Electronics on board???

[ruadisneyfan2]

Cheer up! The new regulations in the US seem to be slightly more generous than those in the UK. Virtually everything has to go in the hold as you can see from the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778615.stm

I'm hoping that things will be back to normal by the time I fly, but I suspect some of these changes will become a permanent feature.

Thanks for sharing that BBC link. If remote key fobs are banned from being carried on, doesn't it seem unsafe to put them in checked-in luggage? After all, any would-be theives would have your address too, usually on luggage tags, and now they have the keys too! I guess you could keep the real keys in your carry-on and just put the key fob in the checked luggage.

 

[LBelle]

Lots of great info, everybody!!!

Thanks

 

[GabbyMom]

I've seen special luggage locks at Samsonite, Meijer, and Target thet the Tsa screeners have a key to open if they need to. They have a white and red logo on them.

 

[LBelle]

I've seen special luggage locks at Samsonite, Meijer, and Target thet the Tsa screeners have a key to open if they need to. They have a white and red logo on them.

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
I will look into these ASAP!!!!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
I will look into these ASAP!!!!!

We used them on our last trip. I remember being very nervous at MCO as we handed our luggage over to TSA (I used them at LAX once and they had "lost" the master key and were about to use bolt cutters on them until they saw me watching...they asked me for the key so they didn't have to cut them off.) So as I handed our bags over to the gentlemen, I asked him, "These locks are ok, right? You have the key?" and he laughed and said, "Yup...don't worry". So off we went and all was fine. (I actually stayed a bit longer and watched from a distance...I'm always curious as to whether they actually look inside... and they didn't end up looking at ours.)

We bought our locks at Walmart.

 

[pigby]

We are travelling in 6 days from the UK and if we want to take camera/camcorder, then we have no option but to pur them in the checked in luggage. Apart from the obvious risk of them getting lost/stolen, are these items safe enough to store in the hold with the amount of X-Rays they have to go through?

 

[El Tel]

We are travelling in 6 days from the UK and if we want to take camera/camcorder, then we have no option but to pur them in the checked in luggage. Apart from the obvious risk of them getting lost/stolen, are these items safe enough to store in the hold with the amount of X-Rays they have to go through?

A camcorder should be fine, as should a digital camera. You may have problems with film in any film cameras depending on the strength of x-rays and how many times the film is scanned. There normally isn't a problem with the scanners used to x-ray carry-on luggage but I don't know whether the ones they use for checked baggage are any stronger.

I'm more concerned about theft or damage...but compared with being blown up it's less of a problem. We will probably have to travel naked next

 

[pxlbarrel]

We are travelling in 6 days from the UK and if we want to take camera/camcorder, then we have no option but to pur them in the checked in luggage. Apart from the obvious risk of them getting lost/stolen, are these items safe enough to store in the hold with the amount of X-Rays they have to go through?

As long as they're digital cameras, you should be ok with the X-Rays. If you're still using film, you won't be. The X-rays they use on checked luggage are much stronger than that for carry on. If you're still in the film world, it may be prudent to purchase your film when you arrive in Orlando (at a Walmart or somewhere outside of the park so you're not paying premium prices), and before you leave, have it processed and printed so that you're never travelling with the film.

And I've been reading a lot about this since this mess began. If you don't have a protective case for it to prevent damage, a website said to use bubblewrap (the bigger the bubbles, the better) around the camera...then pack it in the middle of your clothes so that it's not anywhere near the edges of your bags. Make it so it doesn't slosh around loosely or can get squashed if a heavier bag gets put on it. That'll hopefully prevent damage.

Oh, and check with your home insurance company to see if they will cover loss of luggage (including electronics). Specifically ask them about this situation...somebody on another board siad their insurance company wasn't going to cover it because it was an offshoot of an "act of war". My insurance company (in Canada...and yes, we're still allowed electronics as carry on at the moment...the operative words are "at the moment".) said they would cover it...I hope they don't change their mind.

And if you are digital, I think I'd do sort of the same thing I'd do with film...I'd get the images burned onto a cd (lots of photo places and even the drug stores and grocery stores can do this). Maybe by the time you go, they'll allow a little more carry on as long as it's not electronic and you can take the cds with you rather than risk the images in luggage that may go lost. Or as somebody else suggested on another thread, you can mail them home as a backup. The photos are not as replaceable as the camera equipment.

 

[CarolA]

On flights from O'Hare to Denver today on United they were making passengers check cell phones, laptops and blackberries.

Well UA and I would have had a huge fight. I just checked thier webpage and it says NOTHING about this and unless they want to start assuming responsiblity for the items, they are NOT going in the cargo hold.

As for those TSA locks... .... DO NOT depend on them to keep things like electronics safe.

My firm has people traveling from the UK taking the Chunnel to Paris and flying home from there just to avoid the need to check your laptop.

This is overkill.... The point is that these electonrics could provide "POWER" to ignite the bomb. Yeah and so could all those nice power soureces on the plane....So the thing to do is to stop the explosive material. There is much better technolgy out there then we are using, but no one wants to pay for it.

 

[LBelle]

Thanks again!!!

I'll be buying those luggage locks, wrap the equp. in bubble wrap, etc. AND have a lot more peace of mind!!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Thanks again!!!

I'll be buying those luggage locks, wrap the equp. in bubble wrap, etc. AND have a lot more peace of mind!!

Hiya! (from York Region!)

Let's just hope that we're not going to have to worry about our stuff in checked luggage. I think this comes with being Disney drill sarges...we just want to be prepared for anything!!

