a suitcase ???

[misspickle]

hello every1

i read a thread yesterday about suitcases and padlocks and the security breaking locks to open etc
can someone explain in more detail whats it all about and what locks i should get for our suitcases.

thank you very muckle !!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

US Security do check suitcases, so there is a chance one of yours may be checked.
There have been instances where locks have been broken , however, the TSA locks enable security to access the case without damaging the lock - they normally put a leaflet in the case to show you it has been checked.

I have never used them, we have Delsey hard suitcases which we always lock, the one time a bag was searched I was present to open the lock for them.

I believe this site sell the locks:

www.outdooraccessories.co.uk/index.htm?url=products/pacsafe/padlocks.htm

To be honest I am not sure how they can open the TSA locks, but I am sure someone else will know.

 

[cheryl.UK]

We have hard suitcases also. we don't lock them but place a locking strap around them. if they cut the strap, the suitcase is still OK, closed but not locked

 

[anita967]

If you go to www.TSA.gov they have two locks on there that are ok.

 

[Goofyish]

You can get straps with TSA approved combination locks on too (see the website mentioned above).

 

[grannyed]

we were there in 2003 and on the way back we did not lock the cases we were advised not to and also packed any valuable stuff - (we don't carry much of that)- in our hand baggage

when we arrived home we discovered that one of our cases had been opened and searched... nothing was missing or even hardly disturbed, in fact had it not been for the note in the inside of the case telling us and giving a phone number should we have any queries we would probably not have known

we are off again soon and probably won't lock our cases then....my son and his wife are coming with us this time and they are less willing to leave their cases unlocked...however they're both police officers so maybe a little more conscious of crime

 

[kristieuk]

It is the TSA approved locks that you should look for - but they sometimes break these as well. I just use a strap now - they can be opened and closed by anyone, but I tend to work on the basis that anyone who is going steal something from your case would have to pretty quick, and might be put off messing around with the straps. If thieves really wanted to get in, a small padlock isn't going to stop them anyway.

Generally on every trip during the last 3 years or so, we have had at least one of our 3 luggage items opened and searched, but I understand it is random, and they leave an information leaflet inside to let you know what has happened.

 

[Laurafoster]

I also use a strap and just put the clasp part under a handle or something. Again if someone wants to get in a silly little padlock prob wont help much anyway.

However i do lock my cases with a TSA lock also, but in the last 8 times ive been they have never opened my case.

 

[susieh]

We had our cases opened both ways last April. On the way out they forced the (non TSA) lock and broke the zip on the case. We had to buy a new case. On the way back the new case (with TSA lock) was opened and a souvenir book of matches taken but nothing else.

We also took two Carlton hard cases with integral locks. These were not broken open or damaged at all even though they didnt have TSA locks. In June when we go we will take the new case with TSA lock and we have bought TSA combination straps for the Carlton cases so we dont need to lock them.

 

[WDWfan uk]

They sell the US approved locks at Gatwick - I'd already checked in the luggage when I bought them. We had put luggage straps which have those little plastic keys around each case but the cases themselves we left unlocked. As Cheryl says, better that they break a strap rather than the case! So we used the approved locks for the trip back with no problems! (I have seen, and I'm sure you have, broken cases on the carousel when we have returned to Gatwick and so the locks are well worth it).

 

[mushumadness]

we had tsa locks on and they broke them off, and broke the zips too

 

[gbrchill]

I travel regularly to the USA and use a case with a zip. I never bother with a padlock on the case - I just use a coloured zip-tie, not pulled too tight so that it can easily be cut off. I also use a normal baggage strap (just in case the zip gives way).

The zip-tie makes it pretty obvious if someone has been into my bag. I'm also fortunate that at PDX, where I usually return from, the TSA screening CTX machines are on the check in concourse. So, I usually mill around and keep an eye on what happens to my bags when they come out of the scanner.

Chris

 

[sunshinefinlay]

We never lock or cases before they go through and they have always come out the otherside with the locks 'scrambled' - the TSA seem to do it for you after they have cleared them.

 

[TraceyL]

I bought my from QVC last month - flourescent green so they should stand out