Luggage Security

[Ian&Linda]

I have read somewhere that you cant padlock your cases outward bound from USA. Is this correct?

[Amyrlin]

I have read somewhere that you cant padlock your cases outward bound from USA. Is this correct?


Not quite. You can, but if they want to check your luggage they will cut it off or break it off.

You can choose not to lock them, or you can get special TSA locks, which you can use. These are locks that security have mater keys to. You can get them in the UK and they are not expensive, we use the TSA locks.

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

You can padlock them but they reserve the right to rip them off if they want to search your case! You can get a special padlock ( I know Boots sell them) which US Security have a generic key for and so they will use that instead of getting the metal-cutters out- that's your best bet!

[Tialuccy]

I believe you can padlock them but you must use TSA locks.... if you use normal locks you should be aware that they may cut them open if they need to look in your bags.

[orangetiggs]

we never us tsa locks and once have had it cut off and searched

[Fozzie Bear]

We just use plastic zip ties and if they hav'nt been cut off by security I put a pair of nail clippers in an external zip pocket on one of the suitcases, so we can remove them when we get to the hotel.

[Ian&Linda]

Thx for the info.. To be on the safe side have bought TSA padlocks.

[Goofyish]

If you have the type of case where you can't easily fit a padlock (some hard sided cases with combination locks for example), you can get luggage straps with TSA approved combination locks on. They also make your cases stand out on the carousel so you can spot them quickly :)

[barry7767]

Not to put you off, but just to add another view - we used TSA locks on 2 cases in 2006, and one was still cut off!

To be fair though, it was the day the liquid explosive scare kicked off so I imagine resources were stretched and they were double screening at both departure and arrival airports.

Used them since to New York and not had a problem, so I would recommend TSA locks too.

[lagunn]

We just use plastic zip ties and if they hav'nt been cut off by security I put a pair of nail clippers in an external zip pocket on one of the suitcases, so we can remove them when we get to the hotel.


This is what we always do too!!
We have had the cable ties removed by tsa, But we did not know till we opened them at home as they put a note in to say case has been searched. Then they put another tie back on.:thumbsup2

[Jets fan]

When we went at Christmas time I packed a christmas cake into my nephews case as it would not fit into mine. When we went through security my sister was pulled aside and they said that there was something that they could not identify when it went through the big xray machine.

The case was locked and rather than cut it off they waited until we picked up the case and asked us what it was. Luckily I remembers the cake as my sister didn't.

They were really nice and laughing with us as it was a large cake!

[Shazzie B]

When we went at Christmas time I packed a christmas cake into my nephews case as it would not fit into mine. When we went through security my sister was pulled aside and they said that there was something that they could not identify when it went through the big xray machine.

The case was locked and rather than cut it off they waited until we picked up the case and asked us what it was. Luckily I remembers the cake as my sister didn't.

They were really nice and laughing with us as it was a large cake!

Hope you didn't take it as a reflection of your baking skills:rotfl:

[Jets fan]

Hope you didn't take it as a reflection of your baking skills:rotfl:

No, it was a Marks and Spencer Conniseur cake with lots of alcohol in. It was lovely coming home, after trudging around a park, to have a cup of coffee or a baileys and a slice of cake. Really Chrsitmassy!