Your goal might be to get on the plane and your weapon in your luggage traveling with you. My goal is to comply with Federal Regulations so as not to receive a citation, a fine, and possibly a jail sentence. For example.... the "TSA Rules" contain this statement:
QUOTE]
Was that not what was implied?
If you printed the rules, read the rules, even highlighted important parts to remind you what to do. Plus not get in a pissing contest with TSA, or the airlines agent.
And please do not forget the goal, for you to get on the plane and your firearm to get on the plane, would mean you were NOT arrested and put in jail. But you are happily flying to your destination.
And what if the airline policy, TSA Rules, or what the airline agent or TSA agent is requesting that you do violates Federal Regulation?
There are airline websites and the TSA website which either state or imply to hand over the key if the case needs to be opened for inspection. So what do you do in real life? Hand over the key in violation of Federal Regulations so as not to engage in a pissing contest with TSA or the airline agent?
Flying with a firearm is pretty dang simple. And the real Federal Regulations are pretty dang simple.
The reason the declaration tag goes on the outside of the locked gun case, but inside the suitcase is because if TSA detects the handgun they will be able to find the declaration tag without having to find the passenger in order to open the gun case to retrieve the declaration tag for inspection.