Baggage Padlocks

[~Piglet~]

I've just got my suitcases out ready to start our packing and I thought I would post this for any new travellers to the USA regarding suitcase locks.

For those that aren't aware, your baggage can be searched by the TSA and any non-approved TSA locks may be broken. There are a number of TSA approved locks you can buy for your suitcases which have universal master keys to allow them to be opened should your baggage need to be searched. You can tell if you have a TSA approved lock as they have a red diamond shape on them.

I need to buy a few new ones myself as I have lost all our keys except one Adsa has a twin padlock set for £5 and if anyone prefers combination locks there's a selection here

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks. I only use TSA locks but will need to get more as one of them vanished off one of our cases on the return last year and I have lost a key too. Oh, and forgotten a combination code

That is a pretty good price. I am getting extras this year as our cases have outer compartment zippers and I want those locked for security reasons too. I don't use them, but would like to know that nobody else can either

Thanks for the link.

 

[~Piglet~]

Thanks for the link.

You're welcome it's something I had forgotten about until I spotted the lock in my suitcase.

I'll be buying some more too because if I use the lock I have with only one key I can guarantee i'll lose it

 

[les2425]

myself i have found a cheaper and more different route, i use the coloured cable ties to lock are bags if they are brocken at the other end someone has been inside and i make them all match on both suitcase.
red going out, yellow comming home.

just a idea.

les m

 

[Pinky166]

They have TSA locks on ebay too, they are cheaper than the link above.

 

[2Tiggies]

myself i have found a cheaper and more different route, i use the coloured cable ties to lock are bags if they are brocken at the other end someone has been inside and i make them all match on both suitcase.
red going out, yellow comming home.

just a idea.

les m

Do you put spares in the cases in case they get opened and need to be replaced? Some people do it with ordinary padlocks, but the trouble is the TSA staff are so pressurised that they don't always find the spares. I don't mind them opening the bags to check, but I don't particularly like the idea of my luggage being unlocked in transit. I do like your color coding idea though.

 

[Beep]

myself i have found a cheaper and more different route, i use the coloured cable ties to lock are bags if they are brocken at the other end someone has been inside and i make them all match on both suitcase.
red going out, yellow comming home.

just a idea.

les m

Thats exactly what we do. We used TSA approved locks a few years back and the cases were opened and searched, problem was they broke the locks.

We carry spares in the hold luggage. If they are in the hand luggage they are confiscated - found this out at Gatwick one time.