Don't beat yourself up over this. Go to the Airlines web site or call them. The TSA lock is not to be used on the hard case used to carry the gun. We fly Northwest/Delta and here is their rules/regs
Sports Equipment
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm
Pistols
You can bring pistols and accessories as checked baggage as long as they are included in one pistol case and contain:
- No more than five pistols
- Pistol telescopes
- Noise suppressers
- A small pistol tool case
- No more than 11 lbs. (5 kg) of ammunition
An
excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than five pistols.
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Rifles and Shotguns
Delta will accept firearms and shooting equipment packaged as follows:
- One gun case containing up to a total of four rifles or shotguns, plus shooting materials, and tools
- One gun case containing up to five handguns, one scope, and tools
- One bow and quiver of arrows and maintenance kit enclosed in a case or container of sufficient strength to protect the bow and quiver from accidental damage
An
excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two rifles. You can check up to two shotguns and two shotgun cases. Ammunition is limited to 11 lbs. (5 kg). An
excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two shotguns.
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Shooting equipment
Shooting equipment is accepted as checked baggage only. It must fit within the very specific criteria that we outline below.
- Declare to the Delta representative that you are checking a firearm
- Declare the existence of a firearm to security personnel if a security checkpoint is prior to the Delta counter
- All firearms must be declared by the passenger to a Delta representative at the main ticket counter
- Present firearm(s) unloaded and sign a "Firearms Unloaded" declaration
- Firearms must be packed in a manufacturer’s hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
- Maintain entry permits in your possession for the country or countries of destination or transit
- Ensure small arms ammunition is packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, plastic or metal boxes and provide separation for cartridges
If you need to travel with a weapon as checked baggage, you are responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all Federal, State, or Local laws regarding the possession and transportation of firearms.
TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms. For more information about this regulation you can visit the TSA site.
If you are transporting a firearm to the United Kingdom as checked baggage, a permit from the United Kingdom is specifically required. You must contact the United Kingdom for more information about securing this permit.
Ammunition in excess of 11 lbs. per passenger or that contains potential projectiles is not allowed.
