I've flown with both a pistol in a locked case within my suitcase, and also with a rather obvious Pelican rifle case by itself. Always declare it. They've had me open mine right at the normal counter to peak in and put a pice of paper in the case, and other times I've gone over to a special booth where they had me open it. I used Master combo locks, and they didn't say a thing. What I've found concerning is that I've never had to pick it up anywhere special; it always just came down the carousel. DIA, Atlanta and Houston, each just spit it out on the luggage carousel. Get there quickly.