Gun stolen from checked baggage

[97321]

My son and DIL flew PDX to LAS today, Spirit Airlines. Declared his G26 in a locked pelican case, and returned the case to inside his checked luggage. Arrived LAS to find the pelican case had been removed.
Reported to the airline. Currently filing a report with LVPD. Will file a report with PDX PD. Then report to the ATF within 48 hrs.

You can't bring a toothpaste tube more than 3.4 ounces past the checkpoint, but TSA can't manage to keep firearms secured when a person follows all the proper procedures.

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[ilikegunspdx]

Damn that sucks. @WillametteWill any tips on how to prevent something like this from happening?

 

[Cal1]

So who is libel? Surely you're not just SHL!

 

[Stomper]

Damn that sucks. @WillametteWill any tips on how to prevent something like this from happening?

I travel with my pistols in a purpose built heavy duty metal lock-box that tethers to the internal metal ribs of my suitcase with a metal cable. You ain't quickly slippin' it out of my suitcase without some effort that might attract attention.

 

[Camelfilter]

I lock the handgun lock box with a cable thru the luggage frame. Carry on sized soft luggage with an internal metal frame. Frame accessible inside.

One of those vehicle type lockboxes with a cable.

Obviously won't stop any motivated thief, however will delay one. Perhaps enough of a "hassle" to delay even luggage handlers who may have more time than an everyday out & about type thief.

Couple years back there was a rash of firearms thefts out of PDX. Caught the/one of the guys.

 

[OregonRider]

How about stuffing a tracker behind the foam?
Do y'all take any photos of gun box Inside the luggage?

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

How about stuffing a tracker behind the foam?
Do y'all take any photos of gun box Inside the luggage?

Came here to suggest this. An Air Tag in the case or even in the stock of a rifle would be a sure fire party hit!

 

[97321]

PDX PD is reviewing cameras.
Spirit said they'll make good for the loss.
More to follow, I guess.

 

[ND55]

My son and DIL flew PDX to LAS today, Spirit Airlines. Declared his G26 in a locked pelican case, and returned the case to inside his checked luggage. Arrived LAS to find the pelican case had been removed.
Reported to the airline. Currently filing a report with LVPD. Will file a report with PDX PD. Then report to the ATF within 48 hrs.

You can't bring a toothpaste tube more than 3.4 ounces past the checkpoint, but TSA can't manage to keep firearms secured when a person follows all the proper procedures.

Sorry for the loss. I prefer to drive and avoid airports as much as possible.

 

[Camelfilter]

Sorry for the loss. I prefer to drive and avoid airports as much as possible.

Yah, that's probably everyone on the planet.

This thread is about options to better secure checked firearms. Not how to avoid airports.

 

[64MercurysRule]

I secure all my weapons in a heavy container when I'm traveling ......

 

[WillametteWill]

I lock the handgun lock box with a cable thru the luggage frame.

How about stuffing a tracker behind the foam?

These two things. ^^^ Not criminal proof, but for someone who could just grab the box and hide it (almost certainly an employee), the cable is a deterrent. This was actually recommended by a helpful and sharp TSA staffer who worked at PDX and checked my bags several times. I also have AirTags in my cases now.

I have never flown on Spirit, so I'm not familiar with their process. I don't know if they have some type of tag on the outside that may alert a thief (and employee) that there is a gun inside. With American, they place a 'Return to BSO (baggage service office) tag on the outside. Then you pick your bag up there. Southwest doesn't place any tag on the bag and tosses it on the carousel, which is fine with me. Las Vegas is one of my least favorite airports. Sketchy AF and too crowded. But I have to travel there a few times each year.

Sorry for your loss and keep us posted with anything you find out.

 

[kmk1012]

Our luggage and firearms all have AirTags in with them. That would only show where it happened, most employees know where cameras are and can avoid them though. Hope they make it right for the OP and find who stole it. That is a crime that cannot be tolerated no matter how much the Dems love to be easy on crime.

 

[Cavedweller]

Came here to suggest this. An Air Tag in the case or even in the stock of a rifle would be a sure fire party hit!

This is a great suggestion. They are not very expensive, are small and concealable, and have numerous applications. limited only by your imagination.

Apple AirTag - 4 Pack, Item Tracker with Apple Find My - Walmart.com

Buy Apple AirTag - 4 Pack, Item Tracker with Apple Find My at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Member 86767]

From what I understand the AFT takes theft from an airline or UPS/FEDEX very seriously. Hopefully they find it and prosecue.

 

[nehalemguy]

It was an AirTag that got the PDX thief caught red handed a couple years back. Owner checked his luggage and went to his gate. Later, before his flight, he checked the location on his phone and saw that his luggage was no longer in the terminal but was instead heading out to a parking lot. He alerted authorities, missed his flight, but found and recovered the luggage from an employees' car.

-E-

 

[Alexx1401]

PDX PD is reviewing cameras.
Spirit said they'll make good for the loss.
More to follow, I guess.

If they actually do pay? You got very lucky. This has LONG been a real problem. Not just firearms but anything of real value. Its not cheap but last several times we flew I sent guns ahead of us. Now this of course only works if you are going to a place you have family. The day were were leaving I packed them back up and sent them to myself again ground. A few days after we got home they showed up. You are not "supposed to" do this but to me it was worth it.

 

[Ducati_Meister]

Those Air Tags work with Android equipped OS? Seems like a great idea to use them in my Pelican cases for gun storage/travel setups.

 

[hongkong2]

Damn that sucks. @WillametteWill any tips on how to prevent something like this from happening?

Air tag in the magwell is what works for me.

 

[P7M13]

Because of theft, I always flew with mine in a carry-on sized Pelican case or larger with two locks.
In it, I would also include a lock and cable to lock it to the bed frame under the mattress at my hotel. I worried more about theft from hotel rooms than airline personnel.
The baggage pickup at different airports varies. Some would come out on a carousel, some you have to go to the baggage office to collect the firearm, and one, STL, they set it inside the building at a side door about 60' from the carousel. I luckily happened to see them open the door as I was waiting for my regular luggage, and recognized my case instantly.