 

[LBelle]

Hiya! (from York Region!)

Let's just hope that we're not going to have to worry about our stuff in checked luggage. I think this comes with being Disney drill sarges...we just want to be prepared for anything!!

I think that's a big part of it!!!

Hi neighbor!!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've seen special luggage locks at Samsonite, Meijer, and Target thet the Tsa screeners have a key to open if they need to. They have a white and red logo on them.

My luggage has this too and have never used it. I would think this may cause even more screening delays. Besides, who would be the ones to steal from people's luggage? Those who have access to it!

 

[TravelinGal]

My luggage has this too and have never used it. I would think this may cause even more screening delays. Besides, who would be the ones to steal from people's luggage? Those who have access to it!

Sadly, most theft from luggage comes at the luggage handling/ramp agent level. Not TSA level.

TSA unlocks the approved lock and locks the suitcase after inspection. Ramp agents have no way to unlock them.

I got my locks a few years ago. I have ones that have an indicator that tells me if TSA opened them. (and they never have - although prior to these locks I did get a couple of notices in my bags that they were inspected - which is required!)

An important note - if you ever do use these approved locks (which can be found MANY places now - shop around for good prices!) remember that they are guaranteed! If TSA cuts them off because THEY don't have the key, the TSA is FINED for it and you get free replacement locks. Details may vary by brand - so read the guarantee card that comes with your locks.


Here's the info on that from the Travel Sentry website

In the unlikely event that your Travel Sentry® Certified lock is mistakenly cut or damaged by the TSA, it might be eligible for replacement by the manufacturer.

Each manufacturer has its own policies and procedures regarding replacement of Travel Sentry® Certified locks cut or damaged by TSA.

If the TSA cuts a lock, they may wrap it in special protective tape and place it in your suitcase but should always include a Notification of Baggage Inspection form.

Each retailer has a different policy, but most require you to submit the following to obtain your replacement lock:

a. the cut lock (if returned)
b. the Notification of Baggage Inspection
c. the name of the airport where your baggage was screened (your origin airport or where your baggage was checked-in)

They are available built into some suitcases, as luggage straps, as combination locks and traditional keyed padlock style. Not all of the styles have the SearchAlert feature.

Honestly, my opinion of locks is more an issue of keeping the bag closed! I've seen zippers that came undone in the rough handling during the transfer from plane to baggage claim.

As with any type of lock ( house, car etc) - a locked item keeps an honest person honest. Someone wants into your bag bad enough, they can cut the fabric!

 

[seashoreCM]

Disputes with varied outcomes have occurred when TSA cut one of the "TSA approved" locks and did not return it.

The airlines' brochures clearly say "don't put valuables in checked baggage" From that I conclude you are entitled to a refund of your ticket if you choose not to check your valuables and are not allowed on the plane.

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

 

[LBelle]

 

[TDC Nala]

It's not limited to airport personnel. Here in the DC area, a guy named Derrick Kysar was busted for stealing over 1000 pieces of luggage from the three local major airports. He would walk into the baggage claim area and take a few bags from the claim belts and walk out again with the bags. After awhile he would go to a different airport and do the same thing. He got caught when someone reported he was selling clothing from suitcases to people in his apartment building. He was also recorded on bank surveillance cameras cashing forged checks he had taken from the luggage.

After he got busted, the cops found 60 suitcases in a storage area he had rented.

There's absolutely no way I want to put anything valuable in checked luggage and I hope TSA doesn't feel the need to go the way the British have and totally ban electronic items from airplane cabins. Who wants to travel without at least their cell phone?

 

[CarolA]

Sadly, most theft from luggage comes at the luggage handling/ramp agent level. Not TSA level.

TSA unlocks the approved lock and locks the suitcase after inspection. Ramp agents have no way to unlock them.

!

Don't count on this! Those little locks can be opened by baggage handlers..... I have a friend whose DH is a refueler. According to him there is nothing out there the baggage handlers can't get into. And I belive him. I also do not have the faith you do in the TSA agents.

And then there was the LOVELY story on the ATL news last night. ROW upon ROW upon ROW probably close to a 1000 suitcases that had gotten on flights that the passengers had missed due to the new secuirty. Sitting there COMPLETLY unattended.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks for sharing that BBC link. If remote key fobs are banned from being carried on, doesn't it seem unsafe to put them in checked-in luggage? After all, any would-be theives would have your address too, usually on luggage tags, and now they have the keys too!

Which is why travelers should never put their home address on or in their luggage. Use your work address, use your destination address, use (with permission) the address of a friend or neighbor who will be home while you're gone...

 

[LBelle]

It's not limited to airport personnel. Here in the DC area, a guy named Derrick Kysar was busted for stealing over 1000 pieces of luggage from the three local major airports. He would walk into the baggage claim area and take a few bags from the claim belts and walk out again with the bags. After awhile he would go to a different airport and do the same thing. He got caught when someone reported he was selling clothing from suitcases to people in his apartment building. He was also recorded on bank surveillance cameras cashing forged checks he had taken from the luggage.

After he got busted, the cops found 60 suitcases in a storage area he had rented.

There's absolutely no way I want to put anything valuable in checked luggage and I hope TSA doesn't feel the need to go the way the British have and totally ban electronic items from airplane cabins. Who wants to travel without at least their cell phone?

What a jerk that guy is!!!!!

I agree with you...I don't want to have to put our elec. stuff in checked baggage, but seeing that I am entering the States from Canada I may have to.