. 2)do have to use tsa locks 3) during check in of baggage with bow case has anyone had to get case checked by tsa before being checked in on delta recently. thanks again everyone for their time . this is a great resource

 

[BRICKBURN]

1. None, on your flight. Just stops tinkering or theft.
2. No TSA locks.
3. Can't answer this one for your scheduled flight. It's not a firearm!

 

[JimP]

With it being a bow I doubt that it will be checked by TSA but it will all depend on your ticketing agent, they just may want TSA to look at it. So I would just show up at the airport just a little bit earlier than you might show up.

I would just use a single lock on the case with a extra lock with the same key inside the case with a note that if they cut the first lock off to replace it with the second lock. I did this on my rifle case and had now problems.

 

[kal]

I just used the built in tsa locks on my skb, had no trouble flying and entering SA. My bow was being loaded with all the guns as I walked up. I told the worker it was archery gear and they just handed it to me. Cant say that is normal but it was that easy. Now coming home was a different ordeal. My bow was sent to the tsa in Atlanta where we were given many conflicting orders. One agent told us to go to the head of the line (not pleasing our fellow hunters) then one would send us to the back of the line. Once in we were lectured by the agents that bows are sporting goods and not firearms and to not waist there time. We just smiled and got out as fast as possible.

 

[billc]

I will tell you I always put two locks on and never use the key locks on the case. As for if they check it that all comes down to who is there at the time because they all do what they want when they want. Make sure you have two key for the locks and keep one on you other in your bag you take on plan with you.

 

[TOM]

My argument is for no bow case. Put it in a rolling duffel bag like a Badlands Terra Glide or Sitka Nomad. I've traveled to several continents with a "bow in a bag" and it is so much easier than toting a bowcase that every uninformed airline/customs/police thinks is a firearm. Pack clothes around it, put arrows in a fly rod tube and go enjoy your safari. That's my .02.

 

[wapiti]

I had to open my case for the ticketing agent (delta) to prove it was a bow. No TSA involved. I locked it with tsa locks coming and going.

 

[bilmcc]

1. None, on your flight. Just stops tinkering or theft.
2. No TSA locks.
3. Can't answer this one for your scheduled flight. It's not a firearm!

So-called TSA locks do not meet TSA lock requirements.

 

[Mekaniks]

So-called TSA locks do not meet TSA lock requirements.

That is true for a firearm, but for a bow it doesn't matter. Just have a spare lock(s) handy in case they cut them off for some reason.

 

[bilmcc]

That is true for a firearm, but for a bow it doesn't matter. Just have a spare lock(s) handy in case they cut them off for some reason.

Good advice.

 

[JimP]

And the TSA lock is only for the US side of the flights.