In my opinion 9/11 has not changed how airlines handle guns. Case in point: at your arrival point (in this case lets say Denver) your guns will either come in with the rest of the normal lugage down the ramp or they get off loaded in the oversize area with skis and golf clubs. Either way the gun may be waiting for you before you get to bagage claim. No one has to sign for it, you don't show your ID or anything. Hopefully your favorite guns are they waiting for you and not in the hands of some a-hole theif.

The other problem I have heard about is some baggage handlers inside the airport (in the secure area between the plane and baggage claim) steal guns. They see a nice long alluminum case (that can really only hold one thing, your gun) come down the belt and oops lost bag. Later when know one is looking they can pry it open with a screw driver and smuggle the gun out. I doubt they check these guys on the way out. The lock are ofetn strong on gun cases but ofetn the hinges are easily broken open.

I spoke with my local gun shop and they said they have had many customers come in with lost (stolen) or dammaged guns. Now I am sure thousands if not tens of thousands of guns are handled by the airlines each year and the chances of theft are probably slim but I would not chance losing my favorite guns and ruining my trip.

The two sugestions my guns shop made were:

1) buy a good gun case. put the gun case in a non-descript cardboard box and have your local gun shop handle the FFL tranfer to a gun shop at your destination using an insured carier (UPS or Fed-X). For the extra 50 bucks it is worth it.

2) If you insist on flying with the gun buy one of the new gun cases made by Cabellas or Orvis. these are a normal airline approved locking gun case hidden in the bottom of a long non-discript duffle bag. Your gun goes in the bottom and your hunting gear can go in the top.

I hope this helps.