Stupid ? about suitcases.....

[tonilea]

In light of 9/11, and all the extra security at airports, will I still be able to lock my checked luggage? If I did and they decided that they "need" to look at something will they break the locks?

Thanks!

[Tiger Fan]

Last November on a flight back from New York, my lock had been cut. I couldn't get an explanation from anyone and nothing was missing. Just my experience.

Lisa

[mkymouse4ever]

This september we were told to lock our luggage and have keys ready to unlock for checked baggage. Carry on's are to be completely opened. MKY

[tonilea]

Thanks for the info. If it were just little locks, I wouldn't be so worried, but our luggage has a combination type lock in the handle. I think they would have to break it to get in!:( Of course, I would be happy to supply the combination.....

Thanks again!
Toni

[seashoreCM]

Checked baggage should be locked to prevent accidental opening. Suitcase locks do not prevent theft because they can always steal the whole thing.

If the lock is broken when you get back the luggage*, it becomes a simple case of damaged luggage for which they are usually liable. A broken lock is also a telltale sign of tampering and you can seek compensation for individual lost items.

If they need to inspect checked luggage more closely they should bring it to the jetway, have you open it, and then gate check it.

Other Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

* Exceptions: (1) If your name and address are not on the outside, we suggest having at least two such labels;(2) if they actually find something forbidden such as a large can of flammable liquid including hairspray.

[ducklite]

Years ago after I checked my bags, I received a page at the gate. They told me that they wanted to inspect the contents of my checked bag, and led me to a small, private room. I opened the lock, they picked through my dirty clothes, and then I relocked the suitcase and was escorted back to the gate area. My guess is that the outline of the portable TV, duct tape and "The Club" that were in the case made it a bit suspicious. They did plug in and turn on the TV. THey were exceedingly polite BTW, and never really did tell me what they were looking for.

Anne

[CarolA]

Unless you are using a REAL lock just forget it. Those suitcase locks are useless! I can pop those open with my hands and I am not real strong!

One of my co-workers once checked a bag home for another girl (this was YEARS ago!) The skycap put all our luggage under one person. So we get home and one piece is missing. Several hours later they call the person in whose name the luggage was checked and basically demanded she come to the airport. She gets there and they drag her out back someplace where they are preparing to BLOW UP the missing suitcase unless she is willing to unlock it. Well she can't unlock it, it is not hers but she screams A LOT. During the screaming the suitcase finally quits making the noise and the bomb squad decides to pick it open. the ticking noise turned out be a calculator that was stuck on - The battery had finally died! We have never let either woman live this one down!

[inkkognito]

Hubby bought little combination locks for our checked luggage, and they were unscathed when we reclaimed it. We figured they would just be cut off if the bags had to be searched. In the pre-9/11 days, we used to use cable ties, which are very secure and do not come off! But now we can't use them because you need a pair of scissors or nail clippers to cut them off, and of course you can't carry on anything sharp anymore.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[ducklite]

I suggest getting heavy duty combo locks from your local locksmith. I have five of them, you would need a bolt cutter to open them, and with a combo, (all use the same combination) there's no key to lose.

Anne

[LunarLady]

I think it would be OK to lock your suitcase, especially with combination locks. If airport security thought there was something suspicious in there (loved the ticking calculator story BTW! :D) they'd want the person responsible for packing the suitcase to be there to arrest if there was actually weapons or something that looked like a bomb.

I think the only time they'd actually CUT the lock off would be if they suspected something illegal in the case, but then again, they'd want the person responsible to be there for arrest.

So go ahead and lock your case. It makes YOU feel better that your stuff is secure, it makes it harder for someone to just open your case and take whatever they want, and you can always be paged to unlock it if security thinks something's wrong.

[hellokitty]

i heard they are checking most bags at checkin so locking it after that would probably be okay, i would ask
i would hate to have my locks cut off.

[robinb]

seashoreCM said ...
Suitcase locks do not prevent theft because they can always steal the whole thing.

True, suitcase locks don't prevent theft but I think they slow the theives down.

[ducklite]

What they do prevent is pilferage by airline baggage handlers.

Anne

[Luv2Roam]

I'm curious on the liability.
I would rather have someone steal the whole suitcase. Then I know I would be compensated.
My understanding (from people I know who have had items stolen from their luggage) is that if anything is stolen, the suitcase owner is out of luck.
For example, someone had their camcorder in their suitcase. It was missing when they opened their suitcase. The airline basically said prove you had a camcorder in the suitcase at check in. They couldn't and they were not reimbursed.
And I know others with similar experiences.
So-- if items in suitcases come up missing, are travelers compensated? Or is it a matter of prove it?

[ducklite]

The airline contract of carriage specifically declines responsibility for certain items in checked bags, especially electronics of any kind. So when they wouldn't cover the stolen camcorder, it wasn't because the item was stolen out of the luggage, it was because it was an electronic item.

Anne